MazdACT Presents Race the Train! [April 2026]

Name: MazdACT Presents Race the Train! [April 2026]
Start: 2026-04-05T04:00:00+10:00
Location: Canberra Railway Museum

Schedule

Sun, 05 Apr, 2026 at 04:00 am

UTC+10:00

Location

Canberra Railway Museum | Narrabundah, CT

MazdACT Presents Race the Train! [Season 5, 2026]
Welcome back to Australia's ultimate Easter event - racing steam locomotive R766 and the team at The Picnic Train!
This event will be held on Easter Sunday 5 April from 2 PM at the Canberra Railway Museum's depot split, off Geijera Pl, Kingston.
Guests can expect an exclusive photo opportunity with 1953 ex-Victorian Railway's locomotive R766 and the chance to get up close with a premier express workhorse, visiting from Sydney.
Then it's off to the Start Line at Metro Petroleum's Whyalla Street precinct for the main event The Picnic Train's 4.20 PM final service to Bungendore will come to a stop as Justin and family (whose boys will this year be ON the train) commence the race with a sweep of the flags!
It's then a 45 minute neck-and-neck battle departing Canberra and skirting Queanbeyan to reach the Kings Highway and power eastward to Bungendore as train and car attempt to claim victory at 5.20 PM at the Hoskinstown Rd level crossing Finish Line.
MazdACT and passengers and crew of The Picnic Train will then come together at the Majara St rail corridor gates in Bungendore township at 5.30 PM to present awards for the day's challenge.
EVENT RUNDOWN.
2.00 PM - Canberra Railway Museum depot split off Geijera Place, Kingston. Vehicles to make a right towards the depot and left through the gateway into the rail yard. Vehicles park nose to tail while awaiting photoshoot opportunity at southern end of yard.
2.30 PM - Locomotive R766 returns to yard for servicing. Caution to be exercised with locomotive in reverse to final position at head of vehicle convoy. Vehicles to be waved through for photo with R766 before turning around and heading back up the convoy to exit (exit not necessary until time to depart for Start Line)
3.45 PM - Servicing concludes, R766 departs to re-join afternoon train at Kingston Railway Station. Vehicles to head to Metro Petroleum side-carpark on Whyalla Street, Fyshwick.
4.00 PM - Metro Petroleum carpark and street bays on Whyalla St, Fyshwick to await Start Line commencement. Vehicles to reverse into bays with nose out, all other overflow on Whyalla St to park vehicles facing in the direction of Canberra Avenue for departure*
*Guests are welcome to enter the grassed verge along the rail corridor but should NOT at any time cross or stand on the rail line proper.
4.20 PM - The Picnic Train and R766 arrive to Whyalla St for race commencement. Justin on ground and boys on train to marshal on rail corridor for flagged start. Race begins NOW*
*Guests should return to their vehicles as soon as possible and be mindful of all vehicles (guests or public) exiting the precinct towards Canberra Avenue.
4.25 PM - ACT Departure; all vehicles to convoy on Canberra Avenue with all traffic light intersections to see vehicles occupy as many lanes close to the front as possible to avoid bottlenecks (DO NOT stay in one lane behind the vehicle in front as this will cause several convoy breaks). Rollers photography permitted*
*Route for maps and saving to devices will be as follows;
- Canberra Avenue east, left onto Norse Rd
- Continuing left on Railway St
- Then left onto Oaks Estate Rd
- Convoy to exit right onto Pialligo Ave through Queanbeyan East - Left onto Kings Highway to Bungendore.
4.50 PM - Convoy road shoulder stop at Burbong Bridge on Kings Hwy to observe mid-race re-meet as The Picnic Train crosses the Molonglo River. All vehicles should park as close to property fencing as possible OFF the carriageway and observe traffic.
5.00 PM - Convoy returns to Kings Hwy and continues on to Bungendore. Exit Kings Highway right at Trucking Yard Lane (will be at the end of a long straight as we approach town), then first right onto Hoskinstown Rd and arrive to railway level crossing.
5.20 PM - Hoskinstown Rd level crossing stop. Vehicles to occupy both lanes of roadway as train approaches, all others to park on grass verges of roadway and be aware of local traffic. The Picnic Train will be on final approach so please stay clear of the corridor.
Race the Train 2026 concludes with the arrival of The Picnic Train!
5.30 PM - Convoy to return to Hoskinstown Rd in Bungendore direction, then second right into Finch St and left onto Majara St to follow roadway into town. Convoy parks on verges alongside rail corridor fencing to meet with crew of locomotive R766 for awards presentation and final photography.
6.00 PM - Event conclusion. The Picnic Train and MazdACT return to Canberra. Guests can depart earlier of their own direction or follow the train back to Kingston Railway Station.
MazdACT welcomes you back for another big year of action, stories and events, direct from the car community of the nation's capital.