Saturday, February 12, 2011

Maryborough by train

Yesterday I took the opportunity to travel by train to Maryborough in central Victoria. Maryborough has been without a passenger train service since the 1990's when the Vinelander stopped running to Mildura. Last year a day-return service to Melbourne was re-instituted. However with only train from Melbourne to Maryborough in the afternoon and the only train back to Melbourne in the morning, going there from Melbourne is not particularly practical.

The AREA, one of the many rail organisations I belong to, solved the problem by arranging a special trip there. We traveled in a 6-car VLocity set (Two 3-car sets coupled) on the V/Line 4.05pm service from Spencer Street (they call it Southern Cross these days but it is such a stupid name). It was a slow run out through North Melbourne and Sunshine before we headed off at a brisk pace on the old Western line in rather miserable weather. With intermediate stops only at Bacchus Marsh and Ballan, it was a quick trip to Ballarat where we left the rear 3-car set behind.

Although capable of traveling at up to 160 km/h, north of Ballarat the speeds were miserably slow. Paranoia about unprotected level crossings apparently. We actually stopped approaching one level crossing. At the moment there is only one station between Ballarat and Maryborough and that is Creswick where a few people go off. A new platform is being constructed at Clunes.

After a leisurely ride through the countryside, we arrived at Maryborough a few minutes late. Maryborough station is an imposing edifice on the edge of town. Mark Twain is said to have described the station as a "railway station with a town attached". It is well worth a visit but for now it is advisable to wait until the building restoration works are complete.

The problem of "no train to Melbourne tonight" was solved by the AREA chartering a bus to take us all across the Castlemaine on the Bendigo line. With a little time in hand, we took the tourist route out of Maryborough by driving down the main street. It is a pleasant looking country town. Well worth a return visit by car for a mid-week lunch.

On arrival in Castlemaine it was off to the shops for some dinner. Although there are lots of cafes in town, very few were open for dinner. The fish & chip shop was really busy so it was off to Subway for me. I am glad I did, it took some people over half an hour to get their fish & chips. Although Castlemaine has the reputation as a tourist destination, I liked the look of Maryborough better.

After dinner was eaten, it was time to stroll down to Castlemaine station. There aren't many choices of trains to Melbourne but the majority choice was for the 8.35pm "empty cars". Normally this train travels back to Melbourne from Bendigo without passenger or stopping anywhere. However,because you can when you know who to ask, the AREA organised for this train to stop especially to pick us up and take us to Melbourne. We arrived back at Spencer Street in our 4-car VLocity (Two 2-car sets coupled) a little after 10.00pm where we all said farewell and made our respective ways home.

Country train travel is always enjoyable and this little trip was no exception.

1 comment:

  1. Well of course your blog is going to be about train journeys!

    ReplyDelete