Birthday cake, a jumping castle, a classic British comedy film, talks, a photo exhibition and the chance to build your own railway.
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That’s how Orange will be celebrating the 140th anniversary of the arrival of the first steam train back on April 19, 1877.
Organiser Liz Edwards said the party starts with the opening of a free photo exhibition of about 70 historic images at the Orange City Library at 6pm on Tuesday April 11.
“There’s some great images there,” Ms Edwards said.
The exhibition will run until April 22.
When the XPT arrives from Sydney about noon on Wednesday April 19 a big crowd is expected at the station.
A free family day will run from 11am-2pm featuring birthday cake, a jumping castle and a barbecue.
“Orange was a hugely important part of the railways,” Ms Edwards said.
She said it carried freight from the orchards and the Email factory to markets away from Orange and had a major engine shed and barracks at East Fork where drivers, firemen and other staff stayed.
The celebrations switch to the Odeon 5 Cinemas at 6.15pm ahead of a 7pm screening of a British comedy classic film, The Titfield Thunderbolt, about one village’s efforts to save its railway from closure.
Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for primary school children. Call 0402 412 188 or 6362 8647 to book.
Orange City Council will be running a free one-hour school holiday workshop over three days from April 19-21 at the Orange Regional Museum where children aged 5-11 can help build a railway.
Children in each session get to add scenery, buildings and track.
- Councillor Ron Gander
Council Services Policy Committee chair Cr Ron Gander said it was a fun hands-on activity similar to the volcano building program in January.
“I’m expecting this one, called Rolling Railways, to be well received also, as children in each session get to add scenery, building and track to the large scene on the floor depicting the journey from Blayney to Orange.”
It is free but bookings are essential on 6393 8444 or email museum@orange.nsw.gov.au
And on Sunday April 23 there is a seminar with five speakers including former State Rail boss David Hill at Kenna Hall from 10am-4pm about the railway’s history.
Tickets cost $30. Call 0402 412 188 or 6362 8647.