QPSR - Historical steam ride with a ghoulish twist

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> Historical steam ride with a ghoulish twist

GHOSTS, ghouls and goblins will be taking brave passengers on the Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway's 100-year-old steam train this Halloween.

QPSR events manager Robert Shearer said this was the first time they had run a Halloween themed train trip.

"The aim is to encourage locals to take a train trip and to give them a different kind of night out," he said.

"We are working with local businesses.

"The Racehorse Hotel has offered a discounted meal deal for our customers.

"We also have a local pyrotechnician who has donated a fireworks display that people will be able to watch while on the train."

There will be two trips, a child-friendly train departing from the Racehorse Hotel on October 31 at 6.30pm - and a scarier adult trip leaving at 8.15pm.

"The early ride will have face painting for kids, trick or treating, food and drinks on board as well as a few other little surprises that we can't reveal just yet," Mr Shearer said.

"On the later adults trip there will be music throughout the whole train and it'll be a little scarier, again there'll be a few more surprises."

Mr Shearer said riding a train at night was a completely different experience to travelling during the day.

"Anyone who has been in the 100-year-old carriages at night will know it's quite scary," he said.

"Wherever the railway is involved there's a ghost story somewhere; we'll hopefully be telling some of those stories on the trip.

"I love the thrill and mystery of travelling on a train at night, it's very different.

"We encourage passengers to arrive in costume and get in the spirit of the night."

Bookings are essential, phone 3294 3835 or visit qpsr.net.

[red dragin]

I wish I could make it - already have plans.

Got to steam train driver for a day on their loco - competition for the day was to see which one of us two amateur drivers could stop closest to the signal before the highway without a SPAD. got it by about 2cm with about 3cm to spare!