2025 rail heritage grants program

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​About Queensland Rail​

Queensland Rail has been connecting communities since 1865. In financial year 2025, some 160 years later, we provided more than 55 million customer trips and helped move more than 14 billion gross tonne kilometres of freight across our network. Given the history and breadth of our operations, Queensland Rail recognises that we have an important and ongoing role to contribute to the social and economic wellbeing of the local communities that host our operations.​

Queensland Rail’s 160th anniversary (1865 – 2025)​

​As part of Queensland Rail’s 160th anniversary, we have launched a special community grants fund to help rail heritage operators across the state.

The $160,000 fund will enable organisations to boost their operations and ensure Queensland’s rich rail history lives on for many more generations.​

About the 2025 rail heritage grants program​

​The one-off grants program is open to not-for-profit, Queensland-based rail heritage operators that have an Australian Business Number (ABN) or Australian Company Number (ACN).

Grants of up to $20,000 will be awarded to rail heritage operators that can demonstrate a clear need for financial support for maintenance and repairs to rollingstock or community rail infrastructure.​

To be successful, each applicant must demonstrate that:

• they are a Queensland-based rail heritage operator
• their operations occur solely in Queensland  
• they are a not-for-p​rofit organisation
• their project aligns with Queensland Rail’s purpose of “Connecting Communities”
• their project will help advance safe rail heritage operations
• their project will help preserve and showcase Queensland’s rich rail heritage.
  

Key dates​

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Successful applicants

Eight Queensland rail heritage organisations across the State have been awarded a share of $160,000 in community grants. The funding, up to $20,000 for each application, will go to towards refurbishing heritage trains, carriages, tracks, and other initiatives. 

The heritage grants program recipients include: 

• Southern Downs Steam Railway in Warwick will overhaul a heritage diesel hydraulic locomotive 
• Whistle Stop in Maryborough will overhaul the famous Mary Ann steam locomotive​
• Atherton-Herberton Historic Railway will restore a Queensland Rail heritage carriage that was first built in 1913​
  
• DownsSteam will install a new roof in their restoration shed to protect valuable rollingstock
• Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway will be able to undertake important track repairs and invest in community partnerships to support maintenance
• Australian Railway Historical Society Queensland will purchase a heritage-themed food truck to cater for tourists at historic Grandchester station
• The Australian Narrow Gauge Railway Museum in Woodford will undertake a restoration of a former Queensland Rail railmotor carriage
• The Mary Valley Rattler will undertake essential upgrades to a track machine, reducing labour and improving safe operations for staff and volunteers.

Please see the ​​​​2025 rail heritage grant information sheet​.