We’re a passionate lot at the Box Hill Miniature Steam Railway, and as with everyone, Covid got in the way of our popular opportunity for people to enjoy a day out on one of the many trains we have at the club. In order to recommence our very popular public run days whilst maintaining a Covid-safe environment for all patrons and members on site, we introduced the timetabled running of trains at 15-minute intervals, selling tickets for a particular time as well as limiting seats available on carriages. This was a challenge, but our members rose to the occasion and made it happen. We have a Covid plan in place and Covid officers on site. With hand sanitiser stations at the platform entrances, QR codes are placed around the site for patrons to scan in.
All these precautions apply to our members as well, as we regularly meet and work on the ongoing maintenance and upkeep of the locomotives. It requires time, skill and dedication. Organisation for Public Running Days starts well before the gates open; the average preparation of a steam locomotive takes around two hours from being moved out of the shed to being ready to haul passengers. It is good to see the happy faces of the patrons once more enjoying themselves on our lovely little railway.
A little more about us, if you haven’t heard of the Box Hill Miniature Steam Railway Society (BHMSRS). We’re situated in Elgar Park on the corner of Elgar and Belmore Roads, and open to the public on the third Sunday of every month (second Sunday in December). Our site is surrounded by wonderful parkland and, with steam, diesel and even solarpowered trains to ride, is run entirely by members who volunteer their time to operate, maintain and improve the railway. We also offer private bookings of trains and our undercover picnic area for functions. The society was formed in October 1981. By September 1983 the Mayor of Box Hill was able to open the clubrooms and engine shed. By October 1985 sufficient track had been laid and site works completed to enable the railway to be opened for public running.
Click on our website bell ross and it will take you to the trybooking site. This form of sales has been well received and proven easy to use. The booking site usually opens four to five days prior to the run day and seats are usually sold out well in advance of the actual run.
PHONE: CLUBROOM 9898 2671 (Wednesday and Saturday, 8am – 3pm)
PRIVATE BOOKINGS John Keogh 0457 259 807 (10am – 9pm) Website: bhmsrs.org.au
