Extra tickets on sale as Q150 Steam Train nears Townsville

Date: Wednesday, 27th May 2009

Extra tickets are being offered on the Townsville runs of the Q150 Steam Train due to overwhelming demand.

Q150 today notified Townsville City Council it would be placing an extra carriage on the heritage train, enabling a further 40 tickets to be available on each trip.

The council’s TicketShops will start selling the additional tickets at 9am tomorrow (Thursday). Tickets will be available at Townsville Civic Theatre and Riverway Arts Centre or over the phone on 4727 9797.

The extra tickets are available on these journeys:

Friday, 29 May 2009: 10.20am, 11.40am, 1pm

Saturday, 13 June 2009: 8.45am, 10am, 11.40am, 1pm, 2.15pm, 4pm

The Q150 Steam Train is due to pull into the Townsville Railway Station this Friday morning at 9.20am and be officially greeted by Mayor Cr Les Tyrell.

Cr Tyrell said Townsville’s response to the Q150 Steam Train had been nothing short of fantastic.

"This is a wonderful response, one of the biggest in the State, and it’s great news that Q150 has been able to provide an extra carriage and more tickets for Townsville residents," he said.

"It’s little wonder that locals have taken to this celebration with such enthusiasm. Railways have played a major role in developing regional and remote parts of Queensland and Townsville itself has had a very important connection with railway workshops.

"This promises to be a great day out – or two great days out – for young and old alike."

On board the Q150 Steam Train will be representatives of the Burdekin Shire Council and a student delivering a message of goodwill, outlining their connection with the previous region. In turn, a student from Townsville will travel on the Mount Isa leg of the journey.

In Townsville, 150 trees will also be planted as a carbon offset initiative and commemorative gesture.