Do you have a mini train conductor on your hands? Whether it’s the influence of TV shows like Thomas the Tank Engine & Chuggington, or if kids are just naturally drawn to trains, now’s your chance to enjoy a family day out doing something you all can enjoy! Here’s our pick of some amazing Winter Steam Train events in Sydney.
It’s time to bundle up and jump outdoors to enjoy a little bit of history, a dash of culture, and a huge amount of fun. Lock these dates in the diary and check out these Winter steam train events in Sydney in 2024
- Zig Zag Railway, Lithgow
- Sydney Live Steam Locomotive Society
- Galston Valley Railway Open Day
- Trip Back in Time, Illawarra Light Rail Museum
- Day Out With Thomas, NSW Rail Museum
- Steam Train Rides, NSW Rail Museum
- Nurragingy Miniature Railway
- Richmond Vale Railway Museum
Winter Steam Train Events around Sydney in 2024
Zig Zag Railway
Zig Zag Railway ? Jess Day
Jump on the Zig Zag Railway for a return trip from Clarence to Bottom Points. Make a day of it by using the picnic areas and complimentary BBQs, dine in their static carriages, bushwalk in the extensive Crown Reserve through which the railway passes or enjoy the wildlife which includes kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, birds, and lizards.
Initially launched in the 1860s, the Zig Zag Railway served as the primary means of transportation between Sydney and Western NSW. However, the construction of a more efficient route that bypassed the zigzag in 1910 led to its closure. In the 1970s, a not-for-profit organisation called Zig Zag Railway Co-Op was established by a group of volunteers who revived the railway. After operating for over three decades, the railway was forced to close again in 2012 due to various challenges such as bushfires, floods, vandalism, and storm damage. Since then, volunteers have been dedicating their time and effort to restore the railway’s locomotives, carriages, and kilometres of track to bring back the service.
Experience the joy onboard the steam locomotive AC16 218, affectionately known as ‘The Yank’. Weighing in at 54,000 kilograms, it is one of two of the surviving class of 20 imported to Australia from the U.S. as part of the war effort in 1943.
- Where: Trains depart from Bottom Points Station and Clarence Station. Return or Single.
- When: Every second weekend, Saturday & Sunday
- Cost: One-way: Adult (13+): $45 | Child (3-12 years): $27.50 | Book now.
Galston Valley Railway
Nestled in the bushlands on the outskirts of Galston, The Galston Valley Railway is a picturesque miniature railway, with 1km of track winding throughout the bush and up the hills. The Galston Valley Railway is open to the public on the 2nd Sunday of every month. Trains run from 10am – 3pm continually throughout the day, with all trains stopping at between 12:30pm and 1pm for volunteers to have lunch.
A BBQ Stall is open from 11.30am and 1:30pm and a canteen sells tea & coffee, cold drinks, ice creams & lollies.
- Where: 29 Mid Dural Road, Galston
- When: 2nd Sunday of every month
- Times: 9.30am – 3.00pm
- Cost: Adult $10 | Children <18 Free | Train Rides $3.50 per person regardless of age. Please Note: Children under 3 years of age must be accompanied by a Ride Ticket holder 18 years or older. Book now.
Miniature Steam Trains in West Ryde
Sydney Live Steam Locomotive Society
The Sydney Live Steam Locomotive Society was formed in 1948 on its present site. They are located behind West Ryde shopping centre in Sydney and open on the third Saturday afternoon of each month from 1pm to 4pm. They now have an online booking arrangement for entry on their Miniature Steam Train.
- Where: Cnr Anthony Rd & Betts St, West Ryde
- When: Third Saturday of every month
- Times: 1pm-4pm
- Cost: Adults: $6 | Child: $3 | Rides: $2.50 each
- More info
Trip Back in Time, Illawarra Light Railway Museum
Trip Back in Time
Take a trip back in time with a Diesel Train Ride and Miniature train ride and relive those grand old days of railways. An experience for a Saturday outing with the family is a great adventure for all when looking around the museum. Kids will also love the trains and the playgrounds.
- Where: Illawarra Light Railway Museum, 48A Tongarra Road, Albion Park Rail
- When: Sunday 9 June & Saturday 22 June 2024, 10am-2pm
- Cost: Adults: $16.50 | Child (3-16 years): $11 | Child under 3 free with adult
- More info
Day Out With Thomas, NSW Rail Museum
- Where: NSW Rail Museum, 10 Barbour Road Thirlmere
- When: Fri 30, Sat 31 August | Sun 1, Fri 6, Sat 7 and Sun 8 September
- Times: 9.30am-3pm
- Cost: Adults: $40, Child (2-17 years): $30, Child under 2 free with adult
- More info
Steam Train Rides, NSW Rail Museum
Steam Train Rides
Enjoy a 40-minute steam train ride every weekend at the NSW Rail Museum. Departs Thirlmere Station several times for a 40-minute train ride from historic Thirlmere Station to Buxton and return.
- Where: NSW Rail Museum, 10 Barbour Road Thirlmere
- Times: 10.30am – 2pm
- Cost: Adults: $35 | Child (2-17 years): $15 | Child under 2 free with adult
- More info
Richmond Vale Railway Museum
Richmond Vale Railway Museum
Richmond Vale Railway Museum is located in an attractive bushland setting off Leggetts Drive Richmond Vale, just south of the Hunter Valley township of Kurri Kurri. It is the only operating heritage railway north of the Hawkesbury.
Kids can enjoy unlimited full-size train rides, miniature train rides, historic films, and much more.
- Where: Richmond Vale Railway Museum, 262 Leggett’s Drive, Richmond Vale
- When: The first three Sundays of each month AND every School Holiday Sunday
- Times: 9.30am – 3.00pm
- Cost: Adult: $16 | Child (5-15): $7.50 | Child under 5: Free
- More info
Nurragingy Miniature Railway
Nurragingy Miniature Railway
Turn up at any time on their running day, buy a ticket, join the queue and catch the next available train! Up to 4 members of the same household can ride together on the same carriage. The ride will be about 6 minutes in duration (including loading and unloading from the train).
- Where: Nurragingy Miniature Railway, Nurragingy Reserve
- When: Third Sunday of the Month (16 June, 21 July, 18 August, 15 Sept, 20 Oct, 17 Nov)
- Times: 10am-3pm
- Cost: $4 per person
- More info
