The Hydro Express
We took a trip on a train, and we thought about you.
Saturday 24 February and Sunday 25 February, Greg Poppleton authentic 1920s-30s singer, and Grahame Conlon guitar, serenaded passengers on two special historic train trips run by friends at the NSW Rail Museum.
And here am I, holding a contemplative pose, thinking about you and the 1920s songs I’m about to sing. The location is the wooden 1920s guards van, the duo’s ‘green room’, in one of these historic trains…
SATURDAY – THE HIGHLANDER
The train on Saturday was The HIghlander, a 1950s diesel. Here it is at Bowral…
The Highlander took passengers to Bowral in the Southern Highlands for lunch.
Then, the train traveled along the scenic Unanderra-Moss Vale railway line, down the Illawarra escarpment and returned to Sydney via the South Coast and through the Royal National Park.
SUNDAY – THE HYDRO EXPRESS
On Sunday, the Hydro Express took party-goers on a scenic day trip to the Blue Mountains for High Tea at the historic Hydro Majestic Hotel during the Roaring 20s Festival.
Here’s Grahame and I on The Hydro Express…
The Roaring 20s Festival is the festival where I’ve been singing for dancers with the band at the Great Art Deco Ball since 2012.
At Central Station, before heading up the mountains, I took this snap of The Hydro Express’ observation carriage…
And here was the view from the observation carriage as The Hydro Express pulled into Medlow Bath station in the mountain mist…
And a photo of myself and one of the passengers on the observation desk, showing off our 1920s double-breasted pinstripe suits!
To book Greg Poppleton’s 1920s-30s band and orchestra for your event,
contact Tony Jex at OzManagement…
0407 941 263
info@ozmanagement.com
As I open heavy doors and brace myself as we swish and sway, I pass ladies in their finery, a few gents in spiffing suits and fedoras and meet singer Greg Poppleton serenading passengers in the front carriage. Poppleton is a well-known swing band leader and key performer at the Great Art Deco ball held in Katoomba's Carrington Hotel during the festival. Today, minus his band and old-style megaphone, he's singing tunes of the 1920s and '30s to a rapt and certainly captive audience as he moves from carriage to lounge car.
Caroline Gladstone
A train trip back in time
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