Tocumwal Steam Spectacular - 3rd - 5th July 2026

Name: Tocumwal Steam Spectacular - 3rd - 5th July 2026
Start: 2026-07-03T02:19:00+10:00
End: 2026-07-05T02:10:00+10:00
Location: Southern Cross railway station

Schedule

Fri, 03 Jul, 2026 at 02:19 am to Sun, 05 Jul, 2026 at 02:10 am

UTC+10:00

Location

Southern Cross railway station | Melbourne, VI

Steamrail Victoria invites you to join us for this exciting event of steam travel over the Murray River and into Tocumwal NSW!
Choose either our day return from Melbourne, or two nights away in our beautifully restored sleeping carriages.

A tour not to be missed! - With an upcoming V/Line timetable change in late 2026, steam hauled day tours to Tocumwal may become more difficult for us to operate. We are uncertain whether we will be able to repeat this format in the future.

TICKETS AND MORE INFO - www.trybooking.com/DMFTC
Explore Tocumwal
Arriving into Tocumwal, take time to explore the lovely town on the banks of the Murray River. Surrounded by a stunning red gum forest, Tocumwal is an idyllic town by the banks of the magnificent Murray River. This historic town is steeped in fascinating railway and military heritage.
There are a number of dining options, including restaurants, cafes, and hotels. Please ensure you make lunch reservations in advance as there may be limited availability at local venues.

The river frontage and main street are a 15-minute walk from the station platform, where there are cafes & eateries for you to enjoy meals, plus a range of shopping opportunities to find a souvenir for your travels.
Take a walk over the bridge back into Victoria, along the beaches surrounded by Red Gum forest, or on the National Memorial WAAAF Creek Walk, honouring the Women's Auxiliary Australian Airforce.
The Tocumwal Railway Heritage Museum will be open at the Station, and the Tocumwal Aviation Museum is a 40 minute walk from the town centre.

Option 1 - Melbourne to Tocumwal Day Tour - Saturday 4th July 2026
Join us on a rare day tour to Tocumwal behind Steam Locomotives, featuring A2 986, R761 and R711.
Departing Southern Cross Station at 7:45am, R761 & A2 986 will perform a fast run direct to Seymour in the morning, reminiscent of the golden age of the Victorian Railways and famous express trains like the Spirit of Progress and Albury Express. After the train departs Melbourne, settle into your compartment and listen to the engines work hard as we climb the infamous Glenroy Bank, through the northern suburbs and into regional Victoria. After passing through the volcanic plains surrounding Wallan, our train will climb to the summit of the Great Dividing Range at Heathcote Junction and pass through the familiar bushland of the North-East.
All passengers will have access to our Club Car 'Moorabool' with relaxed open seating and our Kiosk / Bar open throughout the journey.
On arrival into the historic railway town of Seymour, we will have a quick stop on the platform before the next leg of the journey. R761 will take the train solo from here, while A2 986 will be left in Seymour to be turned and watered by our volunteers. After departing Seymour we will head onto the plains of the Goulburn Valley and steam towards the Murray River. Arrival into Tocumwal will be at 12:46pm, where we will meet R711.
You will have time to explore Tocumwal at your leisure or dine at one of the many local spots. Please ensure you make lunch reservations in advance, as there may be limited availability at local venues.
After a pleasant stop just over the New South Wales border, the train will depart Tocumwal at 3:50pm, now being hauled by R711. At Seymour, A2 986 will be again attached to our train, before both locos work hard into the evening to lift us over the Great Dividing Range and back to Melbourne, arriving back into Southern Cross Station at 8:49pm.

Option 2 - Murray River Sleeping Car Adventure - Friday 3rd to Sunday 5th July 2026

Steamrail Victoria invites you to join us for this exciting event of overnight travel in beautifully restored sleeping carriages. Experience a short and sweet weekend away, 'Railway Style'.
We invite you to join our transfer trains to enable swapping locomotives at Tocumwal. These transfer trains are usually enjoyed only by our volunteers, until now...

Day 1 - Friday 3rd July 2026
After picking up at Newport (12:19pm), Sunshine (12:38pm) and Broadmeadows (1:12pm) Stations, R711 will gather speed through the Northern Suburbs and head out across the grasslands towards Seymour. Here there will be a short one hour stop to wander into town while the locomotive is turned on the turntable.
Rejoin the train for a slower paced run through the Goulburn Valley, making a stop at Shepparton (5:37pm to 7:30pm) to find dinner while our volunteers service the locomotive.
From here we will steam towards New South Wales, arriving at Tocumwal - across the Murray River and 251 kilometres from Melbourne by rail. Arriving at 9:03pm, disembark the train at your leisure for an evening stroll along the river, before settling into your On-Train accommodation.

Day 2 - Saturday 4th July 2026
The train will remain stabled at Tocumwal railway station - with no checkout time, take the day to explore the town at your own pace.
See more about exploring Tocumwal at the top of this page.

Day 3 - Sunday 5th July 2026
With the train departing Tocumwal at 4:20am, wake up in the comfort of your sleeping car berth as we head south again. With R761 now hauling our train, we will again arrive into Seymour (7:51am to 9:52am) with time to wander into town to find breakfast while we turn the locomotive. From Seymour, we will pick up speed once more and tackle the Great Dividing Range before rolling back down the plains into Melbourne.
The train will arrive back at Broadmeadows (11:18am), Sunshine (11:50am), and Newport (12:10pm) Stations after an exciting steam hauled weekend away.

ON-TRAIN ACCOMMODATION
'Railway Style' sleeping accommodation is available in our heritage Sleeping Cars.
Settle into your private berth for two nights in our gorgeous 1920's timber bodied sleepers. On boarding, your room will be set up in the sleeping configuration.
For the daytime portions of the tour, you may raise your bed to become a seat, or lie in bed and watch the scenery roll by.

'Railway Style' sleeping accommodation is like glamping in a beautiful 1920's carriage:
The compartment is for your private use all weekend.
Twinette Rooms may be booked for only one passenger at the same price. Please leave a note when making your booking.
Bedding is provided.
Carriages are either air-conditioned and heated, or non-air-conditioned (opening windows).
Twinette Rooms (for two people) are bunk style - one member of your party will need to be able to climb the ladder to the top bunk.
Toilets are available at the end of each carriage or in the adjacent carriage.
The shower car will be available for use - please bring your own toiletries.
Complimentary bottles of water will be available.
Due to the age of these carriages, access to power is limited, so it is recommended to bring a power bank for charging mobile devices.
There is limited storage in compartments, so we recommend limiting luggage brought onboard, similar to carry-on size on a flight. There is a shelf for your bag and a hanging closet for shirts and coats.
Photos of the Sleeping Car berths can be found on the next page by clicking the 'Book Now' button.

INCLUSIONS
This is a very simple, old-school overnight tour:
We will provide steam-hauled transport from Melbourne to Tocumwal and return, with two nights of accommodation onboard.
Meals are not included on this tour, and there is no onboard kiosk on this tour, you are welcome to BYO picnic for the journey, and stops will be made at Seymour and Shepparton, where you can wander into town at your own leisure.
Bedding is included.
Our Shower carriage and toilets onboard the train are available at any time throughout the journey,
Free car parking for passengers is available at Newport Station in the commuter car parks at 21 Market Street Newport VIC.
VENUE
Option 1 - Melbourne to Tocumwal Day Tour
Southern Cross Station to Tocumwal and return
Option 2 - Murray River Sleeping Car Adventure
Newport, Sunshine or Broadmeadows Stations to Tocumwal and return

TIMETABLE
<< SUBJECT TO CHANGE >> PLEASE CHECK THE FINAL TIMES AS SHOWN ON YOUR SEATING ALLOCATION, WHICH WILL BE EMAILED AROUND 2 DAYS PRIOR TO THE TOUR OPERATING.
Option 1 - Melbourne to Tocumwal Day Tour
Saturday 4th July 2026
Southern Cross Station (Plat. 3) - 7:45am
Seymour - 9:36am - 10:06am
Tocumwal - 12:46pm - 3:50pm
Seymour - 6:30pm - 7:00pm
Southern Cross Station - 8:49pm
Option 2 - Murray River Sleeping Car Adventure
Friday 3rd July 2026
Newport (Plat. 1) - 12:19pm
Sunshine (Plat. 4) - 12:38pm
Broadmeadows (Plat. 2) - 1:12pm
Seymour - 2:32pm - 3:30pm
Shepparton - 5:37pm - 7:30pm
Tocumwal - 9:03pm
Sunday 5th July 2026
Tocumwal - 4:20am
Shepparton - 5:53am
Seymour - 7:51am - 9:52am
Broadmeadows - 11:18am
Sunshine - 11:50am
Newport - 12:10pm

PRICES
Option 1 - Melbourne to Tocumwal Day Tour
Excursion Class (Non-Air Conditioned Seating)
Premium Private Compartment $700 Comfortably seating 1 - 3 passengers, enjoy a more intimate heritage train travel experience.
Adult $210
SRV Member $185 Become a Steamrail Member to save - www.steamrail.com.au/membership
Under 17 $125
Under 3 $0 (Children under 3 years travel free, they must still hold a valid ticket, however they are not provided with a seat)
First Class (Air Conditioned Seating)
Adult $230
SRV Member $205 Become a Steamrail Member to save - www.steamrail.com.au/membership
Under 17 $140
Under 3 $0 (Children under 3 years travel free, they must still hold a valid ticket, however they are not provided with a seat)

Option 2 - Murray River Sleeping Car Adventure
Please note - all fares are a flat rate and there are no concessions or discounts available on this tour.
Prices include train travel and accommodation for the number of people listed under Room Capacity.
Groups smaller than the Room Capacity may book a ticket at the same price. (For example one person may book a room for two or more at the rate stated below.)
Carriage Room Capacity Ticket Price
Coliban / Inman (Standard Twinette) 2 $949.00
Indi / Werribee (Air Con Twinette) 2 $999.00

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]