Statement: The Workshops Rail Museum steams past one million visitors

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Minister for Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts
The Honourable Ian Walker

The Workshops Rail Museum steams past one million visitors

A major arts and tourism milestone has been reached, with the one millionth visitor welcomed to The Workshops Rail Museum during its annual 'Day out with Thomas' special event.

Arts Minister Ian Walker said the museum was a big contributor to the state's cultural tourism industry and was recognised with double silver wins in the 2013 Queensland Tourism Awards, in the Tourist Attraction and Heritage and Cultural Tourism categories.

"The multi-award-winning Workshops Rail Museum tells a unique story of Queensland's history and this is a wonderful milestone to reach," said Mr Walker.

"Places like the Rail Museum support the tourism industry, one of the four pillars of the economy that the Newman Government promised to grow.

"Rail also plays a huge part in the other pillars of agriculture, resources and construction and this museum demonstrates the pivotal role it has had in the state's development.

"Many Queenslanders have a connection to rail, an industry which began in Ipswich in 1865.

"The large numbers of visitors and numerous awards are recognition of The Workshops Rail Museum's longstanding role as one of the state's most popular museums.

"It is also a great contributor to the Queensland Government's Arts for all Queenslanders strategy, announced at the election, as well as the DestinationQ blueprint."

Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games, Jann Stuckey congratulated the Workshops Rail Museum on this significant milestone.

"The Workshops Rail Museum is a significant attraction for Ipswich, being a must-do experience for arts, cultural and heritage buffs alike," Ms Stuckey said.

"Tourism across Queensland is going from strength to strength under the Newman Government. I congratulate all volunteers and supporters on their achievement."

The Workshops Rail Museum Director Andrew Moritz said the museum maintained close ties to the local community and was a key attraction for Ipswich.

"We've been passionately sharing the story of rail in Queensland for more than 10 years and we appreciate the continuous community involvement and support," Mr Moritz said.

"The museum team has plenty more of the story to tell and we look forward to sharing it with many more visitors."

The Workshops Rail Museum is part of the Queensland Museum Network, which includes the Queensland Museum and Sciencentre in Brisbane, the Cobb & Co Museum in Toowoomba and the Museum of Tropical Queensland in Townsville.

For further information and ticket prices, phone (07) 3432 5100 or visit theworkshops.qm.qld.gov.au

[ENDS] 30 January 2014

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http://www.theworkshops.qm.qld.gov.au/

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Queensland Times --> The Workshops Rail Museum welcomes its one millionth visitor

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Spent a day visiting the Workshops Rail Museum today.  Excellent as always. 

Few photographs from today.  Granddaughter Ava.















PB15 732 - this loco was used Cunnamulla and Quilpie tour in the 1990s I went on.
























Photographs R Dow 29th January 2015