General News
10 October, 2024
Rail spirit shines for travellers
The glory of travelling by rail was once again alive during the Seymour Railway Heritage Centre's leisurely and entertaining four-day tour across the Wimmera and Southern Mallee
Hundreds of travel and rail enthusiasts took the opportunity to step back in time on train carriages superseded decades ago, pulled by a locomotive made obsolete, and ride along lines which have not featured as regular passenger-train routes for many years.
Apart from some skiffy rain on Saturday morning, the weather was perfect for the hundreds who took the opportunity to travel on the historic train which has components dating back to 1937.
The journey began on Friday, as the first leg of the trip stretched from Seymour, Southern Cross or North Shore stations, out west on the main line towards Adelaide, until it reached Horsham.
The next morning, the train left Horsham station with even more passengers, stopping at Murtoa where the town’s Big Weekend event was in full swing.
Some disembarked at the festival or visited the Stick Shed, while others chose to continue on to see Sheep Hills silo art, Warracknabeal’s now-derelict station, and attend a three-course lunch in Beulah.
The magnificently prepared “long” lunch at Beulah Recreation Reserve was attended by roughly 60 people.
Beulah residents worked alongside former Birchip resident Billie Cornthwaite, who now owns Adelaide business Meez On Plus Catering, as well as Aunty Daphne from Adelaide, to create the Indigenous-inspired dishes.
Pumpkin and wattleseed ravioli, and bush tomato focaccia with goats cheese was served before a main course of Coorong mullet in saltbush, or lamb with quandong and other vegetables.
The savoury courses were followed by dessert - wattleseed pudding or lime cheesecake - then it was back on the train to end the day at Horsham's station.
On Sunday, 250 passengers boarded again for a trip to either Jeparit or Rainbow, stopping at Arkona Silo for a photo opportunity on the return trip.
Sunday began as a faster ride until the train left the main rail line past Dimboola and speeds slowed to 50 kilometres per hour, allowing a leisurely look at passing scenery.
The usual quiet Sunday main street of Rainbow was transformed into a hub of activity.
The Rainbow Lake committee volunteers set up a barbecue next to the post office, and locals were on hand to direct the visitors towards many of the small town’s attractions and features.
The Bow Bakery opened its doors for the occasion, selling out of vanilla slices in record time, while buses ferried passengers from the train to Yurunga Homestead.
The Eureka Hotel held two lunch sittings to cope with the number of bookings, and other local shops, including Mallee Magic, Turbo Gallery and Rainbow Sweets were flooded with interested shoppers.
On Monday the train made the return trip from Horsham to Seymour for cleaning and storage.
Many of the passengers on Saturday and Sunday were locals keen to see their farm or house from another viewpoint, while eagerly pointing out well-known landmarks.
Other passengers, retired from paid work, just wanted to relive the past in the heritage train and take the opportunity to meet and mingle with people from all walks of life.
Crowds of townsfolk waited at crossings and intersections, and flocked to each town’s stations - or where the stations once stood - to catch a glimpse and take photos of the passing train.
Some flew drones to catch a better image.
Each passenger had a story to tell, or a relative or friend to meet at the stops.
Two friends had flown from England especially to take the heritage train’s four-day trip - they've been on other Australian heritage journeys, and plan to visit Australia again so further journeys can be crossed off their bucket list.
Another group was celebrating a 60th birthday with a day-trip on the heritage train.
Many passengers were train buffs pursuing their hobby with like-minded people, while others had a long connection with the railway and couldn't resist the opportunity for a nostalgic ride.
Some were currently employed by V/Line and taking a "busman's holiday".
Siblings from Ballarat, Shepparton and Horsham, arrived in Rainbow complete with armfuls of colourful flowers and planned to visit the cemetery together to place the flowers on their parents' graves.
- WITH SAMANTHA SMITH