In a world that sometimes seems consumed by a need for speed, there remains among us those who like nothing better than to slow down, stand back and appreciate the might and majesty of the steam locomotive era and there would be few more passionate about this than long-time train enthusiast and Class of 2002 Alumni, Edward (Eddie) White.

There is little opportunity to indulge such an interest in Warrnambool but, with much persistence and planning, Eddie solved this problem by getting the steam train to come to him and in so doing, captured the hearts and minds of many.

Eddie’s love of trains began when he was a primary school student in Allansford and a train trip to Geelong fanned the flames of his enthusiasm for the locomotive. On this trip Eddie and his father got talking to the Managing Director of West Coast Rail, who them offered them a ride in the cab. Observing young Eddie’s fascination, he encouraged young him to get involved as a volunteer.

From 1998 to 1999, Eddie was volunteering for West Coast Railway and completing train maintenance, cleaning and servicing - a role trusted to only a few volunteers. As a member of Mr Kevin Wright’s photography class Eddie also photographed the train.

Eddie indicated that he had been trying to get the train to Warrnambool on and off for about 15 years. “I’d been hassling them, but there was always a different excuse,” said Eddie.

The disappearance of rail yards and crossings made it logistically quite complicated to get to Warrnambool. “You can’t do it in a day, and you can’t delay the V-Line trains.”

The R711 locomotive was first used in 1951 and was in service around Victoria as both a freight and a passenger train up until 1965-1970, after which it was left on display in a park in Bendigo. After 2002 it was moved to a rail yard in Newport as it needed some maintenance and restoration. The train was used by West Coast Railway from 1999-2002 in normal passenger train service. After restoration in about 2006, Steamrail Vic (then owned by Bendigo City Council) operated the train on the Traralgon, Seymore, Echuca and Bendigo lines as a tourist service.

Eddie went to the Board with a proposal. The cost to get it here was just shy of $30,000. His proposal worked out at $129 per person, return. “I thought was a bit pricey,” he admits, however, the Operations Manager backed Eddie and told him that tickets would sell at that price.

Eddie’s labours finally came to fruition last year when the 1950’s R711 locomotive arrived in Warrnambool for the first time in 16 years to the cheers of an appreciative crowd ready for a sold-out trip to Melbourne. Over 200 tickets sold out in about 10 days and this set a record in Victoria for the fastest steam tour sold.

Passengers largely came from Melbourne, Geelong and Ballarat, however people came from as far as Sydney, South Australia and Queensland to ride on the train. As the train came through, the streets were lined with cars and people coming into Warrnambool and all through Colac. “I was dumbfounded at the number of people who were interested,” says Eddie. “People I didn’t know were coming up and shaking my hand.”

Eddie will cherish a number of memories from the event. He had an exact replica cast of the train’s brass headboard for the event and rode up front from Camperdown when the ashes to long serving head driver, Trevor Kruger (CBC 1964-1966), were scattered through the firebox at Garvoc.

This was initially going to be a one-off event, but following the success of the run, Eddie has plans to get it happening again in the future. He aims to be the first to bring down two steam engines at once.

Edward was recognised for his efforts with a 2019 Local Achievers Award but not only for the sensation he caused with the train visit. His contribution to the Allansford community is extensive. Eddie is a volunteer firefighter, he helps with the community farm, and is an active member of the footy club.

Congratulations Eddie on realising a long-held dream.