Group Tours

CMR has proved to be a very popular outing for groups of all kinds - school groups, social clubs, sporting groups, wedding parties, anniversaries, birthdays, tourist parties and more have all enjoyed their CMR experiences. For instance, school groups visiting Canberra or the Cooma area can organise for a very enjoyable and instructive day by combining a Snowy Hydro Education Program and a journey on the CMR's vintage railmotors.

The CMR has now assumed control of the hall situated on the bank of the Numeralla River at Chakola, some 20 kilometres north of Cooma. This gives us a venue which we can offer to groups who charter the train. If desired, the CMR can cater for these outings.

Classic Train meets Classic Cars

November 2006 saw the CMR visited by a group of MG car club enthusiasts. They enjoyed their journey on the train and we took the opportunity to photograph their beautifully maintained cars. (Note that a modern Mazda MX-5 has joined the lineup in the second photo). Our Peter Lawrence was the man with the camera.

Night Moves

A number of the CMR charter trips take place at night. A good example occurred in early October 2006, on the occasion of a 50th birthday party to be held in our hall at Chakola. During the day the units were washed and number 22 received a new coat of paint (which is why it shines so much in the photographs). In the photo below the units wait in the late afternoon light for the guests to arrive.

The party organisers arranged for welcoming drinks to be served on Cooma platform before the train departed.

One new feature of this trip was that the musicians who were to entertain at the hall actually played on the train en-route to Chakola. As the railmotors do not have connecting passageways between them, it was arranged for the train to stop at our intermediate stations so the band could transfer from one car to the next. This ploy worked very well and everyone had a share of the music before the destination.

At Chakola the guests proceeded to the hall for the evening's agenda of eating, drinking, dancing and general merriment. This particular evening seemed to have been blessed with magnificent weather. The moon was large and full (being at a point closest to the earth), the sky was crystal clear and the temperature somewhat more temperate than expected. As it was the train crew were still in short sleeves until 9.30pm!

The train performed the first of two return trips to Cooma at 9.30pm, for those with young children and those who didn't want to party on until midnight. A second trip saw the remainder of the guests back in Cooma around 1am. The train crew retired to the barracks, satisfied that yet another group of people will take away happy memories of their time with the CMR.

And Daytime Too......

In another example, CMR conveyed some 90 people to a golden wedding anniversary celebration at the hall.

The photo above shows the train crew gathered at the station as the first passengers arrive.

Fifteen minutes later, and a steady stream of guests are arriving. The train has been decorated inside and out as the 'Bill and Elsie Special'.

Forty minutes later again, after a journey on which they were served drinks and snacks, the guests leave the train at Chakola station, under a picture postcard sky.

From the station, the view takes in the river and the hall building situated in the grove of trees on the right.

The hall was specially decorated for the occasion. CMR provided all of the food, drink and service during what was proclaimed a very successful and happy event.

Two weeks before this, CMR conveyed 120 people to a wedding reception. Subsequently we have had marriage ceremonies on Cooma station itself, followed by transport of the party to the reception.

Do you have a group occasion which could be made into a memorable event by the CMR? If so, submit a booking form to us now, and we will contact you to confirm arrangements. We look forward to making your day a memorable occasion.