Leschenault Lady returns to steam in time for the South West Rail and Heritage Centre Open Day

Set to be on demonstration at the South West Rail and Heritage Centre Open Day, the Leschenault Lady will proudly show off a fresh paint job and boiler, along with specialist, white wall drivers or wheels.

The restoration was the joint effort of over ten volunteers at the South West Rail and Heritage Centre who officially got the locomotive running again on July 26 after 15-years of not being in steam.

Rail Heritage Western Australia President Philippa Rogers said when the Centre reopened in 2013, the first question from locals was where is Leschenault Lady.

"It's the question we were asked every time, what's happening to Leschenault Lady, are you going to restore it?," Ms Rogers said.

"It was really a community demand, which is now reflected in the number of people who have registered to attend the event on August 22."

The Leschenault Lady returned to her home in Boyanup after being donated to Rail Heritage Western Australia by the Leschenault Railway Preservation Society, some 25 years ago.

When restoration began seven years ago, Ms Rogers said the first part of the project was to commence with significant boiler repairs.

"Steam locomotives are quite complex and the boiler repairs are very specialist. She was stripped down and the boiler went to an engineering company in Manjimup in 2015."

"When it was returned it was a matter of putting her all back together. Steam locomotives need regular overhauls because of their age and the Leschenault Lady was built in 1898. It's so special that she's over 120 years old," Ms Rogers said.

South West Rail Heritage President Ted Pickston said it had been a long process returning the Leschenault Lady to steam, but that it was important for the history of the South West to have her in operation.

"This is the only steam train we have in Bunbury, so it's nostalgic for her to be running again. It's important to show our history and to get the community talking about it so projects like these can continue," Mr Pickston said.

Running at around 60 to 70 kilometres per hour, Mr Pickston said the Leschenault Lady was once considered a 'work horse' locomotive.

"How it runs is the fire gets heated up, which gets the boiler to a boiling point, which makes steam. You have to get the pressure up to 150 to 160 pounds per square inch to make the pistons work, which goes into cylinders at the front."

The South West Rail and Heritage Centre Open Day will run in conjunction with the 150^th anniversary of Railways in Western Australia.

Activities on the day include a Lego display by the West Australian Brick Society, model railway displays courtesy of the South West Model Railway Club, vintage machinery and veteran cars, ex-Australind and vintage train carriages and more.

The Centre is run in partnership with local community groups including the Boyanup Foundation Blacksmiths and the Capel Men's Shed.

Ms Rogers said seeing the Leschenault Lady in action was a very 'essential experience' because it engaged senses such as sight and smell.

"It's so exciting when you see how the parts interact and the steam and the smell of coal in the air."

"For many people, the Leschenault Lady is a memory from their childhood. From 1968, it ran on special tracks around the Boyanup area and would take people to Donnybrook for the Apple Festival and also to Collie for special events. Many people remember her as a family day out."

The South West Rail and Heritage Centre Open Day will take place on Sunday, August 22 from 9am to 3pm, with demonstrations of the Leschenault Lady kicking off at 9.30am.

The Leschenault Lady will be on display for viewing purposes only and cannot take passengers at this point in time.

As almost 700 people having already registered, Ms Rogers suggests viewers attend in the afternoon.

With limited tickets at the gate, visitors are encouraged to register for their free ticket prior to the day, at https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/784533.