Photos: Fans rock n’ roll their way aboard the Elvis Express

Elvis Presley may have "left the building" four decades ago, but his spirit was alive and well at Sydney's main station Thursday, as hundreds of fans boarded trains to an outback festival celebrating their idol. Dressed in colourful sequined jumpsuits, trademark suede shoes and hairsprayed pompadours, lookalikes sang and danced to hits belted out by tribute artists. Their destination aboard the aptly named "Elvis Express" and "Blue Suede Express" was the Parkes Elvis Festival, an annual event celebrating the music and life of Elvis Presley in the New South Wales town of Parkes.

Updated on: Jan 11, 2019 11:59 AM IST

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Elvis impersonator Alfre Vaz poses at Central Station in Sydney, Australia. Dressed in colourful sequined jumpsuits, suede shoes and having used copious amounts of hairspray, hundreds of Elvis lookalikes swarmed Sydney’s Central Station on Thursday singing and dancing to hits belted out by tribute artists. (Mick Tsikas / AAP via REUTERS)

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An Elvis fan uses the train window as a mirror before boarding a train to The Parkes Elvis Festival. The revellers at Central station were boarding the “Elvis Express” and “Blue Suede Express”, two trains put on to take them to the small outback town of Parkes, 300 kilometres west of Sydney. (Peter Parks / AFP)

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The party atmosphere was a fitting tribute to the cultural and musical legacy of “The King”, whose appeal has spanned decades and generations, and reached far beyond his American roots. Each year, Parkes -- whose radio telescope played a pivotal role in bringing Neil Armstrong’s 1969 moon landing to the world -- transforms into a haven for Elvis enthusiasts when it hosts a five-day tribute festival. (Peter Parks / AFP)

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“He was just a gorgeous guy and I just loved all the music and his love songs,” said Lynette Mar, who was set to board the 1950s-era diesel “Blue Suede Express” to celebrate her 60th birthday with friends in Parkes. “It’s just great dance music.” (Mick Tsikas / AAP via REUTERS)

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Mayor of Parkes Ken Keith (C) poses with Elvis fans from Japan before boarding the Elvis Express. First held in 1993 to coincide with the singer’s January 8 birthday, the Elvis Festival has placed the mining town on the tourist map and earned it the moniker “Elvis Capital of Australia”. (Mick Tsikas / AAP via REUTERS)

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An Elvis fan yawns as he waits at Central station before boarding a train to The Parkes Elvis Festival. Regular attendee Jenny Dollin -- who wore a plastic cap shaped like Elvis’ pompadour hairstyle, a white tunic top and bell-bottoms -- said she loved the energy and excitement of the festival. (Peter Parks / AFP)

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Elvis fans look for a friend at Central station before boarding a train. Street markets, lookalike contests, parades, a car show, displays of Presley artefacts and tribute performances are planned in Parkes. (Peter Parks / AFP)

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Over 25,000 visitors are expected to descend on Parkes to take part in the festivities, more than twice the population of the town. (Peer Parks / AFP)

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“I go to Parkes because it’s so much fun. We have a lovely time, I love the Elvises,” Dollin told AFP. “The people at Parkes are so friendly,” Dollin said. “Everyone on the train is very friendly and it’s just a really good time.” (Peter Parks / AFP)