What’s Happening?
Queensland Rail has helped DownsSteam Tourist Railway and Museum improve its rail heritage work in Toowoomba.
The not-for-profit community group has completed a new roof for its Restoration Shed at the Drayton Railway Precinct.
The project was funded through Queensland Rail’s 160th Heritage Community Grant program.
The Restoration Shed is central to DownsSteam’s operations. It is used for the maintenance, repair, and restoration of heritage rail carriages, locomotives, and equipment.
The previous roof had deteriorated after years of exposure to harsh conditions. It had caused water ingress, structural concerns, and rising maintenance needs.
DownsSteam President Ros Scotney OAM said the project had made a major difference.
“The completion of this project has transformed our ability to restore and preserve Queensland’s rail heritage,” the President said.
“Volunteers now have a safe, dry and secure environment to carry out their work, and our valuable heritage assets are far better protected.”
Why It Matters
The new roof gives volunteers a safer and more secure place to carry out restoration work.
It also helps protect important rail assets from weather damage.
For DownsSteam, the upgrade supports the daily work needed to keep Queensland’s rail history visible and accessible.
Queensland Rail’s Nev Conway said the result showed how community grants can support long-term heritage work.
“This grants program is a great way to give back to the heritage organisations that work tirelessly to keep Queensland’s rail legacy alive,” Mr Conway said.
“Seeing this project completed at the Drayton Railway Precinct highlights the importance of investing in the infrastructure that supports our rail history and the dedicated volunteers who care for it.
“It is more than a new roof, it helps to ensure Queensland’s rail heritage remains protected and accessible for generations to come.”
By the Numbers
- DownsSteam received $20,000 through Queensland Rail’s 160th Heritage Community Grant program, helping fund the new Restoration Shed roof.
- In late 2025, Queensland Rail awarded $160,000 in grants to support not-for-profit rail heritage organisations across the state.
- Eight heritage organisations each received $20,000, with projects ranging from locomotive overhauls to track repairs and carriage restorations.
Local Impact
For Toowoomba, the project strengthens one of the region’s key rail heritage sites.
The Drayton Railway Precinct now has better infrastructure to support volunteer-led restoration work.
The new roof also helps DownsSteam continue its role as a local keeper of rail history.
Visitors, rail enthusiasts, and future generations stand to benefit from better-protected heritage assets.
Zoom In
The Restoration Shed is the operational heart of DownsSteam’s work.
It houses the practical work behind the museum’s heritage efforts, from repairing equipment to restoring historic carriages and locomotives.
Before the new roof, the ageing structure created water and maintenance issues.
The completed project now gives volunteers a safer, drier, and more reliable working space.
That means more time can be spent on restoration, rather than managing damage caused by the weather.
Zoom Out
DownsSteam was one of eight Queensland rail heritage organisations supported through the grant program.
The full list of recipients includes:
- DownsSteam Toowoomba, for a new roof in its Restoration Shed.
- Australian Railway Historical Society Queensland, for a heritage-themed food truck at historic Grandchester station.
- Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway, for track repairs and community partnerships.
- Whistle Stop in Maryborough, for the overhaul of the Mary Ann steam locomotive.
- Atherton-Herberton Historic Railway, for the restoration of a Queensland Rail heritage carriage built in 1913.
- Southern Downs Steam Railway in Warwick, for the overhaul of a heritage diesel hydraulic locomotive.
- The Australian Narrow Gauge Railway Museum in Woodford, for the restoration of a former Queensland Rail railmotor carriage.
- The Mary Valley Rattler, for upgrades to a track machine for improved safe operations.
The funding was created to mark 160 years of rail in Queensland.
It also reflects the role of volunteer groups in keeping rail heritage alive across regional communities.
What To Look For Next?
With the Restoration Shed roof now complete, DownsSteam volunteers have a stronger base for ongoing restoration work.
The upgrade should help the group better protect carriages, locomotives, and equipment at the Drayton Railway Precinct.
Across Queensland, the wider grant program is also expected to support more heritage projects as each funded organisation completes its work.