Wangaratta -Whitfield centenary (Vic., Australia)

["Roderick Smith" <rodsmith@werple.net.au>]

On Sunday 7.3 I had the pleasure of attending the excellent
locally-organised celebrations for the centenary of a railway which was
closed in 1953, with few traces today.

A replica of the sadly-defunct NK1 had been built, mounted on an
agricultural bike.  It was posed at various stations, was transported on a
trailer, and ran under its own power at Wangaratta, Moyhu and Whitfield.

A cavalcade of vintage and classic 1950s & 1960s vehicles drove from
Wangaratta to Whitfield, stopping at most station sites (where nameboards
had been preserved for years; some were restored for this event).  At some
sites, local citizens and spoke of their memories of travelling on the
line.

Whitfield was the focus of celebrations.  A typical waiting shelter (with
nameboard) had been erected in the picnic ground (the former station site).
 This was the focus of the ceremonial arrival of the cavalcade, and of
speeches.  There was a photographic display in the local hall, and
railway-enthusiast displays (Wangrail & PBR) at the engineering workshop,
the former loco shed.
After I left, there would be a sports afternoon and an evening bus dance.


-- 
Regards
Roderick Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor