Steam Rail Victoria, is a railway preservation group, based at Newport Railway Workshops. Steam Rail own a varied collection of both, steam and diesel locomotives. As well as, other vintage rolling stock. On most weekends they run day tours to different locations in regional Victoria. They also occasionally run suburban shuttles, and overnight trips.
Early last year, I attended their open day in Newport. I had wanted to go on one of their day tours since then. However, living far from the city, it complicated it a bit. Given the early start and late return, it meant staying overnight somewhere a bit closer. This past weekend, my wife and I decided to do it.
This Steam Rail tour was to the regional Victorian town of Dunolly. Although, as the train stopped at Maryborough, we got out there instead. There were three diesels being used on this trip, all dating from the 1950s/60s. These were S313, T364 and S301.
The S class diesels were introduced between 1957 and 1961 and soon replaced steam hauled services on interstate passenger and freight operations. These diesels must have seemed futuristic, given the all-steel, sleek streamliner design. The T class diesel, when introduced between 1955 and 1968, also superseded steam power on the railways. Both diesel classes can be seen hauling heavy freight to this day.
We had purchased excursion class which was a non-airconditioned compartment. There were a few other people sharing the compartment. This made it a bit cramped but we were able to get up and walk around. As we set out from Southern Cross station we got talking. They explained that they both had worked for the railways. I suspect, I could have had a very engaging conversation with them had it not been for the fact we were close to the front of the train. As the window was open, it was loud with the roar of the diesel engine.
As mentioned above, were we able to walk around to air-conditioned parts of the train such as the kiosk or souvenir shop. Near the kiosk there was seating set up, so we spent some time in that area watching the Victorian countryside roll by past farms, bush land, and groups of kangaroos. So, all in all, it was a nice day trip; not sure when we’ll do it again. Perhaps a rail preservation group, a little closer to us. There is one based out at Seymour called Seymour Railway Heritage Centre that also run day trips aboard vintage locomotives.
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