GALLERY: Hundreds board Pride of Toowoomba for maiden run

After more than two decades of hard work and determination, the Spirit of Toowoomba is back in action and ready to take passengers on jaunty rides across the Downs. The Chronicle was at the station for trains first departures.

The "Gowrie Girls" from left; Bronwyn Blanck, Ebony Rosier and Sara Hales entertained the passengers on the inaugural trip for the restored "Pride of Toowoomba" steam train from Drayton to Wyreema. Saturday May 18th, 2024 Picture: Bev Lacey

After more than two decades of hard work and determination, the Spirit of Toowoomba is back in action and ready to take passengers on jaunty rides across the Downs.

The Chronicle was at the station for the trains first departures.

Clive Berghofer on the "Pride of Toowoomba" steam train as it left the Drayton platform for it's inaugural journey from Drayton to Wyreema. Saturday May 18th, 2024 Picture: Bev Lacey

Judy Ashford and Ken Ashford from Maryborough with Ken Stephenson on the inaugural trip for the restored "Pride of Toowoomba" steam train from Drayton to Wyreema. Saturday May 18th, 2024 Picture: Bev Lacey

Volunteers, Clancy Davies (left) and Hayden Gooderham prepare to greet the passengers on the "Pride of Toowoomba" at Drayton Station. Saturday May 18th, 2024 Picture: Bev Lacey

DownsSteam and Tourist Railway president Ros Scotney speaks at the official launch of "Pride of Toowoomba" steam train from Drayton to Wyreema. Saturday May 18th, 2024 Picture: Bev Lacey

Operations Manager at Downs Steam, Andrew Caldwell received his life membership as the "Pride of Toowoomba" steam train left the Drayton platform for it's inaugural journey from Drayton to Wyreema. Saturday May 18th, 2024 Picture: Bev Lacey

Thach Huiynh, Max Huyhn, Sue Hawkins, Ducanh Huynh and Kim Huynh on the inaugural trip for the restored "Pride of Toowoomba" steam train from Drayton to Wyreema. Saturday May 18th, 2024 Picture: Bev Lacey

Arriving back at Drayton Station, Harvey and Madeline Urquhart on the DownsSteam and Tourist Railway "Pride of Toowoomba" steam train from Drayton to Wyreema. Saturday May 18th, 2024 Picture: Bev Lacey

Jumping for joy to be boarding a steam train is Michael Sliger. The "Pride of Toowoomba". Saturday May 18th, 2024 Picture: Bev Lacey

Buying his ticket on the inaugural trip for the restored "Pride of Toowoomba" steam train over two years ago, John O'Hara was thrilled to be taking the journey from Drayton to Wyreema. Saturday May 18th, 2024 Picture: Bev Lacey

The Gowrie Girls, from left; Bronwyn Blanck, Ebony Rosier and Sarah Sale sing up a storm for the passengers of "Pride of Toowoomba". Saturday May 18th, 2024 Picture: Bev Lacey

Passengers on the "Pride of Toowoomba" at Drayton Station, Rachel, Sebastian, and Travis Geier. Saturday May 18th, 2024 Picture: Bev Lacey

Pauline Green (left) and Kym Murray on the inaugural trip for the restored "Pride of Toowoomba" steam train from Drayton to Wyreema. Saturday May 18th, 2024 Picture: Bev Lacey

Ken and Jacelle Hansen looking forward to the journey on the "Pride of Toowoomba" at Drayton Station. Saturday May 18th, 2024 Picture: Bev Lacey

The "Pride of Toowoomba" takes it's first journey from Drayton Station to Wyreema. Saturday May 18th, 2024 Picture: Bev Lacey

Inaugural trip for the restored "Pride of Toowoomba" steam train from Drayton to Wyreema. Saturday May 18th, 2024 Picture: Bev Lacey

Debbie Collins and her granddaughter Millie Sullivan are all smiles as they enjoy a train trip on the "Pride of Toowoomba" at Drayton Station. Saturday May 18th, 2024 Picture: Bev Lacey

The "Pride of Toowoomba" takes it's first journey from Drayton Station to Wyreema. Saturday May 18th, 2024 Picture: Bev Lacey

DownsSteam and Tourist Railway president Ros Scotney speaks at the official launch of "Pride of Toowoomba" steam train from Drayton to Wyreema. Saturday May 18th, 2024 Picture: Bev Lacey

The "Pride of Toowoomba" takes it's first journey from Drayton Station to Wyreema. Saturday May 18th, 2024 Picture: Bev Lacey

Paulette and Joe Ramia excited to be on the inaugural trip for the restored "Pride of Toowoomba" steam train from Drayton to Wyreema. Saturday May 18th, 2024 Picture: Bev Lacey

Volunteers, Peter Frampton (left) and Clive Lindenberg enjoying the atmosphere at Drayton Station as the "Pride of Toowoomba" takes it's first journey. Saturday May 18th, 2024 Picture: Bev Lacey

Robert Ketton during official launch of the DownsSteam and Tourist Railway "Pride of Toowoomba" steam train from Drayton to Wyreema. Saturday May 18th, 2024 Picture: Bev Lacey

Celebrating his birthday with a steam train ride, Luke Quade is a keen train enthusiast. Luke and his family were passengers on the "Pride of Toowoomba" at Drayton Station, Lyla, Wayne, Luke and Emma Quade. Saturday May 18th, 2024 Picture: Bev Lacey

Claudia Stephenson (left), Helen Clulow and Beverley Bates on the inaugural trip for the restored "Pride of Toowoomba" steam train from Drayton to Wyreema. Saturday May 18th, 2024 Picture: Bev Lacey

The "Gowrie Girls" from left; Bronwyn Blanck, Ebony Rosier and Sara Hales entertained the passengers on the inaugural trip for the restored "Pride of Toowoomba" steam train from Drayton to Wyreema. Saturday May 18th, 2024 Picture: Bev Lacey

The "Pride of Toowoomba" takes it's first journey from Drayton Station to Wyreema. Saturday May 18th, 2024 Picture: Bev Lacey

Clive Berghofer on the "Pride of Toowoomba" steam train as it left the Drayton platform for it's inaugural journey from Drayton to Wyreema. Saturday May 18th, 2024 Picture: Bev Lacey

Passengers on the "Pride of Toowoomba" at Drayton Station, Tim McGrath and Linda Brandenbury with their children Archer and Amelia McGrath. Saturday May 18th, 2024 Picture: Bev Lacey

Capturing the "Pride of Toowoomba" Rob Born. Saturday May 18th, 2024 Picture: Bev Lacey

The "Pride of Toowoomba" takes it's first journey from Drayton Station to Wyreema. Saturday May 18th, 2024 Picture: Bev Lacey

The "Pride of Toowoomba" takes it's first journey from Drayton Station to Wyreema. Saturday May 18th, 2024 Picture: Bev Lacey

Arriving back at Drayton Station, Harvey and Madeline Urquhart on the DownsSteam and Tourist Railway "Pride of Toowoomba" steam train from Drayton to Wyreema. Saturday May 18th, 2024 Picture: Bev Lacey

Passengers on the "Pride of Toowoomba", Wendy Lutvey (left) and Glad Simon. Saturday May 18th, 2024 Picture: Bev Lacey

Clive Berghofer on the "Pride of Toowoomba" steam train as it left the Drayton platform for it's inaugural journey from Drayton to Wyreema. Saturday May 18th, 2024 Picture: Bev Lacey

TRC Mayor Geoff McDonald speaks at the official launch of "Pride of Toowoomba" steam train from Drayton to Wyreema. Saturday May 18th, 2024 Picture: Bev Lacey

Passengers on the "Pride of Toowoomba" Jodi and Harrison Hardacre. Saturday May 18th, 2024 Picture: Bev Lacey

Arriving back at Drayton Station, Madeline Urquhart on the DownsSteam and Tourist Railway "Pride of Toowoomba" steam train from Drayton to Wyreema. Saturday May 18th, 2024 Picture: Bev Lacey

Val O'Hara, Ian Gibson. John Hope and Dan O'Hara, passengers on the inaugural trip for the restored "Pride of Toowoomba" steam train from Drayton to Wyreema. Saturday May 18th, 2024 Picture: Bev Lacey

Drivers on the "Pride of Toowoomba" Stephen Shepherd and Steve Forrest. Saturday May 18th, 2024 Picture: Bev Lacey

Arriving back at Drayton Station, Madeline Urquhart on the DownsSteam and Tourist Railway "Pride of Toowoomba" steam train from Drayton to Wyreema. Saturday May 18th, 2024 Picture: Bev Lacey

Passengers on the "Pride of Toowoomba" at Drayton Station, Paul Rama Ray, Candice Rama Ray, Grace Rama Ray and Archie Rama Ray. Saturday May 18th, 2024 Picture: Bev Lacey

Ross and Isabel Blinco. DownsSteam and Tourist Railway "Pride of Toowoomba" steam train from Drayton to Wyreema. Saturday May 18th, 2024 Picture: Bev Lacey

Drivers on the "Pride of Toowoomba" Stephen Shepherd (left) Neil Hughes and Steve Forrest. Saturday May 18th, 2024 Picture: Bev Lacey

Paulette and Joe Ramia excited to be on the inaugural trip for the restored "Pride of Toowoomba" steam train from Drayton to Wyreema. Saturday May 18th, 2024 Picture: Bev Lacey

Buying his ticket on the inaugural trip for the restored "Pride of Toowoomba" steam train over two years ago, John O'Hara was thrilled to be taking the journey from Drayton to Wyreema. Saturday May 18th, 2024 Picture: Bev Lacey

DownsSteam president Ros Scotney with Clive Berghofer before the inaugural trip for the restored "Pride of Toowoomba" steam train from Drayton to Wyreema. Saturday May 18th, 2024 Picture: Bev Lacey

Val O'Hara, Ian Gibson. John Hope and Dan O'Hara, passengers on the inaugural trip for the restored "Pride of Toowoomba" steam train from Drayton to Wyreema. Saturday May 18th, 2024 Picture: Bev Lacey

Buying his ticket on the inaugural trip for the restored "Pride of Toowoomba" steam train over two years ago, John O'Hara was thrilled to be taking the journey from Drayton to Wyreema. Saturday May 18th, 2024 Picture: Bev Lacey

DownsSteam president Ros Scotney with Clive Berghofer before the inaugural trip for the restored "Pride of Toowoomba" steam train from Drayton to Wyreema. Saturday May 18th, 2024 Picture: Bev Lacey

TRC Mayor Geoff McDonald speaks at the official launch of "Pride of Toowoomba" steam train from Drayton to Wyreema. Saturday May 18th, 2024 Picture: Bev Lacey

Buying his ticket on the inaugural trip for the restored "Pride of Toowoomba" steam train over two years ago, John O'Hara was thrilled to be taking the journey from Drayton to Wyreema. With Mr O'Hara is Ros Scotney. Saturday May 18th, 2024 Picture: Bev Lacey

DownsSteam and Tourist Railway "Pride of Toowoomba" steam train from Drayton to Wyreema. Saturday May 18th, 2024 Picture: Bev Lacey

Waiting for the signal to head off, driver Neil Hughes. DownsSteam and Tourist Railway "Pride of Toowoomba" steam train from Drayton to Wyreema. Saturday May 18th, 2024 Picture: Bev Lacey

Operations Manager at Downs Steam, Andrew Caldwell received his life membership as the "Pride of Toowoomba" steam train left the Drayton platform for it's inaugural journey from Drayton to Wyreema. Saturday May 18th, 2024 Picture: Bev Lacey

Dan O'Hara, John O'Hara and Val O'Hara passengers on the inaugural trip for the restored "Pride of Toowoomba" steam train from Drayton to Wyreema. Saturday May 18th, 2024 Picture: Bev Lacey

Buying his ticket on the inaugural trip for the restored "Pride of Toowoomba" steam train over two years ago, John O'Hara was thrilled to be taking the journey from Drayton to Wyreema. Saturday May 18th, 2024 Picture: Bev Lacey