The Galston500 will return to the Galston Valley Railway on Saturday, 29th August 2026, bringing together volunteer teams from across New South Wales for a day-long endurance challenge on the tiny bushland line.
Hosted by the Hornsby Model Engineers Co-Op Ltd, the event asks drivers to keep 5-inch gauge locomotives moving in relay for a combined 500 laps of the 1km track, with every lap contributing to funds for MS research at The Westmead Institute for Medical Research.
The event began in 2018 and has grown steadily each year since. By 2026, it had raised more than $78,000 for MS research, a total built lap by lap through the efforts of club members, sponsors and the wider Galston community.
What started as a modest idea has since drawn support from all three levels of government, and the Galston500 has been mentioned in both state and federal parliamentary sittings in recognition of its contribution to medical research, volunteer organisations and community life in the Hills district.
Public activities on the day run from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, with the first official lap of the endurance challenge beginning at 7:00 AM.
Media are welcome on site from 6:30 AM, when the club’s steam, petrol and electric locomotives are prepared for the day ahead. Alongside the racing, the event will include an RFS fire truck display, live music, food and craft stalls, and rides and activities for families.
Organisers say the event has become something of a fixture on the local calendar, drawing engineering enthusiasts, families and MS research supporters in roughly equal measure.
Media outlets interested in pre-event coverage, feature stories or on-the-day filming can contact organiser Allie Thackray on 0402 474 636 or at [email protected]. Further details are available at www.galston500.com and on Facebook at facebook.com/galston500.
