Tourist and heritage operators

On this page: Rail safety legislation | Timeline for implementation

Tourist and heritage rail operators play an important role in preserving the cultural heritage of rail operations in Victoria. Much of the workforce is made up of volunteers, many with traditional skills and experience.

Rail safety legislation

Tourist and heritage rail operators are required to be accredited under the Rail Safety Act 2006 (Vic). To ensure that operators were able to meet the requirements of the Act, a number of staged transition activities were planned specifically for the tourist and heritage industry. These activities were undertaken in consultation with the Association of Tourist Railways - Victoria (ATR-V).

New applicants for accreditation from 1 July 2009 must meet the requirements set out in the Act before commencing operations. PTSV will be able to help you with your application and answer any questions you may have. Contact us for further information.

Timeline for implementation

The following table outlines the key milestone dates for the transition process.

29-30 June 2006
PTSV presentations at ATR-V seminar on the Rail Safety Act 2006 and Regulations

1 August 2006
Rail safety duties and the new system for compliance began.

January 2007
Safety Management System (SMS) Handbook circulated to tourist & heritage rail operators by PTSV

April 2007
Safety Action Pty Ltd appointed by Public Transport Division (PTD) of the Department of Transport to assist tourist & heritage rail operators to transition to the requirements of the Rail Safety Act 2006.

19 May, 26 May, 11 July 2007
Seminars presented by Safety Action Pty Ltd and hosted by PTD and PTSV to provide information and guidance on the transition process.

July-September 2007
Gap analysis and report of tourist & heritage rail operator’s existing SMS by Safety Action Pty Ltd.

20 October, 1 November 2007
Additional seminars presented by Safety Action Pty Ltd and hosted by PTD and PTSV to provide specific information and guidance on aspects of the transition process and SMS reviews that have been highlighted through the gap analysis process.

October 2007-June 2009
On-going support, information and assistance from Safety Action Pty Ltd supporting PTD and PTSV in providing information and guidance on the transition process.

January-March 2008
Submittal for approval of risk management procedures and variation of accreditation procedures to PTSV by tourist & heritage rail operators.

July-December 2008
Submittal for approval of complete SMS to PTSV by tourist & heritage rail operators.

31 December 2008
Last day for submittal of SMS to ensure completion of accreditation process by 1 July 2009.

January-June 2009
Reviews of SMS by PTSV, and closing of non-conformances.

1 July 2009
Transition process for tourist and heritage operators ends – all tourist & heritage rail operators must fully comply with the Rail Safety Act 2006.

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Tools and downloads

Safety Management System (SMS) Handbook (PDF, 1.58 MB, 70 pp.)

Links to other websites

PDF details

PTSV provides its publications online for download using Acrobat� Reader� software.


	29-30 June 2006				PTSV presentations at ATR-V seminar on the Rail Safety Act 2006 and Regulations

	1 August 2006				Rail safety duties and the new system for compliance began.

	January 2007				Safety Management System (SMS) Handbook circulated to tourist & heritage rail operators by PTSV

	April 2007				Safety Action Pty Ltd appointed by Public Transport Division (PTD) of the Department of Transport to assist tourist & heritage rail operators to transition to the requirements of the Rail Safety Act 2006.

	19 May, 26 May, 11 July 2007				Seminars presented by Safety Action Pty Ltd and hosted by PTD and PTSV to provide information and guidance on the transition process.

	July-September 2007				Gap analysis and report of tourist & heritage rail operator’s existing SMS by Safety Action Pty Ltd.

	20 October, 1 November 2007				Additional seminars presented by Safety Action Pty Ltd and hosted by PTD and PTSV to provide specific information and guidance on aspects of the transition process and SMS reviews that have been highlighted through the gap analysis process.

	October 2007-June 2009				On-going support, information and assistance from Safety Action Pty Ltd supporting PTD and PTSV in providing information and guidance on the transition process.

	January-March 2008				Submittal for approval of risk management procedures and variation of accreditation procedures to PTSV by tourist & heritage rail operators.

	July-December 2008				Submittal for approval of complete SMS to PTSV by tourist & heritage rail operators.

	31 December 2008				Last day for submittal of SMS to ensure completion of accreditation process by 1 July 2009.

	January-June 2009				Reviews of SMS by PTSV, and closing of non-conformances.

	1 July 2009				Transition process for tourist and heritage operators ends – all tourist & heritage rail operators must fully comply with the Rail Safety Act 2006.