Join Slow Rail Journeys for a festival of locomotives on this unique Single-Day Slow Rail Journey from Melbourne to Maldon and back.
SATURDAY 14th SEPTEMBER 2024.
Adults fare from $135. Please note that locomotives are subject to change, including the use of steam and the locomotives provided by the Victorian Goldfields Railway.
All aboard Slow Rail Journeys' festival of locomotives travelling from Melbourne to Maldon's spectacularly preserved gold rush streetscape.
Board the train at Southern Cross Station and enjoy a run Castlemaine behind steam locomotive R707 and diesel locomotives from the 707 Operations collection, some of which are sporting a new livery and making their debut run after a massive restoration effort and trip to the paint shop.  Once we arrive in Castlemaine, the train will be shunted to the scenic Victorian Goldfields Railway, where newly back-in-service steam locomotive J549 will take over to pull our carriages along the Victorian Goldfields Railway to Maldon.Â
Winding through forest and open land in Central Victoria, the Victorian Goldfields Railway is a remnant of the extensive branch line railway system that served rural Victoria from around 1880 to the 1970s. Branch line railways, radiating from the main lines, reached into sparsely populated regions, providing transport for farm produce, tapping natural resources, and promoting the settlement of new areas. You will enjoy one of the few opportunities to travel on a single-seat journey from Melbourne to Maldon.
On arrival in Maldon, stroll through one of Victoria's best-preserved street-scapes or perhaps a self-guided walking tour before reboarding the train for the reverse journey to Melbourne.
The train will depart from Melbourne mid-morning (around 10:00 am) and run express to Castlemaine. As it is shunted off the main line and onto the VGR, there will be time to explore the station area and perhaps the museum on the platform before rejoining the train.
Upon arrival in Maldon (shortly before 2:00 pm), you will have approximately two hours to enjoy a late lunch in the spectacularly preserved town before relaxing and enjoying an hour of slow rail travel along the Maldon branch.
Returning to Castlemaine, you will have time to explore the town, which is located close to the station, before we depart for a spirited run back to Melbourne, arriving around 8:00 pm.
Please note that locomotives are subject to change, including the use of steam and the locomotives provided by the Victorian Goldfields Railway.
Route Map
Onboard Facilities
707 Operations open saloon seating and compartment cars are available on this journey.
Locomotives
Our train will feature steam locomotive R707 "City of Melbourne" assisted by diesel locomotives from the 707 Operations collection between Melbourne and Castlemaine. Once we arrive in Castlemaine, the train will be shunted to the scenic Victorian Goldfields Railway, where newly back-in-service steam locomotive J549 will take over to pull our carriages along the Victorian Goldfields Railway to Maldon.Â
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