Go back in time on classic loco

TRAIN lovers of the vintage kind will be out in force this long weekend to welcome themselves aboard Steamrail Victoria’s classic Glasgow-manufactured R711 locomotive, which sat in the park next to Bendigo Station from 1985 to 1991 and is hence named Spirit of Bendigo.

Passengers can choose to join a day trip to Echuca and back on Saturday (departing 9.30am and returning at 6.10pm) or embark on a shorter, child-friendly 40-kilometre return journey to Woodvale on Sunday or Monday (55 minutes total, various departure times).

Noah Clancey from Steamrail Victoria’s operations team explained what’s attractive about this type of transport.

“I think a lot of people agree that it’s a great way to travel and when you come on these trips, it’s about the experience being on the train,” he said.

“A lot of trains you go on these days, V/Line or Metro, it’s really about just getting from A to B, whereas with these, it’s about enjoying the ride and the destinations.

“The day trip to Echuca is fantastic, but I think the star of the show is experiencing the old school carriages and hearing the whistle of the engine.”

(So) join in while it’s here.

“We don’t get to run these up at Bendigo very often, so while it’s in town, it’s a great opportunity to have a ride. It’s not something you get to do every day.”

The full timetable for the weekend and tickets are available on the Trybooking website.