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ABOUT US The journey of the Tweed Rail Society commenced on the 8th March 2005 (date of registration). The Society is headed by Phil Mackenzie from Berry NSW. Phil is currently running an agricultural business (alpacas) on the NSW South Coast and intends to relocate the business and integrate it with rail activities on the Casino – Murwillumbah line.
In addition Phil lived in South Africa for 4 years in the 1970s. He is currently undertaking an advanced diploma in tourism management at Wollongong Institute of Technology (2007). Phil, along with other like minded rail enthusiasts and activists in the NSW Northern Rivers are seeking to reinstate both passenger and freight services on the Casino – Murwillumbah line. The Tweed Rail Society Executive is currently headed by Phil (President / Treasurer / Newsletters), Neale Battersby (Vice President and Members Officer), Graham Smith (Secretary) and John Cox (Safety Officer). Neale, John and Graham are all qualified drivers. John and Graham are qualified for the Murwillumbah line. Neale is a long time activist for rail in the Lismore area. We are working in conjunction with the Casino Minirail Group based at Old Casino. This is the current temporary home of the Tweed Rail Society. The kind assistance and support of the Casino Minirail group is much appreciated by the Tweed Rail Society. It is the intention of the Tweed Rail Society to ensure the Murwillumbah line is reopened to rail traffic as soon as possible. Our first preference is to have the Murwillumbah line operated by the NSW State Government. However, in the event the NSW State Government does not intend to take up this responsibility then the Tweed Rail Society is pleased to take up that role either on a private and or community based operation. The Tweed Rail Society meets approximately every 2 months. Meetings are held on Sunday afternoons at 2pm at Old Casino Station (off Dyraaba Street) Use the level crossing next to the Norco factory. Dates for meetings will be advertised on the website when known. Members not ‘connected’ will be advised by mail or phone. Please Note - that while we have similar objectives as the TOOT (Trains On Our Tracks group) the Tweed Rail Society has NO connection with them. TOOT is purely a political activist group whereas the Tweed Rail Society is a practical rail heritage operation. Nevertheless, we have to be political at appropriate times such as elections, but we see ourselves as doing what needs to be done to actually get trains running again.
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