Historical tractors arrive at outback's 800-metre long Machinery Mile

The remote Queensland outback town of Ilfracombe has welcomed a significant addition to its unique attraction, the Machinery Mile. Four historical tractors, some dating back nearly a century, recently arrived from Brisbane, delivered by a blue-and-white semi-trailer. These prized antique machines, sent from the Queensland Museum, include four historical Caterpillar tractors: a 1950s D2 and three 1930s Twenty-Twos. They were once owned by an Australian earthmoving tycoon. The arrival was met with delight by locals who gathered to see the new additions to their growing collection. The Machinery Mile, founded in 1969, now boasts 190 pieces of industrial and farming equipment, stretching 800 meters along the town's main street beside the Landsborough Highway. The collection preserves the wagons, trucks, and bulldozers that played a crucial role in farming and building Australia, reflecting the region's past as a major wool production hub. Ilfracombe Historical Society treasurer Mick Storch expressed pride in preserving this history, noting the display is engaging and family-friendly, costing nothing to view. The newly acquired tractors will be stored until a suitable shed is constructed for their display, with hopes that the "Machinery Mile" will continue to expand.

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We're kind of doing the deeds of our forefathers in preserving this history.