Railway Museum Easter Extravaganza

Volunteering for 26 years now, Jill Brown is a 68 year old but strong looking lady who welcomed us aboard on the first ride of the Easter Steam Extravaganza that Canberra Railway Museum runs. The weather was cold but beautiful.  The sky was all white with thin streaks of blue peeking in from the clouds. However, the hazy smoke coming from the chimney of the train turned black as the train started to move.

A look at the train from a long line full of kids and grandparents, felt like the time was turned back some hundred years, but the actual transition happens when you enter the train, all wooden compartments with vintage light switches and rusty emergency chains. It was clean. Each cabin had the capacity of 8 people but it looked full even with 6 adults and three little ones jumping up and down their parents’ laps. When you sit down in the cabin, there’s a distinct smell, like antique wood is been rubbed over corroded iron.

Actually built in 1908, the train is now used only for the short and sweet special trips arranged by the museum. The ride was not the fastest but was smooth and indulging. The black and white, historic portraits on each side of the cabin wall could make you forget about the Easter sales at the mall or the cute bunny at Canberra centre or the big family dinner you’re going to have, but only for a little while, because then you might notice some people waving at you from outside the train. As Jill told me, “people always stand there to wave”. Some bring their children; some just sit on the benches near the track and enjoy the steamy train passing them.

It’s great for the grand parents to bring their grand kids. They get to tell first hand stories and enjoy the excitement in the eyes of their little kids.

Jill told me she first came here 26 years ago with her daughter and that’s when she decided to join in and volunteer. “We used to go for longer rides earlier” she said. But now its just a small ride from Canberra to Queanbeyan and return.

They have three rides in a day and then one in the night called “the night shift” for 4 days (the Easter long weekend). “After this (9:45-11) one we’ll have to clean the train and get it ready for the 12:30 ride” Jill told me as she was arranging her brooms and cleaning brushes which looked as old as the train itself.

Once off the train, you can go and check out the other 100 year old (trains) from the inside and take some photos that would look like a still from one of movies from Indiana Jones’.