Tablelands racing enthusiasts have been handed a nostalgic and historic trip opportunity to the 2018 State Wide Sheds Wellington Boot race meeting on Sunday, April 8 - travel on a vintage train from Orange and return.
Lachlan Valley Railway has come on board the "Boot" party and will be running their 4716 class diesel locomotive hauling several vintage carriages including a RVS fully equipped bar where passengers can enjoy the spirit of old-fashioned train travel.
Lachlan Valley Rail's trip coordinator, Luke Bingham, said this historic train would leave Orange railway station at 10am on "Boot" day then stop at Stuart Town station to pick-up passengers at 10.45 and arrive at Wellington at 11.30am in plenty of time for the first race.
"We have buses taking passengers from the station to the racecourse and then returning them that evening," Mr Bingham said.
The train will depart Wellington station at 8pm stopping at Stuart Town at 8.45pm and arrive back at Orange at 9.30pm.
"Passengers can take a step back in time and ride in the beautifully restored 1930s carriages hauled by a heritage locomotive," Mr Bingham said.
The 4716 Goninan - Caterpillar locomotive is the 16th built of the "47 Class" placed into service with NSW State Railways in March 1973 while the coaches are 1930s circa.
"Each carriage has eight compartments with each holding six to eight people with a walkway on one side of the carriage," Mr Bingham said.
"These have been full restored by Lachlan Valley Railway to their original heritage beauty."
Wellington Race Club president, Ian Darney, welcomed the unique travel arrangement.
"This is an historic first for our Boot meeting and encourage racegoers from the Tablelands region to take up this fun way to attend our race meeting," Mr Darney said.
"The train can carry up to 240 people so there will be plenty of seats available, but book early."
Tickets cost $65 ex Orange and $50 ex Stuart Town for the return trip including bus transfers to and from the racetrack.
Mr Bingham said tickets could be purchased through WWW.TryBooking.com or by phoning Lachlan Valley Railway on (02) 6342 4999.