All aboard for historic trains

STEAM trains of yesteryear are on their way back to Ballarat Station this June.

During the King’s Birthday long weekend Steamrail Victoria will be offering a one-way trip from Newport to Ballarat via Gheringhap, or from Ballarat to Southern Cross via Bacchus Marsh.

There will also be short return tips that run from Ballarat out to Lal Lal.

As part of the journeys, passengers will travel in heritage wooden carriages and get a feel for what train trips were like up until the 1980s.

“The carriages are probably the best heritage feature, and they are from the early 20th century,” said Steamrail Victoria booking officer Stephen Norgate.

“You have compartment style seating and a side corridor and the other difference is the windows can open.”

Traditionally the Ballarat steam weekend has coincided with the Heritage Festival, however, due to track maintenance this year, this visit was delayed until the King’s Birthday weekend.

“Steamrail has been associated with Ballarat for the past 40 years,” said Mr Norgate.

“Since the mid to late 90s a depot has been maintained in Ballarat East so we have a good depot out of which to operate.”

Mr Norgate said operating old trains keeps history alive and is a way to draw tourists to Ballarat.

“You can go to a museum and see static items but these are living for people to enjoy,” said Mr Norgate.

“It’s a way of transporting tourism into an area as well and its very important to be able to contribute to an area’s economy by brining tourists in.”

Bookings for the Steamrail are recommended as tickets sold out early last year.

The trips will take place between Friday,9 June until Monday, 12 June and to view the timetable or book tickets visit bit.ly/3BU0WP3 or call 9397 1953.