Located in northwestern Victoria, Buloke Shire Council is celebrating 125 years of rail transport in its town of Wycheproof with a steam train journey and festival. The Steaming Up Broadway Festival will be held from Friday 10 to Sunday 12 October, with steam trains, cycling and music showcasing Wycheproof and celebrating the arrival of railway to the town.
Wycheproof is an oasis on the Calder Highway midway between Melbourne and Mildura, just 90 minutes from major regional centres such as Bendigo and Horsham.
The railway line runs through the wide main street, Broadway, and Mount Wycheproof, which is the smallest registered mountain in Australia.
The Steaming Up Broadway Festival is an initiative of Wycheproof Chamber of Commerce and the town forum Wycheproof 2010 Inc. It is being held with the support of Buloke Shire Council and Steamrail Victoria.
The festival kicks off at 10pm Friday night, when a chartered steam train powered by the R761 locomotive will leave Southern Cross Station in Melbourne and begin its journey north. Passengers will have the opportunity to be rocked to sleep by the steam train in their sleeper berths, or can look at the stars as they ride along in their seats.
The first stop will be Charlton, where train travellers will have breakfast and a chance to stretch their legs and explore this tranquil river town on the banks of the Avoca River.
Mid morning, passengers will have the option of continuing on the train or switching to their bike as cyclists race the train to Wycheproof.
Once in Wycheproof, travellers will be able to explore the town’s open gardens and learn how a garden can survive drought. Visitors can also delve into Wycheproof’s past at the Courthouse Museum or Willandra Museum, take in the Paddock2Port exhibition developed by Council’s Friendship Alliance Partner, Hobsons Bay City Council, or marvel at the enormous Million Bushel Silo.
Shuttle buses will ferry visitors to and from some great activities in surrounding towns and hamlets, and steam train rides will also be available to the old town of Glenloth.
On Sunday morning there will be the largest gathering for breakfast Wycheproof has seen, and the opening of the Wycheproof Living Market and Expo. A Sunday service in Centenary Park will be a prelude to the running of the inaugural King of the Mountain Duathlon Dash. The winner will cross the finish line at around 10am, as the steam train leaves and passengers wave goodbye.
The Steaming up Broadway Festival will offset its carbon emissions thanks to Landcare and the North Central Catchment Management Authority, which are providing 1,000 tree seedlings, free to festival goers.
For further information and program of events visit the Wycheproof community website at www.wycheproof.vic.au
