Business award finalist’s night trains return
After a two-year break, the volunteer team at Walhalla Goldfields Railway has announced they will be running the popular winter night trains twice a night each Saturday in August.
“We’ve been running night trains for many years and have always received great feedback from our passengers. It’s a pretty exhilarating feeling, riding the train in the dark with the carriages all lit up” said board chair and driver Phillip Milbourne.
The trains will start at Walhalla Station at 6pm and 8pm each Saturday night in August. The hour-long trip will take passengers through Stringers Gorge and over the iconic trestle bridge to stop briefly at Thomson Station before returning to the station.
Event organiser Barb Riches said she hopes the night trains will “bring people out of their winter blues”.
She reminded passengers to “dress warmly and bring your beanies as the carriages are open on the sides. We’ve got free hot chocolates and marshmallows around the fire at Thomson Station and we’re looking forward to seeing all the pink cheeks and big smiles from passengers”.
The Railway had to shelve the night trains for the past two years due to uncertainty with lockdowns.
“It takes a lot of effort to run the trains at night. We’ve got a really passionate small team of volunteers who are making this happen and we couldn’t be more grateful” said Mr Milbourne.
The Walhalla Goldfields Railway is one of 10 Baw Baw Shire finalists in this year’s Gippsland Business Awards. The Railway is nominated in the Tourism Activities and Attractions category.Each of the category winners will be announced at the gala presentation event on Friday 26 August at Federation University’s Gippsland campus in Churchill.
The major winner, the Gippsland Business of the Year, will come from the category winners and will also be announced at the ceremony.
Walhalla Goldfields Railway office manager Mel Beasley said the nomination was a “boost for the whole town” after a challenging few years for Walhalla.New volunteers are always welcome at the Walhalla Goldfields Railway, those interested can email office@wallhallarail. com.au to find out more about volunteering opportunities.
Adult tickets for the night train are $45, children under 16 and concession card holders are $40 and WGR members ride free. Family tickets can also be purchased (two adults, and two children) for $130. Hot food and drinks can be purchased from the Goods Shed Café on the Walhalla Station platform and there are rugs and hot water bottles available to borrow.
Bookings are essential and can be made online at www.walhallarail.com.au/events-page or enquiries to 0491 741 822.