the Mary Valley "Rattler"
On any Sunday or Wednesday a rare event takes place - rare for the rest of the world, that is, but commonplace to the folks of Gympie and the Mary Valley.
The Mary Valley Heritage Railway's venerable C17 Steam Locomotive - aka the "Mary Valley Rattler", makes her return journey from Gympie to Imbil carrying passengers from around the world.
You can view panoramas of the "Rattler" at rest in Imbil:
small (50KB) / large (169KB)
Disgorging her passengers who, on the day I was there were welcomed with uplifting song from the Uniting Church Choir, the "Rattler" made her way to her turntable which pointed her back to Gympie in short order.
I don't know if this was a regular welcome - but it was unlike any railway station welcome I had ever been experienced!
This was only the start however, threading through the throng were the flower of Imbil's youth bearing baskets of birthday bounty!
Apparently a celebration - Chloe (which is Greek for "Glorious" - who could argue with that?) and Kimberlie (amongst many others of the flower of Imbil's youth)- were at pains to make sure no-one missed out on the delicious birthday cake.
Once the "Rattler" had been turned around and reconnected to her carriages, the team conducted a detailed inspection and maintenance routine.
It seemed amazing to me that such a small oil-can could effectively lubricate such a large engine!
Ahh - memories of youth!
What a treat! For those of us who missed out on a train set in our youth, these pictures misted the vision!
It was great to see that experiences like this are still available to the next generation.
While all this was going on - the turnaround and inspection, oiling and rewatering - Imbil was expanding her charming welcome to the passengers.
Just a few metres from the station sat another majestic old lady - the Railway Hotel.
On a second-floor balcony, overlooking Imbil's Sunday markets across the street, much activity was in evidence as many of the "Rattler"'s passengers sat down to a sumptuous "Pub Lunch".
You can see more about Imbil on this page.
The hissing of steam and a cheerful tooting from the C17's whistle announce the "Rattler"'s departure.
You, too, can "ride the rattler" and experience this and much more, first hand:
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