ON TRACK FOR WEDDINGS
DownsSteam Rail opens its carriages for weddings
COUPLES looking to choochoo-choose a quirky venue for their wedding now have a new option, with DownsSteam Tourist Railway and Museum taking bookings.
Chairwoman Ros Scotney said plans to open the site as a wedding venue were steaming ahead.
“It was always in the back of our minds, but we couldn’t do that until we got the second dining cart set up,” she said.
The museum can cater weddings for up to 60 people, including the bride and groom.
They will tie the knot on the platform, snap wedding photos in the train yards and host the reception in the Sister Elizabeth Kenny and Lady McGregor dining coaches.
Along with an iconic rail experience, Mrs Scotney said couples would feel confident the money spent on their wedding would be used to preserve the region’s history.
“We are restoring heritage rolling stock, our grounds are a credit to our three volunteer gardeners and everyone here is a volunteer,” she said.
“Everyone is committed to the organisation.”
Like with restoring old time steam engines, the museum can draw in a depth of experience.
“We have one very experienced chef who is now retired but taught at TAFE and other women with years and years of experience in the private sector,” Mrs Scotney said.
The museum has already had inquiries from two couples and Mrs Scotney is expecting many more.
But the venue will need about four months to finalise renovations to the carriages.
“We are very excited about hosting weddings” she said.
“We have been working towards it for years.”