About Transport Heritage NSW

About Transport Heritage NSW

About Transport Heritage NSW

Transport Heritage NSW (THNSW) is a not-for-profit, member-based organisation dedicated to preserving, sharing, and celebrating the rich history of transport in New South Wales.

170 YEARS OF HERITAGE

As the NSW Government’s trusted custodian of heritage transport assets, THNSW cares for, maintains, and operates one of Australia’s most significant collections — more than 16,500 items spanning the Transport Heritage NSW Collection and the NSW State Movable Heritage Collection.

From the first wheelbarrow used in railway construction in 1849 to the iconic locomotives, carriages, and buses that shaped modern NSW, these collections tell the story of how transport has influenced the state’s growth, economy, and culture.

Building on the proud legacy of the former NSW Rail Transport Museum, THNSW delivers major public events such as the annual Transport Heritage Expo, operates a wide range of heritage train experiences across New South Wales, and presents education programs that share the stories of transport’s role in shaping the state.

It also operates two flagship sites — the NSW Rail Museum at Thirlmere and the Blue Mountains Locomotive Depot at Valley Heights. Together, these experiences connect people of all ages with the sights, sounds, and stories of New South Wales’ transport heritage.

Beyond its public programs, THNSW undertakes extensive preservation, restoration, and heritage portfolio management to ensure these important assets are protected and enjoyed by future generations.

THNSW also plays a leadership role in developing and supporting the broader transport heritage sector on behalf of the NSW Government — partnering with volunteer groups, museums, and communities across the state to build capacity and keep the legacy of transport alive.

Together, these activities bring transport heritage to life — preserving the past, enriching the present, and inspiring the future of transport in New South Wales.

Our HISTORY

1962
Sparked by the loss of the 34 and 58 classes, The NSW Rail Transport Museum (NSW RTM) is established by a group of rail enthusiasts with the aim of saving NSW steam locomotives and rollingstock for their preservation and continued operation.
1963
The NSW Government agrees to assist with the development of the fledgling Museum. Museum volunteers run their first steam train journey on the Main Line and begin setting aside retired rollingstock for the future museum.
1966
The NSW RTM negotiates and assists with funding the overhaul of locomotive 3801, ultimately saving it from scrap.
1969
Work begins on setting up the NSW Rail Transport Museum at Enfield.
1970
Museum volunteers run The Western Endeavour, marking the first time a single steam train crossed the continent from Sydney to Perth.
1972
The NSW RTM opens to the public at its first location at Enfield.
1974
The NSW Government's Public Transport Commissioner Philip Shirley implements a no-steam policy on the Main Line, temporarily ending both revenue and heritage steam trains in NSW.
1975
At the request of the Public Transport Commission, the NSW RTM is relocated to its present site at Thirlmere.
1976
The NSW RTM opens at Thirlmere and begins operating steam train rides on the historic Picton-Mittagong Loop Line.
1978
The NSW Government signs a Deed of Gift, formally handing over all museum and rollingstock exhibits previously owned by the Public Transport Commission to the NSW RTM.
1983
3801 Ltd. is established by the NSW RTM, the Powerhouse Museum and Australian Railway Historical Society to facilitate the overhaul, maintenance and operation of locomotive 3801 on behalf of the NSW Government.
1988
Following its restoration by the Hunter Valley Training Company, locomotive 3801 tours the country as part of the bicentenary celebrations. The NSW RTM also helps facilitate the tour of British locomotive The Flying Scotsman as part of the festivities.
1989
The Valley Heights Locomotive Depot is closed by the State Rail Authority. Local volunteers petition to save the depot, which had been in continuous operation since 1914.
1990
Locomotive 3801 is involved in the Cowan Bank accident, prompting a comprehensive review of heritage train operations on the NSW rail network and the introduction of enhanced safety measures.
1991
Volunteers in the Blue Mountains keen to save the the Valley Heights Locomotive Depot formally join the NSW RTM, becoming the Blue Mountains Division.
1994
Five years after its closure, a formal Lease Agreement is signed between the State Rail Authority and the NSW RTM for the Valley Heights Locomotive Depot. Today, the depot still operates in preservation as the Blue Mountains Locomotive Depot.
1999
Following Parramatta Park Fire in 1996, steam tram 103A moves to the Valley Heights Locomotive Depot, where it begins operating steam tram rides.
2002
The NSW RTM supports the NSW Government in developing a long-term strategy for rail heritage in NSW.
2006
The NSW Government's RailCorp announces the Rail Heritage Asset Management Strategy, including a $14 million upgrade to the Rail Heritage Centre at Thirlmere, and the restoration of locomotive 3801. As part of this strategy, 3801 along with assets owned by the NSW RTM, are transferred to the newly-established Office of Rail Heritage.
2007
Ownership of the NSW RTM becomes vested in Trainworks Limited, a 100% subsidiary of RailCorp. The precinct at Thirlmere is also renamed Trainworks.
2009
Work commences on the overhaul of locomotive 3801.
2013
Following a lengthy review of rail heritage by the NSW Government, Transport Heritage NSW (THNSW) is established. In addition to amalgamating the NSW RTM and the Office of Rail Heritage into a single new entity, THNSW begins providing support to independent groups preserving heritage public transport across NSW.
2017
Trainworks, now under the control of THNSW, is renamed ‘NSW Rail Museum’.
2018
The NSW Government announces plans for the establishment of Chullora Heritage Hub at the former Chullora Railway Workshops.
2019
The NSW Government commits funding to re-open the Picton-Mittagong Loop Line between Buxton and Colo Vale, marking the commencement of the Loop Line Upgrade Project
2021
Locomotive 3801 is officially relaunched by Her Excellency, the Hon. Margaret Beazley AC QC, Governor of NSW following a lengthy overhaul. The relaunch takes place during strict COVID restrictions limiting number of attendees at Sydney’s Central Station.
2022
Australia’s largest operating steam locomotive, Beyer-Garratt 6029, is acquired by the NSW Government to form part of the THNSW operating fleet. This marks the first purchase of a steam locomotive by the government since the 1950s.
2024
Stage one of the Chullora Heritage Hub is completed.
2025
THNSW delivers its single biggest event on record, welcoming over 12,500 people for its annual Transport Heritage Expo.

1962
Sparked by the loss of the 34 and 58 classes, The NSW Rail Transport Museum (NSW RTM) is established by a group of rail enthusiasts with the aim of saving NSW steam locomotives and rollingstock for their preservation and continued operation.
1963
The NSW Government agrees to assist with the development of the fledgling Museum. Museum volunteers run their first steam train journey on the Main Line and begin setting aside retired rollingstock for the future museum.
1966
The NSW RTM negotiates and assists with funding the overhaul of locomotive 3801, ultimately saving it from scrap.
1969
Work begins on setting up the NSW Rail Transport Museum at Enfield.
1970
Museum volunteers run The Western Endeavour, marking the first time a single steam train crossed the continent from Sydney to Perth.
1972
The NSW RTM opens to the public at its first location at Enfield.
1974
The NSW Government's Public Transport Commissioner Philip Shirley implements a no-steam policy on the Main Line, temporarily ending both revenue and heritage steam trains in NSW.
1975
At the request of the Public Transport Commission, the NSW RTM is relocated to its present site at Thirlmere.
1976
The NSW RTM opens at Thirlmere and begins operating steam train rides on the historic Picton-Mittagong Loop Line.
1978
The NSW Government signs a Deed of Gift, formally handing over all museum and rollingstock exhibits previously owned by the Public Transport Commission to the NSW RTM.
1983
3801 Ltd. is established by the NSW RTM, the Powerhouse Museum and Australian Railway Historical Society to facilitate the overhaul, maintenance and operation of locomotive 3801 on behalf of the NSW Government.
1988
Following its restoration by the Hunter Valley Training Company, locomotive 3801 tours the country as part of the bicentenary celebrations. The NSW RTM also helps facilitate the tour of British locomotive The Flying Scotsman as part of the festivities.
1989
The Valley Heights Locomotive Depot is closed by the State Rail Authority. Local volunteers petition to save the depot, which had been in continuous operation since 1914.
1990
Locomotive 3801 is involved in the Cowan Bank accident, prompting a comprehensive review of heritage train operations on the NSW rail network and the introduction of enhanced safety measures.
1991
Volunteers in the Blue Mountains keen to save the the Valley Heights Locomotive Depot formally join the NSW RTM, becoming the Blue Mountains Division.
1994
Five years after its closure, a formal Lease Agreement is signed between the State Rail Authority and the NSW RTM for the Valley Heights Locomotive Depot. Today, the depot still operates in preservation as the Blue Mountains Locomotive Depot.
1999
Following Parramatta Park Fire in 1996, steam tram 103A moves to the Valley Heights Locomotive Depot, where it begins operating steam tram rides.
2002
The NSW RTM supports the NSW Government in developing a long-term strategy for rail heritage in NSW.
2006
The NSW Government's RailCorp announces the Rail Heritage Asset Management Strategy, including a $14 million upgrade to the Rail Heritage Centre at Thirlmere, and the restoration of locomotive 3801. As part of this strategy, 3801 along with assets owned by the NSW RTM, are transferred to the newly-established Office of Rail Heritage.
2007
Ownership of the NSW RTM becomes vested in Trainworks Limited, a 100% subsidiary of RailCorp. The precinct at Thirlmere is also renamed Trainworks.
2009
Work commences on the overhaul of locomotive 3801.
2013
Following a lengthy review of rail heritage by the NSW Government, Transport Heritage NSW (THNSW) is established. In addition to amalgamating the NSW RTM and the Office of Rail Heritage into a single new entity, THNSW begins providing support to independent groups preserving heritage public transport across NSW.
2017
Trainworks, now under the control of THNSW, is renamed ‘NSW Rail Museum’.
2018
The NSW Government announces plans for the establishment of Chullora Heritage Hub at the former Chullora Railway Workshops.
2019
The NSW Government commits funding to re-open the Picton-Mittagong Loop Line between Buxton and Colo Vale, marking the commencement of the Loop Line Upgrade Project
2021
Locomotive 3801 is officially relaunched by Her Excellency, the Hon. Margaret Beazley AC QC, Governor of NSW following a lengthy overhaul. The relaunch takes place during strict COVID restrictions limiting number of attendees at Sydney’s Central Station.
2022
Australia’s largest operating steam locomotive, Beyer-Garratt 6029, is acquired by the NSW Government to form part of the THNSW operating fleet. This marks the first purchase of a steam locomotive by the government since the 1950s.
2024
Stage one of the Chullora Heritage Hub is completed.
2025
THNSW delivers its single biggest event on record, welcoming over 12,500 people for its annual Transport Heritage Expo.

Our work

Today, Transport Heritage NSW is focused on delivering across four key areas:

Onlookers admire locomotive 3265 at Central Station. Credit Mark Coleman

Events & experiences

THNSW delivers major events, heritage train experiences and education programs at the NSW Rail Museum and throughout NSW.

Museums

We operate two public rail heritage attractions: NSW Rail Museum and Valley Heights Locomotive Depot Heritage Museum.

Locomotive 3203 sits on a flatbed truck.

Heritage & Collections

We manage a portfolio of primarily rail heritage assets owned by the NSW Government on behalf of Transport for NSW.

SECTOR DEVELOPMENT

We provide a leadership role in delivering a range of support services to the heritage transport sector on behalf of the NSW Government.

Funding

While THNSW is a not-for-profit organisation, we're funded by the NSW Government through three annual funding streams to ensure public access and enjoyment, ongoing care of our heritage assets and support for the wider heritage transport sector.