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A special train was promoted and organised by the Soldiers Hill Railway Society, Ballarat and was run in conjunction with the Seymour Railway Heritage Centre who provided the locomotives and rolling stock. J515, GM36, T378
The special train consisted of steam locomotive J515, and diesel-electric locomotives GM36 and T378. The long train consisted of PCJ491 (Power Car), Club Car No.1 "Victoria", 4AS (first class sitting), 1BS (second class sitting), 3AS (first class sitting), "Wando" (sleeping car), 2AE (first class sitting), 3BCE (second class sitting/guard's van), 5ABE (first/second class sitting), 14BE (second class sitting), 16ABE (first/second class sitting), "Ovens" (sleeping car), "Acheron" (sleeping car), "Mitta Mitta" (staff car) and "Melville" (power car).
J515 from the Seymour Railway Heritage Centre standing at Mildura on 20-11-1999. Photo: Bruce McLean
Restored by the Seymour Railway Heritage Centre, ex Commonwealth Railways GM36 accompanied J515 on the special train to Mildura. GM36 is standing in the yard with T378. 20-11-1999. Photo: Bruce McLean
The special train was scheduled to depart Ballarat at 10.15 a.m. on Friday 19-11-1999 with stops at Maryborough (11.27 a.m. - 11.45 a.m.), St. Arnaud (12.50 p.m. - 12.55 p.m.), Donald (1.40 p.m. - 2.20 p.m.), Woomelang (4.05 p.m. - 5.10 p.m.), Ouyen (6.20 p.m. - 6.50 p.m.), Hattah (7.15 p.m. - 7.20 p.m.) and arrive at Mildura at 8.40 p.m.. Actual arrival at Mildura was 9 p.m..
A rare visitor to Mildura - ex "The Overland" Club Car No.1, now named "Victoria" - on the special Soldiers Hill train. 20-11-1999. Photo: Bruce McLean
On Saturday there were three return trips from Mildura to Merbein and three return trips from Mildura to Redcliffs.
J515 departs Mildura with a return working to Merbein for local passengers. 20-11-1999. Photo: Bruce McLean
14BE Second Class (Economy) sitting car preserved by Seymour Railway Heritage Centre. Mildura. 20-11-1999. Photo: Bruce McLean
On Sunday four return trips from Mildura to Redcliffs and three return trips from Mildura to Merbein were run. A total of 2,170 passengers enjoyed these trips behind steam locomotive J515.
After the last run on Sunday, J515 was reversed on the turntable, GM36 having been turned earlier in the day.
Reversing J515 on the turntable at Mildura. 21-11-1999. Photo: Bruce McLean
A front end loader was used to coal J515. Mildura 21-11-1999. Photo: Bruce McLean
The return journey was to Melbourne with the special train scheduled to depart from Mildura at 8.45 a.m. with stops at Hattah (9.45 a.m. - 9.50 a.m.), Ouyen (10.20 a.m. - 10.45 a.m.), Woomelang (12 noon - 12.40 p.m.), Donald (2.25 p.m. - 3 p.m.), Maryborough (5.10 p.m. - 6.20 p.m.) Ballarat (7.45 p.m. - 8.30 p.m.), and arrival at Spencer Street, Melbourne at 10.39 p.m..
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