Steamrail Victoria is a not-for-profit volunteer group established in 1965 to restore and operate historic locomotives and rolling stock used on the railways in Victoria, Australia.[1] The main depot of the group is at the Newport Workshops ('West Block') in suburban Melbourne. In addition to operating railfan special trains and charters for private groups, the group also operates special steam trains in the Melbourne suburban area.[2] Steamrail regularly tours the state, including participation in annual events such as the Ballarat Heritage Weekend (steam locomotive Y112 is used to shuttle between Ballarat and Sulky Gully/Lal Lal).[3] Steamrail Victoria also leases diesel locomotives to freight operators such as Southern Shorthaul Railroad (SSR) & Qube Logistics as required. Locomotives were also hired to El Zorro until they ceased trading.[4][5][6]
The group has custody of a number of Victorian Railways steam locomotives, including the R, D3 and K classes; in addition to several diesel electric locomotives, and various suburban electric rolling stock.[7] Heritage carriages include the wooden 'E' and 'W' types, steel air conditioned 'S' type carriages, and South Australian 'K' type steel stock.
Originally restored in 1992, suffered damage in a level crossing accident at Benalla in October 2002 and was stored at Newport Workshops East Block until June 30, 2020 when it was transferred to Steamrail's workshops.[8] After an assessment on the condition of the engine, Steamrail have decided to restore the locomotive to mainline operating standard.[9] On October 7, 2021, K183 made its first mainline appearance since 2002 performing several test runs on the Newport–Sunshine line.[10] K183 officially returned to service on April 24, 2022.
Stored at Newport Workshops (East Block). Was used on heritage services with Steamrail Victoria through the 1970s, painted all over gloss black with red frames and buffer beams.[11] The engine was withdrawn in 1980 due to poor mechanical condition.[12]
Restored in 1996. Occasionally runs with its original number Y419. Based at Ballarat East. Withdrawn from service in May 2022 to receive new driving wheels and tires.[13]
Stored at Newport. Used as a prop for 2007 Film Ghost Rider with "Texas Eagle" paint job. Repainted to Indian Railways livery in 2021 for TV Series Shantaram.
^"Steamrail Victoria - About Us". www.steamrail.com.au. Archived from the original on 9 May 2008. Retrieved 2 June 2008.
^"Media Release: RIDE A STEAM TRAIN AROUND MELBOURNE THIS SUNDAY". www.dpc.vic.gov.au. Archived from the original on 11 August 2008. Retrieved 2 June 2008.
^Steam trains return on Ballarat's Heritage Weekend Archived 29 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine. The Courier. 9 May 2012
^"Qube's use of SRV locos". www.railpage.com.au. Archived from the original on 18 June 2013. Retrieved 18 September 2013.
^"El Zorro's Demise". www.railpage.com.au. Archived from the original on 18 June 2013. Retrieved 18 September 2013.
^"Steamrail Forum ~ View topic - El Zorro Hirings of SRV Locos". www.steamrail.com.au. Archived from the original on 1 August 2008. Retrieved 2 June 2008.
^"VICSIG - Heritage Groups - Steamrail Victoria". www.vicsig.net. Archived from the original on 1 July 2017. Retrieved 2 June 2008.
^"K183 Update". facebook.com/steamrail. Steamrail Victoria. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
^"K183 Update". facebook.com/steamrail. Steamrail Victoria. 29 September 2020. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
^"K183 Test Run". facebook.com/steamrail. Steamrail Victoria. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
^"K class steam locomotives". Archived from the original on 5 August 2020.
^"K184". Archived from the original on 15 September 2020.