Glenreagh Heritage Railway will offer visitors a truly unique experience – rides on the historic Locomotive 1919, built in 1878. Unlike any other rail trail in the country, children and the young at heart will be able to experience the thrill of going back to the glory days of steam travel aboard the last working engine of its class in Australia.
The beautiful old train will offer rides, local employment and income to maintain the rail trail. Supported by grants, volunteers have been hard at work on the steam engine, passenger carriages, and railway track for months.
We will bring local stories to life at the Glenreagh Heritage Railway precinct with museum displays.
We are working to offer rides in 2026, on the first Saturday of the month from the Glenreagh Heritage Railway precinct to Tallawudjah Creek Road. The rail trail will run alongside the railway, so you can enjoy walking or riding alongside a heritage steam train!
Rail trails are popular with all ages and abilities: families, couples, people with disabilities, locals, tourists, cyclists, walkers, runners, and where appropriate, horse-riders too. Rail trails provide a free and safe place to explore outdoors, where cars and trail bikes are excluded.
But a rail trail is about more than walking or cycling. A rail trail showcases our environment and boosts eco-tourism, can host events, provides employment and education, and improves community health and wellness.
A walk or ride in nature improves community health and wellness. The trail will provide a safe, active transport corridor connecting local communities, perfect for leisure and exercise.
A rail trail helps both existing businesses and encourages new ones to open: accommodation, food and beverage, bicycle hire and shuttle services for example.
Interpretation signs, QR codes, maps and an app can be used to share heritage, ecological and cultural information with trail users, making the landscape come alive.
From the villages of Ulong and Lowanna on the Dorrigo plateau, the 35 kilometre rail trail route descends 600 metres, across bridges and through two tunnels, to Glenreagh in the Orara valley. This beautiful and historic route travels through tallowwood forests that are part of the Great Koala National Park.
Tallowood Mountain Rail Trail is located just west of Coffs Harbour, NSW, half way between Brisbane and Sydney. The rail trail complements the nearby Dorrigo Escarpment Great Walk, currently under construction.
Whether you’re eager to roll up your sleeves and lend a hand, able to assist us with a donation, or simply curious about the journey ahead, we welcome your support and enthusiasm.
Please spread the word about the Tallowood Mountain Rail Trail and Glenreagh Heritage Railway!
Sign our petition over on Change.org! To apply for government grants, we need to show the community supports the rail trail, so please sign to add your name as a supporter.
Tallowood Ventures is applying for grant funding for rail trail design, environmental impact studies, and construction. We received a Fires and Flourish grant to restore Loco 1919, and now need your help to restore the historic carriage so we can offer train rides. All donations are appreciated!
We need to clear the overgrown rail corridor so that surveyors and engineers can prepare tenders for design and construction. One third of the corridor is already cleared – help us clear the remainder!
Become a friend and subscribe to our newsletter to stay in touch with what’s happening on the rail trail and heritage railway! And don’t forget to like us on social media!
Read our previous newsletters
#tallowoodmountainrailtrail
Glenreagh Heritage Railway and Tallowood Mountain Rail Trail are community projects of Tallowood Ventures Ltd, a not for profit company and registered charity.
ABN 71 663 551 728
We acknowledge the Gumbaynggirr people on whose country we live, work and play, and recognise their continued connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging.
