A community heritage rail group will be able to better preserve and protect rail history thanks to a grant from Queensland Rail.

Late last year, to celebrate 160 years of rail in Queensland, $160,000 dollars in community grants was awarded to support not-for-profit rail heritage organisations.

DownsSteam, a volunteer-run tourist railway in Toowoomba, was one of eight recipients of a grant.

The group received $20,000 for a new roof for its Restoration Shed at the Drayton Railway Precinct.

The Restoration Shed is the operational heart of DownsSteam’s activities, serving as the central workshop for the maintenance, repair, and restoration of heritage rail carriages, locomotives, and equipment.

DownsSteam President Ros Scotney said the previous roof had degraded significantly due to age and ongoing exposure to harsh environmental conditions, leading to leaks, structural concerns, and increasing maintenance demands.

“The completion of this project has transformed our ability to restore and preserve Queensland’s rail heritage,” she said.

“Volunteers now have a safe, dry and secure environment to carry out their work, and our valuable heritage assets are far better protected.”

Queensland Rail’s Nev Conway said it was rewarding to see the grant funding translate into tangible outcomes for the community and volunteers.

“This grants program is a great way to give back to the heritage organisations that work tirelessly to keep Queensland’s rail legacy alive,” she said.

“Seeing this project completed at the Drayton Railway Precinct highlights the importance of investing in the infrastructure that supports our rail history and the dedicated volunteers who care for it.

“It is more than a new roof, it helps to ensure Queensland’s rail heritage remains protected and accessible for generations to come.”

The other seven organisations that received a $20,000 grant each included: