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In November 1977, the Australian Railway Exploration Association (AREA) and the Rail Tourist Association (RTA) jointly operated a round tour with trains in each direction heading respectively from Ouyen and Tailem Bend, to Pinnaroo.
A similar arrangement was undertaken on 17-3-1984 by the two organizations. Members of the AREA traveled from Melbourne to Ouyen on "The Vinelander" overnight service. Car-van 2BCE had been worked to Ouyen in advance and was attached to locomotive T352 for the journey to Pinnaroo. The special train was scheduled to depart Ouyen at 9.15 a.m. and arrive at Pinnaroo at 12.12 p.m.. The RTA special consisted of V/Line sleeping car SZ287 (formerly VAM1) attached to an Australian National grain train from Tailem Bend to Pinnaroo. SZ287 would then be attached to the AREA train with the scheduled departure from Pinnaroo at 12.45 p.m. and arrival at Ouyen 4.18 p.m.. At Ouyen, after reversing the locomotive, the special was scheduled to depart at 4.30 p.m. for Donald where arrival was scheduled for 7.10 p.m.. The Ouyen crew of Mr. H. Lauder (Driver) and Mr. W. Weuffen (Guard) were in charge of the train.
T352 and 2BCE stand in Ouyen platform waiting for departure to Pinnaroo with the AREA Special on 17-3-1984. Photo: Bruce McLean
AREA special train stopped at Walpeup for safeworking purposes. 17-3-1984. Photo: John Page
The facilities at Underbool were still in place when the AREA special with T352 stopped on 17-3-1984. Photo: Bruce McLean
T352 arriving at Murrayville with the AREA special train to Pinnaroo. 17-3-1984. Photo: Bruce McLean
T352 with the AREA special has arrived at Pinnaroo but was blocked by the home signal for half an hour for Australian National's 831/836 to complete their shunting. The goods train from Tailem Bend had Victorian sleeping car SZ287 attached with members of the Rail Tourist Association. 17-3-1984. Photo: John Page
On arrival at Pinnaroo, T352 cut off from 2BCE and attached to Victorian SZ287 Sleeping Car. SZ287 had been brought to Pinnaroo from Tailem Bend by an Australian National goods train with members of the Rail Tourist Association. SZ287 was then attached to 1BCE. 17-3-1984. Photo: Bruce McLean
An unexpected "bonus" for the AREA and RTA rail enthusiasts was the addition of Australian National flat wagon AFFA8544 with a load of farm machinery. The wagon was destined for Ouyen and it was an early opportunity to transfer the wagon to its destination. Pinnaroo 17-3-1984.Photo: Bruce McLean
With its goods wagon attached to 1BCE and SZ287, and the combined AREA and RTA travellers on board, T352 was ready to commence the return journey to Ouyen from Pinnaroo. 17-3-1984. Photo: Bruce McLean
The first stop on the return journey by the AREA and RTA special was Panitya. 17-3-1984. Photo: John Page
The special has now reached Carina - another siding with silo dedicated to serving the grain industry. 17-3-1984. Photo: Bruce McLean
The return journey saw a busy scene at Murrayville with a number of GY grain wagons present in the yard. 17-3-1984. Photo: John Page
At the Cowangie station stop the railway enthusiasts had an opportunity to inspect the gypsum loading facilities which supplements the grain income off the line. The gypsum loading bank is at right. The station building was still in situ when the special came through on 17-3-1984. Photo: Bruce McLean
Another inspection stop for the combined AREA and RTA enthusiasts - this time at the grain siding of Tutye. 17-3-1984. Photo: John Page
T352 and the special AREA and RTA enthusiasts' train has stopped at Linga to enable the visiting party to inspect the facilities and search for any trace of the former tramway linking the Lake Becking salt mining area. 17-3-1984. Photo: Bruce McLean
The station building and platform are still in place as the AREA and RTA railway enthusiasts stop for an inspection of the facilities at Torrita. 17-3-1984. Photo: John Page
Railway enthusiasts stand on top of a wheat bunker to get an elevated view of Galah station, silos and T352 with the AREA and RTA special train. 17-3-1984. Photo: Bruce McLean
Back again at Ouyen. On arrival T352 shunted the goods wagon to the goods shed road and then attached to the up end of the train for return to Melbourne. 17-3-1984. Photo: John Page
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