Full steam ahead with train’s anniversary

MARKING 70 years since the Australind Train’s first service, schools and community groups are busy preparing for an open day anniversary celebration to be held on Sunday at the South West Rail and Heritage Centre.

As part of the day’s activities, schools along the train’s route were invited to enter the Australind Art Array for an opportunity to portray, model, represent or interpret the train using any medium or selection of media.

Beavering away at art creations to be displayed on the day, teacher Debbie Staub said River Valley Primary School kindergarten students were excited to bring the train to life with their projects. “It is a great way for the kids to learn about the community and where they belong in it,” she said.

“It is also interesting for them to learn how trains have changed in the last 70 years.”

Using cardboard, pop-sticks, bottle caps, aluminium foil and paint to create model trains, the students’ creations would be judged for cash prizes.

“They have done it as a technology and enterprise project so we made up a proper plan and decided on a mixture of man-made and natural materials,” Mrs Staub said.

Apart from the creative displays, the original Australind buffet car would also be exhibited on the day which will start at 10am.