Would you like a siding with that? Q Train wins two awards

The Q Train has won two peak industry excellence awards, two months shy of their first anniversary.

The Drysdale-Queenscliff gourmand rail operator won Restaurant & Catering Australia’s prestigious Victorian Tourism Restaurant and Consumer Vote awards at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on July 30.

The Q Train was also a finalist in this year’s Telstra Business Awards in the “emerging and energised” category for Victorian businesses held at Crown’s Palladium Room on July 31.

The Q Train, which travels along the heritage Bellarine Railway between Drysdale and Queenscliff, opened for business last October and is the brainchild of Michael Barclay and Andrew Bridger.

The Q Train offers two classes of dining, Q class and first class; Q class is public dining with a six-course degustation; first class has seven private dining compartments for a more romantic experience for couples with matched local wines.

The Q Train’s handsome refurbished dining cars offer diners a delicious rail journey, and unique views of Swan Bay and the Bellarine.

The moving restaurant’s restored six carriages once travelled Queensland rails as part of the “Sunlander” running between Brisbane and Cairns.

Their converted interiors now offer a first-order menu by chef Greg Egan utilising delectable local produce such as Sage Farm beef and lamb, Portarlington mussels, Barongarook pork and Wattle Grove honey.

Locally-crafted beers, ciders and exclusive red and white wines serve as the perfect accompaniment to the dining menu.

The R&CA Awards for Excellence are independently judged awards that recognise exceptional service and culinary talent across Australia, R&CA represents 45,000 cafes, restaurants and catering businesses across Australia.