Australia - Back to steam

[John Ashworth]

Back to steam

STEVE GREEN
The Young Witness
15/04/2009 8:44:00 AM

THAT unmistakable whistle announced the arrival of a steam train in Young early on Saturday afternoon and it had interested people coming from all over the town, just to have a look at something rarely seen these days.

Lachlan Valley Railway engines number 3237 and 5917 rolled into town pulling several carriages on their way to Harden from Cowra.

The two huge, black, oily engines hissed steam and belched smoke as they made a stop at the station to take on more passengers and water.

Lachlan Valley Railway co-ordinator, Steve Picker, said there were 150 passengers on board with probably another 100 following the train.

“These two steam engines have been out of service for a long time,” said Mr Picker.

“We’ve only had them for just under two years now and they’re off to Maitland shortly to participate in their Steam Fest.

“Our society formed in 1977 and we’ll continue operating these sorts of trips every long weekend and school holidays for as long as we can.

“The one thing that will stop us is if the State Government closes this rail line down, then we will have to look for somewhere else to operate, we are accredited to operate state-wide.

“That’d be a shame, especially since there’s recently been a lot of money spent on the track in the way of sleepers and bridges and so forth and especially since this has huge potential to be a big tourist spinner.”

“We need the support of the State Government in this, these lines need to remain open,” Mr Picker said.

Certainly future tourism opportunities were mentioned in regard to this district’s rail line suspensions at the recent protest meeting in Greenethorpe.

Katrina Hodgkinson and Lee Rhiannon both agree it is imperative these lines remain open, indeed the Blayney to Cowra line needs to be re-opened for the long term benefit of this region.

How many domestic tourists would flock to experience our Gold Trail if some part of their tour was conducted in something rarely experienced today - a steam train?