Transport Heritage Expo 2025

The October Long Weekend was a busy time for East Coast Heritage Rail volunteers with the annual Transport Heritage Expo coinciding with a scheduled Cockatoo Run. ECHR operated six Goods Line Tours over the weekend for Transport Heritage giving passengers the opportunity to visit freight only lines not generally accessible by passenger trains.

On Sunday 5 October the Cockatoo Run celebrated the 30th anniversary of the beloved film Babe filmed in the picturesque town of Robertson. This unforgettable tour combined cinema nostalgia, vibrant floral displays, and local culture.

Despite the heavy demands placed on our volunteer force everything went to plan and a successful weekend was enjoyed by all.

Kandos Explorer 2025

On Saturday 27 September East Coast Heritage Rail operated our popular annual tour to the historic town of Kandos. Crossing the Great Dividing Range and passing through the captivating Capertee Valley guests were treated to panoramic views of some of the most beautiful landscapes in Australia—perfect for lovers of history, heritage, and scenic travel.

Guests had 2.5 hours in historic Kandos to visit Kandos Musem, explore the local shops and eateries or wander through the quaint streets and explore the town’s historic buildings.

Once again locomotives 42103 and 42105 were the motive power stopping at Clandulla to place one locomotive on the rear train for the run into Kandos where there are no shunting facilities. This was repeated on the return trip to place the two locos on the front for the run back to Sydney.

A successful tour was topped off with a slightly early arrival back at Central ending quite a long but enjoyable day.

Photo: Transport Sydney

Cockatoo Run by Night

A special thanks to the 190 wonderful guests who joined us yesterday for a truly historic journey aboard our very first Cockatoo Run by Night rail tour!

From the moment we rolled out of Sydney, guests were treated to golden-hour views along the Illawarra coastline before a special stop at Summit Tank Lookout just on dusk. The colours over Lake Illawarra and the escarpment were simply breathtaking.

The evening continued with just over two hours in the charming village of Robertson, where passengers enjoyed dinner at local restaurants before our magical return. As the train descended the Illawarra escarpment, the lights over Lake Illawarra sparkled into view at Dombarton — a dazzling sight to round off an unforgettable evening.

We’re proud to share these moments with you and can’t wait to welcome you back on board for more nostalgic rail adventures.

The Brigadoon Express

On Saturday 5 April we rolled out a very special journey – The Brigadoon Express – taking our passengers from Sydney to the picturesque village of Bundanoon for the iconic Brigadoon at Bundanoon Highland Gathering!

It was an early start with a 6:00am departure from Central, ensuring we arrived in time for the official opening, the stirring sound of bagpipes, and all the festivities of this beloved Scottish celebration.

Our newly reactivated buffet car proved a massive hit, with our legendary bacon & egg rolls, hearty pulled pork rolls, and crispy spring rolls flying out the door! Huge thanks to our hardworking cooks and volunteers who kept the crowds warm, fed, and happy all the way to the Highlands.

From tartan kilts to caber tossing, it looks like everyone had a brilliant day soaking up the atmosphere of Brigadoon – and judging by these photos, the smiles say it all!

If you missed out – don’t worry! We run a range of unique, Sydney-based rail tours throughout the year, each offering vintage charm, scenic beauty, and unforgettable experiences.

Visit https://www.123tix.com.au/events/profile/793 to see what’s coming up and secure your seat on your next rail adventure!

Thank you for a ‘Berry Nice Day’

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us today aboard the Shoalhaven Express to Bomaderry (Nowra) and Berry! We hope you had a fantastic time soaking in the scenery, exploring the region, and enjoying a day out by rail. Judging by our photo, it looks like plenty of great memories were made!

If you missed this journey, don’t worry—we’ll be back in the Shoalhaven again on Sunday 4 May 2025! Click the link below for more details and to book your spot.

https://www.123tix.com.au/events/47093/shoalhaven-express-sunday-4-may-2025

See you onboard next time!

Australia Day Goods Line Tour

Our Australia Day Goods Line Tour was a huge success with both morning and afternoon trips well patronised. This year our train, hauled top and tail by X54 and 42103, travelled all the way to the Botany Freight Terminal.

Departing from Central Station guests enjoyed a unique 3-hour rail journey through Sydney’s hidden freight network with a behind-the-scenes look at the crucial rail lines that keep Sydney moving, traveling on tracks where passenger trains rarely go.

* Highlights of the day were;
* Sydney Freight Network
* Enfield Marshalling Yard & NSW Ports Intermodal Logistics Centre
* Port Botany
* XPT Service Centre
* Sydney SouthWest Metro

We hope to make this an annual event providing a limited opportunity to explore Sydney’s hidden railways.

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FRN 2186 Returns to Sydney!

Exciting News: FRN 2186 Returns to Sydney!

We’re thrilled to announce the return of FRN 2186 to Sydney after a lengthy hiatus. The former New South Wales Government Railways N-Type buffet car has been undergoing extensive restoration work at the Goulburn Locomotive Roundhouse, including essential external and bogie repairs.

Now back in Sydney, FRN 2186 will undergo further interior improvements to ensure it’s ready to rejoin our operational fleet in the coming weeks.

A huge thank you to our incredible volunteers who dedicate their time and expertise to maintaining our fleet of heritage carriages. Your hard work keeps these pieces of rail history running.

We can’t wait to see FRN 2186 running on our trains again soon.