HOT RAIL DEAL

AUSTRALIA’S love affair with heritage rail travel continues with the launch of one of the biggest vintage rail trips ever offered – a five-day journey in July from Sydney to Melbourne and back using 10 different historic steam and diesel locomotives dating back to 1915. The itinerary will feature Bernie Baker – a colourful loco driver who appeared in Foxtel’s popular Railroad Australia show.

Passengers will depart Sydney on July 18 by diesel loco to Albury to overnight.

The next morning, passengers will travel aboard the former express The Spirit

of Progress to Seymour to change to another historic train to Melbourne for a two-night stay. A full-day excursion is offered in Melbourne, starting with a trip to Geelong hauled by the restored 104-year-old A2986 steam loco.

Guests will return from Drysdale to Queenscliff aboard the historic Bellarine Railway before rejoining their train at Geelong for the gold-mining city of Ballarat and to Melbourne under steam – the first time an A2 has hauled by itself via Bacchus Marsh in 56 years.

On day four, the 1951 R707 steam engine will take guests to Newport Heritage Rail Yard to view historic trains up close on a private visit before venturing north in heritage carriages, including two cars from the Overland service, to see more vintage rolling stock at the Seymour Railway Heritage Centre. Diesel locos will complete the journey back to Sydney, with an overnight stay in Albury.

Including four nights’ accommodation, excursions and 10 meals, the five-day Rail Spectacular costs from $2590 per person, twin-share, and $2990 for solo travellers.