A tour not to be missed! - With an upcoming V/Line timetable change in late 2025, steam hauled day tours to Bairnsdale may become more difficult for us to operate. We are uncertain whether we will be able to repeat this format in the future.
Join us aboard The Vintage Train as we venture to the eastern extent of the Victorian network for the first ever A2 class day tour to Bairnsdale.
TICKETS AND MORE INFO - www.trybooking.com/DDFRE
Departing Newport, Southern Cross, Flinders Street, Caulfield, Dandenong or Pakenham stations, the train will steam from the heart of Melbourne through to the rapidly expanding southeastern suburbs. Reminiscent of the glory days of 'The Gippslander' an express run will be had towards the Latrobe Valley.
Leaving the overhead wiring behind and escaping the suburbs, The Gippslander will enter the lush farming country of West Gippsland. Relax onboard as the locomotive works hard to tackle the steep grades of Longwarry Bank before we continue through the valley and onto the mysterious Haunted Hills. After passing through Morwell, Traralgon and Sale we will enter East Gippsland, opening up views towards Victorian high country and beginning the final stretch of our journey. After travelling over the new Avon River Bridge and through forests and farms, we arrive into the city of Bairnsdale at 12:46pm, some 275 kilometres from Melbourne.
Explore Bairnsdale and find lunch at your leisure while we prepare the train for the return journey. It is encouraged to book ahead for lunch in Bairnsdale.
Our heritage steam locomotive A2986 will depart ahead of us, with a vintage diesel locomotive beginning the journey home.
Departing Bairnsdale at 3:55pm, we will head for a brief stop in Traralgon to reattach our steam locomotive for the spirited run home towards Melbourne, off into the sunset towards the lights of the city. A history making day of rail travel culminates with the sights and sounds of steam over the Flinders Street Viaduct, skirting one of Victoria's most iconic waterways, the Yarra River, marking the end of our journey.
PREMIUM COMPARTMENT
Upgrade to one of our Premium Private Compartments! Travel in style in one of our 1920's heated & air conditioned Sleeping Carriages.
With the compartment in day configuration, it will comfortably seat 1 - 3 passengers for a more intimate heritage train travel experience.
FIRST CLASS
Go first class! Relax in your comfortable heated & air conditioned 1930s-vintage compartment. All seating is reserved.
EXCURSION CLASS
Experience our 'E Type' Carriages dating back to 1906 with beautiful timber work & pressed-tin ceilings, walk-through corridors and comfortable compartment style seating. Featuring old-school air-con, with the windows wide open to listen to the engine working hard up the hills. All seating is reserved.
Club Car 'Moorabool', once a regular feature on The Gippslander, is planned to be on the train, so you can spend some time way from your compartment, soaking up the atmosphere as the world rolls by.
THE VINTAGE TRAIN
Ride with us onboard 'The Vintage Train’, fully restored by Steamrail as an important part of Victoria’s rail heritage. Our steam locomotives are coal or oil fired and date from 1889 to 1952, while the carriages range from as early as 1906. The train features beautiful timber work and pressed-tin ceilings, walk-through corridors, comfortable compartment style seating, a licensed bar and kiosk, and toilets with washrooms. All rail seating is reserved.
ON-TRAIN SERVICES
Our on-train facilities include a kiosk situated in Club Car Moorabool (a regular carriage on the Victorian Railways Gippslander) which stocks a wide range of light refreshments, snacks and hot and cold drinks. A licensed bar will also be operating, serving a range of beers, wines and spirits. A range of souvenirs will also be able for purchase on board.
TIMETABLE
<< SUBJECT TO CHANGE >>
Please check the final times as shown on your seating allocation which will be emailed two days prior to the tour operating.
7:17am dep. NEWPORT STATION (Platform 1)
7:37am dep. SOUTHERN CROSS (Platform 13)
7:45am dep. FLINDERS STREET (Platform 10)
8:04am dep. CAULFIELD (Platform 4)
8:35am dep. DANDENONG (Platform 3)
9:01am dep. PAKENHAM (Platform 2)
12:46pm arr. BAIRNSDALE
3:55pm dep. BAIRNSDALE
8:19pm arr. PAKENHAM
8:46pm arr. DANDENONG
9:14pm arr. CAULFIELD
9:31pm arr. FLINDERS STREET
9:37pm arr. SOUTHERN CROSS
9:57pm arr. NEWPORT STATION
Please ensure you are on the platform no later than 15 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time.
FARES
EXCURSION CLASS
Adult $210
SRV Member $185 - Become a Steamrail Member to save - www.steamrail.com.au/membership
Under 17 $125
Under 3 $0
FIRST CLASS
Adult $230
SRV Member $205 - Become a Steamrail Member to save - www.steamrail.com.au/membership
Under 17 $140
Under 3 $0
PREMIUM PRIVATE COMPARTMENT
Private Air-Conditioned compartment (comfortably seats 1-3 passengers) $700
TICKETS AND MORE INFO - www.trybooking.com/DDFRE
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