Vintage steam train runs over King's Birthday weekend

A vintage steam train ran a number of services between Hawkesbury River and Gosford over the King's Birthday long weekend.

Four return journeys operated from Gosford on each of Saturday, Sunday and Monday, with the train whistle being heard across the Peninsula on its way through.

Among the passengers on the restored train was Member for Gosford Ms Liesl Tesch.

"The picturesque journey past bushland and waterways made for a magically-memorable experience.

"It was an absolute delight to share this rare opportunity with locals and visitors from far and wide," she said.

The train was pulled by steam locomotive 3526, the last remaining C35 class locomotive in existence.

Originally built in March 1917 by NSW Government Railways, the locomotive spent much of its life on northern services, along with the rest of the 35-class.

Prior renumbering in 1924, the class was known as the NN class, giving rise to the nickname "Nanny".

Locomotive 3526 was withdrawn from service in 1967 and retained for preservation, before becoming the first exhibit to be painted by the NSW Rail Transport Museum.

From 2014 to 2018, it underwent extensive restoration, marking the most comprehensive overhaul of any steam locomotive in the Transport Heritage NSW fleet.

The locomotive is operated by Transport Heritage NSW Ltd, which receives ongoing funding from the NSW Government.

SOURCE

Media release, 10 Jun 2025

Joely Langmaid, Office of the Member for Gosford