I don’t care what anyone says. There is nothing wrong with a grown adult enjoying a day out riding on miniature trains.

Which is why I was delighted to hear that Edgeworth Trains is back up and running after a long hiatus. For decades, The Lake Macquarie Live Steam Locomotive Society have been running free train rides for families, and now the next generation of kids can come along and enjoy a fun day out at Edgy Trains. As long as they remember to respect their elders and wait their turn.

However, there will now be a fee for the train rides. But with the cost of a ticket being $2.50 I’m sure there will be no shortage of families coming along to enjoy a tooting good time.

Each ride is about 10 minutes long, chugging along the rail tracks under bridges and through tunnels on the 10 acres of grounds and there’s normally around 10 or so miniature trains in operation, each unique and lovingly maintained by their owners. For miniature train enthusiasts you won’t find a better place to wet your whistle.

If you want to take it up a notch, you’ll also want to check out Richmond Vale Railway Museum. The museum is dedicated to preserving the railway and mining heritage of J & A Brown and the Hunter Valley and has full-size steam trains and carriages as well as miniature trains.

The entrance fee of $16 for adults and $7.50 for children (Under 5’s are free) includes unlimited rides on the big train – a 20-minute ride through local bushland. Be sure to ask one of the friendly volunteers if you can pull the whistle at the end of the ride for an extra thrill.

Riding on the miniature trains is an additional gold donation but as all proceeds go towards improvements, operating costs and the restoration work of the museum, it’s a good excuse to ride again and again.

You definitely want to check out the museum which houses an interesting array of photos, artefacts and memorabilia and provides an informative insight into the mining and locomotive history of our region. Also on view throughout the grounds are stationary steam engines once used to power farm machinery, other operating vintage farm machinery, and many artefacts associated with the steam age.

Richmond Vale Railway Museum also run special events throughout the year such as the annual Coalfields Steam, Hunter Valley Steamfest and Cranky Handle Rally.

Run entirely by a board of volunteers, the museum provides an invaluable service, preserving and curating our local railway and mining history from when it all began in 1857 when the first section of the Minmi – Hexham Railway opened. By visiting you’ll not only have a fun day out riding the trains, but you will also be ensuring that future generations can learn about the heritage of our Coalfields.