Questions people ask sometimes…

How much does it cost? To come in and for a ride on the trains? It costs nothing to come in. It costs $2.50 per ride for everyone (other than toddlers-in-arms). Assume that children will want several rides each and that most adults will want to ride at least once. Please don't forget to make sure that everyone who might want to ride comes with closed shoes (no thongs!).

How do we pay? You can use cash or most credit or debit cards to buy tickets at the ticket desk on the day. VERY IMPORTANT - We do not sell or redeem gift cards or vouchers. Recently we have heard that visitors to a neighbouring track had been tricked into paying on-line for gift cards for a number of rides. So, it might happen here too. If you have been tricked then all we can do is suggest that you contact your card-issuer for a refund. (September 2026).

Why must we wear special shoes? Because there is a chance that a passenger will catch his foot between the car and the ground. Would you let your children ride a motor bike in thongs?

Do you run every month? Yes we do, unless there is heavy rain or flood. For last minute wet weather cancellations please see our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/CentralCoastSteamModelCoOp .

Even in summer? Yes, on the first Saturday of every month as usual. So wear clothes suitable for the heat, and don’t forget some water, sunscreen and your camera! Fully enclosed shoes are always necessary if you plan to ride the trains.

Are you running today? (by Facebook comment or e-mail). If it is the first Saturday then unless it is raining steadily and hard then we are running. This means that we will not be at home checking Facebook or e-mail and you will not get a reply until the evening or even the next day. You can be confident that we will be there if you come. However if the day is washed out there should be a notice on our Facebook page and you may well get a more prompt response to your question. If you really need to confirm, for example if you plan to use a table for a party then please phone the booking number on the main page.

Is the run always the same? The duration of each ride is about the same but the route can vary. We usually try to have all trains run at least once around a small loop around the party area and twice around a big loop between the station and the creek. Trains that start at the main station pass the party station without stopping. Trains that start at the party station pass the main station without stopping there. So usually, trains pass the main station at least once without stopping and some young children do find this exciting. We are slowly repairing track that will eventually allow us to run through the bush at the south of the mangrove swamp.

Why do you only run on the first Saturday of each month? The club grounds and the track are maintained and operated by our members who are all volunteers. At this stage we don’t have the people to run every weekend.

Do you run steam every month? We usually do, but we do not light up during total fire ban days. On these days electric or "diesel" locomotives will provide the service.

But your steam engines don’t have any open flames we can see so why can’t you run them on fire-ban days? It is not that we can’t run them, rather that we choose not to do so. Although the chance of a fire is slight, the consequences of a fire, however unlikely, on a total fire ban day are greater than on other days. We would not want to cause the fire brigade to come to our grounds when they might be fighting major fires or resting between emergencies. There are other trains for you to ride on the day, otherwise come back next month.

You are not open when Google says, or you are open when Google says you are closed. Why? We are aware of this problem. Please ignore Google, they have their own ideas about when a business should be open or closed and cannot accommodate an amateur event that happens just once a month. However, Google Maps has collected a great set of photographs taken by visitors to our track, just ignore the opening hours that they give. (We have tried to have this fixed but they ignore us). We are sorry if you have come to visit when the trains are not running.

Tables

How do I arrange a birthday party here? You can use one of the tables in our party area. We don’t take bookings at the moment so it is first come, first served. Unreserved tables are available free of charge. Also, there is almost always room for a picnic. Come early and claim a spot. Some groups prefer the choose a patch of grass somewhere on the high side where the picnic will not get trampled and where seated parents have a better view of what is happening. Others prefer a flat shady spot in the party area. We suggest that you bring a rug to mark your place and something to sit on because the grass is often damp. Please don't forget to make sure all visitors come with closed shoes (no thongs!).

Do you do special runs for big birthday parties on other days? Yes, we can run the trains at other times, subject to member availability. There is a charge for this but rides are free for your visitors. Please call us to discuss.

Why didn't anyone answer the phone, I called in business hours? Because this is a hobby, not a business. Most of us are working in our real jobs during business hours - so please try to call in the evening, otherwise leave a message and someone will get back to you.

May I use one of the tables for my lunch on days when there are no trains running? Yes, as part of our community service focus, the tables are always available. All we ask is that you take all your rubbish home.

Facilities

Is there any food available at the track? Many visitors bring a picnic lunch or afternoon tea but for those who are hungry the Freemasons operate a sausage sizzle next to the ticket counter.

It’s a hot day today, can’t we have some shade. There’s no easy answer to this. When it’s hot, it’s hot! At least on a very hot day there are fewer visitors and so the queue is shorter. Eventually we shall replace the old trees that used to stand near the platform gates. We are also seeking a grant for a shade structure.

What about toilets? Our toilets are unlocked on running days only. We have the usual men’s and women’s plus an accessible toilet with a baby change table. Just follow the ramp to the deck above the ticket office.

Our Trains

Last time we were here the kids rode behind a particular engine, they want to do it again but I can’t see it today. Where is it? It probably belongs to a member of an affiliated club who was visiting. Members of this hobby often travel from track to track to run their engines. That is why all model engineering clubs have standard track gauges and operating rules. Each club has a regular running day each month, as far as possible on a different day to other clubs nearby.

Why are some engines so much smaller than others are? People build models of their favourite engines in a scale that allows them to run on either of our tracks. Sometimes there will be little difference in size, for example a Qld suburban locomotive built to run on 5”-gauge track will be about the same size as a NSW suburban locomotive built to run on 7¼" gauge track. They will both be built to a scale of 1/8 full size (that is 1½" to the foot in the old measure). However, if someone were to build a model of a GWR "Stirling Single" express locomotive to run on 5" gauge it would be 1/17 full size. On the other hand, a model of a cane tram engine to run on 7¼" gauge would be about 1/3 full size. The reason for this is that full size railways were built in gauges from roughly 2’ to 7’ (actually 500mm to 2140mm).

Do you also have an indoor electric train layout? No. We are fully occupied maintaining the grounds, or building trains we can ride, or building or restoring other steam machinery.

Once or twice a year one of our Narara neighbours puts on a free public display of working vintage 0-gauge trains in our hall. The display is advertised at the ticket counter and on Facebook.

We do have an extensive collection of Plarail track and trains on loan to the club. Our members’ children often build extensive networks of blue plastic track on the floor during meetings or after closing time on running days. They pack it away before going home. Some children bring their own trains to run here. Likewise some members’ 3D-printed creations.

There are a couple of indoor model railway clubs on the Central Coast that are listed in the model railway club directory here: http://www.australianmodelrailways.com/amclubs.html and an active "men's shed" with trains at Kincumber here: https://www.facebook.com/GosfordCityModelRailroadClub .

Just wondering if there is a weight limit to ride the miniature trains? People of all shapes and sizes ride our trains. As an indication of what is possible, here is a link to short video of a 5" gauge steam locomotive being driven by one of our members in 2008: The Power of Steam. Some of our trains are lower than others. People who are exceptionally large might find it embarrassing to squat on a low and narrow carriage. On the other hand, some our carriages have a bench seat at about the same height as an ordinary office chair so stepping over the bench in order to sit should not be impossible for any adult.

It is important that nobody leans sideways and overbalances the carriage. This rule applies to everyone, but a large person leaning is much more likely to overturn the car and hurt people than a small child leaning. If the carriage turns over then a person who is higher and heavier than normal is likely to be more seriously injured than an average sized person. So it is essential that our bigger passengers keep their centre of gravity over the centre line of the car at all times.

Some of our 7 1/4" gauge carriages are designed to carry eight average size people (500Kg) spread evenly along the bench. So that would also be the weight limit for a single heavy passenger. A less uncommon load would be one 200Kg person in the middle of the carriage with perhaps a normal adult behind and two or three small children in front. The capacity is really determined by space rather than weight. We do not charge extra for large people, nor do we give discounts for small people. In general, our 5" gauge rolling stock is lower than our 7 1/4" gauge rolling stock. We run both kinds on most running days so if you are willing to wait for an appropriate size train you can be sure of a ride. We hope that you can come to one of our running days and that you enjoy your visit.

What is the youngest age a child can ride the trains being held by an adult? My daughter is 10 months old. There is no set minimum age provided that the child can sit still while seated in front of its carer.

The carer is responsible for keeping a firm hold on the child. Some 10-month old children are only too happy to sit down or be held while enjoying the ride. Others have just discovered mobility and try to use their new-found skill at every opportunity. It is dangerous for the child to stand up and fall off the train. Only you know what your daughter is likely to do so you will have to decide if she is suitable.

We suggest that you come and visit. Admission is free so you and your daughter can enjoy seeing the trains. Watch what other parents are doing with their babies and toddlers while riding the trains. Unless your daughter is particularly unruly then I expect that both of you will want to ride. Tickets to ride are $2.50 for you, she will be free. Both of you must wear covered footwear.

Our Hobby

My kids love this; how can I join the hobby? Start to build something together at home. If you want to run at Narara your train must fit on rail track of either 5" or 7¼" gauge. Other clubs in NSW have these gauges and sometimes more. We recommend joining a club such as ours, or any other AALS affiliated club. One suggestion is to start with a simple model such as a goods wagon so that the kids will still be interested by the time it is ready to move, otherwise it might be your grandchildren who will be riding it. Much interesting information is in the AALS website at https://www.aals.asn.au/ More suggestions for building a home railway are in this paper. Unfortunately the instructive Australian Model Engineering magazine has ceased production but back issues can be found in libraries and are available for loan to our members.

I think that my husband/wife/brother/etc. should join this club, how does one join? All our members actively work to operate the running days and to maintain the grounds on other days. They probably also have an interest in machinery and small trains or other steam equipment. So, if you know someone who would enjoy our activities have them talk to any of our members on a running day or on a working day (most other Saturdays). Some of us are at the club many weekday mornings. If more convenient you can call in then.

I want my teenager to join this club, how do I enrol him? In short: if he or she is serious but under 15 then you should join. The club has adopted the AALS policy concerning graduated driver training for the children of club members. This begins at age seven. Members who are parents or grandparents are free to bring their children to club activities provided that they take responsibility for them.

If 15 or more she or he can join, but first of all, does she want to be a member and will she be available to undertake the commitments of the other, adult, members? Usually, it is better to allow your teenager to attend a few working days at the club so they can decide if the they are interested. They would pick up lots of ideas for what they could make at home or in our workshop.

My uncle (etc.) found this old train (or boiler etc.) in the attic, what should we do with it? Firstly, do not give it to young children as a toy. The choices are to keep it in a glass case as a family heirloom, to sell it, or to restore it to running order. If it has a boiler and you can find a folder with boiler design drawings and a test certificate then the machine will be able to be sold for a good price or kept for restoration and operation. Without a boiler certificate a steam engine cannot be run at a public track, so then the alternatives are to dismantle it for test and inspection; or to sell as is to someone willing to do this work and thus acquire a new engine; or just to clean it and put it on display. (If the boiler has a capacity of less than one litre then it does not need a certificate, but a locomotive with such a small boiler is unlikely to be able to haul full sized people.) If the train is powered by battery or by an internal combustion engine then you can bring it along to our track on any day we are here and one of our members will help you try it (preferably other than during public running hours, say a meeting or working day). If it is steam powered we would still love to see it. Regardless of the type, if you plan to keep and operate the engine then we strongly recommend joining an AALS-affiliated club, such as CSSM at Narara, of course.

I just moved to the Central Coast. How do I join? Have a chat to any of our members and pick up a membership pack, or ask the secretary to send you one, or print one here. If after reading it you think that you will fit in then send back the form, or preferably bring it to one of our work days. We'll take it from there. We are actively recruiting new members so please pass the word around!

I would like to help but don’t feel like becoming a member. We have several volunteers who help with the lawns, gardens, and some tasks on running days. There is always room for more! People with trade skills are also welcome. Speak to someone at the ticket desk on running days or, preferably, drop in on another Saturday or when there are members present during the week and have a chat.

Animals

What was that big bird walking across the track? Probably a brush turkey. You can learn more about them here: http://www.ozanimals.com/Bird/Australian-Brush-turkey/Alectura/lathami.html . As with the other native wildlife on our site they are a sign that small trains and nature can co-exist.

What was that big lizard that stopped to look at us before running up a tree (or jumping into the creek)? Probably an eastern water dragon. You can learn more about them here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_water_dragon The lizards on our grounds are not tame and will generally avoid people. Like the turkeys, they prefer the back straight where the trains don’t stop. They hardly ever visit the station.

Is the club dog-friendly? We think so. Many local residents use the grounds to walk their dogs during non-running days. All we ask is that everyone picks up after their dog, or at least trains it to go to the toilet away from all lawns, paths, rail tracks and waterways, and not to chase the wildlife. Before bringing your dog to a running day please consider how it will react in a crowd with many small children and machines moving around.

What is the story about the tables under the tree and the tawny frogmouths? They have not been sighted since their preferred old tree fell down in a storm. There is more about these interesting birds here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tawny_frogmouth. Perhaps you can find one in our bush.

Donations, Charity, Sponsorship etc.

I have just heard that a child in our town has been diagnosed with a terrible disease (or there is some other worthy cause), can the club give us some money? No. Any money we collect is used to provide the services you see on the grounds. Our members who are all unpaid volunteers provide most labour to maintain the track and grounds and to provide this community service. However, any organized group can book the party area, or even the whole track, for a function and collect funds as it chooses.

Alternatively we suggest that you talk to a local service club, such as the Freemasons, Rotary, Lions, Quota etc. who are better qualified than we are to assess your needs and to recommend sources of assistance, or to include your cause in their fundraising program. For many years Lions were kind enough to provide the food service on our running days. Since Covid the Freemasons provide the food service. From time-to-time they invite suggestions for suitable local causes (usually associated with Gosford Hospital)

May I fly my drone here? Yes, on any day except when trains are open for public running. You are responsible for compliance with CASA regulations. These include keeping the drone in sight and not flying over people – hence the running day restriction. Otherwise have fun, and if your drone records an interesting view of the track then please share a copy with us.

When can we ride the train through the mangroves again? We don't know. Some of the bridge timber was found to be in need of replacement and it was felt that it would be best to replace all the timber. We do have a collection of suitable timber but still need more. We also do not have enough members at the moment to devote time to this project while other repairs are in progress. Needless to say, we would welcome offers of timber and carpentry to restore the old bridge as it was, or funding and professional services for a steel one on the same footings. Working drawings are available, help from an interested builder would be welcome. Meanwhile, we are working to get trains to the far side of the block via a creek-side route.

What are those other tracks we can see? At this stage most trains are 7 1/4" gauge. We are practice running on the 5" gauge tracks and we shall resume 5" gauge trains when more of the track is repaired or converted. The long tracks beside the creek were again covered by sand during floods in 2022 and 2024. We have dug them out and are now replacing rusted track. We are progressively changing the layout to allow trains of both gauges to share the same route.

Where are there other tracks like this? Like this? Nowhere, our club is the best! Seriously, there are clubs and tracks in most parts of Australia and many other parts of the world. Start by checking the AALS web site.

What does it cost to visit? You must buy a ticket for each ride but otherwise there is no charge to visit our grounds. Just show up on the next running day, you will be most welcome.

Return to Narara trains home page.

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Note to members: if there are other questions that you have been asked by our visitors please send them, and your suggested answer, to me using the web contact details on the front page.

Thanks, Tom

(Last updated 10 October 2026)