The West Coast Wilderness Railway in Tasmania is steaming ahead with the help of DEUTZ.
To ensure uninterrupted power supply, the railway has acquired two DEUTZ DPS33DB Gensets, strategically positioned at each end of the picturesque route.
Peter Dalton, the railway’s electrician, collaborated with Alan Woods, Tasmania’s DEUTZ dealer for six years, who facilitated the purchase of the generators through Penske Australia’s Launceston Branch Manager.
They will ensure that essential services, including station administration, cafes, gift shops, and the West Coast Wilderness Railway Museum located at Queenstown Station, remain operational.
The West Coast Wilderness Railway, a remarkable 124-year-old heritage route, meanders through ancient rainforests, preserving the region’s rich history.
Since its acquisition by the Tasmanian Government in 2000, the railway has become a popular tourist attraction. Along the journey, passengers can disembark at historic stations offering various activities such as mountain biking, rafting, rainforest walks, gold panning, honey tastings, and breathtaking photo opportunities.
Anthony Brown, General Manager of the West Coast Wilderness Railway, expresses his confidence in the DEUTZ generators, knowing that they can sustain vital operations, including the café, museum, computer systems, and lighting, during mains power outages.
Although power disruptions are infrequent, their occurrence at inconvenient times can be problematic.
Anthony emphasises the self-sufficiency provided by the generators and highlights the railway’s commitment to supporting the local community.
Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the railway temporarily suspended operations for six months but resumed with stringent safety measures in September 2020.
DEUTZ generators were selected to power the West Coast Wilderness Railway’s stations in Queenstown and Regatta Point, Strahan. The Queenstown generator is discreetly positioned at the end of an unused platform behind a historic corrugated iron shed, while the smaller Strahan version blends seamlessly with the surroundings in its green color.
For railway enthusiasts, the West Coast Wilderness Railway holds historical significance as the birthplace of Dr. Roman Abt’s revolutionary Rack and Pinion Railway. Dr. Abt, a Swiss engineer, inventor, and entrepreneur, devised the rack and pinion system inspired by clock gears. The innovative design featured a central rail with vertical teeth engaging cogwheels, known as piston wheels, mounted beneath the locomotive engine.
This breakthrough technology facilitated the hauling of heavy loads up steep hillsides while providing effective downhill braking, ensuring safety and cost efficiency. The Abt system gained global recognition and found its way to remote regions, including western Tasmania.
The West Coast Wilderness Railway proudly continues to showcase the captivating landscapes of Tasmania’s west coast, where stunning views and railway heritage intertwine.
The West Coast Wilderness Railway also holds historical significance as it is associated with Dr Roman Abt, a Swiss engineer and inventor who pioneered the Rack and Pinion Railway system.
Dr Abt’s innovative design, inspired by the cogs of a clock, introduced a third central rail with vertical teeth that engaged with cogwheels on the locomotive engine, enabling trains to traverse steeper hillsides and providing effective braking on downward slopes. This safe and cost-effective system, known as the Abt system, gained recognition worldwide, including in remote western Tasmania.
DEUTZ’s collaboration with the West Coast Wilderness Railway not only ensures uninterrupted power supply but also contributes to preserving the railway’s historical heritage and supporting the local community.
