General Correspondence: P.O. Box 1615, Queanbeyan NSW 2620 Street Address: Queanbeyan Railway Station, Henderson Rd, Queanbeyan Office Hours: Mon-Fri: 10am-3pm Bookings Phone: (02) 6284 2790   Facsimile: (02) 6284 2791 Email: trains@trains.org.au

Brigadoon Highlander

Canberra to Bundanoon – 4 April 2009
Depart approx 7.05am, a day at the Highland Games, return approx 8.15pm

A great day out for all the family at the 32nd Brigadoon highland gathering in Bundanoon, with travel by comfortable train. Meals available on board, or bring your own picnic!

If there's some Scottish blood in your veins, it's time you travelled with us to the 32nd Highland Games at Bundanoon.

This event has accumulated many commendations for excellence, and is attended by 20,000 people annually.

Leave your car and cares behind and see such traditional (and not so traditional) events as the caber toss, shot put and haggis hurling, culminating in the Brigadoon Heavy Challenge. A great day of good-natured spectacle and fun.

Why not join us? Last year's train from Canberra was booked out and passenger feedback was enthusiastic. In response to a number of requests from repeat passengers for a shorter day out, the return trip leaves Bundanoon earlier than previously, getting us back to Canberra at 8.15pm, with the option to pre-book an on-board dinner to cap off a superb day!

Departure is from Canberra is expected to be at 7.05am, Queanbeyan at 7.20am and Bungendore at 8am. A continental breakfast on the train is available for pre-booking. You may also purchase beverages throughout the journey from our fully-licensed bar on board.

Bundanoon is Brigadoon

Your train will arrive in Bundanoon at 11am (actually, the railway station is renamed Brigadoon for the day!), and it's an easy 10 minute stroll to the Bundanoon Oval for the Games (a courtesy bus operates from the centre of Bundanoon to the oval for those requiring assistance).

Your fare includes admission to the Games. The formal events commence at 11am. The oval is alcohol free and there are in excess of 140 variety stalls, consisting of arts and crafts, souvenirs, Scottish food and goods and every type of food stall imaginable. There are also Scottish clan information tents on site for those who wish to trace their heritage.

The grounds are well served with seats overlooking the arena, places to picnic, tables and chairs, and toilet facilities. There is an adjacent licensed club for adults.

Throughout the day in the main arena there are pipe band displays. The feature event of the afternoon will be David Huxley's "Tartan Warriors" lifting the Bundanoon Stones of Manhood. This is an awesome spectacle of speed, strength and agility by some of the strongest young men in the land.

Passengers will need to leave the oval at 4pm in order to catch their train leaving Bundanoon Station at around 4.20pm. Our train is expected to provide all at the oval with a stirring reminder whistle at 4pm as it arrives from Moss Vale.

While this means that we will have to leave before the closing ceremony concludes, it does have two advantages - you will avoid the after-event crowds, and our return to Canberra will be considerably earlier than it would otherwise be if we left Bundenoon later and had to refuge in sidings to cross opposing trains on the single line track south of Goulburn.

Your journey home

Your train picks up at Bundanoon at 4.20pm and is due back in Bungendore at 7pm, Queanbeyan at 7.50pm and Canberra at 8.15pm. All times are subject to confirmation. Dinner (a pre-ordered two-course meal of main and dessert, with tea or coffee) is available on board but must be ordered with your seat booking. Please let us know when booking about any special dietary needs so that we can cater for you.

All passengers will enjoy reserved seating in our comfortable sitting cars, and there will be a dining car attached. Breakfast and dinner need to be pre-ordered. Passengers enjoying the Highland Games will be able to purchase lunch from one of the many outlets at Brigadoon on the day, or simply take a picnic. We suggest you take a small mat or chair if the weather is damp.

More details about this wonderful day trip will be published closer to the time of travel.

Picture credits: Band leader - Bundanoon Highland Gathering Committee.