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The Byron Solar Train is a much-anticipated world-first!
Stations
The Byron Solar Train is a story of vintage romance and modern day technology. Between 1894 and 1949 a devoted train connected villages around Chullora, faithfully serving the community.
With services slowly declining the train breathed its last puff of diesel and was left to rust and retreat into the overgrowth.
There it slept until found by owners of both Elements of Byron and the not-for-profit Byron Bay Railroad Company, Peggy and Brian Flannery.
Along with a team of train historians and heritage engineers, environmental and clean energy experts, the Flannerys worked for eight years to lovingly restore the heritage two-car train and launch the world’s first solar-powered conventional passenger train in 2017.
The train only needs 23% of the energy generated from solar panels on the train shed roof, the remainder is fed back into the community grid.
The train also uses regenerative braking, meaning that every time it slows down, the energy created by braking recharges the train’s batteries.
The train runs a return shuttle service during daylight hours for the 10 minute three-kilometre journey between ‘North Beach Station’, close-by Elements and the ‘Byron Beach’ platform, adjacent to the Shirley Street level crossing, around the corner from Main Beach. Both have disabled access and sheltered seating. Fares can be purchased online prior or on the train.
The Byron Solar Train has capacity for 100 seated passengers, additional standing passengers, wheelchair access and luggage room for bikes, prams and surfboards, carried free of charge.
An experience in its own right, the Byron Solar Train offers views of rainforest, endangered coastal wetlands and the tea-tree stained Belongil Creek while connecting Elements of Byron to the Byron Arts and Industry Estate, northern Sunrise and Byron village centre.
View fares, packages timetable and fares here.
Know the best places to go once you’ve arrived in Byron village. These handy Byron Bay guides reveal the best shops, cafes, restaurants and hidden gems in this coastal destination.
Want more inspiration for things to do in Byron Bay? Check out our Ultimate Guide to Byron Bay.