Steam train set for Warragul return
Planning is full steam ahead for the Spirit of Warragul celebration on Saturday May 13.
Warragul Business Group is combining with Warragul Rotary Club and Steamrail Victoria to stage a community event to coincide with the return of this historic steam locomotive to Warragul.
Community members are being urged to dress up for the festival when the Spirit of Warragul puffs into Warragul.
The steam engine will be welcomed by a parade of historic vehicles, a town fair and will be formally named “Spirit of Warragul” in recognition of the foresight of the residents in saving the steam engine in 1970.
The A2 Class steam train 986 began its working life more than 102 years ago, was retired in 1963; and after a 30-year restoration project has been finally brought back to life again.
A2 986 was the last A2 in service when withdrawn in December 1963. It was written off by the Victorian Railways in January 1964 but fortunately saved for preservation, being plinthed in a Warragul’s Latrobe St park with the assistance of Warragul Rotary Club.
It remained there until acquired for restoration by Steamrail Victoria in 1986 under a swap arrangement whereby J550 was plinthed at Warragul in its place. J 550 has since been relocated to Noojee.
A2 986 moved from Warragul to the Steamrail Victoria depot at Newport Workshops for restoration, where it was stripped to the frames. After many years of slow but steady progress by Steamrail volunteers, A2 986 is now ready to return to the rail tracks.
The Spirit of Warragul community event will be centred around the Queen Street Park area between 9.30am and 1pm.
Activities include traction engine procession, art and photography exhibition, music, entertainment and pop up poetry.
The Warragul Business Group is co-ordinating market stalls featuring local wineries, restaurants and food outlets offering tastings and sales as well as the Baw Baw Arts Alliance.
Local school groups and scouts will be involved in entertainment on the stage area as well as other music and poetry.
A jumping castle and face painting also will be on offer.
Vintage cars and trucks, standing engines and model trains will be on display in the Federation Training car park.
The community event will coincide with 260 passengers from Melbourne disembarking from the steam train to spend the day in Warragul.
A welcoming party of officials will greet the train with scouts and guides lining the platform and the Warragul Municipal Band performing.
Local community members will then have the opportunity to travel from Warragul to Traralgon and return aboard the steam train.
Steam rail tickets are available from the West Gippsland Arts Centre box office or call 5624 2456.
Community members can take this historic trip from Warragul to Traralgon, departing Warragul at 11.10am and arriving in Traralgon at 12.25pm. The train will depart Traralgon at 3.08pm arriving back in Warragul at 4.12pm.
Tickets are adults $65; seniors $55; under 17 $45. Children under three ride on your knee for free - no ticket required.