Small in scale , mighty of heart
OFFICIAL OPENING STAGE TWO NURRAGINGY MINIATURE RAILWAY by Maryann Callaghan
The thrill of a steam whistle , the chugchug of diesel engines and the clickety clack of the steel rails beneath your carriage is what you can enjoy at the amazing Nurragingy Miniature Railway in the heart of Doonside .
Everything may be small but the experience , attention to detail and enthusiasm is larger than life .
Thousands of volunteer man hours coupled with three healthy government grants and a burning desire to revive a working model railway , has seen an underutilised section of this urban park and forest , turned into a transport heritage adventure . And what ’ s even more exciting , is this adventure land that winds through the depths of the nature reserve , has just gotten better with the official opening of its stage two extension line .
Stage one , a 105m loop track with level crossing , was opened in November 2019 .
Members gather to showcase both the running day volunteers and a variety of the engines . ( Front left to right ): NSWGR 422 class , NSWGR 32 class and NSWGR 73 class , along with a number of others behind .
“ The finest yarns from Australia and around the world ”
Banksia Yarns is a family owned store which has been in Richmond for 11 years . From humble beginnings in 2012 they have grown from a small shop in an arcade to a street-frontage , large store in East Market Street , opposite the Richmond Club .
During their early days in the area , they found there was a need for “ a good wool shop ” in Richmond . They began expanding their range and enlarging the selection of yarns which would appeal to all knitters and crocheters .
From quality wools for the budget conscious to luxury yarns to spoil yourself , there is something here for almost everyone . They are involved in the local community , they sponsor some of the prizes for the crafts at the Hawkesbury Show each year . They also attend a range of craft events in and out of the local area .
Their carefully curated selection of the finest quality yarns sits comfortably amongst the broad selection of basic everyday yarns , all sourced from Australia and around the world .
Banksia Yarns stock mohair , alpaca , silk , cotton , wool and acrylic yarns from known and trusted manufacturers . In fact , they have over forty brands in
On Sunday , 16 April , the North Western Model Engineers Inc will show off their blood , sweat and tears to the public , opening a near half-kilometre of new track .
And committee member Shane Baistow , of Erskine Park , a transport road and radio operator , couldn ’ t be prouder .
The 45-year-old told the Independent the new 400m extension is wonderful .
Speaking at one of their latest job days , Shane said the project was a testament to a lot of hard work by dedicated engineers , train and model enthusiasts .
“ We ’ re a knockabout bunch of people from a broad mix of backgrounds ,” he said . “ Some of us are railway workers , teachers , train enthusiasts , accountants , engineers , train drivers and even train spotters .
“ No matter what we do or our age , we love our hobby and yes , we are all volunteers .”
Nurragingy Miniature Railway has steam , diesel and electric-powered locomotives , along with several carriages in its rolling stock , all brought to life by accredited drivers , engineers and train lovers whom on countless job days , have literally looked like a chain gang digging and slaving away constructing the railway through the park . It operates locos for 5 ” and 7.25 ” gauge . There is a shed on site , with roads , rails and storage to service the engines . The railway is the official home of North Western Model Engineers , a not-forprofit organisation formed in November 2014 following the closure of Luddenham ’ s The Train Shed , famous for its Thomas the Tank Engine themed locos and rides .
According to Shane , when that site
stock , including Patons , Heirloom , Sirdar , Katia , Sesia , Fiddlesticks and Queensland Collection .
They have a range of crochet hooks and knitting needles . Other crafts such as cross stitch , macrame and loom knitting are also catered for .
Mother ’ s Day gift packs are now available , so check online or instore . When online , make sure you subscribe to their newsletter and get all the latest information on events , sales and special offers . Social groups or bus tours are very welcome .
Banksia Yarns , 3c East Market Street , Richmond . Ph : 02 4505 1615 . ( Opposite the Richmond Club )
E : shoponline @ banksiayarns . com . au W : www . banksiayarns . com . au OPEN : Monday - Friday 9.30am – 5.00pm , Saturday 9.30am – 1.00pm . Close Sundays and public holidays . closed some of the track and pieces from that business came across to NWME Inc .
“ With the Train Shed forced to close due to land being acquired for the new airport , we were looking for a new site to operate running a club ,” he said . “ We looked at the showgrounds in Richmond , but Blacktown City Council came forward with an unused site in Nurragingy Reserve in 2016 … it is relatively flat with some elevations … they kicked us off with a $ 169,000 grant to build 105m of track on the southern loop .
“ Since then , we ’ ve received NSW government grants of $ 200,000 then $ 75,000 . Now instead of doing four laps of the loop line you can do two long laps of the extended line .”
Many members of the NWME grew up in households where trains and engineering were a firm fixture in their life .
Shane ’ s father Ian , now 68 , worked at Sydney Trains . Ian was a member of the 13-strong crew which operated an old railway handcar pump trolley from Perth to Sydney , taking eight weeks , in celebration of our bicentenary year . Shane ’ s wife Jenn , a health telemarketer , mucks in constructing the rail lines as well . Her father Tony Woodland is the founder of the Lachlan Valley Railway , which frequents greater Sydney with life-size vintage train rides .
In all , there ’ s 65 current members of the NWME , aged from six through to 80 years . Many are from Quakers Hills , Doonside and the Mount Druitt area . Of these , some 60 members privately own a combined 40-odd
Jenn getting a lesson in the art of firing a steam engine . Engine owner and club president Michael Ford watches on behind her .
Banksia Yarns - since 2012 -
locomotives between them . The club owns the passenger cars .
“ Our oldest member is John Compagnoni from Lithgow . He was one of the engineers at Wallerawang power station . At 80 he continues to travel down to many of our job days and running days ,” Shane said .
The club is always looking for new members . The bonus is you don ’ t have to be skilled at anything . Members can teach you skills ( for free ) in general model engine lathes , mills , drill presses , lessons on how to drive trains .
“ I ’ m a carpenter and my father showed me how to lay bricks and survey . It ’ s a great way to learn new skills , or pass them onto somebody who wants to learn ,” Shane said .
“ Come down and have a look and see what we ’ re about . You get handson experience . We are an inviting , vaccommodating group for people of all ages and abilities .”
For details about membership or supporting the group , contact the secretary at nwme . sec @ gmail . com .
Mother ’ s Day Gift Packs Available
MAJOR BRANDS
Patons • Heirloom • Sirdar • Katia • Sesia Fiddlesticks • Queensland Collection
YARNS NEEDLES PATTERNS KITS
SOCKS BABY WINTER CRAFT
Phone : 02 4505 1615 • 3c East Market St , Richmond MON - FRI 9:30AM - 5:00PM , SAT 9:30AM - 1:00PM ( CLOSED SUN & PUBLIC HOLIDAYS )
Online Store : Open 24 hours www . banksiayarns . com . au
BLACKTOWN CITY INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine . com . au ISSUE 25 // APRIL 2023 13