By Matthew Payne

On Saturday 29 June, the Gully filled with the excitement of a passing steam train. The sounds, aromas and overall experience brought back a sense of connection with a bygone era.

The smell of smoke and the unmistakable sound of a shrill whistle enticed many trackside to witness the train passing by. It travelled through the village eight times, giving ample opportunity for people to witness the train. 

The K153 steam train was built in 1940, due to a shortage brought on by the Second World War. The design was first built in 1922, at the Victorian Railways (VR) Newport Workshop. Since 1974, Steamrail Victoria has been in possession of the locomotive. Living at the Newport Railway Museum, in the old workshops, the train has come full circle. They have dutifully restored and maintained it over the years. 

They have decided to spread the love and have the train run a series of routes, a different one each Saturday. It was our turn on the last week of June, and so we were able to see this fine specimen – with Tait carriages in tow – traverse the mountain to Belgrave.

Some people were even lucky enough to book tickets on the four shuttle services that ran from Ringwood to Belgrave and back. People were also able to book for the journey between Newport/Flinders Street and Ringwood in the morning, and the return in the afternoon. All of the services were all well and truly booked out by the day.