Members Christmas Train - Saturday 28th November 2026
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*** MEMBERS AND FRIENDS ONLY ***
Tickets must be booked by a Steamrail Member.
This event is not open to the general public.
https://www.steamrail.com.au/membership.
SATURDAY 28th NOVEMBER 2026
Join us as we celebrate the end of a fantastic year of heritage trains in style. The Steamrail Board invites members and friends to travel behind vintage diesel locomotives from Newport, Southern Cross or Ballarat to Maryborough and return.
TICKETS AND MORE INFO - www.trybooking.com/DQLDN
Departing Newport Station or Southern Cross Station, the train will pick up speed through the Western Suburbs and head out across the grasslands towards Geelong. After a short stop at Lara, we skirt Port Phillip Bay on the edge of the city of Geelong, the half-way point of our journey. From here, our vintage streamlined locomotives will work hard with our 12 carriage train to climb the hills of the Golden Plains, travelling along the original mainline between Ballarat and Geelong from 1862. After a brief stop to pick up passengers from the historic gold mining town of Ballarat, Our train will pass through the Western District's lush farming country, arriving into the grand station of Maryborough. Here there will be ample time to grab lunch and explore the city.
Our train will have a mid-afternoon departure from Maryborough, with another stop at Ballarat, before returning to Melbourne via 'the straight'. After passing through Ballan, we descend of the famous 1 in 48 Ingliston Bank, providing spectacular views back towards Melbourne & across the Werribee Gorge State Park. We will then drop into the town of Bacchus Marsh, before passing over the iconic 375-metre Melton Viaduct, built in 1885 to traverse the Werribee River. The train will arrive back at Southern Cross Station and again drop off at Newport Station.
Only Steamrail Volunteers may board or disembark at the Newport Steamrail Depot.
MARYBOROUGH
A railway station with a town attached. Passengers choosing to disembark at Maryborough will have a little over two hours to explore the historic station and town.
There are a number of dining options including pubs, cafes and takeaway shops. The CBD is a 10-minute walk from the station platform.
Please ensure you book in advance for lunch. There may be limited availability at local venues.
TICKETS AND MORE INFO - www.trybooking.com/DQLDN
ONBOARD EXPERIENCE
Seating is reserved, but passengers are welcome to mix throughout and enjoy all areas of the train.
Spend time with friends in the open areas of Club Cars 'Moorabool' and 'Hobsons Bay', Lounge Car 708, or our more modern PCJ viewing van and saloon carriage 4AZ.
BYO Food and Drink as there will be no kiosk onboard the train.
Plenty of free all day car parking is available at Newport Station in the commuter car parks at 21 Market Street, Newport.
FIRST CLASS
Go first class! Relax in your comfortable air-conditioned and heated 1930s-vintage compartment. All seating is reserved.
EXCURSION CLASS
Experience our 'K Type' Carriages dating back to 1906 with beautiful timber work and pressed-tin ceilings, walk-through corridors and comfortable compartment or saloon style seating. Featuring 'old-school air-con', with the windows wide open to listen to the engine working hard up the hills. All seating is reserved.
THE VINTAGE TRAIN
Ride with us onboard 'The Vintage Train’, fully restored by Steamrail as an important part of Victoria’s rail heritage. Our steam locomotives are coal or oil fired and date from 1889 to 1952, while the carriages range from as early as 1906. The train features beautiful timber work & pressed-tin ceilings, walk-through corridors, comfortable compartment style seating, a licensed bar and kiosk, and toilets with washrooms. All rail seating is reserved.
TICKETS AND MORE INFO - www.trybooking.com/DQLDN
Not a member? Visit our website for more information on becoming a Member of Steamrail Victoria:
https://www.steamrail.com.au/membership.
Any membership applications recieved from October 1st will be carried forward to the 2027 membership year.
VENUE
Newport, Southern Cross, or Ballarat Stations to Maryborough and return (stopping at Lara in the morning only).
TIMETABLE
6:56am dep. NEWPORT STATION
7:16am arr. SOUTHERN CROSS
8:07am dep. SOUTHERN CROSS
9:24am dep. LARA
11:33am dep. BALLARAT
12:40pm arr. MARYBOROUGH
3:00pm dep. MARYBOROUGH
4:11pm arr. BALLARAT
5:47pm arr. SOUTHERN CROSS
6:56pm dep. SOUTHERN CROSS
7:14pm arr. NEWPORT STATION
Only Steamrail Volunteers may board or disembark at the Newport Steamrail Depot.
FARES
Reserved Seating
Become a Steamrail Member to make a booking - www.steamrail.com.au/membership
SRV Member $87.63 (including $0.50 ticket fee + 2.5% processing fee)
Friend of a Member $101.98 (including $0.50 ticket fee + 2.5% processing fee)
Volunteer $56.88 (including $0.50 ticket fee + 2.5% processing fee)
Under 17 $56.88 (including $0.50 ticket fee + 2.5% processing fee)
Under 3 $0 - (Children under 3 years travel free, they must still hold a valid ticket, however they are not provided with a seat)
Volunteers are offered travel at a reduced rate - contact your department manager or the Steamrail Office for the discount code.
TICKETS AND MORE INFO - www.trybooking.com/DQLDN
BOOKINGS AND REFUNDS
TryBooking Terms and Conditions.
Steamrail's Terms and Conditions are located on the Steamrail Website.
CONTACT DETAILS
Steamrail Victoria Inc. (03) 9397 1953 (Business Hours only) [email protected]
Tickets must be booked by a Steamrail Member.
This event is not open to the general public.
https://www.steamrail.com.au/membership.
SATURDAY 28th NOVEMBER 2026
Join us as we celebrate the end of a fantastic year of heritage trains in style. The Steamrail Board invites members and friends to travel behind vintage diesel locomotives from Newport, Southern Cross or Ballarat to Maryborough and return.
TICKETS AND MORE INFO - www.trybooking.com/DQLDN
Departing Newport Station or Southern Cross Station, the train will pick up speed through the Western Suburbs and head out across the grasslands towards Geelong. After a short stop at Lara, we skirt Port Phillip Bay on the edge of the city of Geelong, the half-way point of our journey. From here, our vintage streamlined locomotives will work hard with our 12 carriage train to climb the hills of the Golden Plains, travelling along the original mainline between Ballarat and Geelong from 1862. After a brief stop to pick up passengers from the historic gold mining town of Ballarat, Our train will pass through the Western District's lush farming country, arriving into the grand station of Maryborough. Here there will be ample time to grab lunch and explore the city.
Our train will have a mid-afternoon departure from Maryborough, with another stop at Ballarat, before returning to Melbourne via 'the straight'. After passing through Ballan, we descend of the famous 1 in 48 Ingliston Bank, providing spectacular views back towards Melbourne & across the Werribee Gorge State Park. We will then drop into the town of Bacchus Marsh, before passing over the iconic 375-metre Melton Viaduct, built in 1885 to traverse the Werribee River. The train will arrive back at Southern Cross Station and again drop off at Newport Station.
Only Steamrail Volunteers may board or disembark at the Newport Steamrail Depot.
MARYBOROUGH
A railway station with a town attached. Passengers choosing to disembark at Maryborough will have a little over two hours to explore the historic station and town.
There are a number of dining options including pubs, cafes and takeaway shops. The CBD is a 10-minute walk from the station platform.
Please ensure you book in advance for lunch. There may be limited availability at local venues.
TICKETS AND MORE INFO - www.trybooking.com/DQLDN
ONBOARD EXPERIENCE
Seating is reserved, but passengers are welcome to mix throughout and enjoy all areas of the train.
Spend time with friends in the open areas of Club Cars 'Moorabool' and 'Hobsons Bay', Lounge Car 708, or our more modern PCJ viewing van and saloon carriage 4AZ.
BYO Food and Drink as there will be no kiosk onboard the train.
Plenty of free all day car parking is available at Newport Station in the commuter car parks at 21 Market Street, Newport.
FIRST CLASS
Go first class! Relax in your comfortable air-conditioned and heated 1930s-vintage compartment. All seating is reserved.
EXCURSION CLASS
Experience our 'K Type' Carriages dating back to 1906 with beautiful timber work and pressed-tin ceilings, walk-through corridors and comfortable compartment or saloon style seating. Featuring 'old-school air-con', with the windows wide open to listen to the engine working hard up the hills. All seating is reserved.
THE VINTAGE TRAIN
Ride with us onboard 'The Vintage Train’, fully restored by Steamrail as an important part of Victoria’s rail heritage. Our steam locomotives are coal or oil fired and date from 1889 to 1952, while the carriages range from as early as 1906. The train features beautiful timber work & pressed-tin ceilings, walk-through corridors, comfortable compartment style seating, a licensed bar and kiosk, and toilets with washrooms. All rail seating is reserved.
TICKETS AND MORE INFO - www.trybooking.com/DQLDN
Not a member? Visit our website for more information on becoming a Member of Steamrail Victoria:
https://www.steamrail.com.au/membership.
Any membership applications recieved from October 1st will be carried forward to the 2027 membership year.
VENUE
Newport, Southern Cross, or Ballarat Stations to Maryborough and return (stopping at Lara in the morning only).
TIMETABLE
6:56am dep. NEWPORT STATION
7:16am arr. SOUTHERN CROSS
8:07am dep. SOUTHERN CROSS
9:24am dep. LARA
11:33am dep. BALLARAT
12:40pm arr. MARYBOROUGH
3:00pm dep. MARYBOROUGH
4:11pm arr. BALLARAT
5:47pm arr. SOUTHERN CROSS
6:56pm dep. SOUTHERN CROSS
7:14pm arr. NEWPORT STATION
Only Steamrail Volunteers may board or disembark at the Newport Steamrail Depot.
FARES
Reserved Seating
Become a Steamrail Member to make a booking - www.steamrail.com.au/membership
SRV Member $87.63 (including $0.50 ticket fee + 2.5% processing fee)
Friend of a Member $101.98 (including $0.50 ticket fee + 2.5% processing fee)
Volunteer $56.88 (including $0.50 ticket fee + 2.5% processing fee)
Under 17 $56.88 (including $0.50 ticket fee + 2.5% processing fee)
Under 3 $0 - (Children under 3 years travel free, they must still hold a valid ticket, however they are not provided with a seat)
Volunteers are offered travel at a reduced rate - contact your department manager or the Steamrail Office for the discount code.
TICKETS AND MORE INFO - www.trybooking.com/DQLDN
BOOKINGS AND REFUNDS
TryBooking Terms and Conditions.
Steamrail's Terms and Conditions are located on the Steamrail Website.
CONTACT DETAILS
Steamrail Victoria Inc. (03) 9397 1953 (Business Hours only) [email protected]
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Where is it happening?
Southern Cross railway station, Grill'd, Spencer St, Docklands VIC 3008, Australia, Melbourne
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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Host or PublisherSteamrail Victoria
