WORK on the Bathurst Rail Museum is steaming along, with the new cultural facility due to open before the end of the year.
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Mayor Graeme Hanger said the last two months of the project have been busy, with some substantial changes occurring at the Havannah Street site.
"The last two months have focused on a variety of building tasks, including replacing the roof, preparing and painting the interior, completing new footings across the front of the building, which restored the floor to level, designing and pre-manufacturing the steel frame component for the layout gallery and the production of the tilt panels that will form the new storeroom," he said.
"The volunteers have continued the renovation of the Main West model railway, which is almost ready for electrical connection and testing."
While a lot of work has been achieved, it has not been without incident.
Bathurst Regional Council confirmed that there was an accident at the site last week, which is now under investigation by SafeWork NSW.
A spokesperson for SafeWork NSW was able to provide minor details on the incident.
"SafeWork NSW is investigating an incident in Bathurst on May 16 where a six-metre steel beam fell from a crane and came into contact with a worker below," they said.
"The injured person was transported to hospital. SafeWork's investigation is ongoing."
Despite the incident, Cr Hanger said the museum was on track to open by December, weather dependent.
Once it is open, people will be able to see a range of items and stories about Bathurst's rail history.
"Bathurst Rail Museum will tell the stories associated with the importance of rail transport in the development of inland Australia and the Railway Institute's impact on the social fabric of Bathurst," Cr Hanger said.
"The museum will feature a mix of permanent and temporary exhibitions and the history of Ben Chifley, who was once an engine driver."
Among the pieces will be a historic train carriage, which council purchased for $85,000 in 2016, and a model railway that is a of reproduction of the Bathurst to Tarana line.
The model was donated to council by Bonny and Paul Hennessy.
How the museum will be officially opened is still being planned, but council has already set prices for museum entry once it is in operation.
These will be $15 for adults, $10 for concession and a fee of $35 for families.
The rail museum will come at a cost of around $2.5 million to council, but is expected to generate $6.9 million in benefits to the economy in the next 20 years.
