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Full steam ahead at Wunghnu Steam Spectacular

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Visitor Owen Witteveen, of the Diamond Valley Club, with his locomotive. Photo by Contributed

It was a weekend of everything steam-powered at the Wunghnu Steam Spectacular.

The event was held at Wunghnu Recreation Reserve on Saturday, September 14, and Sunday, September 15.

Enthusiasts, families and casual observers were treated to a veritable buffet of model-scale locomotives, paddle steamers and even fairground organs.

Cold winds and an overcast sky on the Saturday did not deter punters, who came from NSW and across Victoria to partake in the event.

The Goulburn Valley Rail Club also attended the event, with two layouts on display.

“It was a reasonably good crowd, considering the weather was so cold and miserable,” Moira Miniature Rail Club president Lawrence Kennedy said of Saturday’s festivities.

“But Sunday was absolutely brilliant.”

A restored fairground organ, owned by the Sparks family. Photo: Moira Miniature Rail Club. Photo by Contributed

Mr Kennedy said many families and quite a few children turned out for the event.

“It was a really good mix of people,” he said.

The display of model paddle steamers crafted by Rob Dingey, of Rob’s Model Paddle Steamers, impressed crowds. Photo: Moira Miniature Rail Club. Photo by Contributed

In fact, once the nearby Wunghnu Voice Market was under way on Sunday morning, the crowd swelled beyond organisers’ expectations.

Soon it was time for a trip to the shops to purchase additional provisions for the barbecue.

“We actually ran out of sausages,” Mr Kennedy said.

The Wunghnu Steam Spectacular was organised by the Moira Miniature Rail Club.

Every month, the Moira Miniature Rail Club facilitates run days in Shepparton and Wunghnu.

The club’s Shepparton run day is held at the Emerald Bank Complex on the first Sunday of each month.

On the third Sunday of each month, the club hosts a run day at the Wunghnu Recreation Reserve.

Run days are open to the public.