Stretched over the best part of half a day, the journey wasn't all that much fun, but it was less unpleasant than the (longer, cheaper and more cramped) Firefly bus down the Hume.

Train aficionado and driver Ian Gregory was one of the volunteers who helped restore old carriages, after they were taken out of service, at the NSW Rail Museum in Thirlmere southwest of Sydney.

On Monday Mr Gregory was the driver of the Southern Aurora as it pulled into Orange railway station as part of a six-day, five-night rail expedition visiting places such as Cootamundra, Moss Vale, Goulburn, Parkes, Junee, Dungog, Maitland, Werris Creek and Dubbo.

There were 130 people aboard the sold-out journey, mostly aged in their 60s to 80s.

Passengers were able to explore Orange on Monday but were urged to be back for a 5pm departure.

On Saturday a woman returned to Moss Vale station late, and was forced to catch a cab more than 70km to meet the train at Goulburn.

A single adult ticket on the all-inclusive holiday was $4,490.

Mr Gregory described the mood on board as "relaxed, happy".

"People are just watching the world go by at a leisurely pace, we don't speed around," he said.

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