Castlemaine and Maldon Railway Preservation Members Society

Newsletter August 2012

The Railway Honours Three Stalwarts

The 2012 Annual General Meeting was attended by approximately 40 members who gathered to adopt the report of the board and to vote in the new board and the office-holders for the next year. The AGM also provided the opportunity to honour three stalwarts of the railway, Alan Lang, John Shaw and Lionel Turner, who was unable to attend the meeting.

Newly elected president, Michael Vines, spoke about the contribution that Alan, John and Lionel had made to the railway over many years and the continuing service that three gentlemen still make to the railway.

In the photos, above, Alan Lang (left) and John Shaw (right) were presented with Honorary Life Membership certificates by president, Michael Vines.

The other significant item of business that was discussed and voted upon, was the decision to create a new membership category of Pensioner Member, allowing any member who holds a pension card to be able to pay a reduced membership fee each year.

Bandiana Rail Recovery Work Continues

Our hard working volunteers of the Civil Branch have now sent out seven truck loads of rail out of an estimated 32. The volunteers of the Civil Branch still have a further 13km of rail to recover, which will take the between 8 and 10 weeks.

The number of volunteers has declined over the Winter months and the Civil Branch desperately need the assistance of more volunteers so that we can finish the project and the volunteers can return home after their time spent away from home.

The railway will assist any volunteers who can spare some time to go up and work at Bandiana with accommodation and fuel.

The work involves working with a small team of volunteers and the atmosphere is friendly and supportive. If you can assisy, please contact Art Lynch on 5470 5395 or 0427 705 395 August 2012 Page 2

Retiring President’s Column by Paul McDonald This is likely the last column I will contribute Whether the issue is either high or low, a since, as flagged in mail outs of information to quiet time or flat out, trying to work out members concerning the Annual General some of the complex financial problems Meeting of the Society, I have decided to step encountered in the early days of my aside from the position of President. When Presidency, I consider it a privilege to have my wife and I first decided to move to had the team of Directors alongside me. Maldon, being elected to the Board was not Without them, and without the Managers of on the horizon, let alone finding, a relatively the Divisions or Departments, my task would short time later, being catapulted into the have been so much harder. The Directors role of President. I found very quickly that a have been from a range of backgrounds with couple of days each week in the workshop or a range of experience all of which have out with the track gang became most days contributed to an eminently successful and nights of the week with the telephone outcome. I urge all members to get behind and computer being used instead of the tools the Board as we move on to some important of the workshop or track gang. new phases in the life of the Railway and strive to make the V.G.R. the premier Tourist These past few years have presented both railway in the State. elation and disappointment as the Railway has seen some extraordinary highs and lows. The The Board has recently taken some decisions introduction of the Rail Safety Act 2006 and which will involve expenditure of the Tourist and Heritage Railways Act 2010 considerable amounts but which are vital and both lead to significant increases in work load are considered investments in the future of for Board members and managers and the Railway. There are still important projects perhaps the high point was the recognition by officers from these departments have current which require volunteer input and I Government that the Tourist and Heritage provided much assistance – and continue to strongly urge all members to think seriously Railways are both viable businesses and do so – which has made the transition so about giving some of their time over the next contribute significantly to Tourism within the much easier. few months as we see some of these through State. This is something that has been sought to conclusion. Possibly the most pressing by the sector for a number of years and the From the other side of the ledger – the need we face at the moment is volunteers to C.M.R. is looking forward to some of the downs. The Station fire of October, 2009 and assist with the rail recovery programme at benefits which will flow through and start to the de-railment earlier this year placed a Bandiana. If you enjoy work in the fresh air in become evident later in the year. Among the significant strain upon all at Management level country surroundings with a terrific team first of these will be the replacement of the and I acknowledge the help and assistance working with you, staying in comfortable Order-in-Council under which the Railway from everyone within to restore operations accommodation, sharing home cooked meals operates over Government-owned land, by a within an incredibly short period of time. and enjoying good company, this is for you. Lease which is a more up to date document That the station was restored to a high and Remember there are petrol and and which greatly simplifies the terms and completely professional standard by Victrack accommodation subsidies for members and if conditions upon which we operate. With the and their contractors is a credit to them. The you are available, please contact Art Lynch on introduction of both of these items of team of our volunteers who recovered the de 5470 5395 or 0427 705395 before 8.00 pm , the sector generally has had -railed carriages and worked extremely hard on weekdays to offer your services. invaluable assistance from officers from the to restore the track to operable condition so Department of (now Public that services could resume on the Sunday In conclusion, I thank all members for their Transport ) and Transport Safety following the incident, are deserving of high support over the last few years and look Victoria, and while the changes promoted by praise. forward to seeing you around the Railway. the Acts have at times being challenging, the August 2012 Page 3

President’s Column

This is my first written communication to by Michael Vines need to maintain our locomotive fleet, in members via the newsletter upon me being particular our steam engines, goes without elected as president of the VGR at our AGM saying and important to this is completion of in Maldon on the 18th of August 2012. I want the restoration of J549. We must also to use this particular article to introduce continue the good relationship we have myself to some members who will not know developed with our friends at Steamrail (and me terribly well and to also provide some Seymour for that matter) which will involve edited and paraphrased parts of the speech I the use of some of their engines on our line gave at the AGM. For those members who (there has been K190 recently and we expect attended the AGM I acknowledge that it was that K190 may well return at some stage later somewhat difficult for me and others to be this year).We must present our railway well properly heard in the venue at the Maldon to all that visit and I am keen to implement a Hotel because of another function occurring program to repaint our existing operating in the room we had to share! carriages and keep them clean.

By way of introduction I am shortly to turn At the conclusion of what I said at the AGM I 55 years of age. Amanda and I have been talked about what I see as two concepts married for 30 years. We have four adult inherent in our railway which sit side by side. children (3 daughters and a son) aged from 26 There is the fantastic heritage aspect of the down to 18. We live in Ocean Grove (about VGR, a railway built at the height of a gold 2 hours drive from Maldon and on the rush in 1884 from Castlemaine to Maldon. It Bellarine Peninsula) and our children have all is without doubt a most unique and an grown up in the area. We also have a important example of the branch line era in weekender at Maldon opposite the line about Victoria. We will never lose sight of the a mile from the station. I am a lawyer by heritage which is ours to nurture as ongoing occupation (please do not hold that against the ARHS. I remember going on many railfan custodians of the railway. The other concept me!) and have been in practice now for nearly trips with him over the years and one of the is of course the need to operate our railway 32 years. My legal practice is called Vines first was a trip behind A2 986 to Altona and as an effective business in the tourism Lawyers and is based in Ocean Grove. Whilst Sunshine in 1963 just before she was retired. . We must attract customers and we my wife is a full time school teacher she is I am a current member of most of the must strive to increase our passenger also a lawyer and holds a current practising societies including the ARHS, ARE, LRRSA numbers. A business must be operated certificate. and Steamrail. profitably and must be able to invest in infrastructure to further its cause. Aside from my legal practice I have done all My style is to understand that people make sorts of things over my time. I have always the clubs and organizations not the Despite the noise occurring from next door been a keen cricketer and only retired from administrators as such. I have a strong belief in the room we were utilizing for our AGM I playing the season before last. I played footy in the need to run organizations such as our tried to finish my speech on a note that was in my early days but probably minimized railway as an affective business and I am both clear for members present and thought ongoing injuries by stopping in my mid 20’s equally strong in delegating authority (in provoking. The two concepts that I have just around the time I commenced practising as a other words not trying to do everything referred to (heritage and business) will lawyer in . My sporting pursuits mean myself) to all board members and managers always be treated as equal priority under my I have been president of both my local cricket of the various branches of our railway. presidency and via the board that I chair and (many years ago) club and more recently for by the branch managers that implement day the local football/netball club in Ocean Grove. At the AGM I talked about what I described to day operations. The point I finished on was as the “imperatives” of our railway. I this – we can’t have one without the My interest in railways stems from a very mentioned the need to re locate the 80 other! It may seem to be stating the obvious early age. My late father was a keen railway pound rail from Bandianna which will enable but to me it says it all. enthusiast and one of the earliest members of us to re rail the section from Maldon to Muckleford. We must also complete our new I look forward to the year ahead. I look carriage shed at Castlemaine and you will see forward to meeting and talking to those some of the tangible further work for this members whose faces I am yet to put to the occuring later this year. We will continue to names. I like to think I am always develop the tourist potential of our railway approachable and keen to hear the views of via our website and the development of members and those of our customers. You online bookings. I am absolutely committed will see me from time to time around the to the continual improvement of our first railway when I come up for volunteer work class service and the implementation of our which I usually do once a month on Sundays new carriage Macedon later this year. The after a board meeting the previous day. I look forward to our respective endeavors and the furtherance of the Castlemaine and Maldon Preservation Society via the Victorian Goldfields Railway.

Michael Vines

President Victorian Goldfields Railway

August 2012 Page 4 August 2012 Page 5

Fighting Against Nature. BV JOHN ALEXANDER I am a locomotive engineer, or runner, and have been a fireman; I fired for more than four years and have been running for more than eighteen; my oldest boy, Harry, is a fireman. So you can see that I can at least lay claim to a little experience. When I learned you were going to start a journal solely for engineers, firemen and repair shop men. I was glad; I need it for my boys and I need it for myself. I am one of the few engineers that are perfectly willing that their boys should follow their own calling: my wife is now converted to my belief. I am proud of my occupation and the responsibilities I assume. I cannot think of anything I would care more to hear of one of my sons than for some man, who knew what he was talking about, to say: "That young man is a first-class locomotive engineer."

Enginemen of America, what does that remark mean? To a workingman it means a skilled mechanic, capable of earning from two to four titties as much pay as a laborer. To the railway officials of the country, a man in whom they can safely trust the trains and property of the road, safe in his decisions, cool in emergencies and faithful to his trust. To the thinking public, a hero whom it will be perfectly safe to trust with the lives of the dearest ones on earth. To his family it means sobriety, thrift, manhood. To his friends, kindness, benevolence, honesty, honor and a good example. To society, a man and a gentleman, intelligent, grimy-handed and square. A fireman's position bears the same relation to an engineer's as does a lieutenant's to a captain's—eventually he takes his place.

I have made my boys understand that the only way to be a good engineer is to be a good fireman. I have three, and they are all as engine-crazy as I was myself. I made a rule that when they graduated from the city school they could go into the shop as helpers to machinists; then, after serving one year, they could make their choice of occupations, if they still wanted to go on the road, I would help and not discourage them. My .father kept me off the road until I was of age just because he disliked the business. My second boy is in the shop and the third in school.

Engine running is hard work, calls for muscle as well as brains. So is plowing hard work, driving team, keeping books, clerking, or moulding gum-drops. The sooner the young men of to-day, who are blessed with that great incentive to work up—poverty—settle this fact in their minds, that to advance hard work is necessary, the belter for all. Men who aspire to be good mechanics must go through several years of hard apprenticeship. There are too many young men who would make good blacksmiths that try to be bookkeepers. They dread the sweat, and their parents are foolish enough to think there is a disgrace in wearing a leather apron at $3 per day, that is not found in a pen behind the ear at $2.50

If I had a boy that was a natural doctor, liked the study, would rather help cut my leg off than go over the road with me, how foolish I would be to force him to go on to the road as a fireman. Yet how many engineers do this very thing—upside down. A boy that wants to be an engineer will make ten times a better engineer than he will a doctor, and when we use every influence we can to make him what his nature says he is not and cannot be, we simply fight against nature. Nature always wins, or the boy is spoiled. I would rather my boys should be day laborers than botches at any business.

There is another thought that I want to air. Many a boy only thinks he want; to learn a certain trade or business. He may have an eye for machinery and think he must be an engineer; a few trips in the night and storms may show him that he was not intended for an engineer, lacks the nerve, caution or confidence, but he may turn his attention to the machine shop and find his forte. I always gave my boys a chance to look into the details of any business they took the least notice of or interest in, but they have come back to a locomotive just as a lost dog smells out his master. Workingmen, even skilled mechanics, can leave their children little more than sound bodies, a fair education and a good example—and this is enough. Josh Billings was sound when he said: " It would be better for the country if there were more kits of carpenter's tools and less legacies left to our young men."

Locomotive engine running is bound to be a noble, honorable and remunerative calling; it will grow in importance and dignity in the future more than it has in the past. It is bound to be filled by a class of intelligent men, who will be men in every sense of the word. 1 am proud of my calling and if my boys want to follow in it and excel their father, I am not going to fight against their natures as I know many an engineer is doing to-day.

Editor’s Note: This excerpt is taken from the first edition of Locomotive Engineer, published in America in 1888 August 2012 Page 6

Our Proud Sponsors August 2012 Page 7

Book Review: Enginemen of the Victorian Railways

“Enginemen of the Victorian Railways” defies the old maxim about never judging a book by its cover. From the moment I saw the colour shot of the streamlined S-300 steaming out of Albury, I was hooked. Inside, wonderful images of sooty locos working in country Victoria and pictures from the early diesel days reinforced my initial enthusiasm:

The 127 illustrations, most of them in colour, depict an era that has long gone. Never again will we witness scenes like J-510 battling towards Warburton, or H-220 powering a heavy goods to Wodonga, or grimy R-759 and N-470 double-heading a goods from Maryborough to Castlemaine. Sadly, one must doubt whether railfans will ever again see anything like the 1989 triple parallel run of Flying Scotsman, R-761 and R-707, caught side-by-side under a dramatic Dysart sky in Peter Ralph’s famous photograph.

In gathering the reminiscences of eight enginemen, author Nick Anchen has produced a detailed and valuable social history. While life in the steam era might have appeared glamourous to some, especially small boys, it was a hard life of long hours, grumpy colleagues, incredibly poor conditions and low pay. Engineman Graeme O’Brien’s description of railway life as “very dirty … with soot and grime everywhere” seems an understatement. Accidents with animals sometimes made life on the rails nauseating. Almost always, it was incredibly filthy. O’Brien loathed oiling the narrow-gauge NA locos, since “you had to crawl underneath them to get to the Stephenson link motion gear and you’d get absolutely covered in oil.” Moreover, he says, “You had some very bad trips on steam engines at times because they were stuffed.” All of this raises a basic question: why do it? To the highly respected Gerald Dee, working with locomotives, whether they were steam, electric or diesel, was simply “a tremendous passion”.

The introduction of the diesels brought quick and remarkable change. Gerald Dee recalled his first encounter with an F class shunting engine as it pushed trucks quietly, and almost effortlessly, up on to a coal stage: “I … thought to myself steam can’t compete with this”. Harry Spiess depicted the ensuing revolution with a simple but powerful image: “… you went to work in clean clothes and you came home in clean clothes.” the ubiquitous K was “the most versatile engine of all.” Though John Wotherspoon thought “some of the blokes didn’t seem to like the Js In his memoir, Spiess writes from a very different perspective. Born in very much,” he described them as “a free steaming engine”. Even so, he East Prussia in 1932, he had survived life in war-ravaged Germany. In found that, on the 1 in 42 climb to Mount Evelyn, “if you didn’t have 1952, he was one of 661 “Berlin boys” brought to Victoria to fill an everything well prepared, you could be in big trouble before you even acute skilled labour shortage. Though he “didn’t have a clue where got half way up the hill.” When he asked Bert Clarke about the best was”, did not speak English and “didn’t know much about firing technique for this grade, he was told, “Just put your head down railways”, he was grateful to the VR for the chance to emigrate. and start shovelling, and we’ll get there.”

The enginemen have many humourous stories to tell. As Graeme At its peak, the Victorian Railways was a large and proud family. In many O’Brien remarks, “You had to make fun sometimes because it wasn’t towns, it was perhaps the most powerful force in community life. The always good fun on the railways.” John Wotherspoon recalls that, on an Ballarat North Workshops, for example, had “up to 1,000 people evening passenger train to Warburton, a dead tiger snake gave driver working there in its heyday.” At Colac in 1955, Graeme O’Brien found Bert Clarke a golden opportunity to settle a score with a certain a depot that was “a little community”, with four crews working broad stationmaster: and narrow gauge trains, guards, a station master and porters, train “We steamed into Wandin and Bert grabbed the snake and held it out examiners, shunters and gangers, as well as goods shed labourers, the cab as if it was the staff, and the SM grabbed hold of it, and all I electricians, plumbers, carpenters and refreshment room staff. heard was this almighty yell as he hurled the snake into the air”. Probably, every railway worker has stories of blunders by higher By the late 1970s, this complex network was well and truly authority. When the cross country line from Irrewarra to Beeac and disintegrating. Now, “the branch lines, the trains and most of the men Cressy was being pulled up, work commenced at both ends of the from this fascinating era” have vanished. Only memories and track, with the result that “wagons full of rails ended up being photographs remain. “Enginemen of the Victorian Railways” is therefore marooned in the middle, with no way of railing them out …” essential reading for those of us who want to remember – and to preserve what is left. The enginemen offer many insights about the quirks of Victoria’s steam Review by Alf Batchelder engines. Graeme O’Brien regarded the R class as “very dirty. They ground up the coal very fine and a lot of it would get chucked out of Nick Anchen: Enginemen of the Victorian Railways the funnel without having burnt properly.” (Every modern railfan would Sierra Publications, 2011. agree with him!) O’Brien rated the NA class as “the hardest engine to ISBN: 978-0-9807640-2-4. fire on the Victorian Railways.” He had a soft spot for the D3s, which $49.95 from the VGR Refreshment Rooms at Castlemaine were “great engines … maybe one of the best the VR ever had”, but August 2012 Page 8

Enjoy the 1900s theme and mingle with New Zealand historians on board who will proudly relive Services Roster the history of one of New Zealand’s most Steam recognised icons. Officer Our hard working Services Roster Officer, All departures feature extensive sightseeing Russell Chapman has decided to step down and pre-paid attractions, return airfares, from this position and hence the railway is airport transfers, most meals, calling for a volunteer to take on the role of accommodation and much more! organising volunteers for the position of:

 Conductors So, if you’d like to sit back and enjoy a very special way of seeing New Zealand, take a  Bookings Officers / OICs close look at these amazing Steam Train  First Class Attendants Holidays which will run in October 2012  Shop Staff only……but don’t hesitate for too long as If you would like to know more about this they will sell out early! role, please call Christine Gibb for an obligation-free chat on 0428 810 633 For further information contact your local travel agent or Grand Pacific Tours on 1800 622 768 or visit www.grandpacifictours.com Mucklefest Our fantastic community festival, Mucklefest, is rapidly approaching and we need plenty of Newsletter Editor volunteers to help out. This is a great The usual newsletter editor, Philip Ryan, will opportunity for someone who can’t make it be away for the next couple of months and on to the roster on a regular basis. All you Millions of Australians continue to turn the Members Newsletter will be edited by need is a friendly disposition. If you can assist dreams into reality by choosing to experience Will Maylor. Will can be contacted via the at Mucklefest, Please call Christine Gibb on the culture and natural delights of New usual email address of 0428 810 633 Zealand. Now you have the chance to have [email protected] all of this and be part of something extra special by travelling on one of Grand Pacific Tours extremely popular Rail & Steam Train Holidays! Castlemaine Historical Society AGM

Step back in time as the romance of travelling The Castlemaine Historical Society’s AGM will take place on Monday September 3rd at 7.30pm by Steam Train provides great appeal to all in the Former Courthouse, 7 Goldsmith Crescent, Castlemaine. The guest speaker will be travellers and this combined with New Helen McBurney who will speak on Henry Handel Richardson in Maldon. Zealand’s key attractions will ensure the tours offer something for everyone. Amazing photo opportunities will be on offer and the list of tour highlights is extensive.

Departing in October 2012, you have the choice to travel on either the 18 Day New Zealand Steam Train Tour, the 10 Day Northern Steam Train Tour or the 10 Day South Island Steam Train Tour. These tours are fully escorted and the itineraries are designed to appeal to steam and rail enthusiasts alike.

Don’t miss your opportunity to experience unique rail journeys including specially chartered locomotives such as the JA1275, JA1240, Glenbrook Vintage Railway, Kingston Flyer and the Plains Vintage Railway.

Another key highlight is the Centenary Celebrations of the TSS Earnslaw, New Zealand’s last surviving and grandest steamship. Grand Pacific Tours has secured tickets to one of the major highlights of the centenary celebrations in Queenstown.

Step back in time and board the TSS Earnslaw for a special cruise to Glenorchy, passing Working as a driver or a fireman in the middle of winter can involve a pre-dawn start and freezing sheep stations at Walter Peak, Mount temperatures although it also gives our crews the chance to see Maldon Station lit up the early Nicholas, Elfin Bay, Greenstone and Kinloch. morning sun, as Tony Marsden’s photo shows, above. August 2012 Page 9 August 2012 Page 10

Railway Merchandise Off The Rails The following high-quality DVDs are available from our on-line shop. Postage for these DVDs A Volunteers meeting will be held on are $2.20 for 1-3 DVDs. Go to www.vgr.com.au to order your DVD. Saturday 15th September 1pm at Castlemaine A Garratt Goes Again – Part 1 DVD $44.95 Station Shop. (Afternoon tea supplied) A Garratt Goes Again – Part 2 DVD $49.95 Easter Steam 2000 -The Millennium Aurora’ DVD $49.95 At this meeting items to be discussed will be Bye Bye Broad Gauge, Vol 1 DVD $49.95 the upcoming events being held in October, Puffing Billy’s Walhalla Weekend $49.95 rosters, uniforms and any queries that need Vic’s Railways - Volume 1 DVD $49.95 to be solved or attempted to be solved. Vic’s Railways - Volume 2 DVD $49.95 If by chance you cannot attend but need The Titans’ Last Winter – Parts 1 & 2 DVD $44.95 concerns brought to light please email me 1996 - The Victorian Year In Steam DVD $49.95 ([email protected]) or ring me on 1997 - The Victorian Year In Steam DVD $49.95 0428 810 633 and l will be in contact with 1998 - The Victorian Year In Steam DVD $49.95 you after the meeting with results. 1999 - The Victorian Year In Steam DVD $49.95 2000 - The Victorian Year In Steam DVD $49.95 Please make every effort to attend, to show 2001 - The Victorian Year In Steam DVD $49.95 your support and share ideas amongst other 2002 - The Victorian Year In Steam DVD $49.95 volunteers, who want to help make VGR 2003 - The Victorian Year In Steam DVD $49.95 excel in customer service. Looking forward 2004 - The Victorian Year In Steam DVD $49.95 to your input 2005 - The Victorian Year In Steam DVD $49.95 2006 - The Victorian Year In Steam DVD $49.95 Christine Gibb 2007 - The Victorian Year In Steam DVD $49.95 Acting Volunteer Co-ordinator 2008 - The Victorian Year In Steam DVD $49.95 2009 - The Victorian Year In Steam’ DVD $49.95 Save The Date Our Castlemaine and Maldon shops also have a range of new books for sale. These books are Saturday 24th of November is a day that is written by well-known and respected author, Nick Anchen and will delight railway enthusiasts. being planned in conjunction with the The books that are in stock now, include: Castlemaine Historical Society. We’ll be The Narrow Gauge $75.00 welcoming a special guest to the railway and Yarra Valley Railways $39.95 we’re hoping to also run a train to carry Enginemen of The Victorian Railways $49.95 members to Castlemaine to meet this special Rails To Old Walhalla $29.95 guest. Full details will be provided in the next Railways of The Otway Ranges $29.95 newsletter.

We will shortly be receiving additional copies of Steam Locomotives of Victoria Vol 1, which sold out within days of out first order. These magnificent books cost $30.00 each. T333 Members will be aware of T333’s travels all Board and Management across Victoria and in to Southern NSW hauling grain trains. T333 has recently Following the recent AGM, the office-holders of the society are as follows: stretched her legs with her work taking her President: Michael Vines to Newcastle, north of Sydney. Vice-President: Paul McDonald Secretary: Christine Gibb Treasurer: Neil Burgin Victorian Goldfields Railway Board Members: Andrew Naylor Andrew Reynolds David Bail General Office and Philip Ryan Shirley Frewin Stephen Lumsden Will Maylor Marketing P.O. Box 51, CASTLEMAINE VIC 3450 Responsible Officer: Neville Elliott Mechanical Manager: Stephen Lumsden Phone: (03) 5470 6658 Civil Manager: John Shaw Facsimile: (03) 5470 6272 Operations Manager: Brian Frewin Special Projects Manager: Art Lynch Email: [email protected] for bookings, Membership Officer: David Watkins Train Times & Fares information or Volunteer Co-ordinator: Christine Gibb [email protected] for all other enquiries Webmaster: Will Maylor Newsletter Editor: Philip Ryan Castlemaine Railway Station Operations Roster Officer: Jeremy Lavery Kennedy Street, Castlemaine Services Roster Officer: Vacant Phone: (03) 5470 6658 Facsimile: (03) 5470 6272 Maldon to Bendigo Day Return - Maldon Railway Station Hornsby Street, Maldon Saturday 8th September Telephone: (03) 5475 1451 There are still a limited number of tickets available for this trip. This is a great chance to enjoy a www.vgr.com.au day behind a J-Class loco on a branch line and 2 R-Class locos on the mainline. Last year a number of members enjoyed a hearty meal in one of Bendigo’s many pubs before returning to www.driveatrain.com.au the train for a spirited run back to Castlemaine. Of course this day also features the only steam- www.driveasteamtrain.com.au hauled parallel departure held each year - so get your tickets now to enjoy the spectacle!