Next stop, under the Christmas tree
A SYDNEY woman is offering Christmas shoppers stuck for ideas a novel gift.
But you’ll need a stack of wrapping paper.
Helen O’Boyle wants to sell the iconic single-rail trains that travelled from Broadbeach to The Star for 30 years.
The self-confessed monorail enthusiast, who obtained the trains and track after it closed this year, said the British-built carriages could be yours for as little as $1400.
“For people who have everything, this could be the perfect gift because they almost certainly don’t have one of these,” the tech industry worker said.
“This isn’t about making money, I just want to see this part of the city’s history preserved, hopefully from a local.”
The passenger carriages are being sold for up to $1800 and a driver’s cabin for up to $12,000.
The monorail was built in the late 1980s as part of the Oasis shopping centre and was popular with tourists. It was closed in January and demolished soon after as The Star pushed ahead with its redevelopment.
Ms O’Boyle, who also owns one of the remaining Sydney monorails, was among the passengers who travelled on the monorail’s final journey and successfully tendered to obtain the two full trains, a series of extra carriages and a length of track.
Since beating out metal scrapping companies to secure the tender, the monorails have remained in a secret Gold Coast location.
Ms O’Boyle was reluctant to reveal how much she paid but said she had grand plans for her remaining monorail.
“I can’t disclose what I paid for it but it was much less than you’d think but considerably more than most people would pay for such a thing,” she said.
“I am really motivated to keep the Gold Coast’s history on the Gold Coast and I am even considered getting a property here in the Hinterland for it. However if I cannot do that it will join me and the Sydney monorail down south.”
To inquire, email broadbeachmonorail@gmail.com