A departure from the usual topics, this is a lighthearted piece about friends, train culture and a day out in Western New South Wales

It was picture-perfect weather for our steam train excursion from Bathurst to Wimbledon on the Saturday of the King’s Birthday Weekend. After congregating outside the Lithgow Valley Cinema on Main Street and exchanging pleasantries, we promptly piled into our allotted vehicles and started off — next stop Bathurst Station. Once we arrived at the station, there was enough time for a light bite and a quick catch-up over some delicious coffee, catered by the cafe adjacent to the station; the cafe has a very imaginative restaurant seating area: an antique train carriage; and the train buffs were tickled pink! More railroad memorabilia is exhibited at the Bathurst Rail Museum with interactive displays to keep all ages engaged. 

It turns out one of the group has a passion for steam-train travel and he decided to don a rather theatrical-looking suit: a black ensemble with a velvet, tailed coat, embellished with some striking gold and silver broaches and chains; the look was complimented with an antique wooden cane complete with an inbuilt compass in the handle! That cane became quite a conversation piece during the day.

After the cafe interlude, our intrepid leader kept the business end of things running smoothly and gave us instructions to gather at the end of the platform. When the very impressive green and gold locomotive pulled into the station, it was evident that the disembarking passengers had had the time of their lives. The helpful Train Heritage NSW hosts ushered us to our seats. A step back into yesteryear is an understatement: immaculately maintained wooden, high-back lounge seats in tasteful dark green with a table for snacks or a relaxing game of cards. The train reaches a top speed of 80km/h between Bathurst and Wimbledon and for the return journey, its maximum permitted speed is 40km/h. 

As the train started to hum along, our resident hospitality expert pulled out some morsels as tantalising as the picnic scene in Monet’s “Le déjeuner sur l’herbe.” After our mini picnic, it was time to settle back into our atmospheric surroundings, while enjoying our warm drinks and the conversation. On reaching Wimbledon, the train stopped briefly before making the return journey, which gave the very keen trainspotters ample time to take some snaps.

Along the route, there were dozens more trainspotters stationed at strategic vantage points, as they aimed to capture a shot of the 1940’s locomotive from its best angle. It is evident that all age groups are drawn to the romantic appeal of trains and train travel and kudos to Transport Heritage NSW for keeping train culture alive.