07/05/2024
50,000th PASSENGER AFTER RECORD YEAR BACK IN OPERATION; Zig Zag Railway is steaming ahead, entertaining record crowds and pumping more than a million dollars into the local economy, one year on after its reopening with the iconic heritage rail line in the NSW town of Lithgow welcoming its 50,000th passenger this month. Zig Zag Railway CEO Daniel Zolfel said the public response has been overwhelming, with an unprecedented surge in passenger numbers.
“We didn’t think the honeymoon period would last this long and expected ticket sales might dip once the reopening passed but it’s clear the Zig Zag Railway holds a place in the hearts of not only the Lithgow community but the Australian public more broadly,” Mr Zolfel said.
“We are a sell out each month, which is something that we’ve never had before with six train rides two weekends a month and now we’ve added Fridays to help meet demand,” he said.
From 18 to 80, volunteers and staff have brought the tourist attraction back to life and funnelled an estimated $1.5M into the local visitor economy in the process.
“Dozens of volunteers and staff had been working tirelessly for years to get Zig Zag back on the tracks and a lot of people said we couldn’t do it, but we’ve exceeded all expectations.
“I think the secret to our success is the uniqueness of our railway experience, it’s the closest thing to a living piece of machinery coupled with sweeping views of the mountains surrounding the Lithgow Valley,” Mr Zolfel said.
Zig Zag Railway management have huge plans to cement the railway as a sustainable and profitable organisation into the future, with no signs of slowing down.
“When we reopened in May last year, there was so much hype and anticipation after years of restoration works and accreditation milestones, and we are actually now turning a profit which is being reinvested back into business to grow the customer experience, and that's a huge testament to the hard work of so many people,” said Mr Zolfel adding, “Zig Zag Railway doesn’t receive any ongoing funding, so we’re really doing it off our own steam.
“The demand is so high, we’re pushing ahead with plans to bring a second locomotive, “934”, into service to give our current steam engine a rest and carry out all necessary maintenance and upkeep works.
Mr Zolfel said the historic railway has become an Instagramable bucket-list item for visitors to the Blue Mountains region.
“People are coming from all over the country to ride our 54-tonne steam locomotive and experience it rattle along cliffs and the arching sandstone viaducts.
“It’s been a really special 12 months with locals commenting it’s been exciting to hear the sound of steam whistles returning.
“I’m so proud of our 48 active volunteers and staff members for reinvigorating a new generation of rail enthusiasts.
“We now have children of volunteers coming up to the railway to help out, learning the ropes and the value in putting their hand up as a volunteer,” Mr Zolfel said.
Zig Zag Railway marks 12 months back in operation on 27th May 2024.
The not-for-profit organisation is staffed by dozens of active volunteers who have all received extensive professional training as part of the railway’s completely revamped safety management system - an industry best-practice model that sees the Zig Zag return as one of the safest railways of its type in the world.
While volunteers make up the bulk of the workforce, Zig Zag Railway employs six full-time and seven casual staff all from the local area, in addition to three ‘out of office’ employees based in Brisbane and Melbourne.
For more information visit the Zig Zag Railway zigzagrailway.com.au Photo ©Salty Dingo
