The most ambitious gathering of vintage steam and diesel vehicles in more than 30 years will assemble to belt out the sounds of yesterday during Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway’s Rhapsody of Road and Rail, over the weekend of 3-5 September, as part of Galvanized heritage festival.
Event organiser Rob Shearer said it was common for vintage trucks or buses to be on show, however this would be the first time in about 30 years that such a large collection of steam road vehicles, vintage cars, trucks, buses and stationary engines would assemble.
“There is going to be a lot of different vehicles and engines on show, including one of the last surviving steam-powered trucks – it’s about 100 years old,” Mr Shearer said.
“We will have vintage vehicles, trucks and buses and on the rail side we have our two heritage diesel locos – including Bubba the little blue shunter from the Mt Isa Mines.
“It’s definitely a great day out for families and a chance to see how it all used to work back when everything was powered via steam or a single-cylinder engine.”
Community, Culture, Arts and Sports Committee chair Cr Andrew Fechner said Council was excited to partner with community groups across Ipswich, including the Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway, to bring Galvanized to life.
“Galvanized promises an exciting trip down memory lane through a series of community-led open days, tours, demonstrations, workshops and live shows,” Cr Fechner said.
“The Rhapsody of Road and Rail will bring together the largest collection of steam road vehicles and vintage vehicles in decades.”
Starting on Friday night, guests can enjoy the Jazz and Traction Festival. Tunes from the much loved The Brass Roots Band will whisk you back to 1930 as the traction engines set a thumping pace. Half hourly shuttle trains will offer a loop service aboard the iconic Sunlander carriages set.
Visitors on Saturday and Sunday will be able to book a seat aboard the 1888-vintage timber carriages hauled by a heritage diesel locomotive from Bundamba Racecourse to Swanbank.
Other attractions include living displays of traction engines, military re-enactments, vintage internal combustion road transport and music from the Ipswich Orpheus Chorale and Amberly Brass Band.
The event is part of the Ipswich Galvanized Heritage Festival, a 10-day celebration of the city’s heritage, and would not be possible without the support of CleanCo Queensland, the Ipswich City Council and Inland Rail.
Bookings are essential for this COVID-safe event with tickets available for purchase at http://www.qpsr.org/store/c7/Rhapsody_of_Road_And_Rail.html
The full Galvanized festival program is available at https://www.ipswichfestivals.com.au/galvanized/
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