Launch of the Railway Dog Sculptures
The Gippsland Plains Rail Trail committee of management is excited to announce the launch of the three Railway Dog sculptures along the trail. There are three sculptures will be positioned at Glengarry, Toongabbie and Cowwarr Stations.
The Railway Dog Sculpture Launch
Glengarry Station, Glengarry, Victoria
Sunday 22 March, 2026 time- tba
With the uncovering of the story of the Railway Dog via the Gippsland History group, networks soon got together to initiate the creative project, with the committee receiving a generous grant from Alinta Loy Yang B and the contracting of Jo Caminiti, a local Cowwarr-based artist to commission the three Railway Dog sculptures.
The Story of the Railway Dog
As the story goes the female red kelpie, affectionately known as “Railway Dog”, attached herself to the staff at the Traralgon Railway yards and used to jump aboard the guard’s van to visit various parts of Gippsland. One day she missed the train, heading to Stratford, and decided to make haste, dashing off after it which took her on a 30km journey along what we now know as the Gippsland Plains Rail Trail.
“Wonderful running endurance was shown on Saturday afternoon by a red kelpie dog, known locally as the “Railway Dog,” which has earned a reputation as a confirmed tourist.“
Herald Sun, 02/12/1935 via Trove, National Library Australia
Page 1 in The Herald, Melbourne, Monday 2 December 1935 via Trove (National Library of Australia)
The Making Process
Local Cowwarr-based artist, Jo Caminiti, heard the story and was commissioned to create the three sculptures of the Railway Dog, one sitting, one standing and one… and recognition given to community.
Jo received donations of scrap metal and recycled materials such as retired farm machinery, tools, and old railway memorabilia to create three scrap-metal sculptures to be located in Glengarry, Toongabbie and Cowwarr depicting her epic run in the newspaper article.
Ballad of the Gippsland Railway Dog by Jo Caminiti
Jo has been so passionately engaged in this project she has written a ballad about The Railway Dog. Listen to a recording of Jo, performing it at ABC Gippsland 90th Birthday celebrations.
The committee are excited to see the project completed with Chair, Helen Hoppner, saying it’s been a big project and we are proud to share this unique story of a dog and her epic adventure and add value to the beautiful Gippsland Plains Rail Trail, for the local community and trail visitors alike. We congratulate Jo Caminiti on her amazing work and thank all our volunteers and sponsors.
The Gippsland Plains Rail Trail acknowledges the generous grant from Alinta Loy Yang B which enable The Railway Dog project.