Testimonials

Just wanted to say a huge thankyou to all staff and volunteers for a lovely day last Sunday, 23 July.  We absolutely loved our visit and found everyone so helpful and friendly.  We also enjoyed the steam train ride and our lunch in the cafe.   Would highly recommend to anyone.  Many thanks.  

Janice McNeil July 2023

I wanted to say a thank you to you and the team at the museum. All adults and children who attended the museum visit yesterday had a wonderful time. We were made very welcome and I know everyone came away with new knowledge about steam engines and their history in Australia.

We will definitely recommend the museum to other scout groups and I am sure we will be back in the future with another group of cubs.

Aafke Futcher (Mrs Wombat, Hazelbrook Scouts) August 2022

Dear Valley Heights Museum volunteers,

We visited the Museum (for the first time) on Sunday 19 May, 2019. I would like to thank all the volunteers (for) making our visit (so) wonderful. My children as well as I enjoyed looking at all the trains and doing the Teddy Bear hunt was a lot of fun. Thank you for a wonderful experience and we will be back!

Heather Oliveros May 2019

We stumbled across this place by accident thanks to a sign on the side of the highway, and wow, we are SO glad we visited! Unfortunately the steam train wasn’t working that day, but that didn’t matter to us. Exploring all the old carriages and watching the model trains made my son’s week, and having worked in museums myself, I was beyond impressed with the team of people working there. Every single one seemed to be determined to make our visit special, and make sure the kids had the best time possible. We can’t wait to come back! Thanks to all for a great day.

Marisa Seeley March 2018

Enjoyable visit, the people that work there are friendly and helpful also light snacks and coffee available after the walk around the museum. Train engines and carriages are open for inspection  and area is clean and well maintained.

Wayne Blake January 2018

Our first visit was for the 'Dracular Spectacular' and was so much fun for our family! Everyone is so lovely and helpful, we really appreciate the effort you went to set this up - my 2.5yr old keeps talking about how awesome the trains and ghosts etc were. Such a beautiful memorable experience! We can't wait to come again - we hope you make it an annual thing at Halloween every year! We'd love to make it a tradition but either way we'll definitely be coming again to the next open day! xx

Elvia Butt October 2017

For Train lovers everywhere

The volunteer staff clearly love their trains. Friendly and very keen to share their knowledge. Enthusiasm abounds. 

The trip on the steam tram was a trip down memory lane, with the smell of smoke, steam and uniformed conductor to add to it authenticity

The heritage focus is evident. We were glad we could support an organisation which is so committed to preserving this key part of the railway history. From the oldest railway turntable in the state (if not the country) to the old steam engines and rolling stock.

Christine T. August 2017

"Thank you for a great day and organisation, the members had nothing but praise for the day. Please thank all the staff including the ladies in the canteen, everything was excellent and a most enjoyable day was had by all.  We would not have any reservations in recommending the Valley Heights Locomotive Depot Heritage Museum to any group."

Don McKechnie, Secretary/Treasurer, RTBU Retired Members Association June 2016

"…we all had a great time.  Many comments on my evaluation sheets praising you guys for your knowledge and all that you do.  I will certainly re-visit with my husband and several others have said the same. Thanks again to all you great volunteers who keep things going, where would Australia be without volunteers."

Shirley Walsh, Accessible Living Options, (Disability Services, Bathurst) May 2016

"...from the response I have received from Members, everybody enjoyed the day immensely, it was a pleasure to be there and put on the show for the Museum. All the volunteers were so friendly, courteous and helpful, it made our day so much more rewarding. With so many people in attendance I reckon your volunteers in the cafe did a marvellous job throughout the day. Thank you very much for the photos they look great, some will be going into our club magazine. A great day out enjoyed by all from the car club and the Museum. I would highly recommend it."

Les Sonter, Events Director, Chrysler Restorers Club April 2016

"On Sunday 13 March 2016, my wife Rosey and I visited your wonderful museum and were treated almost like royalty.  As a SteamRanger fireman I was given amazing access to the Steam Tram....thanks again for a wonderful day."

Roger Currie (South Australia) April 2016

“What a great day we had when the group found their way to the…Museum. (It) started with coffee/tea and scones with jam & cream after which we split into two groups with our knowledgeable guides to view the facility.

The Museum only concentrates on rail (exhibits) for the Western Line, is run by Volunteers and is a great visit.

Members who attended thanked the Museum volunteers…for a fantastic day’s outing.”

Daryl Taylor, Assistant Editor, Probus Club of Bathurst Inc Newsletter March 2016

"On behalf of the Probus Club of Bathurst, I would like to thank you and your team of volunteers for the excellent presentation of your Heritage Museum / exhibit yesterday. It certainly is a “Museum with a Difference” .

"The warm reception, the morning tea, detailed explanation of the functioning of the locos, discovery of things we never knew existed and the final friendly chat were  really enjoyed by all. I am assured many of our members will return and bring friends and family with them. We will spread the “word” to our associated Probus Clubs

"We wish you every success with your future ventures and your fund raising efforts."

Mike Hardie, President, Bathurst Probus March 2016

"Today I came to your museum with my partner (Karl) and were taken away by your staff/volunteers. From the moment we walk through the gates, we were greeted by a nice fellow called Jeff (super sweet and very informative) [we agree - Ed.]. He showed us and told us what things were and how they used them. He was fun, approachable and he even went to research something that we asked about and wasn't sure. He was dedicated to the end and made the day a real treat!

"The steam train drivers were cool. Nice guys, very friendly!

'The trains were wicked! Honestly, loved the green one (Jeff did tell me the name, sorry I forgot). Karl liked the old one that you pass by when your on the steam train. The restored buffet car was amazing! Very cool and well done to the restorer. To the staff in the office/cafe, friendly helpful and seem like a lot of fun. Thank you all for making a memory even more special.

"Warmest Regards: 

Karl & Steph September 2015

"The volunteer workers at the Depot have achieved some impressive results. It was a very interesting morning, topped off after lunch, with a pleasant 5.75 km walk around a nearby fire trail. Thanks to all involved."

'Sydney Excursions' visit to Valley Heights April 2015

“Just wanted to thank all the team at Valley Heights for our great tour yesterday - all the guides were excellent!.....thanks for an entertaining and informative afternoon”

Col Bembrick, Publicity Officer, Oberon Tarana Heritage Railway

“As the co-ordinator of yesterday's visit to Valley Heights it is my pleasant duty to thank you and all the volunteers who made the Oberon Community Group's trip to the Museum such a great day. Every one of our group was extremely impressed by the operation and organisation of your team. We will be spreading the word around Oberon and hope that by doing so it will generate more interest in Heritage Rail in general.”

Elizabeth Brotchie, U3A, OBERON

“I wish to thank you so much for the excellent excursion you prepared and delivered for us at Wycliffe today. Your willingness and effort to look after us and guide us safely to and from the museum was well above the call of duty! Thank you for talking to the kids at their level of understanding. Thank you for your gentleness, fun and for the relaxed and happy atmosphere you provided for us. It is evident that the volunteers and all today are a close and dedicated group of men. You made us feel at home. You made us feel so welcome and special. You treated us like royalty and like we were your very own family.…… your communication was wonderful throughout all of the process. I cannot speak too highly of your commitment to us and the excursion you organised. Thank you for going the extra mile! May God richly bless you and your work.”

Andrew Powell, Junior Years Faculty, Wycliffe Christian School

RE: RECENT LVR STEAM ON THE BLUE MOUNTAINS SHUTTLES

“On behalf of the board and volunteers of the Lachlan Valley Railway, I would like to recognise the enormous support of Valley Heights Locomotive Depot and Museum in staging the event. The LVR is very proud to have helped celebrate the centenary of this extremely significant part of NSW Rail history. The museum and tramway volunteers could not have done more to help us and “the Mountains” residents should be justifiably proud of having such a dedicated band of warriors maintaining such a magnificent facility in their midst.”

John Healey, Secretary Treasurer, Lachlan Valley Railway

“Huge thank you to all staff last Sunday! Went above and beyond to accommodate my two boys and make it a truly fun day!! Was really impressed with friendliness and understanding of our "noise" issues! They had a fantastic day and will be spreading the word”

Janelle Eagar 

“My crew and I want to thank the members of the museum for allowing us to carry out drills and assessments at your facility. We hope that the friendship formed over the last few months continues long into the future.”

Ian Sargent, 445stn Springwood "D" Platoon (Fire & Rescue NSW) 

“Everyone that I talked to on the day seemed to enjoy themselves (even with the rain!). Based on the feedback I will be definitely be coming back as an official meeting again…. Thank you for an informative and enjoyable day”

Les Fowler, Division 7 Superintendent, National Model Railroad Association

“Thank you very much for your excellent presentation to the Rotary Club of Springwood on Monday Night.

Thanks also to all the others who made it such an informative and interesting time.

Feedback from the members has been great.

I am sure that some of them will return with the grand children at a later stage.” 

Bill Clague – Booking Officer, Rotary Club of Springwood March 2015

“We had a great day. Our sincere thanks to you and your team of volunteers. We really appreciate the time and effort you all commit to a very worthwhile project”

John Whitworth - Probus Club of St Ives March 2015

“The tour was immensely enjoyed by all who attended and the executive who attended expressed their satisfaction with the venue at last night’s meeting.

Again many thanks. A great experience”

Brian Powyer – National Trust, Parramatta Branch March 2015