About the
About the Galston500
Hosted by the Hornsby Model Engineers Co-Op Ltd,
the Galston500 is an annual event which challenges a collection of 5” Scale Model Locomotive teams
to complete a combined total of 500 laps of the picturesque 1km track at the
Galston Valley Railway, to raise money for Multiple Sclerosis research.
This years Galston500 will be held on Saturday the 31th August 2024. With plenty of entertainment planned for the day, both on and off the track, the public are welcome to come along, watch the challenge unfold, cheer on the drivers, and even get a ride behind some of the participating locomotives, as it continues throughout the day.
Come and join us for a fun day for a worthwhile cause!
The Galston500 was started by Allie Thackray, who was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2013. After Allie and her husband Evan, were married at the Galston Valley Railway in 2017, Allie
was keen to find an exciting way to combine a hobby they love with a cause that is close to their hearts.
Since its begining this event has raised and donated over $46,000 towards Multiple Sclerosis research. In 2024 with your help, we would like to add to this total.
Since its begining this event has raised and donated over $46,000 towards Multiple Sclerosis research. In 2024 with your help, we would like to add to this total.
This year once again the funds will be donated directly to the Multiple Sclerosis Researchers at The Westmead Institute for Medical Research.
The Details
Date:
Saturday 31 August 2024Time:
Gates open to the public at 9:30amRides will be available between 10:00am and 3:00pm.
Location:
Galston Valley Railway29 Mid Dural Road, Galston
Parking:
Street Parking is available but there are limited spaces.Entry:
Please Note:Pre-Booked entry ticket have Priority Entry to the event
Entry Tickets can be purchased at https://www.galston500.com/tickets
Rides:
Please Note: Children 3 years of age or under must be accompanied by a Ride Ticket holder 18 years or older.
Ride Tickets (and all day pass) are available onsite on the day!
The Venue
Nestled in the bushlands on the outskirts of Galston (in the Hornsby Shire, NSW),
The Galston Valley Railway is a picturesque miniature railway,
with 1km of track winding throughout the bush and up the hills.
The Galston Valley Railway is open to the Public on the 2nd Sunday of Every Month,
Tickets are available pre-sold online at https://tickets.hme.org.au
There are bathroom facilities on site - but disabled and nappy change facilities are NOT available.
Tickets are available pre-sold online at https://tickets.hme.org.au
Please Note: This site is NOT Wheelchair friendly!
Walking frames and canes can be accommodated but as this is a bushland setting, the terrain is not wheelchair accessible. There are bathroom facilities on site - but disabled and nappy change facilities are NOT available.
ALL Train Passengers MUST Wear Fully Enclosed Footwear
ALL Train Passengers MUST Be Seated When Riding
Galston Valley Railway runs Steam Trains.
They are HOT! They emit smoke,steam, oil, sparks and hot cinders.
It is suggested you wear older clothes when ever you are visiting the Galston Valley Railway.
Hornsby Model Engineers will not be responsible for damage to clothing or personal property caused when visiting our bushland venue and / or riding on trains.
Miniature Train Rides
Between 10:00am and 3:00pm the public are invited to ride behind the participating locomotives as they work towards the 500 lap goal.Tickets are available at the event for $3.50 per person. (Regardless of shoe size)
All Day Ride Passes are $15.00 per person. (Avilable at Gate and Canteen)
Children 3 years of age and under must be accompanied by a Ride Ticket/Pass holder 18 years or older
ALL Train Passengers MUST Wear Fully Enclosed Footwear
Even Spiderman has to have boots on!
People's Choice Award
Each of the teams participaing in the Galston500 is encouraged to "Fancy Dress" and decorate their locomotive purely for your entertainment.You can vote for you favorite team by attending on the day, and placing a donation in the teams money box, or scanning the teams QR Code.
The team with the highest dollar amount raised at the end of the event will be crowned "The People's Choice"
Food Glorious Food
You won't need a packed lunch at the Galston500. There will be plenty of food available to buy on the day.We've included the following to help keep your tummies full;
($3.00 for a Sausage Sandwitch - $2 for a Can of Softdrink)
This $100,000 Coffee Van project has been fully funded by small businesses who have come together to work collaboratively and is the first major social enterprise initiative by The Community Foundation Of North Western Sydney with many more to follow. The intention is to hire people with special needs and in crisis so that they can work and all proceeds will go towards charity and supporting the project. The coffee van will be available for hire with affordable hire packages to accomodate small business and community events, sports and special events. We intend to focus on ability of people and not their disabilities or issues and provide them a pathway to self esteem and financial independence.
Harmonix Big Band
10:15am to 11:30am
Harmonix Big Band was established in 2019 by David Humphreys and Hayden Dalton. The band is set up as a modern big band, with a full complement of saxophones, 4 trombones, 4 trumpets and a 4 piece rhythm section. Big Band plays a wide variety of styles, ranging from classic swing, latin, funk, and ballads. Since starting 3 years ago, Harmonix Big Band has developed a strong community presence that is continually growing with every public performance.
Follow the developments of Harmonix Big Band on Facebook under Harmonix Community Music or www.harmonixcommunitymusic.com.au
Famous Performing Arts
11:30am to 12:30am
Famous Performing Arts is one of Sydney’s most premier Singing Schools.
Created and Directed by sisters Chiara and Danni Da Ros (Season 1 Finalist on The Voice Australia) Famous Performing Arts develops and nurtures Sydney’s most talented singers and performers. Students perform regularly around Sydney at different festivals and competitions and have starred in shows such as Evita, Pricilla Queen Of The Desert, School of Rock and multiple Opera Australia Productions. Famous Performing Arts offers Private Singing, Group Singing and Musical Theatre classes, providing their students with all the tools that create the ultimate Singer and Performer.
More Information on Famous Performing Arts is available at www.famouspa.com.au
Hornsby RSL Pipe Band
12:45pm to 1:45pm
The Hornsby RSL Pipe Band was originally formed in 1961 as the Hornsby RSL Youth Club Pipe Band and is now a senior band associated with the Sporting Bodies of Hornsby RSL. After initially having "pre-loved" kilts of Wallace tartan, they have been wearing the Maclaine of Lochbuie tartan since the mid 1960’s.
The band is active at civic and charitable functions in Hornsby and surrounding districts.
Among their annual community engagements are the Kenthurst Orange Blossom Parade, The Granny Smith Parade in Ryde, Relay for Life at Hornsby, and regular performances in the Hornsby Mall. They also participate in highland gatherings at Nelson Bay and Norah Head along with the Bundanoon event.
You can follow the Hornsby RSL Pipeband on Facebook
The Joyful Noise
2pm to 3pm
The Joyful Noise is a multuicultural group of ukulele enthusiasts based in Sydney West.
More Information on Famous Performing Arts is available at www.famouspa.com.au
Galston Rural Fire Brigade
Staffed by Volunteers, the Galston Rural Fire Brigade services Galson and surrounds.
Once again the volunteers will be onsite through out the Galston500 with their Fire Truck.
They will even be dressed in Fancy Dress... if you count dressing as Fire Fighters as fancy dress!!
Dress in your fancy dress and come along to see the Fire Truck up close!
