Posts in category: Announcements

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.

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.

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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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.

Sunday 17 December marked a historic day as we officially unveiled the Peter Abba Reserve at Summit Tank Lookout during our Christmas Cockatoo Run. Joined by Peter’s family, we honored the legacy of a beloved Illawarra community figure, Rotarian, and railway enthusiast

Peter Abba (1944-2023) was instrumental in transforming Summit Tank from a disused platform into a stunning lookout enjoyed by thousands aboard the Cockatoo Run since its launch in 1995. His vision and dedication, alongside Wollongong Rotary, made this special place what it is today—a breathtaking stop high on the Illawarra escarpment.

It was our privilege to dedicate this reserve to Peter’s memory, ensuring his contribution lives on for generations of rail enthusiasts and visitors alike.

The Peter Abba Reserve—a fitting tribute to an extraordinary friend of heritage rail.

East Coast Heritage Rail operated their first Dinner Light Train on Saturday 30 November 2024. Guests were greeted on the red carpet at Central Station with a welcome drink. A luxurious 5-course fresh seafood dinner was served as the vintage train glided through Sydney’s northern suburbs and along the picturesque Hawkesbury River at sunset.

The next Dinner Light Train will operate on Saturday 15 February 2025. For Bookings and Full Details click here.

East Coast Heritage Rail ran a very successful return tour to Kandos on Saturday 26 October 2024. Over 200 guests joined the Kandos Express for the very scenic trip over the World Heritage Blue Mountains and onto the old Mudgee country branch line passing through Piper’s Flat, Portland, Ben Bullen, Clandulla and Charbon and through the magnificent Capertee Valley.

Guests had almost two hours in Kandos having the opportunity to visit the Kandos Museum or wander around the historic township as well as enjoying the various lunch options on offer.

Locomotives 42103 and 42105 were the motive power for the day stopping at Clandulla to attach one engine to the rear 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.

Trackwork in the city meant the tour had to start and finish to and from Lidcombe but this did not deter the keen guests who voted the day a most enjoyable success.

Kandos has been an annual destination for our train but due to covid and other factors this was our first trip there for several years. Come and join us again next year!