"So much potential. Clearly this was a well stocked and funded museum in the 1990’s but much of the rolling stock is neglected with no operating trains into Rosewood. A new generation of volunteers are needed to make this a great tourist destination again. If you are a photographer or an artist I encourage you to visit."

Reade Smith

"25 or so years ago this was a thriving little tourist railway and Museum with wonderous plans to restore a myriad of different pieces of rollingstock and locomotives.
Fast forward to the 2000s and the place is falling apart. The combined effects of mismanagement, infighting, lack of volunteers (which in part could be due to the style of management or lack thereof), the fact that most of the volunteers were retired men over 65 who are now in their 80s with some no doubt having passed away, and then COVID hit and if that wasn't enough, a lot of infrastructure was vandalised . The place has been closed since around 2017 or 2018. Whilst there are a few volunteers still working on things there it is going to be an uphill battle and perhaps an impossible task to get this operation back on its feet.
One of its major problems is the distance from Brisbane and the fact there is no public transport to get there past Rosewood Railway Station. Directions by road are also somewhat vague.
Before this place can run a train again they have to repair the tracks, get re-accredited and reinsured, not to mention getting sufficient young enough volunteers to recommence operations to make some money to do more work on the place. it is unfortunately a vicious circle... if you don't run trains there's really nothing to attract people so nobody comes, no money comes in and eventually the cash runs out and everything stops. It is not cheap to maintain an operation like this, even with volunteer labour - so much stuff still has to be paid for out of whatever money is made from selling train tickets and a few refreshments. Fuel (coal and diesel) and insurance are the two biggest items and without these they cannot run trains to make some money to pay for everything.
I am saddened that this icon has deteriorated to such an extent when other preserved railways both in Queensland and interstate have at the very minimum maintained things in an operational state (ignore the state of The Dorrigo Railway which despite great plans and intentions is unlikely ever to realise the vision for it)..
Suggestions of government grants are unlikely to happen after the Federal Govt. gave a grant of $8 million to Beaudesert Railway which still folded and disappeared. It can never return as the tracks have been torn up and it is now to become a Rail Trail with some parts of the line becoming Private Property. Will the same happen to what's left of this line? They already lost the section from Rosewood to Cabanda many years ago. leaving only a short but steep section between Cabanda and Kunkala."

David Philips

"My train obsessed 3yr old, loves visiting the museum and riding on Red Fred. The volunteers are amazing and work so hard to make sure everyone has a good time, they've all got great stories to tell.

A fantastic day out, ride red fred and tour the rolling stock, stop for some tasty refreshments and enjoy the display carriage.

Great for all ages."

Amelia Soppet