The 100,000th passenger to travel on the heritage Mary Valley Rattler railway has been identified and received their official acknowledgement at Gympie Station.
The passenger was Andrew Poland, from the Sunshine Coast, who rode the railway in October.
Andrew and Carolyn Poland were presented with two VIP club car tickets and a Gympie regional produce and souvenir hamper to recognise the milestone.
A special anniversary cake was cut for the occasion, and cupcakes offered to all passengers on the day’s train service to Amamoor.
While the Mary Valley Rattler service has a heritage dating back over 100 years, Andrew Poland was identified as the 100,000th passenger to jump on board the Rattler after it recommenced services in October 2018.
Despite bushfires, Covid, closed borders, lockdowns and other disruptions, the Mary Valley Rattler has weathered the storm and remained on track over the past five years, providing an iconic tourism attraction to the people of Gympie and to visitors from all around Australia and the rest of the world.
Mary Valley Rattler general manager Linda Barry said the milestone was a great tribute to the team of volunteers who had put the Rattler back on the tracks and maintained its service during such challenging times.
“We are thrilled to have passed such a huge landmark, and it gives us great confidence for the future,” Ms Barry said.
“We have had so many challenges this year, but also so many triumphs, with the Rattler being included in Tourism and Events Queensland’s prestigious Best of Queensland Experiences Program, and taking centre stage in global TV series such as World’s Most Scenic Railway Journeys and the American reality TV show, The Mole.
“Even more importantly, we were able to secure a long-term agreement with the Gympie Regional Council to transfer control of the Mary Valley Rattler rail operation to the Rattler Railway Company and provide funding support over the next four years as the Rattler rebuilds its tourism markets.
“So, there is a huge amount to celebrate today, and we’re happy to share the day with our wonderful volunteers, local dignitaries and our passengers.”
