ZIG Zag railway will be derailed this month - closing down due to a lack of skilled workers and funds.

The railway, 10km east of Lithgow, in the Blue Mountains, has operated as a tourist attraction for many years now as the home of Thomas the Tank Engine and the Hogwarts Express.



Staff confirmed that the not-for-profit organisation was shutting down on June 17.



"We are definitely closing, that I can confirm,'' a spokeswoman said.



It is understood the railway, which relies on ticket fares and donations, has several trains out of action at the moment and no funds to repair them.



Chairman Larry Zanker also said through a message on their website they were suffering from a "shortage of skilled people to help maintain these trains.''



"Because of this situation, and the concerns of the Rail Regulator, we are only operating a Heritage Rail Motor Tour service at this time.''



Built in the 1860s, the line was constructed to transport people and produce from the western plains of NSW to Sydney. It was replaced in 1910 by a 10 tunnel deviation.

Originally published as End of the line for the Zig Zag