Heritage transport groups from across NSW have received more than $180,000 as part of the 2023 Transport Heritage Grants Program.
Out of the fourteen groups awarded with grants totaling $184,883, nine will receive funds to restore, reconstruct or preserve an item, while four groups have received grants in the exhibition, interpretation, education, or publication category and one for a new category in audience development, accessibility, and inclusion. In total, 19 applications were received for a total of $369,052 in funding.
The two major recipients this year include Capital Region Heritage Rail, who received $25,000 for the restoration of locomotive 3016 to mainline operations, and the Sydney Bus Museum, who received $23,650 for the restoration of their State Rail Denning Coach.
Also of note is Balranald Southern Cross Inc.'s successful application for $12,890 to develop interpretation boards on the history of transport in the town, which is situated some 850km from Sydney.
The 2023 Transport Heritage NSW Grants Program recipients are as follows:
Restoration, reconstruction, or preservation
Capital Region Heritage Rail - $25,000
Restoration of locomotive 3016 to mainline operations
Sydney Bus Museum Ltd - $23,650
Restoration of State Rail Denning Coach
Sydney Heritage Fleet - $15,000
The Kanangra’s Main Deck - between staircase restoration plus no. 1 diesel generator restoration
10 Class Locomotives Limited - $15,000
Axle box, ashpan repairs, boiler inspection and testing of locomotive number 18.
Richmond Vale Preservation Co-operative Society - $15,000
New saddle tank for Marjorie
New England Railway - $8,167
Completion of internal restoration 635-765
Balranald Southern Cross Inc - $12,890
Interpretation boards that tell the story of transport history within the Balranald shire
Sydney Electric Train Society - $3,909
Repainting of electric Locomotive 4627
Goulburn Crookwell Heritage Railway - $1,887
Exterior painting of NSW GR Pay bus FP10
Exhibition, interpretation, education or publication
Sydney Bus Museum Ltd - $10,692
Remembering the Public transport Commission publication
Sydney Tramway Museum - $9,825
Digitising the archive of 16mm film
Australian Railway Historical Society NSW - $7,000
Development of the "NSW Rail History Trail"
Australian Railway Historical Society NSW - $8,000
Book publication: Railways to the Riverina 1855-1886 - personalities, policies and resources
Audience development, accessibility, and inclusion
Illawarra Light Rail Museum - $28,836
Accessible toilet facilities The Transport Heritage Grants Program is a NSW Government funded program administered by the Royal Australian Historical Society (RAHS) and THNSW. The program supports the restoration and conservation of the state’s heritage transport assets, and encourages the community to rediscover the culture, events and people that helped shape transport in NSW over the past 165 years. Updates on the funded projects will be made on the THNSW social media pages.