Over the past few months, our new air-conditioned H set carriages; preserved, maintained, and operated entirely by a small team of volunteers - have faced repeated graffiti attacks, both at Goolwa and Mount Barker.

Despite being securely stored at our depots, these vehicles, which will form the backbone of summer train services in the Adelaide Hills have been targeted by vandals again and again.

As a not‑for‑profit, volunteer‑run organisation, every hour of cleaning and every dollar spent repairing this damage is time and funding taken away from what we love most: keeping heritage trains alive for the community.

Our volunteers have already put their hands into their own pockets to fund the cleanup.. not once, but twice!

We Need Your Help.

The graffiti is severe enough that our carriages require:

This is beyond what our small volunteer team can achieve alone - and it comes at a cost far beyond our normal operating budget.

We are looking to raise $60,000 - not only to clean the mess up, but to repaint all six carriages into a South Australian Railways inspired livery of maroon and silver.

Initially, we need $11,000 to have SH25 cleaned, and wrap removed, to prepare it for repainting.

Why This Matters

These carriages aren’t just pieces of rolling stock.

They are:

Every act of vandalism is more than damage to paint—it’s damage to the hard work, passion, and pride of our volunteers.

How You Can Stand With Us

We’re launching an urgent Restoration Appeal to raise the funds needed to:

Every contribution- big or small - makes a real difference.

Be Part of the Solution

If you value heritage, community events, or simply believe in protecting the work of dedicated volunteers, now is the moment to act.

Donate. Share. Spread the word.

Help us restore our carriages and defend the future of our heritage railway.

Together, we can turn vandalism into an opportunity - An opportunity to rally, rebuild, and reaffirm why preserving our state’s railway history matters.