Friday 12 January 2018

Elvis Blue Suede Express Pulls into Parkes

The Blue Suede Express
The Elvis Blue Suede Express was one of two special trains that travelled from Central Sation in Sydney to the Parkes Elvis Festival yesterday. Both trains were full of about 160 Elvis fans looking forward to a full program of Festival events in the NSW country town of Parkes.

Parkes has been staging the Elvis Festival for the past 26 years. The theme of this year's festival is the ’68 Comeback Special, in celebration of 50 years since the King appeared on television in a special unplugged performance that helped re-launch his career.

Many of the passengers dressed up as Elvis, Priscilla, or a person from the 50's era. Elvis music was played on board, which encouraged many to dance the time away.

On board passengers received a welcome snack, Parkes Elvis Festival Showbag, Bus pass valid for unlimited use on official Festival shuttle bus services, and a ticket to the Parkes Leagues Club for "The Ulimates" show at 7.30 on Sunday night. Food and drinks were available on board to help satisfy hunger and thirst.

Elvis Tribute Artists, dressed in typical Elvis gear, were on board each train to entertain the passengers as a special treat. They moved from carriage to carriage singing a selection of popular Elvis songs much to the delight of those on board.

It was my honour to sit in the same carriage as Glenn A. Baker who shared many a story of people he has come to know over the years in the music industry. Glenn will be presenting an Elvis Music Symposium on Saturday afternoon, and is one of the judges of the 2018 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Competition.

Elvii and Miss Priscilla with John Healey from Lachlan Valley Railways
The Blue Suede Express was run by Lachlan Valley Railways, a not for profit group of heritage train enthusiasts.This group is based in Cowra and seeks to preserve Australia's railway past. The Blue Suede Express featured a luxury heritage passenger train the Blue Zepher. Passengers had the choice of a sitting car (similar to NSW TrainLink XPT seating arrangements), or in the ex-Indian Pacific dining car, or Southern Aurora Lounge Cars. The Blue Suede Express will return its passengers back to Sydney on Monday.

A large crowd of people welcomed both trains to Parks. The passengers then moved on to their various accommodation options in Parkes and to their Elvis Festival evening entertainment options.

LVR OFFICE
3 Campbell St, Cowra NSW 2794
(02) 6342 4999
inquiries@lvr.com.au
https://www.lvr.com.au/

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