G’day! Let me introduce you to my live-steam narrow gauge hobby railway…
Pete’s Hobby Railway is a small 2-ft (610mm) gauge railway located on private property at Junee in southern NSW (Australia). Locomotives, steam and diesel, formerly used in the canefield tramways of Queensland, have found a new home on Pete’s Hobby Railway.
The first stage of Pete’s Hobby Railway was “officially” opened at a Grand Opening Event, as part of my 75th birthday celebrations on Monday, February 6, 2017. Construction continues, with Loftus station (and unattended platform building) being officially opened by the local State Member of Parliament on 30th June 2018. A two-track locomotive and rolling stock storage shed was completed in late 2019 and is currently being fitted out. A 5m diameter turntable and approach tracks are currently (March 2020) under construction.
Railways with a gauge of 600mm (1’ 11½”) and above are governed by Australian and State legislation and are thus heavily regulated. However there is a provision for the exemption of “hobby railways” and Pete’s Hobby Railway operates under this exemption. This means that legally Pete’s Hobby Railway is not able to be opened for public inspection and/or rides. However, visitors are very welcome to view, and photograph, Pete’s Hobby Railway, but from the street only. These public viewing operations take place at times that may be advertised (such as during Junee’s Rhythm n Rail Festival, which was previously held in March each year, but in 2020 was scheduled for May prior to the advent of COVID-19). At other times, it is more than likely that the locomotives and rolling stock will not be easily visible, although the rail track and Loftus station can be clearly seen and photographed from the street alignment. Being a “hobby railway”, the supporting volunteers may opt to have a running day at (almost) any time –- hopefully, but not promised, prior advice may be posted on the Pete’s Hobby Railway Facebook page.
Updates on the progress with the construction of Pete’s Hobby Railway appear in Progress Reports. These are prepared on an irregular basis and are posted to this web-page after they have been first distributed to those direct volunteers and supporters of the project.
You can also keep up to date with the latest News and Progress Reports about Pete’s Hobby Railway by following us on either Facebook or Twitter. We also have an Instagram page and a YouTube channel.
Separate headings will lead you into details about my locomotives, rolling stock and track including a plan of the proposed layout, as well as a brief history of my former “Weavering Light Railway” which operated at Loftus, in the Sutherland Shire (south of Sydney, NSW) from 1975 until 2015 when the property was sold.
A good starting point for more information about Pete’s Hobby Railway is our Frequently Asked Questions page while you can view a short introductory video to Pete’s Hobby Railway on YouTube.
Enjoy!
Peter Neve OAM
Junee NSW Australia
v.3 – 2020.04.15
A wonderful achievement. Congratulations Peter on progress to date and very best wishes for further development
Peter has always been an inspiration to me and rail enthusiasts in NSW, ever since I was a teenager way back in the early 70’s. I recall eagerly waiting for the “Railway news” (was that the name?) magazine each month!
Well done on getting approval for the building of the railway. Junee has always been a favourite overnight stop when passing by so I look forward to an opportunity one day of “viewing” the railway
Thank you for your kind comments. Now … if it would only stop raining long enough for the ground to dry out …!
Pete
Pete’s Hobby Railway
Hello Peter,
We have no objection to your latest proposal to Junee Council and support you wholeheartedly in this most worthwhile continuing venture.
Victor and Gail Borg (rear neighbour).