Mary Valley Rattler celebrates 100,000th passenger milestone
It survived bushfires, border closures and other disasters. Now, a loved Queensland steam train has celebrated an important milestone since its return to the rails in 2018.
Gympie
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The Mary Valley Rattler celebrated an important milestone on Wednesday as it carried passenger number 100,000.
Sunshine Coast resident Andrew Poland was the special ticket holder.
He and his wife Carolyn received a phone call from the stream train team after their trip meant the numbers had officially passed 100,000th mark since the Rattler reopened in 2018.
The Gympie Station was packed on Wednesday morning to officially acknowledge the occasion, accompanied with an anniversary cake and a visit from Gympie MP Tony Perrett.
Rattler general manager Linda Barry said the Rattler had become iconic as “steam journeys aren’t common” and the service was a “nice way to reflect on history.”
“All of our staff and volunteers are so proud that we’ve been to bring 100,000 people to this region,” she said.
“I think the welcoming nature of the Gympie region is absolutely what makes it special.”
She said there are lots of new things in the pipeline for the rattler and she “can’t wait to share” what it will have to offer in the new year.
She said the rattler has about 500-600 passengers per week and a key role for the tourist service is helping their passengers enjoy Gympie and spend money in the region.
“Despite bushfires, Covid, closed borders, lockdowns and other disruptions, the Mary Valley Rattler has weathered the storm and remained on track, offering an iconic tourism attraction to the people of Gympie and to visitors from all around Australia and the rest of the world,” a statement to the media read
Mr Poland, a repeat passenger of the heritage train, said it was “just fantastic” to be the lucky passenger on the train.
He rode the train several months back and it felt “unbelievable” when he got the call.
The trip on the train was worth it but the special nod was “just icing on the cake,” he said.
Mr Perrett said the milestone was a terrific achievement for the tourism service.
“Tourism is an important part of this region and the rattler plays an important part in the success of tourism,” Mr Perrett said.
“It brings people from outside this region into Gympie.
“It’s an important part of the local economy.”
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