There may have been no steam engine, but a great day was had on Sunday at Tarana with the heritage train visit and the Farmers' Markets making the village buzz on Sunday, October 27.
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Sadly, John Healey, of Lachlan Valley Railways, had to make the announcement during the week leading up the event that "our brave little steam engine 3237 will not be ready in time".
"The maintenance volunteers and staff have been stuck into it for the last two weeks, but have suffered some setback this week getting the new set of super heater elements to fit in place and I'm afraid we are just going to run out of time."
Instead, the gorgeous 'grandma' of the fleet, the 1950's GM diesel 4204 in her dazzling repainted livery ferried visitors to Tarana.
And certainly the train did not disappoint. The train from Lithgow arrived around 11.30am, lots of happy travellers disembarking for a wander through the markets, then lunch at the Tarana Hotel or Mumma Snow's Cafe.
Another group boarded around midday for the ride to Bathurst and back.
"It was a great day. I took the train to Bathurst with my grandchildren, other family and friends, and it was a marvellous outing for us all," long term Tarana farmer and resident, Debbie Fletcher, said.
"The children really enjoyed it, and the adults loved to see the very familiar countryside from the railway rather than the road. And it was good fun to all be in the old compartment together."
With so many visitors, the markets were really lively, with many of the stall holders saying they had their best day at Tarana ever.
New visitors commented that it was one of the best country markets around, and that they'll be back. As always, a big draw card at the markets is the live music, and it certainly lived up to its great reputation.
The organising committee of the Tarana Markets passed on their thanks to John Healey and his team from Lachlan Valley Railways for arranging the train day, and giving so many such a happy day. And it is hoped that next year another day can be organised, hopefully with the steam engine 3237 on hand for the journey.
