ALL ABOARD
Thousands of people crowded onto the Warragul Railway Station platform to witness the return of steam train A2 986 to Warragul on Saturday. The steam train, named Spirit of Warragul, made its return to passenger service journey with thousands of people lining the railway line between Drouin and Warragul to catch a glimpse of the historic engine. After a 30-year restoration project, Steamrail Victoria launched the steam train’s return to service, as promised in 1986, to Warragul. Warragul Rotary Club and the Warragul Business Group worked together to stage a festival to coincide with the train’s arrival on Saturday morning. Rotary president Peter Dell said the day was a huge success and exceeded all their expectations with an estimated 6000 people visiting Warragul for the day.. “People lined the tracks between Warragul and Drouin, there were people on bridges, and cars followed the train through to Traralgon. “The platform was absolutely packed, it’s 150 metres long and it was packed. “The whole festival was a great success. We wanted to make it a community event and it exceeded all expectations. “It goes to show what can be achieved when community groups work together,” he said. Mr Dell said all the work in organising the festival was particularly rewarding when he saw the tears in the eyes of former Warragul Rotary Club president Bruce Young and Greig Wilson of the former Warragul and District Railway Club. “Bruce and Greig were the two guys that drove the purchase of the train in 1971 and they had tears in their eyes when they unveiled the plaque on Saturday,” he said. Mr Dell said the agreement with Steamrail Victoria was for the train to return to Warragul one day a year for the community.
He said while no dates could be finalised, Rotary and the WBG were keen to make it an annual festival and continue to build on this year’s success.
Mr Wilson said he was overwhelmed to see the train return and it was a privilege to be a part of the celebrations.
Mr Wilson said the Warragul and District Railway Club had sought community funds in 1969 to purchase the train and retain it for static preservation in Warragul.
He said the Warragul Rotary Club provided the funds for the WDRC to purchase the train.
He said it then took more than two years and 500 hours of voluntary work to restore the train as a community icon.
Mr Wilson said the train became known as the “yellow peril” when it was undercoated in yellow zinc chromate before its final seal.
Restoration work on the train was undertaken on the corner of Queen and Normanby Sts before Rotary found a home for the static display in Rotary Park (Latrobe St).
Steamrail Victoria acquired the engine in 1986 and returned it to Newport, where it was originally built, for the massive 30-year restoration project.