Heritage Trains Are Back & Berriedale’s Now on Board

Every city has a heartbeat. In Glenorchy, you can hear ours on a quiet Sunday when a whistle carries across Elwick Bay and children tug their parents toward the platform. The Tasmanian Transport Museum’s green light to run heritage passenger trains through to Berriedale Road feels bigger than a timetable change. It is a living reminder that this city’s past is being preserved not in silence but in steam, sweat, and shared effort.

Until now, the heritage train experience was limited to a short shuttle between Elwick Road and Grove Road. It was a charming but brief journey. The new extension to Berriedale adds significant distance, allowing for a longer ride and a deeper appreciation of the region’s rail history.

Walk the platform on an operating day and you will meet the story behind the story. Retirees who once rode trams to work now oil bearings with patience. Younger volunteers trade screen time for spanners and signal flags. This line once carried generations to footy matches, work sites and beach picnics. Today, it carries something just as important: identity.

A Short History of the Tasmanian Transport Museum

It all started in 1960 when four Hobart locals convinced the Metropolitan Transport Trust to donate a Hobart tram for preservation. From this modest start, the Tasmanian Transport Museum Society was formally established in 1962. Just three years later, the society acquired its first railway locomotive. By 1983, the museum site in Glenorchy officially opened to the public.

Since then, the museum has grown steadily thanks to the passion and work of volunteers. Over the decades, they have laid rail tracks, built a roundhouse and added many sheds to house an impressive collection of carriages, trams, buses and steam technology.

The museum site also includes relocated historic buildings like the former New Town railway station and the signal box from the Botanical Gardens. These features add authenticity to every visit. The Tasmanian Transport Museum Society is a registered charity, and all donations are tax-deductible.

Their mission is simple but powerful. They aim to shine a light on the evolution of transport in Tasmania from past to present. They do this through preserving, displaying and operating an active fleet of historic vehicles.

Why Families Should Ride

If you grew up here, these short heritage rides are ready-made memory-makers. They are simple to plan, low cost, and loved by toddlers, teens and grandparents alike. You get the rhythm of the rails, fresh air in your face and the kind of conversation that only happens when phones stay in pockets.

Pair your ride with a stroll along Montrose Bay Foreshore, a picnic at Tolosa Park or an energy burn at the Glenorchy Mountain Bike Park. It is an easy, budget-friendly Glenorchy day out that gives families a story to bring home. For buyers looking to settle near parks, schools and green spaces, see our local guide: The Best Family-Friendly Areas in Glenorchy to Call Home.

Planning Your Day Out

To make the most of your visit:

• Check the Tasmanian Transport Museum website for current timetables.
  
• Pack light jackets and sun hats. Tasmanian weather changes fast.
  
• Bring a pram if needed. Platforms are stroller-friendly.
  
• Museum entry and souvenirs can be paid by card or cash.
  
• Don’t forget a camera or phone. You will want to capture the smiles.
  

From November, you will start seeing train movements extending to Berriedale as the museum begins crew training runs. These won’t be open to the public just yet, but they are a key step toward the official start of passenger services. Rides are expected to begin in late December or early January. During these operations, traffic controllers will be stationed at the Grove Road and Riverway Road crossings to help keep everything safe and flowing. If you are near the corridor, please stay clear and follow directions at all times.

For the latest service updates and schedule announcements, keep an eye on the Tasmanian Transport Museum’s Facebook page and website.

Why This Matters for Glenorchy

The Transport Museum has been part of Glenorchy’s story for decades. What began with a single rescued tram is now a collection of working locomotives, carriages, buses and trolleybuses. On select Sundays, steam and diesel railcars rattle to life, bringing the past into the present.

With the extension to Berriedale, more of our northern suburbs become part of this shared experience. It is not just about train rides. It is about recognising the value of local efforts, local stories and local pride. It is history you can touch, and Glenorchy is stronger for it.

Real Community Spirit

You cannot bolt community spirit to a sleeper, but you can see the results. Volunteers build more than track. They build connections. And when families ride the rails, they also visit Main Road cafes, Northgate and weekend markets. These small adventures feed the local economy and help put Glenorchy on the map as more than a commuter suburb.

Projects like this support local confidence. Over time, that confidence has a way of showing up in the property market. As Glenorchy invests in public spaces and experiences, it becomes an even more attractive place to live.

For a closer look at why this suburb continues to stand out for value and growth, read our feature: Why Glenorchy is Tasmania’s Hottest Emerging Property Market.

A Local Perspective

John McGregor, life-long Glenorchy local & 4one4 real estate agent, could not be more thrilled with the announcement. “Not a lot of people know it about me, but, I’ve always been a bit of a classic train enthusiast.” he said. “I have this really vague, but core memory, of being a small kid and going on a day trip out to Bushy Park or something like that with Mum and Dad on a steam train… So being able to create a similar memory with my 18 month old son, Michael, definitely excites me too.”

John’s excitement speaks to something deeper than nostalgia. It is about creating moments that connect generations. And it is another reminder of why Glenorchy continues to feel like home.

Quick Visit Guide

Where: Tasmanian Transport Museum, off Anfield Street, Glenorchy
When: Selected Sundays and special events
Safety: Stay behind safety lines and follow instructions at crossings along Grove and Riverway Roads

A Note of Thanks

To everyone who has contributed their time, tools and effort—thank you. Whether you replaced sleepers, coordinated operations, trained as crew, or simply turned up to lend a hand, your work has made a real difference. This extension is a credit to you, and the community you help keep connected.

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From the team at 4one4 Property Co.

We live here. We raise families here. That is why stories like this matter to us. They remind us that a strong community is the best foundation for any home.

Curious about what this means for your street? We are here to talk recent sales, buyer interest, and how to prepare for a standout result.