The project’s concept plans, which include building covers for the locos, were accepted by Collie Shire Council at its meeting last week.

Corporate services manager David Blurton said the plans included building two covers for the Class V1215 and the Class W948 trains.

It also includes a 54RB mechanical shovel, an embankment on the road-side of the trains, a footpath around the Class W948, a ramp and landing at the Visitor Centre entrance, security cameras and landscaping.

The fence at the back of the display will be removed.

Mr Blurton said no allocation for the project had been made in the 2011/12 budget but “a range of funding opportunities” had been identified.

Mr Blurton said members of the community had been asking for the trains to be covered.

“The location and future of the locomotives has been the subject of much debate in the community over the last few years and the final location – where they are currently located – has only recently been resolved by council.”

Mr Blurton said the project’s public consultation period closed on December 8 and a submission was received from local resident, Robert Patuzzi.

Mr Patuzzi said he believed the covers would detract from the trains.

“One of the beauties of these locomotives is their appearance of power and grandeur, but these covers appear like a straight jacket,” he said.

“I think they detract aesthetically from the display and certainly will not stop vandals or graffiti.”

Mr Patuzzi said he would like to see a South West locomotives scheme “that would have these assets used more and paying for themselves”.

“As it is, the locomotives are a potential asset to Collie, but in their present state they are detrimental to the town.”

He also said the abandoned roundhouse at Collie’s western entrance was “a possible asset that could be used”.

Cr John Borlini disagreed with the proposal. He said he would rather see the money spent on the swimming pool.

“Council staff are just about stretched to their limits so far, so for us to go ahead we’re putting on a bit of pressure,” he said.

“We need to justify to the public why we’re spending more money when we’ve already got irons in the fire. I have never heard anyone say they come to Collie to look at the trains.”

Cr Piavanini said the trains were “in a terrible state”.

“What we’ve got up there we should be jailed for,” he said.

“We need to make them safe. Work can be done in a stage development so we get them right. That is what I like about this project.”