[2] The society was established in 1997[3] with the intention of restoring the Waterford and Tramore Railway, but after feasibility studies this was deemed impractical due to changes in road layouts made since the line's closure.

[6] The railway is a registered charity, with a voluntary board of directors, with the purpose of preserving a part of Waterford's industrial heritage and educating visitors on its history.

[11] Though the line extends as far as a new platform at Bilberry just to the east of Waterford City, scheduled trains mostly run as far as Gracedieu Junction before turning back.

The locomotive was built in 1885 by Black, Hawthorn and spent its working life on the Kettering Ironstone Railway until it closed in 1962.

[12] Current rolling stock consists of three diesel locomotives and two purpose-built semi-open bogie passenger carriages.

[15] Discussions are underway with Bord na Mona to acquire two more functioning locomotives for preservation which are no longer required by the semi-state organisation following the end of peat production in 2021.

New platforms were completed along the line at Mount Congreve Gardens and Bilberry where the local council has also created a coach parking area.

[18] This track is due to be used for the creation of an additional passing loop which is expected to be necessary for the preparations to return steam to the line with the recent successful efforts to source a suitable locomotive for restoration as funds become available.

In 2021, work was completed to connect the station to the nearby village of Kilmeaden by an extension of the Greenway undertaken by Waterford Council.

[20] In 2024, the charity will begin fund raising to restore the locomotive gifted to it by the National Trust as part of the restructuring of the Penrhyn Castle Museum.