OT: Harcourt miniature railway affected by bushfire

[Alan Cooper]

Victoria's bushfires have impacted railway tourism.

Found on Facebook, an update from Lost Bendigo on the recently-opened Harcourt Miniature Railway ( https://www.facebook.com/lostbendigo/posts/message-from-vmr-victorian-miniature-railway-at-harcourt-notice-of-temporary-clo/1361591175999878/ ):

Message from VMR - Victorian Miniature Railway at Harcourt

Notice of Temporary Closure

The Victorian Miniature Railway located in Harcourt, Central Victoria, is located in a Government Area designated as a 'State Of Disaster'

Friday, 9th January, saw the Harcourt Township devastated by bushfires. To our understanding, no lives have been lost, but destruction to property, businesses and animals is intense.

The VMR was in the line of destruction. Members fought alongside our valued CFA brigades, and with our fire preparations and huge holdings of tank water, we managed to save the VMRs' infrastructure.

Many other parts of the site have been devastated, and it's unclear in the early hours to what extent.

The VMR will be closed until further notice until we assess and help the Harcourt Community to the best of our ability.

Pleas share this far and wide.

Our hearts go out to our amazing Harcourt Community. With strength and resilience we will rebuild.

Fires are still active on Mount Leanganook, so the risk is far from over.

Harcourt Miniature Railway only had their grand opening on 6-7 December 2025.  I read somewhere that they owned the body of W6.990, but can't confirm this.

Fires have been an issue for tramway museums, too.  ISTR reading that one of the ignition points on Black Saturday could be seen from Bylands.  There may have been another fire there, the other side of the highway, a few years later - perhaps Mal can confirm this (or not).

[Mal Rowe]

On 11/01/2026 11:50, Alan Cooper wrote:

Fires have been an issue for tramway museums, too.  ISTR reading that one of the ignition points on Black Saturday could be seen from Bylands.  There may have been another fire there, the other side of the highway, a few years later - perhaps Mal can confirm this (or not).

The closest threat to Bylands was in February 2014 when the fire burnt right up to the Northern Highway.

I have attached a map showing the extent of the fire at one stage.

Mal Rowe