The train will boast luxury carriage cars from 1937.
The nation’s rail track authority has signed off on passenger trains visiting Yarrawonga, with the town now to become the latest destination for heritage train tours.
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As flagged in the Yarrawonga Chronicle in April, Yarrawonga-Mulwala Tourism and Business has been working with Seymour Heritage Railway Centre to bring the tours to the region – with the centre already boasting tours from Southern Cross Station in Melbourne to destinations like North Shore in the Wimmera and Portland on the southwest coast.
The Australian Rail Track Corporation approval means the first steam/diesel-assist locomotive with historic 1937 luxury cars will pull into Yarrawonga Railway Station on Friday, June 14.
While carrying about 150 passengers from Melbourne, who will disembark for two nights in the town, locals will be able to buy a ticket for the ‘Spirit of Yarrawonga’ day trip to Benalla and back on the Saturday, June 15.
In Benalla, passengers are set to disembark and enjoy tours of street art, aboriginal gardens, the town’s art gallery and botanicals gardens and the court house where Ned Kelly was tried.
YMTB chair Michael Coldham said the approval was a “fantastic boost to tourism” for the area.
“We here at YMTB are very excited about this new tourism product bringing Melbourne visitors to our great part of the country,” he said.
Seymour Heritage Rail Centre president John Crofts has flagged the day-trip could in the future include stop-offs at villages such as St James and Devenish to take in silo art and other sights.
The centre has already enjoyed strong ticket sales for the Saturday day trip, with Mr Crofts saying there was probably “pent-up demand” for the bygone-era travel even though the train will be restricted to speeds of just 30kmh between Benalla and Yarrawonga.
“In terms of land-based transportation systems, it’s fairly unique in terms of the ability to socialise and the ability to move freely around the train and to experience different parts and reflect on the history of the carriages that are involved,” he said
“These all-steel, air-conditioned trains in 1937 were a breakthrough akin to the Boeing 747 in 1969 – they are a significant part of Australia’s industrial history and played a major role in the development of Victoria.”
The train also includes open-air areas where passengers can take in the country views unimpeded.
Mr Crofts said the centre plans to do a second run in September, if the first tour is successful, with up to 10 tours a year the long-term goal.
The train will return to Melbourne on Sunday, June 16.
Go to srhc.org.au for information on the tours or to book tickets.
The Spirit of Progress heritage train could become a regular visitor to Yarrawonga.
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