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Wellington welcomes return of passenger trains to StratfordWellington Shire Council is delighted to welcome the return of passenger trains to Stratford after a break of some ten years, as the State Government marks the official resumption of services this Sunday 2 May. By Wellington Shire Council - 28th April 2004 - Back to News The focus of Wellington’s celebrations to mark this momentous event will be Stratford rail station itself and the adjacent village green. Residents from the local and surrounding communities are invited to turn out in force to welcome the first train as it pulls in to the platform at 9.30am and to greet the many dignitaries aboard including: Minister for Transport Peter Batchelor; Craig Ingram MP; Member for Gippsland East; and the Shire’s Mayor Jeff Amos.
During the train’s one-hour stop in the town the Minister will take the opportunity to view winning murals in the Wellington Shire Council-supported ‘Welcome Back Your Local Locos’ competition, which have been produced by Stratford Primary School and Stratford Historical Society.
Organisers of the town’s annual Shakespeare Festival, currently underway, will add to the atmosphere as they stage the Avon Village Fair on the village green - complete with dancing, ferret races and entertainment for children.
The council has worked closely with the Department of Infrastructure, local schools and community groups on preparations for the rail return celebrations. The resumption of train services to Stratford, and also Bairnsdale, promises to bring a welcome boost to the region’s economy and open up additional tourism opportunities for the shire.
Said Wellington’s Mayor Jeff Amos: "The reintroduction of this eagerly awaited rail service is very much welcomed by the council. It will provide residents with greater freedom and accessibility to other parts of Wellington, as well as to Bairnsdale and East Gippsland, and will help encourage new visitors to the area.
"The Stratford community has been involved with this project for some time and will now be able to enjoy the advantages of having a rail link in their town. The council would just like to remind all residents and motorists to exercise caution at rail crossings and ensure that they keep safety in mind."
Timetable information for the new service is available from your local V/Line station or by visiting the website www.vline.com.au
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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