POLLY the traction engine has returned to its old position in front of the Collie Visitor Centre.
Create a free account to read this article
or signup to continue reading
After being spruced up with a sandblast and repainted, the 7.5-tonne engine was put back into its former position on Monday .
Collie Shire Council corporate services executive manager David Blurton said other steam locomotives kept at the centre had also been repainted at a cost of about $48,000.
The steam trains were too heavy to be moved and were refurbished on site. The repaints were the first part of a council plan to redevelop the area in front of the centre.
Mr Blurton said the council needs to get about $200,000 to build more paths, gardens and a retaining wall.
Plaques detailing the history of each train will be complete in about a month.
There were many positive comments from the community about the improvements to the engines, Mr Blurton said. "There are lots of train buffs around," he said.
Centre manager Fran Kenneally was pleased the restoration of the engines was the first stage in the council's proposed redevelopment. "I think the guys who did the work did an awesome job," Ms Kenneally said.
She said she no longer felt embarrassed at the state of the engines.
The first thing visitors did when they stopped at the centre was inspect the engines and take photographs, Ms Kenneally said.
Many had complained that they were rusting and needed painting.
She believed the repainted trains will bring more visitors to Collie.
"People just love steam engines," she said.
"Now they're looking so magnificent, they will be a huge drawcard."
