ARed Hen rail car on permanent display is one of the reported proposals put forward by the new owner of the so-called Millicent rail lands.

A Millicent business identity purchased the area from the State Government a few months ago and the sale included the train station built in 1926 and leased to the 5THE-FM community radio station.

A static display of a Red Hen would be a tribute to the transport heritage of the area which dates back to the 1870s.

Since taking ownership, self-sown trees and shrubs have been removed and a Railway Terrace block adjoining the former station master’s house has been levelled.

The Millicent and Tantanoola railway stations occasionally saw operational Red Hen rail cars between 1997 and 2006.

They had formerly run on the Adelaide rail system and were brought to this region by the not-for-profit organisation called Limestone Coast Railway.

The Limestone Coast Railway also operated out of Mount Gambier to Penola, Kalangadoo and the Victorian border and ran scheduled and charter trips.

Soaring public liability insurance requirements for tourist railway operations in South Australia spelled the end 17 years ago for the Limestone Coast Railway.

Other costs and declining volunteer numbers also prompted the closure.