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 29th of August 2026. 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 $77,668 towards Multiple Sclerosis research. In 2026 with your help, we would like to add to this total.
Since its begining this event has raised and donated $77,668 towards Multiple Sclerosis research. In 2026 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 29 August 2026Time:
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 $4.00 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.Those present at the end of the day, can join the vote and the selected team 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 local coffee van is doing a range of hot and cold beverages. Come and get creative with an iced tea or fresh lemonade, because they're not just coffee!.
Home made sweet treats - Specialised in Gluten free treats
Cast Iron Kid
9:30am to 11:30am
Cast Iron Kid is your new favourite Bushgrass band. The acoustic trio combines Australian folk music with American bluegrass to make a charming sound that appeals to listeners from any background.
The lineup features acoustic guitar, upright bass, and either squareneck dobro or open back banjo, plus the tight harmonies of Michael Howell and Tim Beau Bennett. The band are expert songwriters, wearing their feelings on their sleeve and painting lyrical landscapes in a natural and unforced way.
In 2026 Cast Iron Kid released their debut EP (Campfire Vol. 1) and placed in the Top 10 of the Busking Competition at the Tamworth Country Music Festival.
More Information on Cast Iron Kid is available on Spotify
Famous Performing Arts
11:30am to 12:30pm
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
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!
The Charity
The Westmead Institute for Medical Research (WIMR) exists to enrich the health and wellbeing of people globally by liberating them from the major disease challenges of our time.
The world-leading researchers at WIMR work collaboratively. They are passionate, dedicated and brilliant, with a personal connection that is second to none. WIMR researchers are driven and thrive on solving medical challenges. They champion life-changing medical research through personal connection. It's the brilliance, warmth and passion of our people that makes WIMR outstanding.
WIMR is making breakthroughs in medical research and applying these discoveries to some of the world’s most serious diseases. These include illnesses like HIV; diabetes; cancers; heart, kidney and liver issues and deadly viruses.
At WIMR, many of our researchers are also clinicians at Westmead Hospital. This crucial relationship means that our research teams better understand patient needs and the serious health conditions affecting Australians and people worldwide, and this helps to guide our research. The relationship also helps to facilitate research findings into real outcomes for patients.
