What is the NSW Rail Transport Museum?

The NSW Rail Transport Museum [ABN 25 000 570 463] is an independent, not for profit company, established in 1962 for the purpose of collecting, preserving and presenting the railway heritage of NSW for the benefit of the community.

The Museum has over 2000 members, including an active volunteer workforce of over 300 and a small number of full time staff. The Museum is administered by a voluntary Board and a Management Committee.

The NSW Rail Transport Museum is a specialist provider of heritage train services and has provided rail tours for the enjoyment and education of the community since 1962.

The Museum is accredited as a rail operator under the NSW Rail Safety Act 2002 and has network access rights on the NSW main line rail network. We also lease and maintain the 14 kilometre section of the original main southern railway from Picton to Thirlmere and Buxton.

Our heritage trains operate on this line from Thirlmere on the first and third Sundays of each month, March to November, and on some additional days in school holidays.

The Museum plans, markets and operates a range of day and extended rail tours featuring vintage steam and diesel locomotives and classic passenger carriages. Our train operations division is called Heritage Express, which is a wholly owned, integral business unit of the NSW Rail Transport Museum.

The Museum has saved, restored and maintains in its custody, and on display, the largest and most significant collection of heritage rolling stock in Australia. A large proportion of our collection is owned by RailCorp NSW. We are largely self funding, and over the years have received only limited external support.

The Museum is a foundation, management member of 3801 Limited and maintains close links and affiliations with kindred rail heritage organisations throughout Australia.

What we do:

THIRLMERE RAIL HERITAGE CENTRE - open every day.

• The museum itself - providing public access and interpretation for most of our collection of rolling stock and other railway artefacts including signalling and permanent way displays.

• Thirlmere Heritage Railway - steam-hauled heritage trains operate regularly from Thirlmere Station.

• Major restoration and maintenance depot for our operational rolling stock

HERITAGE EXPRESS - heritage rail tours

• 'Southern Aurora' rail escapes and dining train tours

• Steam and vintage diesel nostalgic events

• Private train charters & group travel

VALLEY HEIGHTS LOCOMOTIVE DEPOT HERITAGE MUSEUM

• Home of our Blue Mountains Division - an authentic loco depot transformed into a museum, displaying heritage rolling stock and other railway exhibits.

RETAIL CATALOGUE

• 'Roundhouse' and a variety of books, videos and publications on railway heritage.

OTHER DIVISIONS

• Blue Mountains Division (based at Valley heights)

• Illawarra Division (based at Coniston)

Why does the Museum operate trains?

The Museum has operated rail tours using heritage rolling stock since its inception in 1962.

We believe that an effective museum must offer a high level of interactivity - that interpretation of exhibits needs to engage and involve the visitor as much as possible.

Locomotives and rolling stock can best be appreciated if they are experienced in action. Therefore our objectives include the operation of steam and diesel locomotives, and freight and passenger vehicles, so as to promote appreciation and enjoyment of rail heritage, and helping to fulfil our important educational role.

What is the Museum's customer charter?

We encourage and train our staff to meet our Customer Charter -

• To let customers see and experience the unique railway heritage of NSW

• To meet and exceed the expectations of our customers

• To provide a value-for-money experience

• To greet and welcome customers in a cordial and courteous manner

Where does the Museum's funding come from?

The Museum has income streams from commercial activities (including rail tours and train charters, Museum gate takings, souvenir and book sales, catering and contract restoration projects), membership fees and donations.

All our operating revenues/profits are returned to restoring our exhibits and improving our facilities.

Tax deductible donations & bequests are channelled to the restoration of our exhibits or improvement of infrastructure or rolling stock.

For opening hours of the museum, a map, and contact details for bookings and enquiries, please see our Contact Us page.

For information about how to become a volunteer or a member of the museum please see our Membership page.

For an overview of our museum shop and how to order publications please see our Museum Shop page.

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