Transported on the back of three separate trucks, the 3609 steam locomotive arrived from Thirlmere on Tuesday evening.

On Thursday morning, the 90-year-old train was lifted by crane into its permanent home inside the museum.

“There’s a lot of smiles and excitement [at the museum] now that it’s here,” said Roundhouse curator Ron Ison.

“For me personally, it’s been a 17 or 18 year goal that I never really thought would happen.

“I keep walking around and asking people, ‘would you just pinch me?’ I just can’t believe it’s finally here.”

Designed in 1928, the model once frequented Junee and surrounds as an express passenger service. 

With its history in the town, the CEO of Transport Heritage NSW Andrew Moritz described its arrival as “somewhat of a homecoming for [the] 3609.”.

“The last  time it worked in Junee was in 1959 but it remained in government service until 1966,” said Mr Ison.

Mr Ison and the museum staff began lobbying the heritage committee to take ownership of the train in 2001. 

Originally, there were 75 of its type operating across NSW. Now, there are only three.

“When they were decommissioned, most of them were taken apart for scraps,” said Mr Ison.

“This one was saved and preserved in the NSW Rail Museum, and now it’s here.”

Though the Roundhouse will serve as the locomotive’s final destination, its journey is not ended.

Over the next five years, the train will be restored to a whisper of its former glory.

“The main goal is to make it presentable so that visitors can stand alongside it, touch it and really get a sense of its size,” said Mr Ison.

“I don’t think you get the wow factor unless you’re right next to it.”