Rail Journeys Museum in Association with the Australian Railway Monument

03/10/2026

Happy Birthday

This weekend marks 21 years since the Rail Journeys Museum and the Australian Railway Monument was officially opened.

To celebrate 150 years of rail in NSW the then NSW Minister for Transport, the Hon. John Watkins conducted the official opening, on Saturday, 1 October 2005. Since that day the Museum has seen well over 155,00 visitors.

The Wall of Remembrance contains panels inscribed with the names of over 4,500, Australia wide, railway personnel who have been killed on duty as a result of injuries sustained on duty. Also within the railway complex is the Path of Service Garden. This is where former rail employees can witness a record of their employment history etched in brick pavers.

29/09/2026

Due to the power outage, the Rail Journeys Museum will be closed today, Tuesday - 29 September 2026.

08/09/2026

This was the highest toll in a rail accident until Granville in 1977.

You are invited to attend the Commemoration of the Centenary of the Murulla Rail Accident and the Dedication of the Memorial on Sunday 13 September 2026, 2:30pm for 3:00pm, as we honour those who lost their lives and all those affected by the tragedy.

On the afternoon of 13th September 1926, the North West Mail train departed Moree bound for Newcastle. Just before midnight at Murulla, the North West Mail was struck by runaway wool-laden wagons which had broken away from Goods Train 62. The collision resulted in 27 deaths and around 38 injuries. This was the highest toll in a rail accident until Granville in 1977.

Members of the Murrurundi community have joined with Transport For NSW and Upper Hunter Shire Council to produce a Memorial to the Murulla Rail Accident.

The Commemoration of the Centenary of the Accident and Dedication of the Memorial will be Sunday 13th September 2026 from 2:30pm.

The Murulla Memorial is at Burning Mountain New England Hwy between Blandford & Wingen.

CENTENARY OF THE MURULLA RAIL ACCIDENT

DATE: Sunday 13th September 2026
TIME: 2:30pm for 3:00pm
LOCATION: Murulla Memorial, Burning Mountain,
New England Highway
(between Wingen & Blandford)

Sculpture: Fran Wachtel
Stonework: Peter Morris

09/08/2026

WHEN ROADS CROSS RAIL. FOLLOW THE SIGNS
Railway tracks & crossings, places where a road and/or footpath cross a railway line, are a common sight across the country. Australia has around 33,000km of rail tracks and more than 20,000 railway crossings.
There were 5 fatalities, 17 injuries & 893 near hits at railway crossings reported to The Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator (ONRSR) in 2025. This is an increase of 25 compared to 2024.
Collisions & near collisions at railway crossings are ongoing issues that put lives at risk. They can have serious impacts on train drivers & other rail workers and severely disrupt rail services, traffic flow & the wider community.

30/07/2026

‘A Moment of Reflection’ - Tuesday, 11 August 2026

NSW TrainLink in partnership with the TrackSAFE Foundation & the Rail Journeys Museum is hosting a ceremony at the Australian Railway Monument at Werris Creek in NSW to remember all lives lost, people injured & those affected by the trauma of accidents on & around rail.

This event is open to all rail industry friends & family.
When: - 11.30am-1pm (AEST).
Where: - Werris Creek Railway Station, Railway Parade,
Werris Creek NSW 2341.

24/06/2026

VALE: - Neil McGarry, a lifetime friend of the Committee and Volunteers of the Rail Journeys Museum

With a passion for tourism in Regional Australia, Neil was and still is a well respected colleague through the NSW Local Government and the Tourism Industry. Neil’s entrepreneurial spirit made his mark in Broken Hill, where attractions such as the Living Desert Sculptures and Sanctuary continue to inspire and attract visitors from around the world.

Joining Liverpool Plains Shire Council as the Director of Tourism & Economic Development in 2002 Neil, along with Council and our Committee over the years, was instrumental in the many Awards and accolades (from around the world) that our Museum and Volunteers have received. Neil had a unique ability to inspire people to think bigger, strive harder, and believe in what was possible, this is what made Neil the perfect fit for our museum, he was part of our family.

Neil also visioned the Wallabadah First Fleet Memorial Gardens, where he transformed ideas into places of significance. This major stopping place in our Shire, for people travelling along the New England Highway, is a very unique way to trace the beginning of Australia’s history. Neil was also involved in Country Week and the sister city relationship with Blacktown City Council which continues today.

The Committee and Volunteers of the Rail Journeys Museum wish to extend our condolences to Neil’s wife Karen and his family at this very sad time.

03/06/2026

Due to the shortage of Volunteers, the Museum will be closed on Monday, 8 June 2026.

02/06/2026

While we are on the theme of promoting. Werris Creek locals Denise & Scott Callaghan made a trip to Summer Bay (Palm Beach - Sydney) earlier in the year and managed to bump into Ziggy Astoni (Sophie Dillman) on the set tour. Sophie was very excited to receive a Museum cap and calendar from Scott, because she knew where Werris Creek was. Thank you Denise and Scott for doing your bit to promotre our town.

02/06/2026

Looks like a successful day promoting our area, well done.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18RkKBhTqX/

20/04/2026

The Rail Journeys Museum will be closed this week on Friday, 24 April & Saturday, 25 April 2026. The Museum will reopen on Monday, 27 April 2026 at the regular time of 10am.