THE Gingin and Chittering Lions Club will celebrate restoration of the historic Gingin Railway Station next month.
The club will host the June 3 celebration at the Jones Street station, with Pearce MHR Christian Porter and Shire of Gingin representatives attending.
Restoration project co-ordinator Mike Miller said works started almost five years ago to restore the National Trust building, which first opened in 1891.
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READ NOW“It is part of the history of this town,” he said.
“It was a private railway at that time (used) by farming people to get their produce and cattle and sheep back to the city.”
Mr Miller said it cost about $320,000 to restore, with much of the work done by volunteers or in-kind donations of skills and materials.
They also brought in specialists for some aspects of the restoration, such as installing new plaster ceilings.
“We had to bring it back as close as it was originally,” he said.
The last passenger train came through the station in 1972, and it had been vacant for several years before the Lions project started.
“The track is still being used by CBH; the wheat trains come up virtually daily,” Mr Miller said.
“We hope down the track to get a steam train up here twice a year (as a tourist venture).”
He said a cafe, tourist shop and gallery space had reopened in the station about two years ago, with restoration works continuing.
“Everything inside the station is up and running,” he said.
Mr Miller said the June 3 event would allow the club to show its appreciation to all those who contributed financially and the volunteers.
THE ESSENTIALS
What: reopening of historic Gingin Railway Station When: 11am on Saturday, June 3 Where: Lot 500 Jones Street, Gingin Who: Gingin and Chittering Lions Club
