Big Banana tourist trains sold, see what’s next

The old tourist trains from The Big Banana theme park have been sold, but one of them is set to re-emerge at Coffs Harbour in a most unlikely role. See how.

The beloved and iconic tourist trains from The Big Banana may never roll again - but they have fallen into fresh hands driven by big dreams.

The two trains - each with an engine and carriages - were sold by Lloyds Auctions for an undisclosed price after being placed for sale with no reserve.

Lloyds Glenn Aylward said one buyer was a Queensland man and the other a firm in Coffs Harbour which for now remains anonymous.

The trains had fallen into disrepair after making their last run at the theme park in 2005.

Carriages from The Big Banana.

“The oldest one had been sitting out in the weather and was bought by a man who was taking a punt that he could tart it up and resell it, or if not, just recycle it,” Mr Aylward said.

“He has his own transport because they would be very expensive to move.”

The other buyer is a local firm aware of the history of the trains, which first starting rolling around The Big Banana in 1989, when it was known as Horticultural World.

Ladies and gentlemen if you look to your right you just may see a bunyip.

“They (the company) are going to put feelers out to charities to see if they’d be interested in using them,” Mr Aylward said.

He said the carriages could be stripped of their seats and turned into rooms.

“They are sound, waterproof, with windows and sliding doors - so they could be used as a pop-up art and craft space or as a reading room. Plus they still have the (Big Banana) signage,” Mr Aylward said.

“I’m very confident we’ll see them again one day.”

The old tourist trains have been sold as the fun park embarks on a major redevelopment including holiday cabins, a bigger waterpark, a new plantation coaster, and more attractions and amenities.

As well as being memories for tens of thousands of visitors, the trains have a story or two to tell in themselves.

When shiny, new and willing they cantered around the park, past the Bunyip in the lagoon, through the culture centre and up to the hilltop restaurant.

Rolling on to new adventures unknown.

But in their final year of service - perhaps annoyed that their time in the limelight was nigh - they were a source of drama.

One of the carriages ploughed into the lagoon - thankfully it was empty. Only 15 minutes earlier, the train had been at the station with plenty of passengers who were told to disembark when it broke down.

Thanks to the Queensland hobbyist and a local company, a second calling at glory might still be ahead.