These train tickets were produced to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of Rail in New South Wales in 2005. They encapsulate the various milestones and social facets of life and travel on New South Wales railways since 1855, including the first air-conditioned train; the original Sydney terminus railway station near Redfern; Locomotive 3830 on its first run to Melbourne and the official opening of St James station.

In 1855 the first steam train hauled by Locomotive No 1, operated from Sydney to Parramatta. At this time, the New South Wales rail system was a modest 22km, but today it has grown to a complex, state-wide network covering more than 11,000km. Since the end of the era of steam hauled railways in the 1960s and 70s, diesel-electric locomotives have become the standard means of rail power (except for tourist trips along scenic routes) with the use of suburban electric trains in Sydney. The extent of the standard gauge New South Wales rail system truly emerged with the extension of standard gauge lines to other state capitals (such as Brisbane in 1930 and Melbourne in 1962). These train tickets depict significant developments or events in the history of the New South Wales railways and provide a timely reminder for how the technology and conditions have changed in the 150 years after 1855.

These train tickets are a special limited edition of 150,000 periodical tickets produced by City Rail. They were only issued to customers who bought tickets valid for 28 days or more. The tickets mounted in this frame were among the first twenty-four to be issued for the Anniversary.

The 24 limited edition train tickets were produced in Sydney in 2005, while the 25th ticket issued to the Powerhouse Museum is dated September 2006. All the tickets were mounted after this in late 2006.

2005 marked the 150th year of rail in New South Wales. To celebrate the event, RailCorp organised a year of planned events in conjunction with other organisations, including the Powerhouse Museum. The grand celebration weekend (Saturday 24th September - Monday 26th September, 2005) involved a re-enactment of the first official rail journey between Sydney and Parramatta; an exhibition of heritage rolling stock, models and artefacts at Central Station and various steam train rides.

From January 3, 2005 City Rail replaced their regular orange tickets with new, red '150 Years of Rail in New South Wales' tickets. They also produced a special limited edition of 150,000 periodical tickets featuring 24 different designs depicting historical moments in New South Wales railways, which were issued to customers who bought tickets valid for 28 days or more. Each ticket featured an individual number from 1 to 150,000.

The 24 different designs include: (1) Locomotive No 1 in the Agricultural Hall, 1884, now on display in the Powerhouse Museum; (2) New South Wales railway buffet carriage of the late 1940s; (3) Locomotive 6029 at Forbes, New South Wales; (4) Morning tea on the Caves Express; (5) Arrival of the first train at Parramatta in 1855; (6) Signal box at Junee North; (7) The original Sydney terminus railway station near Redfern; (8) Locomotive 3830 on its first run to Melbourne on the new standard gauge track between Melbourne and Albury, 1962; (9) The official train which opened the electrification to Campbelltown, May 1968; (10) The first XPT at Chatswood on its 1981 publicity tour; (11) The last steam train for the Camden branch line, 1963; (12) The newly air-conditioned Sydney Terminal (Central) Booking Hall in 1964; (13) An eight car single deck train approaching Milsons Point Station; (14) The air-conditioned Silver City Comet at Ivanhoe in 1981 on its way to Broken Hill; (15) A typical railway refreshment room set up for arrival of the next train; (16) Railway signalmen ready to exchange a "section staff" with a driver of an approaching train; (17) Fettlers resting after pushing their trolley uphill from the Hawkesbury River towards Cowan; (18) The Sydney to Parramatta train at the 1875 Sydney Station located near Redfern; (19) The official opening of St James Station, December 1926; (20) An eight-car single deck suburban electric train, 1992; (21) The official train for the opening of the Eastern Suburbs Railway at Bondi Junction, 1979; (22) Locomotive 3801 with the Bicentennial Train; (23) Construction of Town Hall Station, Sydney and (24) Rail Pay Car No.1 near Gosford signal box in 1939.

This particular mounted display of train tickets also includes a 25th ticket issued specifically to the Powerhouse Museum in September 2006.

Train tickets (25), framed, 150th Anniversary of Rail, paper / glass / wood, made by Railcorp, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 2006

Photographic frame comprising 25 commemorative train tickets mounted onto a cardboard backing. 24 of the train tickets depict moments in New South Wales rail history while the 25th ticket is a 2006 example issued to the Powerhouse Museum. On the back of the frame is a sealed plastic bag containing hanging equipment and an instruction booklet.

Made: 2005 - 2006

Above the train tickets is '150 years / NSW Railways / 1855-2005' and 'Celebrating 150 years of rail in NSW / 1855-2005'. Attached to the back of the frame is a warning sticker about the glass printed in different languages.

2007/179/4

2005 - 2006