AMR History

The Altona Miniature Railway Inc (A4198H) was originally known as the Altona & South Western Railroad which was established in 1976 with the expressed objective to build and operate a passenger carrying miniature railway in the Western suburbs area, of Melbourne, Australia.

This objective arose out of then lack of miniature railway facilities in the Western Suburbs of Melbourne and hence the need to travel long distances to either the Diamond Valley Railway at Eltham or to the Steam Locomotive Society of Victoria at Moorabbin.

The club became a co-operative in 1978 and an incorporated Association in 1985. During this period it operated a portable track at school fetes and company Christmas parties to raise funds for a day when it would have a site upon which it could establish a permanent railway.

A number of sites were investigated in the Altona and Williamstown areas. Unfortunately, all had problems relating to the security of venure, nature of land use and the amount of rental required. However, in 1979 the Altona City Council (now Hobsons Bay) indicated that its development plans for Paisley Park, a community recreational facility proposed for the old West Newport SEC (State Electricity Commission) briquette dump, could be reworked to include a miniature railway facility.

Following lengthy discussions between Altona Miniature Railway, Altona council and the State Government Lands Department an area of some 3.764 ha (9.3 acres) at the corner of Blenheim and Rosshire Roads Altona North, was approved for use by the Governor in Council on 9th August 1982.

However, it was not until mid 1985 that a lease was finalised between AMR and the Council acting as Committee of Management for a period of 10 years.

The first official train to run on the site occurred on the 20th July 1985 when the Mayor of Altona, Councillor L.J. Crofts, unveiled a commemorative plaque and wished the club every success with its venture.

After a year hard work by club members, the inner loop of some 385 metres (1260 feet) of dual gauge track (7-1/4 and 5 inch) was completed, and approved by the Department of Labour for public passenger operation in 1986.

During this time negotiations were also had with the MMBW (now Melbourne Water) over the type of site development permitted, and with the Ministry for Planning and Environment over the proposed use of the land, given that the area was a designated flood plain. The latter issue was finally resolved (in the clubs favour) at the Planning Appeals Tribunal after lengthy submissions from legal counsel and an industrial safety consultant.

The commissioning of the inner loop of track now meant that the club was no longer solely dependant on fund raising from the hire of its portable track.

Public running on the third Sunday of each month commenced in July 1986.

AMR Milestones

1976
The Altona & South Western Railroad was established.

1985
On the 20th of July the first Official train ran on the Paisley Park site.

1986
In July, public running on the third Sunday of each month commenced.

1988
Construction of a carriage shed/workshop commenced and with the connection of the electricity supply in 1990 it meant the club no longer had to rely upon a portable generator for power. Building of the turntable and steaming bays was also started.

1990
A petrol powered VR B Class diesel and two carriages were donated by club member Ray Hinchliffe, this donation enabled the running of an engine on public running days when a steam engine was not available.

1991
We purchased an obsolete baggage van (1 CP) from V/Line and located it on site for re-development as a ticket box and patron shelter. A track from the club workshop to the main loop was installed making it easier to store and transport carriages.

1992
Hydraulic un-loading ramp for turntable constructed. Replacement of front fence with wire mesh fence.

1993
Widening and completion of sealing of Blenheim Rd. with a drive over curb greatly improved public parking on running days. Inner passing line and turntable docking line added.

1994
Excavation of the cuttings through the mountain and preliminary shaping of the soil which had been built up over several years by local contractors, the club installed a septic based toilet block, and extended the water supply to cover a further 300 Metres. Change of name to the Altona Miniature Railway Inc. Erection of publicity sign facing the Geelong railway line.

1995
Construction of the third road through the station commenced.

1996
LEAP (Landcare and Environment Action Program) sponsored by AMR in conjunction with local service clubs Rotary, Lions and Apex. This program of 26 weeks duration was a full time training program for unemployed youths. Work completed, included the construction of the Southern boundary wire mesh fence, bar-b-ques, and picnic tables and extensive site landscaping. Construction of the inner track loop at the Northern end. Additional shaping of the mountain.

1997
Installation of the container tunnel and completion of track through the ‘S’ shape cutting around the mountain and through the tunnel. Bringing the total track distance to approximately 950 Metres.

1998
Completion of another 50 Metres of track bringing the total to 1000 Metres this construction allows the use of two different track circuits or a figure ‘8’ for special occasions.

2000
The relocation of the portable oval track onto the site to enable junior members to play trains under limited supervision on public run days. Further landscaping at the rear of the site with our first community tree planting day.

2002
Construction of a tranverser and raised steaming bays, to replace the unloading ramp, making it easier to unload locomotives and rolling stock.

2003
Purchased a petrol powered freelance 7 1/4 diesel, 3 carriages and a guards van, to have a spare locomotive on site, if the other club diesel fails. Commenced operating the figure ‘8’ circuit on public running days.

2004
A diesel frame with bogies were donated by club member Peter Croxford. This frame will become the clubs 3rd loco with the further donation of a engine. Work is progressing and in time this loco will be running soon.

2005
The clubs 3rd loco ‘DL3’ completed, with it’s first public run on the August Open Day. Construction started on the ‘Siberia Loop’ track extension.

2006
Construction of the station platform and roof started in January. Station officially opened on the August Run Day.

2007
‘Siberia Loop’ track extension completed in February.

2009
Purchase of a new club locomotive, a 1.6 scale SW1500 locomotive from Rail Systems in the USA with the assistance of members.

2011
Construction and delivery of the first of 12 new passenger carriages 

2012
Reconfiguration of the Inner loop to form a significant junction complete with members station at the clubrooms.

2013
Reconfiguration of the Southern Yard to allow for through train movements.

2014
New alignment of the inner loop to bypass the main station completed. Installation of a new track extension to bypass the ‘S’ curve cutting to allow for the installation of 2 tunnels along the western boundary across the Paisley Drain.

2015
Construction of a new Ticket Box to replace the full size Guards Van 1CP to allow for accessibility and better use of space. Station platform length increased complete to accomodate a pair of long 100ft trains. The 12th passenger car completed.

2016
Installation of a pair of short concrete tunnels in the ‘S’ curve cutting to allow for future track extensions completed and full re-sleepering of that section of mainline with recycled plastic sleepers. Removal of full size Guards Van 1CP from site (now resides at the Gippsland Vehicle Collection museum in Mafra)

2017
Purchase of 1.6 scale locomotive VR Y164 that operated at the New Gisbourne Miniature Railway. This locomotive was built by The Train Works in the USA.

2018
New Station fencing complete with undercover race for patrons 

2019
Purchase of another 1.6 scale SW1500 with slug from AMR member built by The Train Works in the USA.

2020
Construction of 5 new passenger gondola’s (CP red) supported by the Bendigo Bank. Construction starts on a new track extension along the Paisley Drain and the northern boundary. 

2021
Took delivery of W class tram 1006 from the state government for community use.

2022
The 5th passenger gondola enters service (CP red). With the assistance of the Hobsons Bay City Council through their Urban Forrest Strategy, planted over 40 established trees and 100’s of tube stocks.

2023
Track extension completed around the northern boundary. Normal route now has apposing movements in several locations with dual trackage and removing conflicting train movements. Construction of another 5 passenger gondola’s (UP Yellow) with the assistance of the Westgate Tunnel Project.

2024
Community shelter erected that also protects W class tram 1006 completed with the assistance of the Westgate Tunnel Project.

Heavy earthworks undertaken for gradient and alignment for the track extension ‘Over the Hill’. Removal of the old container tunnel to make way for earthworks and future replacement with a Corrugated Steel Pipe Tunnel.

Purchase of 12 2.5 scale passenger cars and guards vans from AMR member to ensure capacity for our open days.

2025

Purchase and delivery of a new locomotive, S315 with assistance from the Westgate Tunnel Project

Purchase and delivery of a new caboose and volunteer training / carers carriage with assistance from the Westgate Tunnel Project

Purchase and delivery of a new caboose with the assistance from Hobsons Bay Community Fund 

Realignment of the main station to allow for a new island platform with a new station bypass road installed