Locomotive P 20 update
Some time ago, a Deed of Gift was finalised between Pacific National and 707 Operations that transferred some equipment to our organisation, and one such item was locomotive P 20.
Over the Summer months, works in the shed by our team of volunteers have been progressing, and one task was to reactive locomotive P 20 ahead of further restoration and repainting. Already, small sections of rust have been cut out of the body, and welding progresses to ensure the locomotive looks it's best for years to come.
Yesterday, P 20 was started for the first time under our ownership and we're excited to share this event with you. While much work remains before you'll see P 20 hit the mainline once again, we're confident you'll see it back in traffic before the end of this year.
Can you assist with the restoration of P 20? You can help in two ways:
DONATE: https://www.slowrailjourneys.com.au/donate
BECOME A MEMBER: https://www.slowrailjourneys.com.au/membership-application
If you can picture yourself helping to reactive P 20 with us at 707 Operations, and want to see it in traffic on our Slow Rail Journeys mainline trains, don't be afraid to volunteer with 707 Operations. Our workshop staff and Slow Rail Journeys on-train staff are all volunteers who support our restoration efforts and enjoy travelling to regional Victoria, showcasing the very best in Railway Tourism. There is a role for everyone at 707 Operations and no experience is necessary. If you're interested in helping out, please contact us today on 0420 806 875
We thank Pacific National for their very generous Deed of Gift, along with our volunteer staff members who have worked hard on P 20 to get it going. Thanks to Neville, Jabez, Kim, Lee, Carl, Mark, Rodney, David and Paul for their work thus far - it's appreciated!
#slowrailjourneys #volunteers #volunteering #707operations #supportingregionalvictoria
The RIVERLANDER journey rolls on, late last night our lovely guests received a very warm welcome from the township of Elmore and the volunteers from the Elmore Miniature Railway.
Great to see the smiles from guests as they continued slow rail travelling on smaller trains around the 1 kilometre loop making up this excellent tourist attraction.
As always, 707 Operations is very proud to partner with regional based tourism providers to promote regional Victoria.
#supportingthesector #rthv #supportingregionalvictoria
Oh, what might this be?
While we’ve been fairly quiet of late, our dedicated team of volunteers have been tinkering away on A62.
As work progresses, A 62 is sounding better each day!
Now isn’t the time to be speculating about colour or livery, we’ve had some hurdles to overcome getting A 62 this far, and work continues to get it out the door, and onto the mainline very soon. Hopefully you’ll all be able to see and enjoy A 62 running again on our slow rail journeys in the next few months.
While work is ongoing weekly, your donations assist with our restoration efforts. We’ve got a few more key components to obtain for A 62 all of which are costly. You can help, and we welcome your assistance, Please donate here 🙏
https://www.trybooking.com/QWNJ
Volunteering is an enjoyable way to learn more about these locomotives, make new friends, work on a project that you’re keen to see finished and learn new skills. We welcome new members and volunteers, please email us for further details and membership enquiries: [email protected]
To our volunteer team currently: Thank you ❤️
Another milestone has been achieved , following further reactivation work undertaken on loco A 62.
Moving (and stopping !!) under its own power under testing today. Whilst there are still a few tweaks requiring adjusting, our volunteers donating their time and knowledge deserve congratulations and acknowledgement of this fantastic step in operation of A62 on mainline heritage passenger trains for everyone to enjoy.
To donate towards this and several other restoration projects being undertaken see https://www.trybooking.com/QWNJ
Direct from Maryborough, The Melbourne Grammar School Symphony Orchestra perform on the platform alongside the 707 Operations train - their transport and accomodation for the 9 day tour!
An exciting afternoon for the 707 Operations volunteers and another milestone reached towards the restoration of A 62.
Under the guidance of our diesel fitter Kim Baxter, the main prime mover was turned over for the first time in about 7 years following several years sourcing and repairing various components from within Australia and around the world, parts needed to achieve this goal.
While there is more work to be done, we’re excited to have reached this goal. To get here we must thank each and every person who has made donations to the A 62 project. Without these donations, the restoration would not be this advanced. More work remains, and we urgently need more donations to get the locomotive rolling. Make your donations today: https://www.trybooking.com/QWNJ
Our volunteer Christian hard at it today on the ongoing cosmetic restoration of loco T 413 , one of several restoration projects being undertaken in our Worksop at the moment, keep an 👀 out for updates on this and many projects over summer , also view our website www.707operations.com.AU to book on upcoming 2022 mainline tours that are selling fast !
R 707 being turned at Bacchus Marsh.
For the first time in many years, the turntable at Bacchus Marsh has been used to assist 707 Operations Inc with the Picnic Express train. Watch as R 707 is turned on the manual turntable at Bacchus Marsh.
In order to facilitate the turning of the locomotive, VicTrack and V/Line have come together to ensure the turntable has had the necessary inspections. This shows support for the tourist and heritage rail sector as a whole and we thank both organisations.
The recent Ballarat Line Upgrade works that were completed have vastly improved access over the Ballarat line for heritage trains. We are very fortunate that the turntable and access tracks have remained in place and are available for trains. Bacchus Marsh, Victoria and the Picnic Express return tomorrow, next week and then onwards in Mid-2022 giving all Victorians the opportunity to experience rail travel as it was many years ago hauled by steam locomotive R 707.
We thank Ben Carroll MP for support with the operation of the Picnic Express trains to Bacchus Marsh - 707 Operations: supporting regional Victoria.
Video with thanks to John Green.
Y 127 between Castlemaine and Maldon.
Yesterday, a 707 Operations Inc locomotive and carriage consist ran over Victorian Goldfields Railway trackage between Castlemaine and Maldon.
This video was captured by one of our volunteers Christian Barrett during a run past between Castlemaine and Muckleford, with the locomotive performing superbly in the capable hands of the brilliant VGR engine crew.
We thank the VGR and their train crew on the day for their amazing work to facilitate our train getting to Maldon.
Video(3861423113911403)
Just one private sleeping compartment (for 2 people) remains on our next excursion, THE GRAINLANDER and Silo Art slow rail cruise.
More details: https://tinyurl.com/2wn3v7pk or www.707operations.com.au
Book this last sleeping compartment now: www.trybooking.com/BMSRN
A great way to pamper your mum for Mothers Day!
#happymothersday #thegrainlander #siloarttrail
We are proudly supporting regional Victoria! #supportingregionalvictoria
Take a look inside beautifully restored Edwardian Style twinette (for two) sleeping carriage WANDO, which was built for the Victorian Railways in 1923.
WANDO features on our next overnight slow rail cruise travelling to Quambatook, which departs from Melbourne's Southern Cross railway station on the 6th of March 2021. Enjoy the atmosphere in this amazing 98 year old wooden bodied carriage as your journey travels through Ballarat, Maryborough, Inglewood and Boort with short stops along the way.
More information about this tour can be found at: https://tinyurl.com/y3njpt5s
Bookings in WANDO are now available: https://www.trybooking.com/BMSFW
#wando Ben Carroll MP Ali Cupper MP - Independent for Mildura Fiona Patten MP Buloke Shire Council