It’s not every day that I get invited to a book launch. This one was something special. Wagga’s Noelene Milliken was launching her first book in conjunction with the Regional Heritage Transport Association, which you probably know better as the Junee Roundhouse.
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The book is mostly fact, partly fiction, with a good dose of folklore. As the author said at the launch, “If the fact doesn’t stand up, that’s the fiction, and if the fiction doesn’t stand up, then that’s the folklore.”
Unlike Thomas, Fanny was a real tank engine that worked in the Junee Roundhouse for the last 15 years of its service with the NSW Government Railways. This tiny engine was ideal for work inside the roundhouse, and nearby engine servicing operations.
In 1959 Fanny led Junee engines to Wagga for the 80th anniversary of the Wagga railway station, painted in resplendent green and black, complete with the coat of arms. Today that coat of arms still exists, in a shed at the Wagga railway station.
Unfortunately, the real Fanny was scrapped at the end of her Junee life. She was over 80 years old!
Australia has never valued its history, and particularly in the mid-1960s - progress was rushing so fast that none of us had any time for the past.
A couple of similar engines did survive, and one can be seen at the Goulburn Rail Heritage Museum.
Noelene told me after the launch that many of the ideas for the story had come from the hundreds of people she has escorted around the Roundhouse.
Older Junee people remember Fanny. The snippets they told Noelene are now part of episodes in the book.
These folklore stories include Fanny’s habit of creeping away if left unattended. Apparently, the panting of the engine was enough to let the worn regulator move. “Fanny’s away,” someone would call!. One time the consequences were disastrous, when she crept towards the open turntable pit, and fell in!
The book is written to engage children, but adults will enjoy the nostalgic photographs, including one of a “34 class” engine. The “34s” were unique to Junee, hauling trains to Albury and to Hay.
I was telling my seven-year-old granddaughter about the book as we drove home from school. “When are we going to ride in a train again, Grandpa? You know, a real train with smoke!” was the reaction. Children love old trains.
Noelene Milliken’s interest in trains was sparked by her father who worked for the railways in Albury. Noelene trained as a teacher in Wollongong.
At that time a diesel-hauled train took her to Moss Vale, connecting with a steam train to Wollongong via Robertson.
Many Wagga TAFE apprentices would remember Noelene.
Before her retirement she taught language, literacy and numeracy skills, supporting young trade students. Now she volunteers at the Roundhouse, where she conducts tours and is part of the Tuesday maintenance and renovation team.
She describes Junee Roundhouse as “unique”. It works in partnership with the “working” side of the Roundhouse, where modern engines are serviced and reconditioned. “There’s never a dull moment,” she says, “I escorted 112 visitors on the last day I was on duty, so the museum creates plenty of interest,” she added.
Fanny the shunting tank engine was printed in Wagga. It is an absorbing story, available at the Roundhouse.
