By Kerri-Anne Mesner
5th June 2007 11:05:49 AM
THE DAYS of steam locomotives will be recalled throughout June as part of the 150th anniversary celebrations of the Geelong and Melbourne railway.
The Williamstown Historical Society has set up an exhibition of rail memorabilia to commemorate the anniversary of trains running from Geelong to Newport.
Society president Joan Ridley said the exhibition featured a wide variety of items, including photographs, old railway uniforms and gifts to a past stationmaster, including a gold watch and a portable writing bureau.
The exhibition will be displayed at the Mechanics Institute, Electrica St, Williamstown for the month.
Opening hours are Sunday and Wednesday 2pm to 5pm, with an entry fee of $3 to the museum and $2 for concession card holders.
The exhibition is part of the Geelong Rail 150 activities, which have been organised to celebrate the anniversary of the Geelong and Melbourne railway.
The railway was built and operated by a private company, the Geelong and Melbourne Railway Company. At 64 kilometres, it was the first long-distance country railway line in Australia.
Displays will be held at Geelong, Lara, Little River, Werribee and Williamstown. Celebrations will focus on the weekend of 23 and 24 June, but some displays will extend through June until late July.
All displays and events will be at, or within close walking distance of, railway stations. Visitors are encouraged to travel by rail to the display locations, using the frequent V/Line Passenger train services. Heritage diesel and steam trains will also operate on the Geelong line on Sunday 24 June, providing a link between the display sites.
All V/Line and heritage trains have charges for travel.
Details of all heritage train services are available at the website www.geelongrail150.com.au/trains.php.
