HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2010

THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE

A special guest this year who is sure to delight visitors of all ages. Thomas the Tank Engine is known and loved the world over by the young and young at heart. There will be plenty of opportunities to take a photo with Thomas, hear him steam, whistle blow, and there will be giveaways for the children.

In its other life this steam train is known as Klondyke, a 3'6" steam locomotive ex-Pioneer Mill QLD. The only sugar mill to run 3'6" gauge. Klondyke is normally kept at the Bellarine Peninsula Railway but was hired to the Abt Wilderness Railway, Tasmania, during 2000 and became the first steam locomotive to work at that location after restoration of the Abt Railway. This will be a first for the Echuca Steam Rally to transport a full size steam loco to the site to have in steam over the weekend.

Thomas appears with thanks to the Bellarine Peninsula Railway in Queenscliff, Victoria. The Bellarine Peninsula Railway, near Geelong is home to an impressive collection of 3'6" locomotives and carriages giving passengers the chance to ride and see heritage steam and diesel trains form every state operating on a line dating back to 1878.

Military Re-enactment Re-Enactment of “65th anniversary of D Day” – twice daily

Come and experience these 30 military enthusiasts as they re-enact the time of peace in 1945 when the allied soldiers freed the allied POW’s from the prison camps in Germany. This re-enactment marks the 65th anniversary of the end of WWII. Various equipment will be used including vehicles and soldiers with mortars and rifles in blank firing mode.

In between the re-enactments experience the military camp and understand how our soldiers lived in these historical times.