Galston Valley Railway
Our latest adventure turned out to be a science and history lesson all rolled into one.
With the sun shining we decided we would visit the Galston Valley Railway to ride the miniature trains. Having never been myself, I really wasn’t sure what to expect or if my daughters would even really enjoy it.
What we discovered was incredible. As soon as I saw the miniature railway, I was instantly transported back to my childhood when we had a model train set.
My sisters and I would run the trains around the small track for hours, over the bridges, through the tunnels, around the mountain, past the houses and paddocks and back to the station again. In many ways the Galston Valley Railway is similar except a lot larger and a lot more fun!
Run by the Hornsby Model Engineers, the Galston Valley Railway is a 5” gauge miniature railway which is approximately 1km in length and sits in a natural bush setting.
Like the train set from my childhood, there are tunnels and bridges as well as a station and a Station Masters box.
The train toots its horn loudly as it pulls out of the station and if you keep your eyes peeled, you will see garden gnomes and terracotta clay animals are hidden amongst the rocks and the trees as the train works its way through the bush.
There are viewing platforms as well as seating so you can watch the miniature trains as they run around the tracks. Best of all adults can also ride the trains making it entertaining for everyone.
There are two types of trains – steam and diesel. As we stood waiting for our turn to ride the miniature trains, Maddie and Alexis asked why there is smoke coming out of the train.
This led to our discussion of how steam trains work and why they are no longer used. We ended up riding the trains multiple times with Maddie declaring “this is awesome”.
There are viewing platforms and seating to watch the miniature trains as well as a garden gauge model railway display with model scale buildings.
On site there are also picnic tables and BBQs for the public to use. You can bring your own lunch to enjoy. There is also a canteen selling tea & coffee, cold drinks, ice-creams and lollies as well as a sausage sandwich stall.
Galston Valley Railway is open every 2nd Sunday in the month and is completely run by passionate volunteers who willingly share their knowledge and love of trains. All the funds they raise from ticket sales, the BBQ and the Canteen goes straight back into maintaining and improving the miniature railway and the facilities on site.
It is well worth a visit especially if you have younger children and I certainly look forward to visiting the Galston Valley Railway soon with my nieces and nephews.
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