Travel & Leisure
18 August, 2026
Rail enthusiasts to make beeline for Goulburn
Goulburn will be the place to be on the weekend of August 29 and 30 if you’re into model trains, historic trains – or better still, if you have an interest in both.
Goulburn will be the place to be on the weekend of August 29 and 30 if you’re into model trains, historic trains – or better still, if you have an interest in both.
Organisers of the Goulburn Model Expo say this year’s event will be the biggest yet, expanding across three halls at Veolia Arena to deliver the ultimate rail and model experience.
It will feature more than 50 layouts ranging from local NSW prototypes to ‘international masterpieces’ as well as more than 30 trade stands offering a comprehensive range of products.
There will also be Lego displays, radio-controlled trucks and diggers and a number of specialised clinics for those people wanting to learn new modelling skills and techniques.
The event is organised by the Georges River Model Railway Club with all proceeds going to the Kids with Cancer Foundation.
Last year’s event raised more than $10,000 for the Foundation with organisers keen to surpass that amount in 2026.
Those people travelling from Sydney will be able to enjoy the full rail experience this year with organisers partnering with the Goulburn Picnic Train to run return services from Central Station to Goulburn on both the Saturday and Sunday.
There will be a shuttle bus service from Goulburn Station to Veolia Arena.
Steam locomotive R766 will haul the train to Goulburn on Saturday morning and back home again on Sunday afternoon. Heritage diesels will be used for the Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning trips.
R766 was built by the North British Locomotive Company in Glasgow for Victorian Railways and arrived in Australia in 1952.
It made history as the first Victorian steam locomotive to be converted to standard gauge for operation in NSW.
As an added bonus the Goulburn Rail Heritage Centre will be extending its opening hours over the weekend to include sessions on Saturday (9am-3pm), Saturday night (7.30pm-10.30pm) and Sunday (9am-3pm).
A spokesperson said Locomotive 1076 would be in steam, on display and available for cab visits across the weekend.
Diesel locomotive 4821 will also be on display – as will many other items of rolling stock and equipment.
The Saturday night session will provide rail enthusiasts with a unique opportunity to photograph all of the centre’s steam engines under the night sky including locomotives R766 and 1076 (in steam) alongside locomotives B390, 3112, 5917 and 5908 (static). For expo bookings and more information visit www.goulburnmodelexpo.com.au
Tickets will also be available at the door. For Picnic Train bookings visit www.picnictrain.com.au To purchase tickets to the Goulburn Rail Heritage Centre, visit www.trybooking.com/DOHWI
Tickets will also be available at the gate.
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