The 1908 Roby three-speed that once sat as “junk” on a family’s land, came to life with a gush of steam and a loud toot, after a massive restoration program returned the machine to a pristine condition and full working order.

Dick Redman’s father-in-law, Ernie Rodgers found the engine on a piece of ground when he bought a property and gave the machine to Pioneer Village.

Tony Redman once played on the engine, thinking it of no more than a piece of junk.

“I never dreamed I’d see it working and looking so good he said.

His daughter, Gemma was present to see the engine puff into action, along with her son, Max, so that four generations of the family got to witness the event.

Clr Darrell Barnes, Gemma’s father-in-law said he recalled the use of steam engines at Tingha as recently as 1960.

“Steam was part of our lives growing up,” he said.

“It’s great to see history come to life.”

The engine was originally purchased by Wee Waa Council and given to the museum in 1970.

At a restoration cost of $100,000, the engine is steaming back into the future.