The steam engine roadside attraction by Austin has just received a $2,500 makeover thanks to a gala and auction.

Chad Bodnarchuk, with the Austin Chamber of Commerce and the Austin and Area Lions Club, spoke about how the gala took place one year ago in February but were just now finally able to complete the job.

"(We) got out there and started painting so we had 11 volunteers spend about 40 hours of their time painting the engine." Bodnarchuk said. "And also had lots of people giving extra time and money towards the project as well."

The engine, just south of the corner of Highways 1 and 34, is looking good as new following the hours put in. It was a group of bikers, however, which really seemed to catch Bodnarchuk's attention.

"It was kind of interesting. That day, we had a group of bikers drive by and pointed out, it was a great grandson, I believe, of the individuals who owned that engine." Bodnarchuk explained. "So that was really cool. What was the chances of somebody stopping by there and seeing their great grandfathers engine?"

The roadside attraction is now completed, see pictures below.

The roadside steam engine
The roadside attraction in Austin