Saturday July 24 marks a significant milestone for Deloraine.
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On that date in 1971, 50 years ago, a group of local men worked tirelessly to bring a retired E-class locomotive from the tracks onto its resting place - at the now aptly named Apex Deloraine Train Park.
It was a labour of love for those involved with the project - and something the men look back on fondly decades later.
Tasmania's first rail line was established in 1871, and ran from Launceston to Deloraine - with the E-class locomotive presented to the town as part of its celebration of 100 years of rail.
Now, as the town marks 150 years of rail - it also commemorates 50 years since the placement of the famous train.
Deloraine resident Brian Roles was a member of the Apex club back in 1971, and was one of many local men who helped move the train to the park, where the club has lovingly and painstakingly maintained it ever since.
"Deloraine is a community that has always had great service clubs, such as Apex, Rotary, Lions and many more organisations that have worked in the community," Mr Roles said.
"Apex has always been involved with young men 18-40 - they have been lucky enough to be involved with the club building the Huntsman Hideaway up in the Meander Valley, as well as the Deloraine Caravan Park and helping put the train on the park and maintain it since 50 years ago.
"I joined Apex in 1967 and eight months later I was conscripted to national service for two years, after returning 12 months later I returned to civilian life, and that's when I continued and finished my time with Apex, I had 21 years and 11 months as a member."
The train was presented to the municipality, with the Apex club given the honour of moving it into the park.
It was a big challenge for all.
Temporary rail tracks needed to be placed to help move it into the spot, with only the use of a single crane truck and tractors.
"We had to do it in short sections," Mr Roles said.
We were all worried at one point there when they released the brakes and it started moving ... but we kept it on the rails, and slowly it came back into place, but it took all day - we started very early in the morning and it was late in the afternoon when we finished.
Also there on the day was Gary Larcombe, a railway gang member who helped place the train.
"Bruce Murray from Westbury was the team leader, along with myself, Teddy Barrett and Sam Bellinger, all from the local railway maintenance gang in Deloraine," he said.
"We supervised getting the train off the main track, on the road crossing, onto the temporary tracks that were laid in short sections - which only held up road traffic for a short period.
"We pulled the train, which weighed 72 tonnes, with farm tractors - which moved in a slow motion as it was downhill from where the train was to be placed.
"We had to join the sections of temporary rail together and had to weld it in some cases.
"It wasn't an easy operation, it tried to get away when the brakes were released a little which caused a bit of panic.
"On the joints, it took all day before the train was placed, but we did it."
Since that day, it's been carefully maintained by the local Apex club.
One of those members was Roy Cresswell, who himself has fond memories of playing on the train as a child, and now was able to take his own children there.
Mr Cresswell said it didn't take too much work to maintain, with a big paint job a few years back, as well as regular maintenance along with the occasional graffiti removal.
"We keep an eye on it, paint it and look after the windows," he said.
"It is disappointing that we go to all that effort to keep it neat and tidy and vandals get into it, every now and again it's drawn on or a window is broken, but that's a part of it.
"My pop's tractors are the ones in the photos, so it's a really big family thing for us.
"I've now got a daughter who plays on it, and I even play on it every now and again."
The train almost didn't stay in the town though. The idea of moving it due to public liability concerns was once raised.
But according to The Examiner in 2003 about 300 residents rallied together to help save the train.
Addressed by then Meander Valley mayor Mark Shelton, they were encouraged to have their say in a survey - with apparent 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.
And it did stay, but with changes over the years including more safety inclusions.
"The train park is iconic because of the thousands of children who have climbed all over this train over the years," Mr Roles said.
"It's changed over the years, but everyone knows the train park.
"Its condition is fabulous, there's no rust. It's been well looked after by the Apex club, they did all the extra work to restore the train and make it safe for the public.
"I think it's a wonderful place, and I really do think it'll be here forever - I don't think anybody will take this because the town won't let it go, it's part of what defines Deloraine."
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