By JESSE GRAHAM
AN ICONIC moment in Puffing Billy’s history was marked at the end of last year, when a group of young enthusiasts organised a 60th anniversary celebration of the railway’s revival.
On Saturday 13 December about 1500 people visited Puffing Billy to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Puffing Billy’s Young Sun Special train rides.
The Young Sun Special event was held on 11 December 1954, after the decision was made to close the railway line due to a landslide the year before.
More than 30,000 people turned out to farewell Puffing Billy, and the popularity of the event helped to establish the Puffing Billy Preservation Society, which kept the railway running.
A festival was put on in Emerald by the Young Sun Special Organising Committee – a group of six volunteers under 35 – which included live music, carnival rides and live steam displays.
An official recreation train was even hauled on the day by a replica locomotive of the 3A – the engine that hauled the original Young Sun Special.
Organising committee member Max Bracher told the Mail that the event hosted VIPs – people who were at the original Young Sun Special 60 years before.
“There were some tears shed,” Mr Bracher said.
He said that the trains brought about 1500 people to Emerald and that with the summer day sitting at 29 degrees, the weather was perfect for a celebration.
Puffing Billy Railway CEO John Robinson paid tribute to the organising committee for bringing the history of the railway to life.
“It’s heartening to see their dedication and enthusiasm, especially since they are the future of the railway,” he said.
The committee spent about 13 months preparing for the anniversary event.
For the full history of the railway, visit www.puffingbilly.com.au.
