The E-class loco was presented to Deloraine in 1971 as part of its celebration of 100 years of rail.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Tasmania's first rail line was established in 1871 and ran from Deloraine to Launceston.
Meander Valley Council has been told by its insurers that the locomotive, as it stands, is an unacceptable risk.
But Apex president John Kearns told the rally there should be an open and honest debate about the risks associated with the train's retention.
"The public liability concerns should not be the shield that the council can hide behind," he said.
"The notion that the train must be made risk-free is not based in fact."
Mr Kearns's argument was supported by Mark Smith, a Deloraine GP for 32 years.
"I was here when the train came and only one child has sustained an injury in that time that required more than a single visit to the doctor for cuts or scratches," he said.
"But there have been four people killed in traffic accidents in the main street, two people have drowned and lots of kids have fallen out of trees in that time.
"Should we chop the trees down or fence them off? There's some risk in everything we do."
Mayor Mark Shelton urged residents to respond by mid-January to a survey form prepared for the council to allow councillors to make a decision based on ratepayers' requirements.
But there was disquiet from residents who said that the only options being canvassed were fencing in the engine or removing it.
A resounding "No!" emanated from the crowd when retired farmer John Lord asked if residents would allow the train to be taken from the park.
But not everyone was in favour of the train's continued presence in the children's playground.
A distraught Margaret Fitzsimmons, of Deloraine, said that she hadn't slept for three days, thinking about what she was going to say at the rally.
She broke down after arguing passionately with other residents for the Don River Railway to restore the train, and left before the rally started.
"I think people are very short- sighted. If it wasn't for the Don River Railway trains like the Abt would all be rusting away in parks," she said.
"If the train's still here in 2052, do you think the little boys then will thank the young fellows here today for being able to look at a heap of rust?
"My late husband (Noel) was a train buff and his ashes were scattered from the train bridge just above the park.
"He used to come down (to the train) with a tear in his eye about what was happening to it."
Cr Shelton said a council decision would not be made until April or May.