In 2013, Multiple Sclerosis reshaped Allie’s world in an instant. The diagnosis brought uncertainty, but it also anchored her to what truly mattered.
Four years later, in 2017, she stood beside her husband, Evan, on a rustic footbridge nestled within the Galston Valley Railway. As they exchanged vows surrounded by towering eucalypts, they had no idea that this quiet miniature railway would soon become the beating heart of a movement.
Key Takeaways
- Inspiring Origins: Founded by Allie and Evan following an MS diagnosis in 2013, transforming a local miniature railway into a major fundraising movement.
- The 500-Lap Challenge: On Saturday, 29 August 2026, volunteer teams will operate 5-inch gauge steam, petrol, and electric locomotives for 500 total laps around the 1km Galston Valley Railway track.
- Vital Research Impact: Has raised over $78,000 for MS research at The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, gaining recognition in state and federal parliament.
- Family Community Event: Gates open to the public from 10:00 AM, featuring live music, food and craft stalls, rides, and Rural Fire Service displays.
A few months after their wedding, while watching the high-octane drama of the Bathurst 1000 – Australia’s most iconic motorsport endurance race – a bold question surfaced during a casual conversation: What if this tiny bushland railway hosted its own endurance challenge to fight MS?
That simple spark ignited a massive community effort. By 2018, the inaugural Galston500 was born. Now, as the event approaches its 2026 edition, it stands as one of the country’s most remarkable grassroots fundraisers, having raised over $78,000 for vital MS research at The Westmead Institute for Medical Research.
On Saturday, 29 August 2026, the Hornsby Model Engineers Co-Op Ltd will once again host the Galston500 at the Galston Valley Railway in New South Wales.
The challenge is as eccentric as it is demanding: volunteer teams from across the state operate 5-inch gauge miniature locomotives for a gruelling, combined total of 500 laps around the 1-kilometre track.
The magic begins before the sun fully clears the treeline. From 6:30 AM, the grounds wake up to the rhythmic hissed breath of steam, petrol, and electric locomotives firing up in the cool early dawn. By 7:00 AM, the first official lap kicks off, setting a steady pace that carries through the day. By 10:00 AM, the gates open to the public, transforming the quiet bushland into a vibrant festival featuring live music, food and craft stalls, family rides, and an impressive Rural Fire Service truck display.
Over the years, the Galston500 has evolved from a local endeavour into a recognised landmark on the state calendar. It has drawn support across all three levels of government and earned formal mentions in both state and federal parliamentary sittings – a testament to its impact on medical science, volunteerism, and community spirit.
The event offers a rich tapestry of visual and human-interest angles, blending precision engineering, personal resilience, and cutting-edge medical hope.
What began as two people exchanging vows on a wooden bridge has become a testament to what a determined community can build.
On 29 August, 500 laps will once again turn every kilometre into progress towards a cure.
