Members Christmas Train - Saturday 13th December 2025

*** MEMBERS AND FRIENDS ONLY ***

Tickets must be booked by a Steamrail Member.
This event is not open to the general public.

https://www.steamrail.com.au/membership. 

SATURDAY 13th DECEMBER 2025

Join us as we celebrate the end of a fantastic year of heritage trains in style. As such, the Steamrail Board invites members and friends to travel behind vintage diesel locomotives from Newport, Southern Cross, Gisborne, Castlemaine, and Bendigo to Rochester. 

Departing Newport Station at 6:57am or Southern Cross Station at 8am, relax in your comfortable compartment and enjoy the scenery as our pair of classic diesel locomotives power out of Melbourne and through the Bendigo line's historic tunnels and viaducts, with spectacular views such as from atop the 33 metre high Taradale Viaduct opened in 1862. After a short pause at Gisborne, Castlemaine and Bendigo we continue on the Echuca Line where the grades ease as our train parallels the course of the Campaspe River, before arriving at Rochester at 12:49pm.

Gisborne, Castlemaine & Bendigo

Passengers are welcome to board or disembark the train at Gisborne, Castlemaine or Bendigo if they wish. Please take note of the train timetable and ensure you are on the platform 15 minutes prior to departure.

Rochester
Take time to explore the town and the banks of the Campaspe River.
There are a number of dining options including pubs, cafes and takeaway shops. Most shops and the river are within a 10-minute walk from the station platform.
Please ensure you book in advance for lunch. There may be limited availability at local venues.
Passengers are asked to return to Rochester Station at 3:15pm.

Reboard the train for a 3:29pm departure from Rochester. Spend time in Club Cars 'Moorabool' and 'Hobsons Bay' while the train picks up speed for our return to Melbourne, finishing a memorable day out onboard The Vintage Train!

Relax in our 'W' type or 700 Class carriages with the windows open or choose an air-conditioned seat in our 1930's 'S' Type art-deco S carriages.
Club Cars Moorabool and Hobsons Bay will be available for all passengers, plus our CW type viewing van and saloon carriage 4AZ.
Seating is unreserved throughout the train.

Please ensure you are at the Station 15 minutes before departure and check screens or with staff for the correct platform.
Seating is unreserved, BYO Food and Drink as there will be no kiosk onboard the train.

Plenty of free all day car parking is available at Newport Station in the commuter car parks at 21 Market Street.

Not a member? Visit our website for more information on becoming a Member of Steamrail Victoria:
https://www.steamrail.com.au/membership.

Any membership applications recieved from October 1st will be carried forward to the 2026 membership year.

Newport, Southern Cross, Gisborne, Castlemaine or Bendigo Stations to Rochester.

Newport Station (Platform 1) - 0657
Southern Cross (Platform 4) - 0800
Gisborne (Platform 1) - 0910                                  Castlemaine (Platform 2) - 1011
Bendigo (Platform 2) - 1133
Rochester Arr - 1249

Rochester Dep - 1529
Bendigo (Platform 2) - 1622 
Castlemaine (Platform 2) - 1723                          Gisborne (Platform 1) - 1903
Southern Cross (Platform 4) - 2015
Newport Station (Platform 2) - 2059

PRICES

SRV Member $85 - Become a Steamrail Member to make a booking - www.steamrail.com.au/membership
Friends $99
Under 17 $55
Under 3 $0

Volunteers are offered travel at a reduced rate - contact your department manager or the Steamrail Office. 

BOOKINGS AND REFUNDS

TryBooking Terms and Conditions.

Steamrail's Terms and Conditions are located on the Steamrail Website.

Contact Details

Steamrail Victoria Inc. (03) 9397 1953 (Business Hours only) info@steamrail.com.au