OBERON TARANA HERITAGE RAILWAY NEWS–12

Special Trip for Fathers’ Day

The Official opening of the Oberon Tarana Heritage Railway Inc. project to restore the branch line as a tourist railway will be carried out on Fathers’ Day (Sunday 4th September). This will coincide with arrival of steam locomotive 3801 on its tour to Orange. MP for Bathurst Mr. Gerard Martin will officiate at the opening ceremony and he will also take the opportunity to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the operation of railways in NSW. Oberon Council Mayor Bob Hooper and Mrs. Helen Hooper will represent the district at the ceremony.

The 150 Years of Railway celebrations at Tarana will commence at 10.30 with entertainment provided by the Lithgow Pipe Band. Lunch and refreshments will be available at the hotel and at stalls set-up by the Oberon Tarana Heritage Railway. Tea, coffee, soft drinks, sausage sizzles, kebabs and cakes will be available. Visitors are invited to wear Period Costume (1800s) and certificates for the best Period Costume(in a number of categories) will be provided.

Shane Moorhead’s steam roller will be on site for the day and hay rides will be available for young and old.

Steam locomotive 3801 will be making a whistle stop at Tarana station at 11.29 and will return at 7.30pm.There is LIMITED SEATING AVAILABLE for the journey to Orange and return. The cost of a return fare Tarana-Orange-Tarana is $60 for adults and $40 for school children. To confirm a booking ring 3801 Ltd on 1300 65 3801. It may be possible to purchase a ticket on the train on the day but there is no guarantee of seats being available.

If you would like to make a special outing for Fathers’ Day we have a Coach leaving Oberon (Opposite Thrifty Link) at 9.30am. It will make a guided tour to Tarana via Hazelgrove and Carlwood Stations pointing out special features of the Oberon Branch line. The coach will return after lunch so you needn’t worry about driving. The fare for the return journey is $10.00. Contact Peter Culley on 6336 0228 for reservations – seatingis limited.

There will be a variety of “Guessing Competitions” on the day with a high-value hamper and numerous other articles up for grabs. Don’t forget to bring your camera. Photographers may be able to calculate approximate times for photo opportunities from the following timetable –

Lithgow 10.25, Tarana 11.29, Bathurst 12.14, Blayney 13.20 and Orange 14.10

Further information- contact OTHR Secretary, Rick Fletcher on 6336 1787.

Oberon Tarana Heritage Railway Inc.meets on the first Wednesday of the month,7.30pm at Hazelgrove.

Photo Caption:

3801 prepares for a Heritage Rail Tour from Sydney Central railway station