What happens to lost property on Sydney Trains: Prosthetic leg, violin, airpods among 60k items

Lost your AirPods on the train? They are probably one of the 300 pairs found every 10 days by Sydney Trains staff. See what happens to them and the wacky items stored in lost and found.

The gut-wrenching panic of losing a passport, wallet, phone, laptop and even airpods is a reality for many Sydney train hoppers.

Between 170 train stations, and millions of daily trips, Sydney Trains found more than 60,000 lost items last year.

Sydney Trains chief executive Matt Longland said staff try their best to get thousands of lost property items back to the rightful owners.

Items in Transport for NSW's lost and found department.

“Through the efforts of our wonderful staff and online registry system, we’re able to return around 60 per cent of items to passengers within 28 days,” he said.

Mr Longland also said staff see a wide range of items handed into lost property, including more than 300 Apple AirPods every ten days.

Items in Transport for NSW's lost and found department.

Typical items recovered are phones, bags, wallets, electronics and cards.

The more unique items found have been prosthetic legs, dental implants, a violin and antique jewellery according to a NSW transport spokeswoman.

Patrons can lodge a lost property report through the NSW transport page.

All items are held for 28 days, if unclaimed items are then packed and sent to Pickles Auctions and auctioned online.

Some items have also been donated to various charities according to a NSW transport spokeswoman.

Over 600 facebook users have thanked Sydney Trains for their ‘hard work’ and ‘dedication’.

“I lost a single car key a couple of years back. After reporting online then maybe a week when I’d given up hope it turned up and I was emailed. Given it was lockdown and I couldn’t pick up from Pitt Street office where it was. They then had it on a train to Seven Hills station almost instantly and I was called to pick-up less than 2 hours later! Amazing service,” a user commented.

“I actually found my wallet back in this place after one day of losing it. That saved me

so much hassle. What was really amazing was the smile of people working there and helping so many! Made my day!,” another relieved user said.