There’s just something about a steam train and the way it can turn grown men and women back into excited little kids. When you combine a ride in a steam train with a trip to the snow the excitement levels goes up a notch. All aboard Steamrail Victoria’s Snow Train.
Steamrail Victoria is volunteer organisation dedicated to the restoration and operation of vintage locomotives and carriages. It conducts rail tours on Victoria’s main lines throughout the year.
The Snow Train has become an annual fixture on the Steamrail calendar. The combination of steam trains and snowmen is very popular, with the annual snow train journeys consistently selling out.
Today is now exception with the platform at Southern Cross Station packed as the train arrives from its Newport headquarters.
Snow Train
Today’s train – some 350 metres long – is hauled by steam locomotives R761 and R711. The locomotives were both built in Scotland to serve on the Victorian railways in the 1950s and 1960s. The R761 engine was fully restored by Steamrail volunteers. R711 meanwhile was handed over to Steamrail after being withdrawn from service on the Melbourne to Warrnambool line. Both are stalwarts of Steamrail’s small stable of working locomotives.
The eclectic collection of carriages making up the train today showcases Victorian railway history with the oldest dating from 1906. More recent carriages were in service into the 1980s.
After departing Southern Cross Station around 7.40am, the Snow Train heads through Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs on the Dandenong-Pakenham line, crossing the controversial new Skyrail. Sections of track between Caulfield and Dandenong have been elevated as part of a Victorian Government plan to remove level crossings.
As we steam through the suburbs, as always, there are plenty of people out trainspotting. It’s always nice to see people with a smile on their face as they watch the steam train pass, especially the little kids who they’ve just spotted the real Thomas.
Leaving the suburbs, the train crosses Gippsland farmland, startling some cows and horses in the process. There’s time to sit back and enjoy the views of the countryside or head to the café car for a snack or a hot drink.
Some two hours after leaving Melbourne, the train arrives at Moe, where most of the passengers disembark for tours. Snow Train options include heading on to Traralgon on the train for free time, taking a winery tour, a visit with lunch to the lovely historic town of Walhalla or heading up to Mt Baw Baw to enjoy some snow time.
The least pleasant part of the day is the long and slow bus ride up the windy road to Baw Baw village. By the time we reach the snow, we’ve been travelling close to five hours.
At 1564 metres, Mt Baw Baw is not exactly up there with the European Alps. But, around 170 kilometres from Melbourne it is the closest downhill ski resort to the capital. The compact ski field of 35 hectares has options for downhill skiing, snowboarding, cross country skiing and snow play or even trying your hand at dogsledding. It’s also ideal for snowshoeing and that’s where I’m headed with my group of friends.
After jumping the queue in the ski hire shop thanks to pre-booking our equipment with the very helpful owners, we’re able to hit the trails reasonably quickly and maximise our time on the snow. The tight Steamrail Snow Train schedule gives us just under two hours at the snow. That’s just enough for a good walk.
Snowshoeing is a great way to explore the snow for non-skiers. Anyone with reasonable fitness can give it a crack. No prior experience or lessons are needed. You just strap the snowshoes to regular hiking boots and you’re good to go.
The weather is fine and the cross country trails have a good covering of snow. We explore the cross country ski trails, taking care not to stomp on the groomed trails, and make our way up to the Baw Baw summit.
To make sure we don’t miss the bus back down to the Snow Train, we stop here only briefly to have a snack and enjoy the beautiful views across to neighbouring mountains. I’m reminded again, as if I needed reminding, how beautiful this part of country Victoria is.
We descend carefully back to the village, return our equipment and re-board the bus for the 3pm departure to meet up with the Snow Train back in Moe.
On the way back down the AFL app on my phone provides a very handy distraction from the winding road as my partner and I follow the progress of the blockbuster Richmond vs Collingwood game at the MCG (#gotiges).
Back at Moe we find some enterprising local services clubs have set up a sausage sizzle and stalls selling hot drinks and soup. Having not had time to get a proper lunch, a hot drink and a sausage is very welcome.
On the return Snow Train journey the tired travellers enjoy a glass of wine in our carriage and some snacks we’ve brought along to keep us going until we get home.
The train arrives back in the city just before 8pm, just on 12 hours since departing.
The verdict
Although it’s a very long way to travel to get to the snow, the Snow Train offers a unique, and very pleasant, way to get there. It is a very long day with minimal snow time but it is enough. Overall a great day out.
This review relates to the Steamrail Snow Train that operated on 28 July, 2018.