Hop on board to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Film Australia short documentary, A Steam Train Passes (Dir: David Haythornwaite, Prod: Anthony Buckley, DoP: Dean Semler, 1974), with a film screening and discussion with special guests.

Considered as one of Australia's finest railway films, A Steam Train Passes is a highly awarded short documentary featuring the C38 class steam locomotive 3801, which was designed and built in NSW by the New South Wales Government Railways - the last steam locomotives in the state to be built for passenger train operation.

In addition to A Steam Train Passes, this special screening will feature a newly produced short documentary by Transport Heritage NSW, featuring the creatives involved in the making of the film, together with a screening of Western Endeavour (1970), and some never-before-seen footage from the NFSA’s Jim Powe Collection, narrated by our resident train expert, Jeff Wray.

PROGRAM

Introduction by NFSA CEO Patrick McIntyre and Transport Heritage NSW CEO, Andrew Moritz
A Steam Train Passes
1974 | All Ages | 21 mins | DCP | AUS | D: David Haythornwaite
A Steam Train Passes: 50 Years On
2025 | All Ages | 25 mins | DCP | AUS | D: Steve Chestney
Short Break
Powe Collection with narration by Jeff Wray (NFSA) - 20 mins
Excerpts from the NFSA’s Jim Powe Collection - a significant collection of over one hundred Australian train and tram film and audio recordings from the late 1960s to the 1990s.
Western Endeavour (1970) - 25mins         
Filmed and edited by Jim Powe, this short film documents the historic journey made by the 3801 steam locomotive leading as it crosses from the East Coast to the West Coast of Australia.

Wishlist

Calendar X Facebook

April

Sun 6 Apr

1:00 PM

Price

$20 Full / $17 Concession

Arc Cinema

1 McCoy Circuit Acton, Australian Capital Territory, 2601

Information

Transport

Accessibility

We are situated in the heart of Canberra on McCoy Circuit, Acton, between the shores of Lake Burley Griffin and the grounds of the Australian National University. Just a 10-minute walk from the city and state bus interchanges.

BY BUS - WEEKDAYS

Note: the NFSA is open daily 10.00am – 4.00pm (except Christmas Day and New Year's Day), and outside those times for special film screenings and events – see our upcoming events calendar.
ON THE NUMBER 6
Route R6 runs between Woden Interchange and City West approximately every 10 to 20 minutes from 5.30am to 11.00pm weekdays. To use this service to visit the NFSA, alight at London Cct after Edinburgh Ave and proceed 600 metres along Gordon Street to the entrance on McCoy circuit.
ON THE NUMBER 53
Route 53 runs between National Museum Lennox Crossing and Dickson Shops Cowper Street on average every 30 minutes from 7.00am to 10.10pm weekdays. Bus alights at Liversidge St behind the NFSA.
Transport Canberra's Routes and Timetables site can help you find the most practical way to our venue (and others).
ON THE CULTURE LOOP FREE SHUTTLE BUS
The free Culture Loop shuttle bus stops at NewActon (on Edinburgh Avenue), within walking distance of the NFSA.

BY BUS - WEEKENDS

Note: the NFSA is open daily 10.00am – 4.00pm (except Christmas Day and New Year's Day), and outside those times for special film screenings and events – see our upcoming events calendar.
ON THE NUMBER 6
Route R6 runs between Woden Interchange and City West approximately every 10 to 20 minutes from 7.00am to 9.00pm weekends and public holidays. To use this service to visit the NFSA, alight at London Cct after Edinburgh Ave and proceed 600 metres along Gordon Street to the entrance on McCoy circuit.
Transport Canberra's Routes and Timetables site can help you find the most practical way to our venue (and others).
ON THE CULTURE LOOP FREE SHUTTLE BUS
The free Culture Loop shuttle bus stops at NewActon (on Edinburgh Avenue), within walking distance of the NFSA.

PARKING

There is dedicated visitor parking on the premises between McCoy Circuit and Ellery Cresent (paid parking, up to three hours). There is also limited free parking surrounding the building on Liversidge Street.
We recommend using public transport in peak times.

Accessible parking is available off McCoy Circuit.
Wheelchair/accessible access via Liversidge Street.