A SUNRAYSIA tourist train carrying 151 passengers, who paid thousands for the privilege over the long weekend has prompted questions about whether a permanent service could be reinstated.
Marketed as the return of The Vinelander – borrowing the name used for the passenger rail service between Melbourne and Mildura that was axed in 1993 – the weekend’s visit was hosted by not-for-profit volunteer organisation Slow Rail Journeys.
Fares, inclusive of accommodation, started at $400 a day and sold out.
Passengers stopped at many small towns along the trip up and have been exploring Sunraysia since arriving at Mildura station on Friday evening, met by many locals keen to witness the occasion.
The journey back to Melbourne starts today.
Last week’s story on the passenger rail journey also had Sunraysia Daily readers asking why the journey wasn’t a much more common occurrence.
“Good start and achieved by volunteers – so why is it so hard for the government to do it?” asked Gayley Downes.
“I remember hearing the old ‘tracks need repair’ rumour as to why we don’t have a passenger train, but that’s obviously bull. So again, why can’t we have a train?”
Debra Fordham wrote: “If the train can run once to Mildura, why not two or three times per week?”
Mildura is the most populated city in mainland Australia to not have a passenger train.
The nonpartisan Parliamentary Budget Office in recent years found it would cost $22 million to set up a shuttle train service from Mildura to Maryborough, where passengers could change to a Melbourne-bound train.
Those figures were disputed by the State Government.
In 2022, before she became Premier, Jacinta Allan as transport infrastructure minister said there had been “misleading” information about how easy returning the train would be.
“There is a lot of distance there to run the trains, the track, the signalling. That is a significant task and it is made even harder when a government closes a train line,” she said, a reference to Jeff Kennett’s Coalition government removing The Vinelander from service in 1993.
Labor has been in power for 21 of the 31 years since.
Mildura Council’s Northwest Victorian Regional Transport Study in 2022 suggested reintroducing the train as one priority to address “transport poverty” in the north-west.
Sharing pictures to their Facebook page, the 707 Operations which looks after the heritage trains thanked the community for their support over the past few days.
“There is just something about a passenger train that brings together communities, and over the past few days, we’ve met some truly amazing people, from schools, businesses, local politicians, celebrities and more,” the post said.
“This has been amongst one of the most ambitious Slow Rail Journeys that our team of volunteers have undertaken so far, and we’re proud of everyone, both frontline and behind the scenes, that ensured its success.”
Another Slow Rail Journeys trip to the region is planned for August, when The Sunraysia is set to run to Mildura and Murrayville.
ON THE FACE OF IT
Facebook followers have their say as the passenger train made its way to Mildura for the long weekend.
“Caught the Vinelander to Ouyen once for an interview at MRS at Walpeup. Another time from Melbourne to Mildura to go grape picking. Great trip, great fun! Good on them for getting a tourist service up!” – Andrew Cannon
“If we can do it, why can’t we have a train to Melbourne?” – Jan Swift
“I wish I could get a chance to ride it, for old time’s sake.” – Simon Mitchell
“About time… should be a permanent fixture should never have been closed.” – Betty Crittenden
“We definitely need it back and ne to Adelaide as well since there’s no plane and the bus doesn’t go directly to Adelaide.” – Nean Connolly
“Shepparton is the same size as Mildura, Echuca is smaller than Mildura, and let’s not forget Swan Hill is smaller than Mildura and all have passenger services, why not reinstate the service.” – Matthew Davis
“What a sight going through Merbein last night.” – Bev Jenner
“Use to catch the Vinelander both ways for many years, from the time I was a young teen. It was a shame on the government at that time who stopped it from running. They have always made the tracks an excuse over the years, but yet, they are good enough for it to travel on now. Not taking away from the people arranging this trip but saying.” – Sally McInerney.
“A tad more expensive than the Vinelander.” – Frances Bond
