Southern Adventure (PART 1)

 If you have been a past reader of this blog you might have seen four previous posts where a group of like minded people headed to Victoria for a 'steam weekend'

Steam Rail the Victorian rail enthusiast group run regular trips to various locations on the Broad gauge (5 foot 3 inches - 1600mm) throughout the state. One location I always wanted to visit was Walhalla the terminus of the former 2' 6" narrow gauge railway from Moe. And the main feature I wanted to lay my eyes on was the Thomson River Bridge which was the most outstanding engineering feature on the narrow gauge system. I had plans to model this bridge one day so the visit was important for me.

After visits in 2016, 2017,2018, 2019 (then covid) a check of the Steam Rail diary showed that the 'Snow Train' was going to run again on the 1st August. A quick email around to the boys gathered another six interested bodies and plans were hatched. Although we had done this trip twice before there was no problem doing it again. Saturday was then allocated to the Snow Train and we planned on the Sunday to do again the Puffing Billy run. A quick check of the PB web site showed that it was booked out until some time in September so that was off the menu. Twice before we did the run out to Gembrook from Belgrave, throw in lunch and the full day is taken up getting there and back from Melbourne. Oh well we shall save that for another time.

Phil was designated the 'Snow Train' booker of tickets and the web site was late in putting up the trip. We intended to travel in a non air compartment even despite the 0700 coldness that needed the door shut and body heat to warm it up (which it was by the outskirts of Moe) Travelling non air at least allowed you to hear the bark of the double R class steam locos up front. The bookings finally opened on a Monday but by the time we got to book all the non air carriages were booked out, so Phil made an executive decision to go "1st class". This also meant that our compartment would be "air conditioned". At least we were able to travel so we were all happy with this decision.

Any way, I am getting ahead of myself we haven't even left Sydney yet. We 

decided to catch the daylight XPT to Melbourne which left Sydney at 0740, not too bad. On the Friday morning my wife drove me to Hornsby to catch the 0610 intercity to Central. On trips like this you always get nervous that there will be an incident somewhere that will delay your train and the other five will go on their merry way. No worries the train got there, departed on time and arrived at Central close enough to time. I found four of the others having a usual cup of coffee and found out that No. 6 would be joining us at Moss Vale in around two hours time. He was lucky not to have had to get out of bed at sparrow fart like the rest of us.

We made our way to platform 2 and were surprised to find that our XPT was the recent refurbished set that was repainted into the original Belbin inspired 'candy' colour scheme. It looked refreshing to see and still doing well after more than 40 years of punishing schedules to the interstate capitals of Melbourne and Brisbane plus Dubbo in the west and trips to Casino and Grafton on the north coast. Murphy was there and the only miss matched car in the consist was one blue car which was ours. It didn't matter we couldn't see the blue from the inside.

Making our slow way out to the first stop at Campbelltown we then increased speed to our next stop of Moss Vale where Mike got on. The day was fine so we didn't have to worry about rain on the window. I like train travel and being able to get out into the country and looking out the window to the ever changing scenery. We travelled Economy class and the reputation of being 'feral' class luckily didn't apply this journey. The buffet car was the next one so it wasn't far to go for a coffee or food. Eventually the lunch buffet was read out one that was hard to get excited about but I chose some beef and veggies. There was a piece of something in the middle which was identified as broccoli. Nothing like the pieces I have seen, it looked like it had made the journey between Sydney and Melbourne about twenty times. But the rest of it was passable. I gave the butter chicken a miss knowing we would be travelling on a coach tomorrow without toilet facilities and the spaghetti I can make at any time at home.

Sydney Central

The day moved fairly quickly along, with major towns along the way ticked off and eventually the border town of Albury was reached. Once the location of a major transhipping point for both passengers and goods that required a change from standard to broad gauge and vice versa. All this ended in 1962 when the standard gauge continued right through to Melbourne. On departing Albury we then cross the Murray River which forms the NSW/Victorian border. Being winter down under it started to get dark early so without light we just looked at ourselves in the reflection of the window.

We could tell we were nearing Melbourne as more and more lights were appearing and we were close enough to an on time arrival. Luckily we had booked across the road from the station as Saturday morning was a very early start. We stayed at the Great Southern Hotel which was clean and comfortable.

A very early get up on Saturday morning was required for our 0700 departure. A decision was made the night before to meet a Maccas on the next block up, luckily a 24 hour one. Everyone heard their alarm and we dined in for breakfast. The cops were there up the other end making a horizontal guy vertical. I think he was sleeping on the seats to keep warm out of the cold. After the food? was washed down with the coffee we made out way over to Platform 13 to wait for our steamer to Moe

The 'Snow train' as the name suggest also offered travellers to visit Mt. Baw Baw for a days skiing. I didn't see many skis on the platform but some of the outfits looked like they were off to the Antarctica  for a day. Car 5 was ours and we were soon inside a comfortable compartment with door shut to keep us warm.

As we had already guessed the sound of the double R class up front could hardly be heard, but the company was good. As we creeped through the outer Melbourne suburbs it started to become light. As it became light we could see the fog and it eventually burnt off with the bright sun which was streaming into our compartment. Again on this day it looked like we were going to be blessed with a fine day. Passing through outer suburbs the power and attraction of steam was evident with the number of people who came to trackside to watch. Or maybe it was the distinctive whistle that got them out of bed to complain?

I still have the set of notes that Steam Rail produced for the trip and I must say one of the best produced I have seen.

Buffet car

Travel time to Moe was just over three hours from Melbourne so a trip to the buffet car was welcome. As it was licenced it was possible to get drunk in advance and know the reason you kept falling over at the ski fields. I stuck to coffee. The fact we were committed to an air con car hit home when I overheard a passenger heading back to their no air car "Oh I don't want to go back to that cold carriage"

What a great day coming up

The closer we got to Moe the better the day looked. I think it is a big dairy area out Gippsland way, the scenery on the trip certainly suggested that. The three hour journey passed quickly and we soon arrived at Moe. The train picked up some locals heading for Traralgon for a steam train trip and the two groups for Walhalla and Mt. Baw Baw headed for their respective coaches.

Steam powered steamers at Moe

We had to cross the tracks to our coach and past a barbeque that was set up for anyone wanting a snack before lunch. I declined hoping that lunch would offer something better. We soon headed off towards Walhalla treading familiar territory. When you think that the narrow gauge railway once ran close to the road we would travel on it was an incredible engineering feat considering the equipment they had back then. No drones to chuck up in the air and have a look at the best direction. The journey is as attractive today as it was on the two previous times we travelled over it. Once past the old timber town of Erica the road starts to get rather hilly and windy.

Scenery on the way to Walhalla

Prior to departing Sydney we had received a message that our trip on the narrow gauge was not going ahead due to some locomotive issue and an alternative option was to go to a pioneer village back at Moe. Having previously modelled narrow gauge and making a model of the Thomson River bridge I would have been really pissed off if I hadn't already done those things on the previous two trips. After the coach driver doing a great trip through the bends we arrived at Walhalla ready to be dropped off at the hotel for lunch. We had booked the first setting at 1200 having been up early and with only Maccas sitting in the gut we we hoping we could put something better on top. Lunch was included in the fare and there was a choice of lamb, chicken or fish. Although that description sounds simple the lamb was a lamb shank with mash and veggies, the chicken was actually chicken pyjamas and chips and vegs and battered flathead, chips and salad. I ended up with the last one and would have been happy with any of the dishes. The waiters were very efficient for a small establishment, coming out of the kitchen with two plates and calling out your name off a list, you got what they brought out unless you did a swap. I didn't take a photo of the fish and chips, you all know what they look like but I did take a photo of my pavlova dessert. I missed out on the sticky date pudding.

My just desserts

The town of Walhalla still lives on way after its hey day back in the early 1900's mainly as a tourist town and is certainly worth a visit if you are down Gippsland way. It is a town shoved into a valley, so much so that the fire station was built over Stringers Creek, no room elsewhere. It was certainly very busy there that day the fine weather helping. It is also a through road to somewhere else and many four wheel drive vehicles were prominent throughout the town.

We decided to walk down to the station and check it out. It was unusual when we got there that after receiving the 'train cancelled' message we were surprised when a train arrived at the station.

The phantom train?

After taking our group photo under the Walhalla station sign it was then time to head uptown for a walk.

Well preserved bandstand

The town is full of information boards

Once a vault for the gold, none there now

Stringers Creek

The day went by too quickly and we made our way to the meet up point for the coach back. At each location where we got on and off the coach our Steam Rail guide (who reminded me of Blakey from 'On the buses') had a clip board and counted us on and off each time. Nearly ready to depart Walhalla two were missing, the first bus had their load and departed for the Pioneer Village while we waited for our stragglers. No show, so then the driver had to do another run through the village looking for them - no show, so we did the right thing and left without them. Rumour was that they got a lift back to Moe but failed to let the guide know. Knobs.

Leaving Walhalla I was sure to sit on the left hand side on what I reckon would be my last viewing of the Thomson River bridge in the flesh.

The real Thomson River bridge

The driver once again handled the trip back magnificently and stayed on the road and not hitting any other cars. Good job. On the way back I saw what looked like a single cloud in an other wise cloudless sky. As we got closer I realised that it was a huge escape of steam from the Yallourn Power station, looked impressive.

Retracing our previous path we came back to the outskirts of Moe and then proceeded to the Pioneer Village our alternative to a ride on the narrow gauge. It was very well done and worth a longer look than the half hour we had.

Down at the local

 At least we had a quick look around, so if I am ever down that way again it would be nice to visit. Back on the coach again and having Blakey tick our names off his clip board we soon arrived back at the station waiting our journey back to Melbourne. Word was out that the train was running late so we just had to wait I was hoping for a video if there was enough light. A whistle heard in the distance and the two R's chuffed into the platform waiting to reload with a bunch of tired passengers. You could feel the cool coming on the only heat was coming from our fellow passengers huddled on Moe platform trying to imitate a group of penguins. Our lovely warm compartment was waiting for us on the train. There was no scenery to see on the way back so we entertained ourselves by going down memory lane talking about old songs, old movies, old TV shows, old actors and anything else old we could think of. And all this came from the group of six 'old farts in the carriage'

Melbourne was eventually reached almost on time after departing Moe around thirty down. The quite Saturday evening was made better by the constant whistle blowing by the two engines from Flinders to Spencer Street and made way better by the echoing effect from the tall buildings. Magic.

The around 2100 arrival at Southern Cross defeated our strategy to have a late dinner, the first location we entered had the kitchen already closed. So we all then split up, the only obvious choices Maccas and Hungry Jacks were still dishing their stuff out. I found a takeaway place that was selling slices of pizza so that was Saturdays night meal. I resisted the temptations of 'Daniels Donuts' store placed strategically between where you get off the train and the hotel. I resisted but one of our party who shall remain nameless succumbed. He was spied in the distance with a large paper bag in his hand.

So after a long and exhausting day we all headed back to our rooms to have a good nights sleep. Sundays effort was to go to Ballarat to ride the trams and with a frequent service to Ballarat and around an hour and a half run we could finally sleep in a little later.

Part 2 will come a little later............