Heritage Operator Resources
This page is designed to provide accredited heritage rail transport operators in NSW with easy access to key information resources available throughout ITSRR's website. When new information is produced for heritage operators it will appear here as well as on its relevant page on this website.
Rail Rules & Laws
Rail legislation, guidelines, regulations and standards are available under Rail Rules & Laws.
View a summary of obligations under the Rail Safety Act 2008.
Safety Management Systems (SMS) Resources
The following information contains a sample SMS and supporting resources for a fictional operator. These resources need to be adapted and modified according to each organisation's circumstances. Please ensure you review this material carefully to determine whether it is suitable and sufficient for your operations.
- Guidance for Tourist and Heritage Railway Operators - 254kb PDF
- Rail Safety Management Plan (Heritage Rail Incorporated) - 318kb doc
Directions for Use: when clicking on 'Resource' links in this document, please choose 'No' when the program prompt appears 'do you want to save changes'. This will in turn bring up another window prompting you to open the file or save it to your computer, please choose 'Open'.
Information Alerts
ITSRR produces information alerts to communicate with the rail industry on a range of issues. The complete list of information alerts can be found under the publications section of this site. Information alerts specifically aimed at heritage operators can be found below:
- Information Alert - Comment Invited on Draft SMS Guidance for Tourist and Heritage Rail Transport Operators - 17 April 2009 - 101kb PDF
- Information Alert - Safety Regulation of Heritage Rail Transport Operators - Industry Information Session (27 April 2009) – 14 April 2009 - 100kb PDF
Presentation - Rail Safety Regulation of Heritage Operations - 107kb PDF
- Information Alert - Heritage Strategy Update - 5 February 2009 - 100kb PDF
Presentation - Safety Regulation of Heritage Railway Operators - 523kb PDF - Information Alert - Rail Safety Act 2008 and Regulations to Commence 1 January 2009 - 19 December 2008 - 122kb PDF
- Information Alert - New Rail Safety Act 2008 Expected to Commence in NSW on 1 January 2009 - 117kb PDF
- Information Alert - Safety Regulation of Heritage Railway Operators - Outcomes of Discussion Paper - 26 May 2008 - 110kb PDF
Comments on the Discussion Paper - Safety Regulation of Heritage Railway Operators - Information Alert - Industry Information Session - Safety Regulation of Heritage Railway Operators (28 March 2008) - 17 March 2008 - 103kb PDF
- Information Alert - Discussion Paper - Safety Regulation of Heritage Railway Operators - Deadline for Comment Extended - 18 December 2007 - 163kb PDF
- Information Alert - Discussion Paper - Safety Regulation of Heritage Railway Operators - 26 November 2007 - 169kb PDF
Discussion Paper - Safety Regulation of Heritage Railway Operators - Information Alert - SMS Guidance Material for Tourist and Heritage Railway Operators - 16 May 2007 - 37kb PDF
- Information Alert - Application of SMS Guideline to Heritage Rail Operators - 22 December 2006 - 171kb PDF
Fact Sheets
ITSRR publishes plain English fact sheets on a range of topics including accreditation, safety interface agreements, drug and alcohol, fatigue, certificates of competency and notification of occurrences. Fact sheets are available under the publications section of this website.
Rail Industry Safety Notices (RISNs)
Rail Industry Safety Notices are issued to alert the rail industry to potential safety risks. Heritage operators should regularly check for the latest RISNs which will appear under the "latest news" section on the homepage and the RISNs page under publications.
Forms
Drug and Alcohol, Accreditation, and Rail Safety Occurrence forms are all available for download or can be completed and submitted online.
Events
ITSRR will occasionally host workshops or seminars for the rail industry. Events which were held specifically for heritage operators are listed below.
- Industry information session for heritage operators - 12 December 2008
- Information workshop for heritage railway operators - 6 May 2006


