Newport Workshops: Steamrail and 707 Operations
Monday 11 March 2024
Steamrail Victoria and 707 Operations have a large rolling stock fleet based at the West Block of Newport Workshops in Melbourne
707 Operations - The Riverlander, March 2024
Friday 8 March 2024
On the weekend of Friday 8 to Sunday 10 March 2024 707 Operations ran their 'The Riverlander' train to Swan Hill and Piangil behind V/Line locomotives N462 and N468.
707 Operations - The Winelander to Inverleigh, 2024
Friday 26 January 2024
On 26 January 2024 707 Operations ran their first standard gauge tour from Melbourne to Inverleigh and return, with T387 and N469 leading retired V/Line carriages ACN45, BN22, BN5, BRN43, ACN48 and power van PCJ493.
707 Operations - Ettamogah carriage transfer, 2023
Friday 15 December 2023
On Sunday 20 August 2023 N457 and T387 headed from Melbourne to Ettamogah to collect a set of retired V/Line standard gauge carriages from storage at Ettamogah, and return them to Melbourne the next day.
707 Operations - Bluestone Express charter 2023
Sunday 10 December 2023
707 Operations ran their 'Bluestone Express' to transport Melbourne Grammar School's symphony orchestra to a series of concerts around Victoria in December 2023.
707 Operations - Stony Point members train 2023
Sunday 26 November 2023
On Sunday 26 November 2023 707 Operations ran their members train to Stony Point, with R707 leading V/Line locomotives P12 and P15 with carriage set SLH33.
707 Operations - Grainlander to Manangatang, October 2023
Sunday 15 October 2023
On the weekend of 13-15 October 2023 707 Operations ran their 'The Grainlander' train to Manangatang with N467 leading A66.
707 Operations - Sound Tracks music festival, 2023
Friday 6 October 2023
On the weekend of 6-8 October 2023 the 'Sound Tracks' music festival travelled to Charlton on a 707 Operations train made up of sleeping carriages and club cars.
707 Operations - Grainlander to Sea Lake, September 2023
Friday 8 September 2023
On the weekend of 8-10 September 2023 707 Operations ran their 'The Grainlander' train to Sea Lake with R700 leading A66 and N474.
707 Operations - Grainlander to Sea Lake, August 2023
Friday 11 August 2023
On the weekend of 11-13 August 2023 707 Operations ran their 'The Grainlander' train to Sea Lake with Steamrail's R761 leading A66 and A62.
707 Operations - The Riverlander, July 2023
Friday 14 July 2023
On the weekend of Friday 14 to Sunday 16 July 2023 707 Operations ran their 'The Riverlander' train to Deniliquin behind R707, N452 and A66.
707 Operations - A62 test run, July 2023
Monday 3 July 2023
On Saturday 1 July 2023 A66 led 707 Operation's recently reactivated diesel locomotive A62 from Newport Workshops to Kilmore East and return on a test run with passengers, running via Brooklyn and Albion due to trackwork on the Werribee and Sunbury lines. The train was made up of PCP 294 – ACZ 255 – BZ 270 – BRS 224 – BK 708 – BCZ 257.
707 Operations - Grainlander to Sea Lake, May 2023
Sunday 14 May 2023
On the weekend of 10-12 May 2023 707 Operations ran their 'The Grainlander' train to Sea Lake with R707 leading S306 and A66.
707 Operations - Riverlander to Deniliquin, March 2023
Friday 24 March 2023
On the weekend of 24-26 March 2023 707 Operations ran their 'The Riverlander' train to Deniliquin with A66 leading N459.
707 Operations - Grainlander to Quambatook, February 2023
Sunday 19 February 2023
On the weekend of 17-19 February 2023 707 Operations ran their 'The Grainlander' train to Sea Lake with A66 leading N464.
707 Operations transfer to Seymour
Tuesday 7 February 2023
On Tuesday 7 February 2023 V/Line locomotive P12 transferred sleeping carriage VAM1 and the Spirit of Progress Dining Car from Newport Workshops to SRHC in Seymour, travelling via the Newport-Sunshine and Albion-Jacana goods lines.
707 Operations - Bluestone Express charter 2022
Sunday 18 December 2022
707 Operations ran their 'Bluestone Express' to transport Melbourne Grammar School's symphony orchestra to a series of concerts around Victoria between 9 and 18 December 2022.
707 Operations - Grainlander to Sea Lake, November 2022
Friday 11 November 2022
On the weekend of 11-13 November 2022 707 Operations ran their 'The Grainlander' train to Sea Lake with N451 leading S306 on the train.
707 Operations - Grainlander to Nullawil, September 2022
Sunday 4 September 2022
On the weekend of 2-4 September 2022 707 Operations ran their 'The Grainlander' train to Sea Lake, Wycheproof and Nullawil with R707 leading A66 on the train.
707 Operations - 'The Gracelander' to Bendigo 2022
Saturday 9 July 2022
On Saturday 9 July 2022 R707 and A66 led 'The Gracelander' train from Southern Cross to Bendigo and return.
707 Operations - Castlemaine charter, May 2022
Sunday 15 May 2022
On Sunday 15 May 2022 R707 lead a short train from Newport Workshops to Castlemaine via Brooklyn for a private charter. The train was made up of PCP 294 – BK 708 – CLUB 1 – BRS 224 – CP 35.
707 Operations - Grainlander to Nullawil, May 2022
Friday 6 May 2022
Friday 6 May 2022 R707, H3 and H5 led the 707 Operations 'Grainlander' weekender train to Sea Lake, Wycheproof and Nullawil, returning to Melbourne on Sunday 8 May 2022. The consist was VOAF 100 - PCP 294 - ACZ 255 - BZ 270 - BRS 224 - BK 708 - JTA 6 - Club 1 - SJ 284 - NAM 2336 - LAN 2354 - LAN 2352 - Wando.
707 Operations - 'The Winelander' to Castlemaine, April 2022
Saturday 2 April 2022
On Saturday 2 April 2022 R707 and S306 lead 'The Winelander' special train from Southern Cross to Castlemaine and return, carriages including PCP 294 –BRS 224 – BK 708 – Club 1 - BS 215 – BS 212 – JTA 6.
707 Operations - 'Picnic Express' to Bacchus Marsh 2021
Sunday 28 November 2021
707 Operations ran four 'Picnic Express' trains from Southern Cross to Bacchus Marsh and return over two weekends in November 2021. Steam locomotive R707 and diesel Y127 freshly repainted in V/Line livery hauling the train made up of PCP 294, BZ 270, BRS 224, Club Car 1 and CP 35. The train ran empty to the Maddingley Sidings, while R707 was turned on the turntable at Bacchus Marsh.
707 Operations - Castlemaine transfer, 2021
Sunday 31 October 2021
On the early morning of Sunday 31 October 2021 707 Operations sent A66 and a freshly repained in V/Line liveried Y127 from Newport Wokrshops to Castlemaine via Sunshine to transfer ex-Bluebird railcar BM 259 to the Victorian Goldfields Railway. 'The Overland' carriages PCP 294 – JTA 6 – CLUB 1 – SJ 284 and CP 35 also came along, being used on a Victorian Goldfields Railway charter run to Maldon later that day, then back to Melbourne that afternoon.
707 Operations - Seymour driver training, October 2021
Sunday 24 October 2021
On Sunday 24 October 2021 R707 lead a driver training run from Newport Workshops to Seymour via Brooklyn and Sunshine, using carriages PCP 294 - ACZ 255 - BZ 270 - BRS 224 - LAN 2352 - CP 35.
707 Operations - Ballarat driver training, October 2021
Saturday 2 October 2021
On Saturday 2 October 2021 707 Operations' recently overhauled steam locomotive R707 headed from Melbourne to Ballarat and return on a driver training run, hauling V/Line carriage sets SH29 and LH32. R707 had been out of service for almost two years, to allow the replacement of the main internal steam pipe, regulator adjustments and repair, fitting of new element tubes and ash pan replacement.
707 Operations - Grainlander to Nullawil, May 2021
Sunday 9 May 2021
On the weekend of 7-9 May 2021 707 Operations ran their 'The Grainlander' train to Sea Lake, Wycheproof and Nullawil. A66 led H5 and S306 on the train, made up of D 318, PCP 294, BZ 270, BRS 224, NAM 2336, LAN 2354, Club 1, BK 708, SJ 284, JTA 6, and Wando.
707 Operations - Grainlander to Quambatook, March 2021
Sunday 7 March 2021
On 6-7 March 2021 707 Operations ran their 'Grainlander' weekend sleeping train tour to Quambatook, with A66 leading S306.
Heritage A class locomotive transfers 2020
Saturday 6 June 2020
On 6 June 2020 V/Line heritage allocated locomotives were collected from South Dynon by their new owners - A60 to the Seymour Railway Heritage Centre and A62 to 707 Operations. Both locomotives needed to be transferred between passenger carriages due to the lack of working brake equipment.
707 Operations - Geelong Revival Motoring Festival, November 2019
Sunday 24 November 2019
On 24 November 2019 707 Operations ran a steam hauled heritage train from Melbourne's Southern Cross Station to Geelong for the 2019 Geelong Revival Motoring Festival. The train via via Altona and Werribee on the down and Wyndham Vale on the up, with R707 and T392 hauling a train made up of carriages PCP294, JTA6, ACZ255, BZ270, CLUB1, BS205 and BK708.
707 Operations - 'Wizarding Academy Express' charter 2019
Saturday 2 November 2019
On the weekend of 2 and 3 November 2019 707 Operations ran 'Wizarding Academy Express' charter trains. Running out of Southern Cross Station, passengers were treated to a magic themed train journey that was 100% not infringing the copyright of the popular 'Harry Power' series of books. R707 and T413 ran the train push pull to Caroline Springs and back, the train made up of PCP 294, BZ 270, Club 1, ACZ 255 and BK 708.
707 Operations - Tastes of the Goulburn, 2019
Saturday 19 October 2019
707 Operations ran a special train from Melbourne to Seymour and return on 19 October 2018 to transport passengers to the 'Tastes of the Goulburn' festival in Seymour. R707, H5 and T392 led the train, with carriages VAM 1, PCP 294, ACZ 255, BZ 270, BRS 224, CLUB 1, BS 205, BS 212, JTA 6, BK 708, Moorabool and D318 in the consist.
707 Operations - Cruise Express charter, July 2019
Sunday 21 July 2019
On 21 July 2019 707 Operations ran a charter for 'Cruise Express' from Southern Cross to Newport Workshops and Seymour. R707 and Y127 led the first half of the tour, with R707, H3 and H5 taking over to Seymour, with carriages PCP 294, ACZ 255, BRS 224, BS 205, BS 212, Club 1, JTA6, D318 and Dining Car making up the train.
707 Operations - Winter School Holiday Steam to Gisborne, 2019
Sunday 7 July 2019
707 Operations ran a school holiday special to Gisborne on 7 July 2019, with R707 leading PCP294, ACZ255, BRS224, Club1, BS205, BS202 and D318. Due to the lack of turntable, the train returned to Melbourne tender first
707 Operations - Seymour, May 2019
Saturday 18 May 2019
On 18 May 2017 707 Operations ran a private charter from Newport to Seymour and return, via Southern Cross Station. H5 and H3 lead the train, made up of PCP 294, BRS 224, Club Car 'Victoria', BK 708 & Overland sleeper 'Kuldalai' JTA6.
707 Operations - Bendigo Heritage Unwrapped, May 2019
Saturday 11 May 2019
On 11 May 2019 R707 led a special train to Bendigo for the 'Heritage Unwrapped Festival' with carriages PCP294, ACZ 255, BRS 224, Club Car 1, BS 205 and BK 708.
707 Operations - Somerville Sojourn and the Mornington Tourist Railway 2019
Saturday 30 March 2019
On 30 March 2019 707 Operations ran their 'Somerville Sojourn and the Mornington Tourist Railway' tour to Long Island Junction and return, with locomotives H5 and T413 leading carriages PCP294, BS212, BRS224 and BS205
707 Operations - Meander to Mernda 2019
Sunday 20 January 2019
On 20 January 2019 707 Operations ran their 'Meander to Mernda' tour from Newport to Mernda, Macleod and Showgrounds, travelling via Laverton, Newport and Brooklyn due to an occupation on the normal route via the suburban tracks through Footscray. T413, Y127, H3 and H5 led the push-pull train, along with carriages PCP 294, BK 708, Wando, and BK 700.
707 Operations - Strawberry and Cherry Festival, November 2018
Saturday 17 November 2018
On 17 November 2018 707 Operations ran a special train to the Strawberry and Cherry Festival at Bacchus Marsh, with R707 leading Y127 and T413 along with PCP 294, ACZ 255, BZ 270, BRS 224, Club 1, BS 205, JTA 6 and D 318.
707 Operations - Tastes of the Goulburn, 2018
Saturday 20 October 2018
707 Operations ran a special train from Melbourne to Seymour and return on 20 October 2018 to transport passengers to the 'Tastes of the Goulburn' festival in Seymour. R707 and H5 led the train, with carriages PCP 294, ACZ 255, BZ 270, BS 205, BRS 224, BK 708 and BS 212 in the consist.
707 Operations - Steam and Streamliner, August 2018
Sunday 26 August 2018
707 Operations ran their 'Steam and Streamliner' tour from Newport to Berwick and Stony Point on 26 August 2018, featuring steam locomotive R707 and recently retired V/Line diesel locomotive A66.
707 Operation - Redwood Rattler Tour to Maryborough, August 2018
Sunday 5 August 2018
707 Operations ran their 'Redwood Rattler Tour' from Melbourne to Maryborough and return via Bacchus Marsh on August 5, 2018. The train was led by H5 and P12, a replacement for a failed T413, carriages included PCP294, ACZ255, BZ270, BS205, BRS224, BK708 and Club Car 1.
707 Operations - Seymour transfer, July 2018
Saturday 28 July 2018
On 28 July 2018 T413 and H5 worked a train made up of PCP294, NAM2336, Club Car 'Victoria', BS216, Avoca, BS219 and VAM1 from Newport Workshops to Seymour, the BS carriages earmarked for restoration at the Seymour Railway Heritage Centre. The train returned a day later, with F202 and H3 in the consist and minus a few carriages.
707 Operations - Steam over Skyrail to Sale, June 2018
Saturday 23 June 2018
On 23 June 2018 707 Operations ran their 'Steam over Skyrail to Sale' train from Newport Workshops to Sale and return, being the first steam train to pass over the completed 'skyrail' viaducts between Caulfield and Dandenong. R707 led the train, with H5 and T413 assisting a train made up of PCP 294, SJ 284, Club 1, NAM 2336, LAN 2354, BS 212, BS 205, BK 708, BRS 224, BZ 270, ACZ255.
707 Operations - Dash to Deniliquin, February 2018
Saturday 17 February 2018
On Saturday 17 707 Operations ran their 'Dash to Deniliquin' tour from Newport to Deniliquin, running via Bendigo on the down, and Toolamba and Seymour on the up. T413 and H5 led the train, made up of PCP 294, BS 205, SJ 284, SJ 282, BRS 224, Avoca, Club 1, BK 708, NAM 2336, LAN 2354 and Wando.
707 Operations - Manangatang, December 2017
Friday 15 December 2017
On the weekend of 15-17 December 2017 707 Operations ran a train from Melbourne to Manangatang and return, travelling via Bacchus Marsh on the down, and North Shore on the return. T413 & H5 hauled the train, with PCP 294, BS 205, SJ 284, BRS 224, Avoca, Club Car 1, NAM 2336, LAN 2354, VAM 1, and Wando in the consist.
707 Operation - 'Redwood Rattler Tour' August 2017
Sunday 6 August 2017
707 Operations ran their 'Redwood Rattler Tour' from Melbourne to Maryborough and return via Bacchus Marsh on August 06, 2017. The train was led by T413 and P14, a replacement for a failed H5, carriages included PCP294, ACZ255, BZ270, BS205, BRS224, BK708, and 'Victoria' Club Car 1.
707 Operations - Farewell to Murrayville Tour, July 2017
Sunday 23 July 2017
On Friday 21 July through Sunday 23 July 707 Operations run their 'Farewell to Murrayville' tour from Melbourne to Murrayville and return, as a a farewell tour to the broad gauge Ouyen to Murrayville branch line. T413 and H3 led the train made up of a mix of Victorian, NSW and South Australian joint stock sleeping carriages: PCP294, ACZ255, BRS224, SJ282, SJ284, Club Car Victoria, dining car Avoca, NAM2336, LAN2354, BK708 and VAM1.
707 Operations - Best of British suburban tour, July 2017
Sunday 16 July 2017
On July 16, 2017 707 Operations ran their 'Best of British' tour around the Melbourne suburbs, visiting Aircraft, the Newport-Sunshine goods lines, Caroline Springs, West Tower and the reversing loop, with diesel shunter F208 and mainline steam locomotive R707 running push pull.