When a 55 year old heritage train once used on regional rail lines in NSW makes its longest ever journey on Tuesday, November 15 two of the stops will be at stations in the Macarthur region.
A third station in the south west region, East Hills, will be the second last stop before the final destination of Sydney.
The train will be carrying 90 rail and sail passengers on the 800 kilometre trip from the Victorian town of Seymour to Sydney.
It is scheduled to stop at Picton at 7.47pm, Campbelltown at 8.21pm and East Hills at 8.43pm before arriving at Sydney Central at 9.18pm.
Cruise Express, which is behind the journey, is inviting rail buffs and locals in towns from Seymour to Sydney to see the two-car, 620 class rail motor, stop or pass by and give the passengers from around Australia a welcoming wave.
Built in 1961 and operated by the Rail Motor Society and based in Paterson in the Hunter Valley, the rail motor set 621/721 has been preserved in its original Indian red colour scheme and is the only 620-class rail motor in active preservation service.
The NSW Government built 18 of the 620-class diesel sets from 1961 to 1971, with six sets remaining in active commuter service in the Hunter area until 2007.
The sets were used all over NSW till the early 1990s.
Unlike modern trains, the rail motor’s windows can still be opened so passengers can enjoy fresh air, unencumbered views and wave to sightseers.
The rail motor’s pairing with the famous Spirit of Progress on the cruise tour is another rail history first.
The Seymour Railway Heritage Centre is also assisting with the historic rail journey.
This is the rail motor’s first ever visit to Seymour.
Aboard the rail motor from Seymour to Sydney, eight rail enthusiast volunteers, including two drivers from Junee, will accompany the 90 passengers, who will lunch enroute at the 138-year-old Junee Railway Station, with refreshments also brought aboard at Goulburn from local suppliers.
The record-breaking rail journey on November 15 is part of a four-night tour that includes a three-night cruise from Sydney to Melbourne aboard Golden Princess, a night in Melbourne, dinner on the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant and the return train trip to Sydney, initially aboard the historic Spirit of Progress from Melbourne to Seymour and then aboard the rail motor through to Sydney
Cruise Express director Meg Hill said the rail motor is a train rarely seen on the Victoria-NSW route “so we hope train buffs and locals along the route come out to say hello.’’
For information on future rail and sail tours and other cruise travel, visit the Cruise Express website here.
