SETS Tours

To continue to operate this trip on the scheduled date, the Society has had to replace the loco hauled train service from Sydney to Queanbeyan (and Canberra back to Sydney) with a road coach service.

We apologize for the last minute change. This has been largely due to the delivery of an impractical timetable for the trip from Railcorp and ARTC. The timetable issued would have resulted in a trip duration in excess of 18 hours, which we considered would not be of interest to the majority of our patrons. Even allowing for some required adjustments to our draft, this table is significantly different from what was originally submitted by SETS two months ago. We have also been notified mid last week that ARHS-ACT's 48 class failed the previous weekend and is not expected to be repaired in time for our scheduled trip.

The trip will now comprise a coach from Sydney terminal departing at 7:30am, picking up at Strathfield at 7:55am and Campbelltown at 8:30am, thence proceeding to Queanbeyan Station.

Our train travel commences at Queanbeyan with a special ARHS-ACT 73-class loco hauled train to Royalla. From Royalla we travel further down the branch by coach to the Cooma Monaro Railway at Cooma for the railmotor trips and BBQ lunch (exactly as previously advertised). Following this we return to Sydney by coach at about 17:00 setting down at Campbelltown around 20:00, Strathfield at around 20:30 and concluding at Central at around 21:00.

The change allows us to leave Sydney later and arrive back earlier than previously advertised, with more time in Cooma. In addition the fares have been reduced. (See attached booking form.). The fares include all train and coach travel and the BBQ lunch at Cooma. All coach travel is air-conditioned.

If you have not already booked you can still do so with the revised form (link below).

We again apologize for the late change and look forward to seeing you on the day.

Come and join SETS for an all day tour as we head South on our first diesel-electric extravaganza. We will travel using a variety of motive power including two 44 class and 48 class diesel electric locomotives and three CPH railmotors.

Our destination is Cooma and we will travel from Sydney to the Michelago Tourist Railway from Queanbeyan as far as Royalla. From here we leave the train and travel by bus for the scenic trip to Chakola station, as the section of the former Bombala line between Royalla and Chakola is currently out of use. On arrival at Chakola, we join the Cooma Monaro Railway to ride their CPH railmotors to Cooma station.

Our train will consist of vintage lift up window carriages from 3801 Limited's fleet and will be hauled by two 44 class diesel-electric locomotives to Queanbeyan, with a change to a 48 class for the trip to Royalla.

At Cooma there will be return CPH trips to Bunyan and Chakola, as well as an inspection of the restored station facilities and CMR's workshops. A BBQ lunch will be provided. We return from Cooma direct to Canberra station by bus, for a speedy return trip to Sydney (hauled by the two 44 class locos).

What better way is there to kick start the new year then with a great day out with fellow enthusiasts behind the ultimate in diesel locomotive power ? Relive the days of the Canberra-Monaro Express. There will be plenty of photostops along the way - it's a tour not to be missed!

The tour will commence from Sydney Terminal at approximately 6:00 am and will pick up at Strathfield, Granville and Campbelltown along the way.

On the return journey we will set down patrons at Campbelltown, Glenfield, Liverpool, Granville, Strathfield and arrive at Sydney Terminal where the tour concludes at approximately 10:30pm.

THE PRE-BOOKED FARES ARE: Adults $149, Concessions $135 and Children (5-18 years) $69. Family fare (see form) $290. Group discounts for a party of 5 or more are also available. Fares include all travel, including the return CPH trips from Cooma and a BBQ lunch.

Buffet car attached. Light refreshments available loco-hauled on the train.