No. 3642.

The locomotive was built in 1926 and recently restored by the NSW Rail Transport Museum at Thirlmere.

Passengers aboard the train travelled in comfortable, historic carriages dating back to the 1920s, which featured polished cedar interiors authentic to that era.

A spokesman for Heritage Express, the company that organised the visit, said train enthusiasts tended to get steamed up by the old-time locomotives.

The visit, the first to Cronulla in many years, will be followed by two more this year. The spokesman said the company's Rail and Sail trips to Cronulla and Wollongong were popular with enthusiasts.

``It's a unique experience,'' he said. ``You combine rail and sea travel and it is an all-in-one, easy half-day outing. People love it.''

The next visit, on Saturday, November 22, will feature rail travel aboard loco No. 3642 and sailing on Ocean Dreaming.

Details: heritageexpress.com.au.