The Somerset Regional Council officially received a fully restored 100-year-old railway luggage trolley from the Esk Men’s Shed on 2 April 2026. The handover ceremony, attended by Mayor Jason Wendt and members of the Valley of the Lakes Garden Club, marks the completion of a four-month restoration effort to preserve a piece of local history.
The restoration project began after the garden club requested help to prepare the historic artifact for display at the 2026 Esk Garden Fair. Esk Men’s Shed Secretary Paul Clifford said the team was proud of their work, which involved dismantling, measuring, and refurbishing the trolley to ensure its preservation for the future. Local business Brisbane Valley Timbers supported the project by donating the lumber required for the repairs.
The trolley is destined for public display at Pipeliner Park in Esk, located near the Old Esk Railway Station along the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail. The site is expected to be a key attraction for visitors of the trail, which stretches 161 kilometres as the longest rail trail in Australia.
This initiative aligns with the council’s broader 2026 agenda, which Mayor Wendt has described as a year of change, growth, and forward planning for the region. The Australian Men’s Shed Association notes that such projects provide essential mental health support and combat social isolation through community service, providing members with opportunities to engage in woodworking and machinery restoration.
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