Elvis Presley-themed train departs for Australian tribute festival

SYDNEY- Elvis Presley fans and tribute artists kicked off their annual journey to the Elvis Festival in the Australian regional town of Parkes on Wednesday.

Enthusiasts, dressed in Elvis-style clothing, converged on Central Station in Sydney before embarking on a 357 km (222 miles) westward journey on the Elvis Express, a special train organised by the festival.

The seven-hour railway trip features a continuous line-up of Elvis-themed entertainment, including tribute artists performing some of the King's greatest hits.

"For the last two years I've been told how incredible this festival is ... I made the conscious decision to come this year and I'm already thankful that I've come, one day in," said Louis Brown, an Elvis tribute artist who flew from the UK to attend the event.

Organisers of the Parkes Elvis Festival, which typically takes place during the second week of January every year, expect around 24,000 attendees - double the town's permanent population.

-Cordelia Hsu in Sydney; Editing by Alasdair Pal and Kate Mayberry/Reuters