It is a sensational time of year to enjoy a trip on the heritage train between Maldon and Castlemaine and adjustments have been made to ensure maximum safety for passengers and residents. The Victorian Goldfields Railway (VGR)’s amended summer schedule is designed for effective engine maintenance and includes extra measures to monitor for stray sparks. Changes include shifting normal Wednesday travel times to Fridays and a pause to all services during February.
VGR Administration Manager Tanya Lee (whose role also includes Station Master, Conductor, First Class Steward, Membership Officer, Track Patrol, depending on what is required) told the Tarrangower Times that during the peak fire season, the steam engine has a rest and a 1960s locomotive takes its place. “We have always had a standard change of running the diesel, although we like to run the steam as long as possible,” she said. “This gives the loco and the crew a break and the team can do some maintenance without too much disruption to services.”
Tanya pointed out that the passenger experience is not hugely affected. “Whilst everyone loves the steam train, when you are travelling along, you still have the old carriage, the rocking to and fro. It’s about looking out the windows at the scenery.” There is also the option for passengers to ride in the engine with the driver for an extra fee (available on the VGR website). Tanya said: “A cab pass is also available to ride with the crew. You ask anyone – they love it, even with diesel, it’s loads of fun. Everyone comes out with a huge smile on their face.”
The reason for the change from Wednesday to Friday services is to stretch the time between trips and allow for uninterrupted track upgrades. “We’ve been very fortunate to have some new railway sleepers and our track gang has been very busy swapping out the wood sleepers for concrete ones, this change is to maximise their work time so our civil branch can do the work they need to do,” Tanya said. “The railway is always thinking ahead and being prepared for the future. This is about stronger tracks because they last longer and give a smoother ride. The wooden sleepers don’t last forever, they rot and wear if you don’t keep an eye on them.”
In addition to timetable amendments, an extra fire safety vehicle is put into service during fire season. “We run a High Rail vehicle, it runs behind the train to check for spot-fires – to keep a lookout and a smellout – it has a water pump and a water tank. It has two qualified crew to address any spot-fires, sort of like First-Aid,” Tanya explained.
The VGR heritage train attracts passengers, observers and volunteers from all around Victoria and for a variety of reasons. Dolphina Truter and Paul Carnes from Ballarat enjoyed a ride in First Class last weekend as a spur-of-the-moment outing and both were full of praise for the experience. “I just woke up this morning and realised it has been a while since we went on a date,” said Paul. “He’s spoiling me, it has been really great,” said Dolphina.
Jodie Kinsmore and Hartley have travelled on the train in the past but this time they visited from Bendigo just to watch and wave from the platform. “He loves trains and he will talk about this for days,” Jodie said, beaming.
Richard Henderson was Station Master last Sunday and travels monthly from the Mornington Peninsula to work as a valuable volunteer in many roles at the VGR, including sometimes driving the fire safety vehicle. For him the VGR is a hobby and, it seems, a passion.
The heritage train is valued by community members and it takes its role in the community seriously, hence the summer schedule amendments. Tanya says: “We want to operate safely in bush and farmland, especially on very windy days. We cancel if CFA deems it an extreme danger rating.”
For all the current details about trains, tickets and timetables, visit: vgr.com.au.
This article appeared in the Tarrangower Times, 17 January 2025.