We are slowly exploring everything we can think of while we are still here in Wollongong before leaving New South Wales {wished that we could leave tomorrow but we have family commitments that we must keep!} I will soon share our Bucket List of what we would like to see before heading to another state!
A few weekends ago we headed to Train Works Rail Heritage Museum to show our two younger boys a place that David has been to before when he was a young boy, with his parents!
Here our some of our Pictures from the Day ::
{Please Note that most Photos were taken from our 8 year old and/or our 12 year old as I put them in charge of the camera for the day!}
This Train was at the entrance way, and was used for the Royal Family as well as Prime Ministers. It sure was a luxury set up inside and would have been wonderful to travel in!
We walked into the Prison Van, and stopped to listen to the recording. It was telling a story of how one Mamma had stolen food to feed her family and how she was arrested for her brazen behavior! While she was arrested she had to let her children go to the neighbour and had to say goodbye to them. The story was a sure eye opener!
After a very brief look into the TrainWorks Museum we headed over to the Steam Train {after our ride we went back for a more in depth look at TrainWorks!
We were sitting next to Kyle, and we had an eye on him the whole time….we did ask him to stay more in the carriage after this photo was taken. But we are sure glad he got to feel the freedom of hanging out the window, riding a train like kids used to do many years before we were alive!! Like his Dad’s Parents used to!
The engine had to swap ends of the train to take us back to the platform…I think that was David’s hi-lights of the day!!
Once we got back to the Platform we headed back to the TrainWorks Rail Heritage Museum, to explore all of the trains, read as much information as possible and to take a trip down memory lane…..
He loved dressing up in these overalls and playing “Train Driver” where he could change the “Signal” that was next to the train!
The big shed has MANY {lots and lots} of Trains to look at, read about and to hop onto! Its incredible how many trains David remembers riding when he was younger, and how many stories came from walking through the older trains.
This train carriage was used by the Premier only, to travel around the state. Now days they travel by plane or for short distances by car!!
All about the Premier Car ::
“It might seem odd now, but during the earlier decades of the 20th century, the leaders at Macquarie Street once possessed their own group of passenger cars. PAM11 was the Premiers car, and enjoyed a long service life of 1919 t 1964, hosting all manner of cabinet ministers for jaunts around the state.”
“Prior to 1905, the NSW state premier was content to step aboard regular sleeping carriages for journeys to visit his constituents. Astonishingly, despite the emergence of dedicated cars such as PAM11, premiers and ministers continued to dally with regular services as late as the 1980’s, and a sleeping compartment was always reserved on each line for ministerial use. If not required the reserved compartments were only released for public booking shortly before the trains departed!
However, such availability was not always sufficient for the purposes of state government. During 1905 a dedicated premier carriage was rebuilt from a standard sleeper car and employed for a period of 14 years at which time PAAM11 was constructed to replace it. A special car reserved for State use offered obvious attractions, for it could serve as a handy workplace, enabling a group of ministers to travel together and use the carriage as a roaming.
The original sleeping car was rebuilt as an institute safe working instruction car – in much the same way that F2909 now appears – and PAM 11 was constructed at the same time as Commissioner’s Car AAH19, and was regularly used for premier’s and ministerial travel until 164. Premier Bob Heffron (in office between 1959 and 1964) was the last frequent passenger, although state transport minister and noted rail advocate, Milton Morris, also enjoyed its comfort and privileges during his tenure (1965-1975)
Furthermore the carriage formed part of a train used by the entourage of General Douglas MacArthur, Supreme commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force during World War 11, when he was based in Sydney. The car was also part f the royal train that conveyed Queen Elizabeth during February 1954, travelling behind 4001. Until 1963, PAM11 possessed a large open-air observation platform at what is now the enclosed end of the car, thus allowing lucky passengers to enjoy the view when on the move, to or receive guests at station stops”
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Have lots more photos from the day, and shared our day in Vlogs as well…..
Would We Go Back?
Sure would in a heart beat! Actually if you lived close by I would highly recommend a Yearly Pass to the Trainworks Rail Heritage Museum because there is so much to see and do and one day is not enough to take it all in!!
Location ::
10 Barbour Rd, Thirlmere NSW 2572
Phone Number ::
(02) 4681 8001They even have a day coming up soon (in July) with Thomas so be sure to find out more!
Cost ::
Family Pass for the day to the Steam Train and Museum is $87.00 – yearly pass $149.00
*family consists of Two Adults and up to Four Children
We Sure Had A Day of Fun.
Have You Been To TrainWorks?
Cheers
Lisa
New Life on the Road
We’re going here for that Thomas day next month! We’ve had to keep postponing it since last year but we’re determined to go! Can’t wait! And this post has got me even more excited!!!
Grace recently posted..How to fit in a long run with your family in tow
Grace, your boys will love the train ride, and the Playground is so much fun! They even have a section near the BBQ area of lots of old trains to read about/explore and hope on 🙂