All aboard! Ride a vintage steam train this autumn school holiday

• NSW Rail Museum is offering the chance to ride vintage steam trains this Autumn school holiday.
• Steam train rides depart Thirlmere Station every day from April 12 to 27 2025 (excluding Good Friday).
• The Easter Bunny will be making an appearance on Sunday April 20.
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NSW Rail Museum is inviting train enthusiasts to step back in time this autumn school holiday. They are offering visitors the opportunity to ride in stunning vintage carriages, pulled by century-old steam locomotives.

These trains once operated on Sydney’s suburban lines and regional routes, as well as transporting people from rural NSW to the city. These rides are therefore a great chance to learn about, and experience firsthand Sydney’s incredible rail heritage.

The steam trains depart from NSW Rail Museum at 10:30am, 12pm and 2pm daily, with slight variations on Anzac Day, with the trains departing at 12pm, 2pm, 3:15pm. The journeys last roughly 40 minutes, and follow the historic Loop Line from Thirlmere to Buxton, before returning to the museum.

The museum states “You can walk the timeline of rail development from the invention of the very first steam engine to today. You can see inside the driver’s cab of a historic steam locomotive, explore a mail van, walk through a prison van and admire the Governor-General’s carriage in all its glory. Visit the Great Train Hall to see an impressive collection of locomotives, carriages and wagons – each with a unique story to tell.”

Alongside the train rides, the Rail Museum is offering plenty of kid-friendly activities to elevate your day.

What’s on

Fizzics Education is bringing along its Curious Kids workshop, teaching science in the most fun and interactive way. Kids can choose between the Chemsitry Show or the Forces Friction and Movement Workshop.

Workshops take place on April 14, 22, 23 and 24 at the following times:​

• 11am curious kids 
• 12:30pm chemistry show
• 2pm forces friction and movement

On Easter Sunday, the Easter Bunny will be giving out special treats to those riding the steam trains. There will also be arts and crafts to enjoy all of the Easter Long Weekend, as well as mini-train rides, giant yard games, brio tables, colouring in and more.

Ticket Prices

All tickets are for entry to the NSW Rail Museum from 10am to 4pm on weekdays and 9am to 5pm on weekends. ‘Museum only’ includes all activities, except a steam train ride.

How to get to Thirlmere

To get to Thirlmere by train, the best option is to head to nearby Tahmoor station or Picton station, which are on the Southern Highlands rail line.

A bus service from Picton station can connect you to the Museum, with a 600 metre walk from the bus stop. However, bus services are infrequent and do not operate on Sundays.

A limited taxi service is in operation for travel from Tahmoor station to the Museum. As a guide only, travel to the Museum by public transport from Sydney’s Central Station is approximately two hours.

There is street parking in the town of Thirlmere, so driving is the best option.

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