Classic 42103 diesel electric train en route to Hurstville and Sutherland

Newly restored to the classic “candy” colour-scheme from the 1980s, 42103 will pick up passengers from Sydney’s Central Station before stopping at Hurstville, Sutherland and Kiama then depart from the South Coast later that day.

Owner Craig “Chum” Prior, 53, from Gymea, bought the vintage train from Goulburn last year to save it from the scrap heap.

“My wife was a little bit reluctant at first but she’s come around,” Mr Prior said. 

“She knows it’s in my blood; I’m from a railway family.”

His grandfather was a railway worker – as were his seven great uncles and his father.

They worked in all different roles from guards to pathing, but Craig was the first to become a driver.

As a child he loved riding his bike from his Stanwell Tops home to Otford where his dad was the station master, and ride up and down the tracks when a train wasn’t coming.

But the first time Mr Prior really fell in love with trains was when he was old enough to sit up in one of the “straw trucks”

“Otford mushroom tunnel used to get a truck of straw delivered,” he said. 

“I remember my father asking the driver could I jump aboard the locomotive as a kid, and I was fascinated. I had made my mind up, I wanted to drive locomotives.”

On February 2, 1982 Mr Prior began working in his chosen profession based out of Port Kembla.

The family passion hasn’t stopped there, with his three-year-old daughter Chloe getting a thrill from trains also and even has her own pink high-vis train driver vest.

The only challenge with owning a train (or two) is where to house them.

Currently Chumster is resting in Lithgow, but has had stints in sheds elsewhere.

Chumster 42103 will be taking up to 256 passengers on its South Coast trip, with profits from the journey going to the restoration efforts of its cousin 42105.

SOUTH COAST TRIP TIMETABLE*:

Outbound Journey:

Return Journey:

Ticket prices start at $55 (BYO food and drink) and can be bought from www.trybooking.com

*Times are indicative and subject to confirmation. Customers are asked to be at the boarding station at least 15 minutes ahead of departure times.