Museums History

Illawarra Light Railway Museum Society Limited Founded in 1972.

The Illawarra Light Railway Museum Society Limited was originally formed as un incorporated Society, in February 1972, following a Public Meeting in December of 1971 to asses community interest in this project, the Society became incorporated in 1979 as a Company Limited by Members Guarantee.

The Main Aims of The Society on Foundation,

• To establish a light railway museum in Albion Park, NSW Australia.
• To provide a place for public exhibition of light railway locomotives and rolling stock, along with other related items of historical interests.
• To educate the public in the mechanics, manufacture and operation of steam engines and other mechanical devices used for light railway operations and industry.
• To inform the public in the use of railways and tramways for industrial and other purposes, particularly those within the Illawarra region of New South Wales

Permission to occupy the Museum Site at the Southern End of Albion Park Airport (Now Shellharbour) was approved by Shellharbour City Council in February 1974 and the track laying commenced three months later, the site occupancy was changed to a 5 year lease at a later date.

The first operating day was held on April 12th 1975 using internal combustion locomotives and these open days continued from time to time until  February 11th 1979 when regular public open days using steam locomotives commenced.

Since 1972 the societies work’s has seen the building and planning  of the museum along for visitors and also with collecting and the restoring and the returning to operation the many locomotives and rolling stock from the many tramways and other areas, the rail track had been staged in and the completion of the circle of track in 1982.The upgrading and building of the museum locomotive shed and new work shop had been completed in 1985

In February 2022 had marked 50 years since the foundation of the Society and the Society acknowledges the contributions of the founders of the Society and also to past and present members and supporters who help the volunteer operated society become the tourist attraction it has became and also for the preservation works and forward planning that has been on going.