You can’t beat a good day out on a vintage railway, whether steam or diesel. And Victoria has a good few vintage railways to visit, including one visible from our own home. But I’m broadening my definition of ‘railway’ to include vintage tramways, and even to include the wonderful Luna Park ‘scenic railway’, which was an early roller coaster in effect. Not many of these railways still function as normal passenger services, but I’m still interested in hearing from people who have either enjoyed the vintage experience on a recent day out or have memories of using the service when it was just another means of public transport. Every railway has a story to tell, so I’m keen to hear what yours is.
This is not a technical website, though, so I’m not trying to write about the engines or the speed or the gauge of the track. It’s the railway stories I’m interested in.
Puffing Billy Railway – Belgrave to Gembrook
Steam trains first hauled passengers up from Belgrave to Gembrook in 1900. Volunteers still maintain the track today, making Puffing Billy a great vintage rail experience.
City Circle trams – Melbourne
Melbourne's City Circle tram route is a 1990s invention, but the trams that run the Number 35 route are all vintage 1920s and 1930s and the line takes you past some wonderful vintage structures
Bellarine Railway – Drysdale Station
Drysdale Station is the end of the line on the Bellarine Railway these days, but back in 1879, when the Geelong to Queenscliff line opened, Drysdale Station was the first station building on the line.
Bellarine Railway – Queenscliff
The railway line from Queenscliff to Geelong was built in 1879, with Queenscliff Station opening in 1881. Part of that line now forms the Bellarine Railway with steam trains to Drysdale
Scenic Railway – Luna Park, St Kilda
The Scenic Railway at Luna Park in St Kilda has been on the go since 1912. Mostly works by gravity and the skills of the brakeman who stands for every ride.
Bendigo Tramways
Bendigo's vintage trams still run along part of the original tram routes for the city with beautiful rolling stock and fascinating stories dating back to the Gold Rush
Yarra Valley Railway – Healesville
The Yarra Valley vintage railway runs from Healesville on the old line to Lilydale in a cute 1960s carriage. It goes through a brick tunnel and along a stretch of trestle bridges.
Maldon Station – Victorian Goldfields Railway
Maldon Station marks the start or finish of the Victorian Goldfields Railway. Unlike Castlemaine, at the other end of the line, Maldon is not on the main V/Line public transport network.
Victorian Goldfields Railway – Castlemaine – Maldon
Gorgeous steam train running from Castlemaine to Maldon known as the Victorian Goldfields Railway. Through stunning eucalyptus bush so runs as a diesel in summer. Visible from our lounge room!
Bullarto Station – Daylesford Spa Country Railway
Bullarto station marks the end point of the Daylesford Spa Country railway. It is the highest altitude train station in Victoria. Plans for 1930s themed museum here. Lovely walks from Bullarto.
Daylesford – Bullarto Railway
The Daylesford Spa Country Railway takes you the ten or so kilometres from Daylesford to Bullarto, which has the highest altitude train station in Victoria. 1930s diesel trains mostly on Sundays.
Puffing Billy Railway – Belgrave to Gembrook
Steam trains first hauled passengers up from Belgrave to Gembrook in 1900. Volunteers still maintain the track today, making Puffing Billy a great vintage rail experience.
City Circle trams – Melbourne
Melbourne's City Circle tram route is a 1990s invention, but the trams that run the Number 35 route are all vintage 1920s and 1930s and the line takes you past some wonderful vintage structures
Bellarine Railway – Drysdale Station
Drysdale Station is the end of the line on the Bellarine Railway these days, but back in 1879, when the Geelong to Queenscliff line opened, Drysdale Station was the first station building on the line.
Bellarine Railway – Queenscliff
The railway line from Queenscliff to Geelong was built in 1879, with Queenscliff Station opening in 1881. Part of that line now forms the Bellarine Railway with steam trains to Drysdale
Scenic Railway – Luna Park, St Kilda
The Scenic Railway at Luna Park in St Kilda has been on the go since 1912. Mostly works by gravity and the skills of the brakeman who stands for every ride.
Bendigo Tramways
Bendigo's vintage trams still run along part of the original tram routes for the city with beautiful rolling stock and fascinating stories dating back to the Gold Rush
Yarra Valley Railway – Healesville
The Yarra Valley vintage railway runs from Healesville on the old line to Lilydale in a cute 1960s carriage. It goes through a brick tunnel and along a stretch of trestle bridges.
Maldon Station – Victorian Goldfields Railway
Maldon Station marks the start or finish of the Victorian Goldfields Railway. Unlike Castlemaine, at the other end of the line, Maldon is not on the main V/Line public transport network.
Victorian Goldfields Railway – Castlemaine – Maldon
Gorgeous steam train running from Castlemaine to Maldon known as the Victorian Goldfields Railway. Through stunning eucalyptus bush so runs as a diesel in summer. Visible from our lounge room!
Bullarto Station – Daylesford Spa Country Railway
Bullarto station marks the end point of the Daylesford Spa Country railway. It is the highest altitude train station in Victoria. Plans for 1930s themed museum here. Lovely walks from Bullarto.
Daylesford – Bullarto Railway
The Daylesford Spa Country Railway takes you the ten or so kilometres from Daylesford to Bullarto, which has the highest altitude train station in Victoria. 1930s diesel trains mostly on Sundays.