locomotives on local tracks

GET ready to roll this weekend as vintage steam trains take to the railways lines in and around Ballarat.

Today marks the start of a three-day Steamrail Victoria event where a double-headed steam hauled transfer train will travel from Newport to Ballarat on a freight only line.

On Saturday and Sunday there will be shuttles running from Ballarat station travelling 18 kilometres to Lal Lal before returning to town.

There will also be a trip on Sunday from Southern Cross Station to Ballarat via ‘the straight.’

Stephen Norgate, booking officer at Steamrail Victoria, said it is ideal to have the event coincide with Ballarat Heritage Festival after this was unable to happen last year due to construction on the line. “I think there will be a lot more people out and about during the festival and it is good to be part of the festival rather than an event which is tacked on after,” he said.

The weekend of events provides an opportunity to reflect on the history of rail travel in Victoria. “I think it is totally different to the modern velocity services that V/Line operate so it gives people a chance to step back to how rail travel was 40 years ago,” said Mr Norgate.

“Old wooden carriages were used until the 1980s and steam trains were part of the railway scenes until probably the 60s.

“The Ballarat Station’s design is really special and it makes the train look like it should be there.”

To view the full timetable and to book tickets for this weekend’s action, visit the Steamrail Victoria website.