The train consist was as follows:
- BK ex Southern Australian Car
- BS Economy compartment sitting car
- BRS buffet which has seen in the public service in Vic
- No.1 Club Car
- PCO power van which is the ex Overland VR and SAR joint rolling stock
- hauled by A66 Tangerine ,P20 Tangerine and T413 VR livery at platform 4B
On Saturday I was riding the 707 Operations Members train, this historical Volunteer non profit organisation.
At the same day another tourist heritage operator Seymour Heritage Rail Center was running a tour train to Albury!
A bonus, were operating from Platform 2 a series of older N car in rebranded from PTV livery to grey still donning the reflective tape of it’s past service in Vic but still going well, two power vans on in VR and one in PTV along with BS cars and the old “Norman” Car which was renamed Parlour car, I don’t understand why the didn’t keep that old Name as the train pulled by X31 and C501 leading.
I reunited with BS cars the Old Overland Club Car a nice carriage from the era when luxury comfort was a part of rail travel a marked difference from the newer trains taking the place of these older carriages currently.
Down direction toward Ballarat:
We went down the older route of what the public service to Geelong went before the newer route toward Wyndham Vale and Tanaiti the newer trains and older train went toward Geelong via old expressway with Metro lines to Werribee from North Shore we turn away from Geelong toward the freight line to La La to Ballarat very interesting as the track riding conditions seem to change after going on the freight line but very enjoyable trip seeing the PN locomotive and freight pass by on route!
After arriving at Ballarat we all adjourned to the pub North Star where we had hearty lunch and meals were plentiful and nice.
After re boarding a nice leisurely run back to Melbourne on a very humid tropical type weather conditions via Bacchus Mash and tackling the Bankbox Loop known for it steep 1/40 – 1/30 grades in some sections which was known to make heavy train stall freight or pass with some people who operated these train on those grades in the steam and diesel era…..
It was marvellous day out for the rail enthusiasts pleanty of rail bloggers out that day taking in the past era of rail operations of a bygone era
