Being lucky enough to have heard of your website, I am fortunate enough to travel on mainline steam trips, as I did on the 5 of September, 2004.

Heading up to a mates' place at nine to get in an 1925 Oakland and heading up to Hurstbridge from Ferntree Gully is no easy feat, considering distance. The weather made for a fantastic day out, with Hurstbridge basically PACKED with railfans, intersted locals and stall holders.



Everyone waited for the train. Me with my trusty camera, 10 minutes before 11, went to get a good photostop on the cutting of the train coming in. Little did I know it was not coming in till 1:40. My teeth were griding, having never seen mainline steam before except in photos. I had been waiting in that cutting marking my territory for over an hour with a mate.



Then, the lonsome steam whistle. I grabbed my location (a ledge precipice), Taking (Good) photos by the roll. When the train came, the platform was crowded. Once I pushed through the crowd at the doors to the station I fould the far end was empty, which of course was the first class section.



A nice passenger from the 2:10 said that it was empty, so, I rushed to get my spot, although first class was basically empty. The carriages were fantastic! Asile down one side, Compartmetns on the other. With armrests, drinking taps, the whole lot! Encomny had a kiosk, which was okay and onboard toilets.



Many thanks to Seymour Railway Society for a fantastic day out.



Locos used were VR diesel used by Freight Aus. T357 and Steam Engine J515.



From Spencer Street, T357 pushed and J515 (vice versa between Hurstbridge and Diamond Creek, then back to previous arrangement