A generation or two ago would remember running their toy trains or wind-up Mechano sets around a makeshift track in their parents’ lounge room or kitchen.
Junee’s Roundhouse Museum chairman Keith Ison said the annual Rhythm’n’Rail Festival appeals to men channelling their inner child.
“They get to see it again and almost relive it,” he said.
But this time they can crawl on the trains, take the wheel in the driver’s seat and show their children what they used to ride on when they were younger.
While Mr Ison said the festival is a “boy thing”, he admits that more than a few girls are interested too.
“A lot say they are going to stay in the car then two hours later they are still here,” he said.
Mr Ison is responsible for ensuring the maintenance of the equipment year-round but on Rhythm’n’Rail weekend he wears many hats, including tour guide and customer service provider.
Final numbers are still being tallied but Mr Ison predicts up to 1000 people came through the Roundhouse Museum at the weekend, including 450 paying adults and their children, who entered for free.
“As far as we are concerned, it was a resounding success,” Mr Ison said.
“We had a lot of people who were there from 9am today (Sunday) that didn’t fit it all in yesterday.
"In the hot, sweltering conditions we did very well.
“We couldn’t have asked for a better two days.”
Rhythm’n’Rail committee members expected 5000 people to attend the festival but those numbers will not be known until later in the week.
Mr Ison did not get much of a chance to leave the Roundhouse but when he ventured out to get some lunch, he said food vendors were packed in the town’s centre.
The market stalls and the show and shine display also received a lot of attention from those venturing into the open to catch the breeze amidst the heat.
“It’s a great boost for the tourism dollar,” he said.
“Motels and the caravan park were sold out for three days and the newsagency sold out of papers.”
Mr Ison said the museum attracts more guests in two days during the Rhythm’n’Rail Festival weekend than in a normal three-to-four month period.
