In May 1914, the first rail passengers travelled from Queanbeyan through emerald pastures along the banks of the Molongolo River.

Some of the pastures remain but much of the route is now bounded by the backyards and industrial sprawl of Kingston, Fyshwick and a much expanded Queanbeyan.

Elizabeth Burness, the patroness of the Tuggeranong Schoolhouse Museum at Chisholm and a "vintage" tragic, set the tone by mustering a party of ladies ranging in age from six to upwards of 70 in the fashions of the era.

Her own ensemble included a black dress in the best Edwardian style, a striking hat and a classic vintage parasol acquired only the day before.

Each of the party was dressed in items from her personal clothing collection.

“We were delighted to be asked to participate,” Ms Burness said. "We have three generations of two separate families here today."

Additional authenticity was added in the form of Ian Reynolds, 87, a well-worn rail museum veteran, who has been volunteering since 1976.

The former public health department chemist said he had enjoyed every one of the 38 years he had been helping out.

“Trains have to be registered, just like cars, and to be registered they have to be kept in good condition,” he said. “I help to keep them (the carriages) in tip top order.”

Mr Reynolds encouraged others to volunteer, saying it had given him many friends and kept him active and mentally alert.

Andrew Simpson, a volunteer who runs the museum section, said public interest in the centenary train ride had been amazing.

“I’ve been a volunteer four years this time around,” he said. “It (the train trip to Queanbeyan and back) really started taking off last week and we sold the last tickets before the train left. The interest (in steam trains) is definitely there.”

Mark Morey, who was volunteering in the ticket office, said the interest in the centenary rail journey had been “even better than we expected”.

"In addition to the 220 people on the train we had 60 adults, 30 concession and 15 families come through the museum.

“It costs a lot of money to restore the rolling stock (in the museum collection) and days like this help to raise the funds we need.”

The museum is now just under $30,000 short of the money it needs to complete the restoration of 6029, the largest locomotive in its collection and one of the most powerful trains used in Australia.

Bayer, Peacock and Co 1210, the little 4-4-0 engine that brought the first train to Canberra only months before the outbreak of WWI, is barely a third of the size of 6029 and she remains an emerald-coloured jewel that delighted all who saw her.

The centenary train was powered by another of the museum’s Bayer Peacocks, 3016.

Built in Manchester in 1903, 3016 barely raised a sweat hauling Sunday’s excursion special while delivering a rolling symphony of wheeled percussion, heavy metal from the wind section and some surprisingly harmonious bangs, rattles and bumps.

Just before the centenary special passed under the Monaro Highway on the return trip it was possible to glimpse planes coming into land at Canberra Airport. It’s hard to avoid the conclusion that while a QantasLink Dash 8 may be faster, more efficient and more convenient it will never be more fun than the leisurely means of conveyance favoured by our great grandparents and their children.