HAMILTON residents were treated to the rare sight of a passenger train on the local tracks last weekend, with many people braving the wintry conditions to see a special Seymour Railway Heritage Centre (SRHC) service visit the area.

Regular passenger services ended in September 1981, so the platform was busy again with locals lined up for one of the two special shuttle services offered departing Hamilton in the afternoon to the Chrome Loop.

On two different shuttles, passengers began at the Hamilton Railway Station and travelled to Chrome Rd near Branxholme, then returned back to Hamilton.

On the first journey there were 334 travellers on board whereas on the second ride it was halved with only 154 people, and the age demographic varied with a lot of mums, dads and kids as well as some older patrons.

Shuttle one departed Hamilton on Saturday at 1pm then completed the Chrome Loop from 1.35pm until 2.05pm and returned at 2.35pm.

The second shuttle left at 3.35pm and visited the Chrome Loop from 4.05pm to 4.40pm and returned at 5.15pm.

SRHC president, John Crofts, said that the trains ran on time in terms of the journey to  the Chrome Loop and back, but unfortunately there were unforeseen delays associated with the safe working requirements on the Portland line which resulted in an approximate 1.5-hour departure delay for all trips on the day. 

“These delays were associated with train orders (the process that governs the safe movement of trains from point to point on a line where there are no signals), Change Affecting Network Notices and associated Caution Orders (the process that covers changes to the standard operating protocols on the line - in this case the provision of ARTC personnel at the controlled level crossings) and minimum crew and safe working staff rest periods between shifts,” he said.

“The atmosphere on both trains (was) very positive with people enjoying the opportunity to travel on a train on a normally freight-only line and experience the heritage carriages and locomotives. 

“We were extremely happy with the turnout in both Hamilton and Portland. 

“This train was undertaken as a ‘proof of concept’ exercise and the conclusion undoubtedly is that there is significant interest in rail tourism products both to and within the region.”

The carriages were a combination of 1937 original Spirit of Progress carriages (the first all steel, air-conditioned train in the southern hemisphere and within the British Empire) and 1981 steel air-conditioned carriages from the very start of the V/Line era.

The Spirit of Progress carriages are compartment type carriages and also included on the train was the parlour observation car (which included a bar) and the guard’s van which is used as an open-air observation vehicle.

The V/Line era carriages are open saloon carriages and included one with a kiosk.

Mr Crofts said that the ride took half an hour in each direction between Hamilton and the Chrome Loop and about half an hour for the engines to run around. 

“The trip was undertaken at the line speed of 40km/h and was conducted in accordance with the agreed protocols that had been developed between ARTC, V/Line and SRHC,” he said.

“We would like to return with the train on a regular basis in the future, particularly in conjunction with events taking place in the region.”

SRHC were very pleased to have been able to offer the heritage train for people to experience the novelty of a passenger train in south-west Victoria.

Southern Grampians Shire Council chief executive, Tony Doyle, said that the atmosphere onboard was fantastic, there was pure excitement, many conversations, and people were fascinated by the sights along the route.

“It was good seeing people at the station platform awaiting the arrival of the train,” he said.

“I could definitely see Seymour Heritage Railway Centre doing trips in our region in the future because in many ways it was proved a successful day.

“I think it reminded everyone of the days when we did have a regular passenger/train service in Hamilton, which created a lot of chatter especially for the older people.”