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

Dinner/Dance Party Trains

Canberra/Queanbeyan – Tarago

Information on this page:           Your dinner/dance party trip   Party bill of fare   Getting there is half the fun   Great value fares   Some conditions   Your booking is welcome   Terms and conditions

2008 trips    Saturday, November 29 - now fully booked    Saturday, December 6 - now fully booked    Saturday, December 13 - now fully booked

Your dinner/dance party trip

Celebrate special events such as the Christmas season on our value-packed party dinner/dance trains to Tarago.

A great evening of good food and wine, lots of fun and musical entertainment.

Our diesel-hauled party train leaves Canberra Railway Station (off Wentworth Avenue, Kingston) at 6.15pm, and picks up at Queanbeyan Railway Station (Henderson Street) at 6.30pm.

Settle back and enjoy a delicious entrée and main course as we head away from the toils of work.

After snacks and dancing in the hall at Tarago, desserts will be on offer after departure from Tarago to further tempt you.

And of course, the band travels home with us in the dance car to keep you moving!

Get together a group of workmates, social club members and/or good friends and share the fun!

You’ll be travelling in comfortable, restored (circa 1930s) Canberra Railway Museum carriages.

Once we’re on the move, you can visit our licensed bar, offering very reasonable prices on a good selection of wines, beers, canned spirits, fruit juice and soft drinks.

Sample party bill of fare

• Mezzo Platter
• Supreme of Chicken and Manif Ketchup jus with caramelised spring onions, scudalia potatoes and steamed vegetables.

At Tarago Hall you will be served tea and coffee with cheese and fruit platters. On the way home you’ll enjoy:

• Apple pie slice with custard.

Getting there is half the fun

North of Queanbeyan, we climb at a sedate pace through the beautiful Molonglo Gorge, travelling through two tunnels and over bridges, before entering Lake George valley, then travelling through another tunnel before pausing at historic Bungendore Railway Station.

As we continue northwards, you’ll continue to enjoy your meal, professionally prepared and served to your reserved seats by our friendly volunteer crew.

You’ll find dining on a moving train is a very pleasurable experience, especially with a group of friends or acquaintances.

If you have any special dietary requirements, please let us know when booking so that we can specially cater for you.

Musical entertainment on this trip will come courtesy of popular local bands.

On arrival at Tarago, stroll down to the nearby village hall where you can dance or simply soak up the action. Dessert will be served on board after departure at about 10.40pm while our versatile musicians play on board in the dance car.

We return to Canberra station shortly after midnight.

Great value fares

It’s a great night of entertainment, so don’t miss out. The fare, including dinner and supper on the train and at the hall (but not including drinks from the bar), is great value at $89 per head - even less ($79 per head) for large group bookings or complete charters.

Some conditions (for your safety and comfort)

In common with all trains in NSW, smoking is not permitted on board.

Please note that consumption of alcohol at railway stations is prohibited by law.

Passengers are only permitted to bring a small quantity of liquor or small cooler pack for drinks at their table during the journey.

Eskies can be taken for drinks at the hall, but on the train these are stored in the brake van, out of access, due to space limitations and safety requirements. Check with our office for details.

Your booking is welcome

Bookings are welcome for any number of people. Our table settings on the train are for 2, 4 or 6, and we accommodate groups of 8 at adjacent tables separated only by the centre carriage aisle.

Talk with us if you are arranging a work group celebrating the end of the calendar or financial year, having a birthday party, or celebrating an anniversary. Depending on the size of your group, we can arrange your own half or full carriage, and this can also attract a small discount.

We also cater for business and conference bookings, and if required, can attach special carriages for promotional events. For full-train charters, our evening format can easily be adapted for your requirements.

Your enjoyment is our pleasure – if you are organising a special event, we are happy to explore arrangements that suit you.

A booking form is on this website. Please see our booking form.

Conditions of travel

Our full terms and conditions are available on request at the time of booking, and will be sent with your tickets. A brief summary is provided below:

Tickets will be forwarded to the address shown on the booking form approximately seven to ten days prior to date of travel, or immediately if booked within that time period. One ticket per booking will be issued.

ARHS (ACT Division) makes every endeavour to ensure that tours operate as advertised. Unfortunately, this may not be possible owing to unforeseen circumstances such as mechanical failures. In such events we reserve the right to make whatever changes are necessary without compensation.

However, any changes made will only be after we have exhausted all reasonable efforts to provide the tour as advertised. Trains and tour options will operate subject to sufficient demand.

Times shown on brochures are subject to approval of the relevant authorities and could differ on the day. Correct times will be advised on your tickets or by special mail. Refunds will not be given for change of destination or last minute variations to timetables caused by events outside the control of ARHS (ACT Division).

Reservations may be held on payment of a 10% deposit or $20 per person, whichever is the greater, and must be paid in full no less than twenty-one days prior to date of travel. Failure to observe the deadline may result in loss of deposit and booking.

ARHS (ACT Division) reserves the right to apply the following cancellation fees:

• bookings cancelled more than seven days prior to travel - 10% of fare paid;
• bookings cancelled seven days or less prior to date of travel, or no show - no refund.

Requests for cancellation must be made to ARHS (ACT Division) in writing before any refund will be made.

No smoking is permitted on board, and passengers may only board or alight from the train at the platforms provided.

Passengers placing themselves or others at risk of injury will be asked to leave the train at the next available stop.