Article: Railway centenary building up steam

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From the Wauchope Gazette click here!

Railway centenary building up steam

Railway centenary building up steam
Feb. 28, 2013, midnight

MONDAY, February 4, marked the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Dungog to Taree section of the railway to the north and commemorations were held at several stations on the line as the XPT from Sydney travelled through.

A group of 28 history and rail enthusiasts from Wauchope and Port Macquarie, led by Jeannette Rainbow, left Wauchope on the 10 am XPT and disembarked at Taree, joining a group of locals on the platform to await the arrival of the Sydney XPT.

A short address was given by Barry Ruddell, an ex-railwayman, who was joined by the Member for Myall Lakes, Stephen Bromhead.

The speakers drew attention to the official celebrations on May 11, which will be well advertised, and a big crowd expected.

Mayor Paul Hogan and the Deputy Mayor of Greater Taree City Council were official guests, also Robert Blanch representing Countrylink.

Members of the Centenary Committee included Barry and Diane Seghers, Wendy McKeough OAM, Barry Ruddell and Barbara Waters.

The Wauchope group, who had brought their own refreshments, adjourned to the refurbished waiting room for lunch, and examined the historic photographs of early railway activities in the area.

Particularly nostalgic was the photograph of the little group of children and their teacher, outside their tent school in 1910, and the tired faces of the fettlers and the women who put up with the harsh conditions in makeshift accommodation in those early days.

Two young US travellers from Denver, Colorado, were on the platform with their huge backpacks, for the return journey.

The young women were environmental science graduates who had been working on a local farm and both were travelling on to Urunga.

There was a real air of excitement as the Sydney train approached and an impressive commemorative banner was displayed.

The train driver stepped down for a photographic session.

The train staff good humouredly ushered the Wauchope group back onto the train for the return journey.
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There was a brief mention of the occasion on local TV news that evening. (Gloucester really turned it on for the railways, with their banners, flags, free morning tea and a big crowd, many in vintage costumes.)

Among those travelling from Wauchope were Ray Cooper, Sue and Emily, Steve and Mary Wagg, Yvonne and Rex Twomey, Laurie and Marcia McGrath and party, Betty Boyd, Martin Parish, Garry and Janice Bruem, and Rosanna Vanderley and Charles Rainbow.

The Wauchope District Historical Society will be supporting the Centenary celebrations due to be held on l4 April, 2015 in conjunction with the Railways.