The Lachlan Valley Railway commences their steam season this Friday with a run from Goulburn to Junee, to position the train for the Junee Rhythm and Rail festival over the weekend.

“The LVR has been part of Rhythm and Rail in the past with our “Tin Hare” railmotors, so we are very excited to add steam to the program this year” said LVR Secretary Treasurer John Healey.

The tour is being run with the assistance of the Powerhouse Museum, who will provide steam locomotive 3265 for the tour. Built from the 1892 and 1911, the P(6) class as they were known prior to 1924, were NSW’s crack express passenger locomotive of the era and continued in service until the end of steam in the 1970’s.

The festival train departs Goulburn at 11.30am on Friday 7th March, stopping at Yass Junction, Harden and Cootamundra before arriving into Junee just before the 6pm opening to the festival. One-way fares are available for each of these sectors of the journey, with the trip timed to connect with the northbound XPT to bring passenger up from Junee and Cootamundra to Harden, and return Yass and Goulburn passengers home.

The steam train will then be operating shuttles between Junee and Wagga Wagga over the weekend, while the 1920’s CPH Railmotors will run between Cootamundra and Junee for the Rhythm and Rail Festival. The following weekend sees the train head to Albury on Friday 14th March for the weekend of the 15^th and 16^th March.

Bookings for the Friday 7th March One-Way journeys can be made by calling 6342 4999. Departure and fare information as follows:

• Goulburn to Yass Junction departs Goulburn 11.30am, arrives Yass Junction 1.10pm. Fares $25 Adult, $15 children 4-15 years, $70 family of four. Return XPT departs Yass Junction 4.05pm and arrives Goulburn 5.15pm
• Yass Junction to Harden, departs Yass Junction 1.25pm, arrives Harden 2.40pm. Fares $25 Adult, $15 children 4-15 years, $70 family of four. Return XPT departs Harden 3.15pm and arrives Yass Junction 4.05pm
• Harden to Cootamundra, departs Harden 3.50pm, arrives Cootamundra 4.40pm. Fares $20 Adult, $10 children 4-15 years, $55 family of four. Catch the 2.38pm XPT from Cootamundra to meet the steam train at Harden.
• Cootamundra to Junee, departs Cootamundra 4.50pm, arrives Junee 5.50pm. Fares $20 Adult, $10 children 4-15 years, $55 family of four. Catch the 1.50pm XPT from Junee to meet the steam train at Cootamundra.
• Please note, a 10% is given where more than one sector is booked. Passengers are responsible for booking their own XPT seats directly with NSW Trains if required.

Tickets for the Junee Rhythm and Rail weekend trains are available from Junee Railway Café, or online at visitjunee.com.au

The Lachlan Valley Railway is based in Cowra, Central West NSW and is in its 39th year of operating main line heritage tours to all parts of the state. You can find more information on the Lachlan Valley Railway on their website www.lvr.com.au