Loco Shed plans chugging along just fine

The open day aimed to share concept plans and works completed on the shed so far, lifting the veil of mystery that had cloaked the building in recent years.

The roughly 600 attendees were able to walk through the shed and read about the building’s history and the aim of turning it into a museum and function space.

A large screen showed images of the building at various times in its history, and a merchandise stand sold polos, T-shirts and hats to support the initiative.

Radio EMFM 104.7’s Dot Hammond played music at the event, and the Echuca Lions Club put on a barbecue for attendees.

Steam locomotive R707, The City of Melbourne, appeared at the event, offering attendees the chance to see a historic train in action.

Loco Shed Echuca president Dick Phillips said he was happy with the turnout at the event and was thankful the weather allowed for so many people to attend.

He was also happy that people could give the committee feedback on the plans for the Loco Shed.

“The good thing is the rain stayed away, we had people lined up at the gate before 9am, and we have had a steady stream come through so far,” he said.

“It’s fantastic to see the City of Melbourne R707 steam train parked on the turn table; many people probably didn’t realise the turntable was operative.

“It’s been a great opportunity for us to receive feedback on our plans for the future.”

Mr Phillips acknowledged the support the Loco Shed had received and said he was looking forward to opening the building more frequently once more funding was secured and renovation works were completed.

He said he hoped that once the plans were completed, the Loco Shed would once more be a vibrant and self-sustaining hotspot of Echuca.

“We are registered as a museum, and we would love to have it open more often, but there are some construction repairs that need to be done, so once we get a couple of those things sorted out, we will be able to open on a more regular basis,” he said.

“This is a heritage-listed building, so it needs to be preserved, but the cost of maintaining it is a lot, so it can’t just be left to the state or federal government to keep pumping money into it.

“By renovating the building and turning it into a museum and a function area, it’ll be self-sustaining and mean that we can put money back into the community.

“It’s living history, and it is a part of the whole historic railway precinct in Victoria.”