The Cooma Monaro Railway (CMR) is a heritage railway museum in Cooma, New South Wales, Australia. It is based at Cooma railway station on the Bombala line. It previously operated services on an section of the line.
History Regular services on the Bombala line ceased south of Queanbeyan with the withdrawal of the Canberra Monaro Express in September 1988.Cooma Railway Digest February 1989 page 55 Following a bridge carrying the line over the Numeralla River at Chakola being declared unsafe, freight services south of Queanbeyan ceased in May 1989.Last Cooma Freight Railway Digest July 1989 page 237 However a steam special did operate through to Cooma a few weeks later, albeit without passengers over the bridge in question.High Drama or Farce and Tragedy Railway Digest August 1989 page 261
In 1992, the Cooma Monaro Railway was formed with the aim of establishing a tourist railway. It set about negotiating a lease on the Bombala line from Cooma to Chakola with the State Rail Authority. In 1994, it purchased three CPH railmotors and an accompanying trailer from the Mountain High Railway, Tumut, and restoration at the former locomotive shed at Cooma commenced.Still standing… Track & Signal issue 17/1 February 2013 page 85 After the line and railmotors were refurbished, northbound operations commenced on 5 December 1998 on a section between Cooma station and Snowy Junction opposite Cooma Racecourse.History Cooma Monaro RailwayRail Returns to Snowy Mountains Railway Digest January 1999 page 42 In June 1999, the line was opened to Chakola, from Cooma.Cooma News Railway Digest July 1999 page 44
Trains ceased operating in January 2014, with major repairs required to the line.Cooma Monaro Railway closed and in need of community muscle ABC Local Radio 12 February 2014Railway stopped Cooma Monaro Express 13 February 2014Efforts to get the Cooma Railway back on track Canberra Times 3 January 2015
In December 2022, the museum officially reopened, showcasing a "Travel for Pleasure" exhibit,And just like that....We're open! Cooma Monaro Railway showcasing the past history of the line. In May 2024, maintenance vehicles resumed operating to Snowy Junction as a precursor to passenger operations resuming.Rail Operations Commence Cooma Monaro Railway 25 May 2024
Rolling Stock Current 3203 restored by Transport Heritage NSW at Broadmeadow Locomotive Depot: Static display, restored arrived May 2023Steam locomotive 3203 coming to Cooma Cooma Monaro Railway CPH railmotor 6: In storage, awaiting restoration CPH railmotor 8: In storage, awaiting restoration CPH railmotor 22: Under restoration, operational CTC railmotor 55: In storage, awaiting restoration FP paybus FP11: Under restoration, operationalRolling Stock Cooma Monaro Railway S-Truck wagons: Static displayS-Trucks Cooma Monaro Railway L-Truck wagons: Static displayNew Arrivals - MBC Refrigeration Van & L-Truck Cooma Monaro Railway MBC22959, timber bodied refrigerated bogie box van:New Rolling Stock Restoration Projects Cooma Monaro Railway Static display, restored MB 22493, Steel framed MB timber box van :Static display, under restorationNew Arrivals MB Timber Box Van Cooma Monaro Railway PV 22318 Powder van: Static display, restored L759 four-wheel riveted oil tanker: Static display, awaiting restorationiting restorationProjects Cooma Monaro Railway 40ft Bogie flat wagon, to be used for track maintenance, under restoration.New Arrivals Cooma Monaro Railway 3 January 2022 MHG Guards van: To be used for track maintenance, under restoration.
Former 620/720 class railcars 625/725 and 631/731
References