Mitchell community to choose steam train replacement

A volunteer group of train enthusiasts is making headway with council in securing the Mitchell steam train for restoration.

ON TRACK: Arrangements for the Mitchell steam train are still being made, along with suggestions for a replacement to be gifted to Mitchell. Picture: Molly Hancock

MITCHELL'S historic C17 steam train is edging closer to restoration, as negotiations between the council, Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway and the community continue.

Arrangements for the locomotive are still being made, along with ideas for a replacement to be gifted to Mitchell.

Robert Shearer of the QPSR told The Western Star a piece of local history was on the table.

"One of the things we have suggested is one of the old Westlander sleeping cars - there are none left any more and it would be the only sleeping car on the route,” he said.

"This could be a mutually beneficial outcome, in that we're taking a locomotive that has strong heritage connections to the railway we are running on and are giving back a carriage that passed through Mitchell every day for 60 years.

"I look at it as a rare moment in time where we can say 'let's send both things back to their ancestral homes'.”

One more community consultation would occur to decide on a replacement for the historic engine some time in the next two months,Deputy Mayor JanChambers said.

"It was decided at our last meeting that we would accept, in principle, the offers of items from QPSR and then we will now go out to the community to consult them in regards to what item they would like and where it would be placed,” she said.

"That would be done by April 30.”

A variety of options were considered by the council and discussed between the two groups in the lead-up to this decision.

"The buyback option, which was the mayor's suggestion, was looked at and QPSR responded and said no, that they do need ownership of that train - and certainty of ownership to spend the time and effort on it,” Cr Chambers said.

Originally published as Mitchell community to choose steam train replacement