THE RAINFOREST Rattler, with its vintage train rides, has just completed a record season on the Coffs Coast and as a thank-you to the local community has made a donation of $20,629.00 to CanDo Cancer Trust.

The opportunity to ride in the restored train appeals to both locals and as a tourist opportunity to Coffs Coast visitors.

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There are also two fundraising CanDo dinner trains which travel from Coffs to Grafton passing through Nana Glen, which always sell out.

“The Cando trip is Coffs-Grafton-Coffs, and on the way you see Red Hill Tunnels, Karangi, Hinterland, Coramba, Nana Glen, Glenreagh, Orara River, Braunstone, historic Grafton bridge, Grafton and return all through the beautiful Orara Valley,” said Neil Manson, Rainforest Rattler Coordinator.

The Rainforest Rattler is operated by the 100 percent volunteer run The Rail Motor Society (TRMS) and runs on the Coffs Coast every January as a major fundraiser towards maintaining its fleet of heritage rail motors.

TRMS president Rod Short told NOTA, “When TRMS was looking for a way to give back to the Coffs Coast CanDo Cancer Trust was the obvious choice as they are also 100 percent volunteer operated so every cent given will go to those in need.”

In thanking TRMS, CanDo chair Julie Jardine commented that the two charity dinner trains were both extremely popular with sellout crowds on both trips.

“Thanks also to North Coast Hotel Group for their generous support, supplying all drinks for the events as well as entrée and main meals,” said Julie.

“CanDo volunteers assisted on both trips and the feedback we received on the meals and the opportunity to enjoy a local dinner cruise on a heritage train was fantastic.”

The Rainforest Rattler was built in 1961 at the railway workshops in Chullora, and was in service for 46 years until 2007.

“Operated by the 100 percent volunteer TRMS funds raised are returned to restoring and maintaining heritage trains for the future enjoyment of future generations.”

By Andrea FERRARI