The Office of Rail Heritage is a business unit of Rail Corporation NSW (RailCorp). RailCorp's core function is to deliver safe, clean and reliable passenger services. RailCorp provides metropolitan passenger rail services via CityRail and long distance services via CountryLink.
RailCorp has one of the largest portfolios of heritage assets in NSW, including buildings such as stations, signal boxes and residences, and moveable items ranging from rolling stock to equipment and furniture. Many of these assets are integral to the railway network and experiences of its customers.
Most heritage buildings and structures are looked after by RailCorp's Asset Operations group and Property Division. There are also heritage assets which no longer play a part in RailCorp's day-to-day railway operations these are cared for by the Office of Rail Heritage.
RailCorp's Office of Rail Heritage was established in 2006 to implement a strategy for the sustainable management of a portfolio of RailCorp's heritage assets to ensure a future for a core collection of these valuable and historically significant State-owned railway heritage assets. The Strategy builds on the proud tradition of conservation by many volunteer based groups and individuals throughout NSW. Each of them has an interest in some part of the State's 150 years of railway history.
Through a range of projects the Office of Rail Heritage is working to achieve the Strategy by:
- applying an asset management approach to RailCorp's heritage items and collaboration with the other RailCorp business groups to update RailCorp's Section 170 Heritage and Conservation Register,
- working with railway heritage groups and strategic partners to conserve RailCorp's core heritage assets.
- supporting the development and transfer of heritage conservation skills between generations. Find out more about Rolling stock restoration projects including the Pay Bus Restoration and locomotive 3801 overhaul project. These projects attract railway staff past and present to share scarce skills.
- valuing and building on railway heritage volunteering through the Skills transfer and volunteering projects.
