A SPECIAL birthday celebration by the South West Rail and Heritage Centre in Boyanup brought a flood of visitors.
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The celebration was for the iconic locomotive the Leschenault Lady, an Australian-built steam locomotive which recently reached its 115th birthday.
Known in the earlier days as G233, it entered service as a main line locomotive on December 13, 1898, but was relegated to branch line duties as more powerful locomotives came on stream.
For about 30 years it worked between Hopetoun and Ravensthorpe, later around Kalgoorlie, then returned to the metropolitan area before being sent to Bunbury in the 1960s serving as a jetty shunter and odd-job locomotive.
The name Leschenault Lady was bestowed in 1969, after which the Lady and sister G123, the Koombana Queen, worked the vintage train to many destinations in the South West for more than a decade.
Testimony to its status in the railway world, Leschenault Lady and the vintage train welcomed the first Indian Pacific on its arrival at Perth Terminal, in February 1970.
It also visited Geraldton in 1979 to celebrate the centenary of the WA Government Railways and in 1981 was in Perth to celebrate the centenary of the Fremantle to Guildford line.
During the recent birthday celebrations and open day at the centre, much information was provided, covering a wide range of railway services linked with the Boyanup area.
Foundation president Norm Chapple said members had been delighted with the response to the birthday invitation.
"It was the best day we've had," he said.
"Heaps of visitors and so many people remarking on how much they had enjoyed the presentations.
"We still have a long way to go with the repairs and recently sent away the boiler.
"As soon as the old girl's back together there will be much polishing of brass and repainting, so once again, she looks in pristine condition."
Many long-term Boyanup residents well remember and indeed relied on rail services through the town. This included the transportation of fruit, livestock, machinery and parts, butter, cream and wines.
The Boyanup railway station was a major junction servicing not only goods, but also passengers who were commuting to Bunbury and Perth.
The station also provided a large tea room area for passengers.
The Boyanup line branched off the Perth-Bunbury line at Picton, running south via Picton East, Dardanup West and Dardanup.
From Boyanup one line went to Busselton and Augusta, and the other to Pemberton.
The stations from Boyanup were Gwindenup, Argyle, Donnybrook, Brookhampton, Newlands, Balingup, North Greenbushes, Hester, Bridgetown, Yarnup, Manjimup, Diamond Tree and Pemberton.
Mr Chapple said the team of dedicated volunteers would continue with repairs and renovations to their pride and joy.
He was looking forward to seeing steam erupt from the Lady's funnel, giving everyone the satisfaction of knowing their hard work had been successful.
