Heritage Trains

Heritage steam trains run on the old loop line from Thirlmere to Picton or Buxton on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month from March to November inclusive. Trains also run on some other days - check the Heritage Express website for details. Heritage diesel locomotives may replace steam in times of high fire danger.

Trains depart from Thirlmere station at 10.45am, 12.15pm and 2.15pm.

For museum admission prices and heritage railway fares click here.

The "Thirlmere Flyer"

The "Thirlmere Flyer" is a regular main line steam train which operates from Central to Thirlmere via Campbelltown on the third Sunday of every month from May to October.

Experience history on the move - a day out by steam is a great event for all the family.

Take a journey into the past with historic steam loco 3526 - travel in confortable 1930s heritage carriages and soak up the nostalgic sights and sounds of steam - rail travel the way it used to be. Enjoy snacks and drinks from the buffet car on the way.

The "Thirlmere Flyer" leaves from Central and travels via either Padstow or Strathfield, then Campbelltown and Picton to Thirlmere and return. (Join at Central, Padstow, Strathfield or Campbelltown.)

When you arrive at Thirlmere explore the museum and visit the craft markets.

For timetables, fares and booking information see the Heritage Express website

NSWRTM HERITAGE EXPRESS runs regular trips and charters of the "Southern Aurora", and heritage steam and diesel trains throughout the year.

THIRLMERE NOSTALGIC EVENTS AND RAIL HERITAGE STEAM EXPERIENCES.

Throughout the year there are a number of nostalgic events and heritage steam experiences in conjunction with the NSW Rail Transport Museum Thirlmere. These include:

Steam Explorer

• Time travel on the Thirlmere rail 'learning trail' - see and learn how a steam railway works.

• A half day behind the scenes guided Museum tour and steam train ride - ideal for schools, youth and seniors groups.

Commissioner's Tours

• In days of old, the railway Commissioner would undertake tours of his domain - often using special trains and carriages.

• Now you can be the Commissioner for a day! Participate in the operation of the railway at Thirlmere.

• Experience the excitement of a steam loco coming to life ... work with the locomotive crew out on the line ... enjoy a light lunch in the observation car on the Commissioners tour of the line and go behind the scenes at the Railway Museum.

• A great gift for a special railway enthusiast!

Vintage Train Days

• Relive the era of classic country rail travel.

• Travel back in time at Thirlmere - buy your ticket from the Station Master's office with a real coal fire ... then hop aboard the mixed train for a ride along the rustic rural line to Buxton ... a train of goods wagons, a steam loco and a passenger car or two - just the way it used to be!

• Bring the kids for a real living museum experience.

Southern Highlander Steam Train

• >Steam in style through the Southern Highlands - take the Thirlmere Flyer from Sydney Central to Picton, then change to the Southern Highlander for the spectacular steam journey into the highlands.

• Enjoy lunch in the country at Bowral or Moss Vale.

• One great value ticket - two trains and multiple steam locos all in one day!

THIRLMERE STEAM FESTIVAL - 2 MARCH 2008

• NSW's premier annual steam event featuring the state's biggest gathering of main line steam locos and all the fun of the fair at Thirlmere - home of the steam trains.

• Steam trains from Sydney Central and Campbelltown and frequent steam shuttles from Thirlmere.

For more information see the Thirlmere Festival of Steam website

Thirlmere Rail Heritage Extravaganza

• See the best of NSW's rail heritage on the move.

• A glimpse of the past on a huge one day trainathon where 'everything goes' - heritage steam, diesel, passenger and freight trains in action between Thirlmere, Buxton, Picton and Campbelltown.

THIRLMERE FLYER - check the Program for dates of operation:

The Thirlmere Flyer operates from Sydney Central to Thirlmere on the third Sunday of every month, May to October inclusive - events operate in conjunction with the Thirlmere Flyer:

• May and October: The Southern Highlander to Bowral and Moss Vale
• June, July and August: Vintage Train days at Thirlmere
• September: Thirlmere Rail Heritage Extravaganza
• October: White Waratah Flyer (A White Waratah Festival activity).

For a program, bookings and details of these activities visit the Heritage Express website.