If you were in Shepparton on the long weekend, chances are you heard the emphatic “choo choos” of a vintage steam train ringing through the air, a sound unfamiliar in the area for the past five years.
Steamrail Victoria held its first event in the city in half a decade, where it brought locomotives from the 1940s and vintage carriages from as early as 1908 to town.
The rickety rides to yesteryear delighted train lovers of all ages with 4335 passengers shuttled in antique decadence along the rail line between the Shepparton station and Tallygaroopna and back across 15 shuttle services, of which 12 were fully booked.
A service from Melbourne to Shepparton on Friday, and from Shepparton to Melbourne on the King’s Birthday public holiday on Monday, was enjoyed by a further 439 passengers.
“The weekend was a massive success for the organisation,” Steamrail Victoria operations manager Jeremy Lavery said.
“In fact, this was our most successful regional steam event we have ever run by more than 1000 passengers.
“This generates vital revenue for our group to be put back into the restoration and maintenance of our steam locomotives and carriages.”
Mr Lavery said aside from one minor hitch — a network communication issue on Saturday that delayed the first three shuttles by 30 minutes — everything chugged along as planned.
After spotting the train while out and about on the weekend with his family, local 10-year-old Jai Ford convinced his mum to take a ride on the vintage train.
He said he loved the beautiful interior and comfortable seats.
“I was amazed at how old the carriages were, but are so much better than the new ones,” Jai said.
Shepparton’s Jac and Shane Bilney took their train-loving grandson Hudson to experience the historic rail ambience.
“It was great seeing the old-time carriages,” Mrs Bilney said.
“We had a lovely trip, even though the rocking put Hudson to sleep just before we got to Tallygaroopna, and then he woke up just as we got back into Shepp.
“He did love it while he was awake.”
Mr Lavery said based on the demand for tickets and the reception from the Shepparton and Goulburn Valley communities, Steamrail Victoria would most certainly be back for a similar future event.
“It’s a big task to head off for four days and requires a great deal of volunteer resources,” he said.
“We will review the weekend with a view to determining how often we can return to Shepparton; perhaps not every year, but certainly every two or three could be quite feasible.”
As a self-funded group, Steamrail Victoria relies on ticket sales to continue bringing its vintage trains to communities so that people can experience a bygone era.
Mr Lavery thanked the Goulburn Valley on behalf of Steamrail Victoria for its outstanding support at the Shepparton Steam Weekend.