Taree and Wingham, two large towns north of Newcastle, recently celebrated 100 years of rail... two years in the making by the MVH (Manning Valley Historical Society) Centenary Committee along with the support of numerous other groups, steam train travel was re-enacted. A ceremony took place on the 11th May with speeches, ribbon cutting and the unveiling of a plaque by the Premier of NSW, the Honorable Mr Barry O'Farrell and other VIP's. Over 3 days, there were steam train trips from Taree Station to Killawarra and Melinga. We were fortunate to be staying @ Harrington when the celebrations took place, and took the train from Taree to Killawarra on the Monday. It was a fine day, quite hot actually for May, and it was a memorable few hours. I have to say, I had plenty of soot in my eyes from hanging out of a carriage window to capture most of these shots!! It's a long time since as young children, we caught the train with our parents, on holidays to Nambucca Heads up the North Coast... long before we owned a car! The excitement of steam train travel can still be enjoyed in various country towns because of the continuing hard work of railway enthusiasts who restore and maintain these beautiful old engines.