Fancy your scones served on fine bone china, while chugging along the Illawarra and South Coast rail line with a view fit for royalty?

That’s how travellers roll on the historic Kiama Picnic Train. Known as a living museum on rails, the Picnic Train allows passengers to step back in time and experience what rail travel was like in its golden era.

Kiama photographer Darren Parlett captured a stunning shot of the 5917 steam engine as it headed past Bombo’s coastline on its return journey to Sydney just as the sun was going down.

The 5917 steam engine is one of 20 locomotives bought by the NSW Government in 1952 to haul freight. It is one of only five that are still operational.

The steam engine, complete with 1930s carriages, now regularly delights passengers lucky enough to snag tickets and jump aboard as the locomotive weaves its way along the scenic South Coast rail line from Sydney to Kiama.

The train leaves the city just in time for high tea in the dining cars, with passengers stopping at Kiama for several hours to enjoy all the town has to offer, including the Kiama Blow Hole and the seaside markets.

The high tea experience is available as part of the First Class option, which also includes travel in the dining car. Group of four can also book a seat in an air-conditioned lounge car.

The Kiama Picnic Train service is run by passionate volunteers who serve morning and afternoon tea - a cheese and fruit platter on the way back to Sydney - to give passengers a taste of train travel in its hey-day when it was considered a special day out rather than a means to an end.

The Picnic Train’s million-dollar views combined with the charm of a steam-powered engine makes the outing as much about the journey as the destination.

The next scheduled Kiama Picnic Train is on August 23 and 24, but book early to avoid disappointment.

The July journey sold out.