Shelter for passengers

Councillors Truscott, Loft and Sanderson announce the location and funding of a shelter in Queens Park for people waiting to board the Mary Ann steam train.

A shelter shed will be built by Fraser Cost regional Council to shade people wanting to board the Mary Ann steam train.

“We’re building the shelter in response to a request from the Whistle Stop Association which operates the Mary Ann,” City and Town Centre Development Portfolio Councillor Daniel Sanderson said.

The Mary Ann, a replica of the first steam train built at Walkers Engineering in Maryborough in 1873, takes passengers on rides through Queens Park.

Work is scheduled to start in February 2015 and take one week to complete.

“This will be a great benefit for the Whistle Stop group,” Sport, Recreation, Open Space and Events Portfolio Councillor Darren Everard said.

“At present there is no shelter for people waiting to board the train or the Whistle Stop volunteers.

“And occasionally they have to cancel the service because of the threat of rain, or people do not want to wait because there is no shade.

“Volunteers will also have somewhere to shelter out of the sun.”