Victorian Goldfields Railway

Name: Victorian Goldfields Railway
Address: Platform 3 Railway Station, Castlemaine, VIC, 3450, AU
Telephone: +61354706658

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Members of the Castlemaine and Maldon Railway Preservation Society proudly operate the Victorian Goldfields Railway.

Running through the Goldfields of Central Victoria, the Victorian Goldfields Railway brings the experience of Steam Train Travel to life. Operating services every Friday and Sunday, you'll love you experience on the Victorian Goldfields Railway

15/10/2026

🎶🚂 All aboard the Folkie Steam Train!

Make your Maldon Folk Festival weekend extra memorable with live music on a heritage train winding through the Goldfields. Enjoy two bands in two heritage carriages, swap carriages at Muckleford to catch both acts, and grab a drink from the onboard bar as the scenery rolls by.
What a one-of-a-kind festival venue!

📅 Saturday 31 October 2026
🕐 Departures from Maldon Station: 1–2pm or 3–4pm

🎟️ Limited to 40 passengers per trip.
Festival ticket holders can use code FOLKIE2026 for a discounted fare.
Arrive about 15 minutes before departure.

Book your seat before they’re gone: https://www.maldonfolkfestival.com/ride-the-folkie-steam-train/

13/10/2026

What a sight—and sound—to have the mighty K160 back in steam and running again! 🚂💨

During the school holidays, this glorious locomotive powered past in a billowing cloud of steam, showing off the strength, spectacle and unmistakable character that make heritage rail so special.
The whistle, the chuff of the engine and that dramatic drive-by made for an unforgettable moment for train fans of every age.
What a joy to see K160 back where it belongs: out on the rails and sharing its steam power with everyone! 🙌

Want to experience the magic for yourself?
Hop aboard the Goldfields Explorer and make your own railway memories, book your ticket here: https://www.vgr.com.au/goldfields-explorer 🎟️

08/10/2026

🚂 THE NEXT CHAPTER FOR E371 BEGINS! 🚂

After decades on display at Maldon, an incredible piece of Victorian railway history is set to begin a new journey back towards operation.

The Victorian Goldfields Railway is excited to announce that our 1892-built E371 0-6-2 tank locomotive is the next steam locomotive we are aiming to restore to operational condition.

E371 has a remarkable history. After serving its working life and being withdrawn from service, attempts were made to restore the locomotive in the 1980s. Significant damage to the frame and boiler ultimately prevented those efforts from progressing, and E371 has remained preserved as a static display.

Now, we want to bring E371 back to life. ❤️

The first step is to raise $50,000 to get the restoration project underway — and every dollar raised will be matched by the Victorian Goldfields Railway Society.

That means your support can go twice as far towards helping this incredible locomotive return to steam. 🚂🔥

🔧 Restoration to operational condition
❤️ A unique piece of Victorian railway history
🚂 Help E371 return to the rails

YOU CAN HELP MAKE IT HAPPEN.

Find out more about E371, follow the restoration journey and make a donation at:

https://www.e371-restoration.com.au/donations-and-sponsorship

Let’s bring E371 back to life! 🚂🔥

Black & White photo credit: John Thompson

05/10/2026

🚨 LAST-MINUTE SPOTS HAVE JUST OPENED! 🍺

ALES ON RAILS – SATURDAY 10 OCTOBER is back on the menu… but these newly available spots won’t last long!

If you’ve been thinking about joining us for this unique adults-only experience through the Victorian Goldfields, NOW is the time to book. 🍻

Hop aboard the Victorian Goldfields Railway and enjoy a fantastic day of heritage rail, great local beers, good food and beautiful Goldfields scenery as you travel between Castlemaine and Maldon.

🔥 LAST-MINUTE SPOTS AVAILABLE
📅 Saturday 10 October 2026
🍺 Ales on Rails
🚂 Castlemaine → Maldon
⚠️ LIMITED AVAILABILITY

These spots could disappear just as quickly as they appeared — don’t wait until it’s too late!

🎟️ BOOK NOW:
https://www.vgr.com.au/ales-on-rails

TAG your mates, make the call and get your group together — once these spots are gone, they’re GONE!

01/10/2026

MAKE THE MOST OF SENIORS FESTIVAL 2026! 🚂🌿

Heading to Castlemaine for Seniors Festival? Why not make a day of it and experience the Goldfields Explorer Steam Train!

From 3–11 October 2026, Seniors can enjoy FREE V/Line travel to Castlemaine, making it even easier to get out and enjoy a day on the railway. 🎟️

Then step aboard the Goldfields Explorer, departing from Platform 3 at Castlemaine Railway Station on any Friday or Sunday in October and enjoy a relaxing journey through the beautiful Victorian Goldfields.

🎉 SENIORS RECEIVE 15% OFF GOLDfields EXPLORER BOOKINGS!
Use promo code SENIORS26 when booking online during October.

🚂 Available in Excursion & First Class
📅 Fridays & Sundays throughout October
🎟️ Please present your Seniors Card at check-in

Important:
• Free V/Line travel is available 3–11 October only
• 15% discount is not available with any other offer

☀️ Gather your friends, make a day of it and enjoy a nostalgic journey through the Goldfields!

🎟️ BOOK NOW:
https://www.vgr.com.au/seniors-festival

29/09/2026

☀️🚂 THE SUN IS OUT… TIME FOR A GOLDEN GOLDFIELDS ADVENTURE!

The school holidays are the perfect excuse to get the whole family together and hop aboard the Goldfields Explorer!

With the sun shining, beautiful Goldfields scenery rolling past the windows and the sights and sounds of a heritage train journey, there’s plenty to enjoy for train lovers, families and adventurers of all ages.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Bring the whole family
🚂 Step aboard a beautifully restored heritage train
☀️ Enjoy a day out in the sunshine
🌿 Take in the stunning Victorian Goldfields
❤️ Make memories together

And after the incredible K160 + J549 double header, there’s still plenty more excitement ahead these school holidays!

🎟️ BOOK YOUR SCHOOL HOLIDAY ADVENTURE NOW!
👉 https://www.vgr.com.au/school-holiday-trains

Tag the family you need to bring along!

24/09/2026

Looking for a fun, relaxed and memorable school holiday activity for the whole family? Hop aboard our School Holiday Steam Shuttles and experience the magic of heritage rail!

Departing from Castlemaine, enjoy a scenic 1-hour return journey to Muckleford and back, travelling behind a heritage steam locomotive through the beautiful Victorian Goldfields.

It’s a simple, nostalgic train ride that’s perfect for kids, families, railfans and anyone wanting a taste of the steam era!

📅 WEDNESDAY 30 SEPTEMBER 2026

🚂 1 HOUR RETURN TRIPS
📍 Castlemaine → Muckleford → Castlemaine

🕚 11:00 AM departure
🕐 1:00 PM departure

It’s the perfect time to get the family involved and experience the sights, sounds and atmosphere of heritage rail!

🎟️ BOOK YOUR SCHOOL HOLIDAY STEAM SHUTTLE NOW!
👉 https://www.vgr.com.au/school-holiday-shuttles

Tag the family you’re bringing along & SHARE this post with someone looking for a great school holiday activity!

Photo credit: Gavin Dwyer

22/09/2026

🚂☀️ WHAT A DOUBLE HEADER! ☀️🚂

What a way to kick off the school holidays! K160 and J549 together on the Goldfields Explorer made for an unforgettable day on the Victorian Goldfields.

With the sun shining, two iconic locomotives working side-by-side, and plenty of happy passengers, families and train lovers enjoying the day, it was a fantastic celebration of heritage rail.

A huge THANK YOU to Kane's Trains for capturing this fantastic moment! 📸

And the excitement doesn’t stop here… there are plenty more school holiday adventures ahead! 🎟️

🚂 Hop aboard the Goldfields Explorer
🌿 Experience the beautiful Goldfields
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Make memories with the family
🔥 Enjoy the sights, sounds and atmosphere of heritage rail

BOOK YOUR SCHOOL HOLIDAY ADVENTURE NOW!
👉 https://www.vgr.com.au/school-holiday-trains

Tag someone who would have loved seeing K160 & J549 together!
And SHARE this post with your fellow train lovers!

17/09/2026

🚂ALL ABOARD FOR A SCHOOL HOLIDAY ADVENTURE! 🚂

Looking for something different, exciting and unforgettable these school holidays?

Hop aboard the Victorian Goldfields Railway for a special School Holiday Shuttle and enjoy a nostalgic train journey through the beautiful Goldfields!

📅 WEDNESDAY 30 SEPTEMBER 2026
⏱️ 1 HOUR RETURN TRIP
🚂 Castlemaine → Muckleford → Castlemaine

Choose from two departures:
🕚 11:00 AM
🕐 1:00 PM

Perfect for families, little train lovers and anyone who wants to make the school holidays a little more memorable! 🙌

✨ Climb aboard. Take a ride back in time. Make memories together.

🎟️ Book your school holiday adventure now:
Book your tickets at https://www.vgr.com.au/school-holiday-shuttles

👇 Which departure will you be jumping aboard?
🚂 TAG someone who needs a school holiday train adventure!
📲 SHARE this with the family!

Reel credit: Schony747 Youtube & DVD

16/09/2026

🚂 SCHOOL HOLIDAYS ARE MADE FOR THE GOLDFIELDS EXPLORER! 🚂

Make your next family adventure one to remember! Step back in time and discover the beauty of the Victorian Goldfields from the comfort of a beautifully restored heritage train.

The Goldfields Explorer will be running throughout the school holidays on:

📅 SEPTEMBER
• Friday 18 September
• Saturday 19 September — DOUBLE HEADER! 🚨
• Sunday 20 September
• Friday 25 September
• Saturday 26 September
• Sunday 27 September

📅 OCTOBER
• Friday 2 October
• Saturday 3 October
• Sunday 4 October

🔥 A VERY SPECIAL JOURNEY — SATURDAY 19 SEPTEMBER! 🔥

Get ready for something extra special as K160 and J549 team up to haul the Goldfields Explorer! Two iconic heritage locomotives working together — an unforgettable sight for families, train lovers and railway enthusiasts alike.

Whether you're planning a family day out or simply looking for a unique way to explore the Goldfields, there's a train waiting for you this school holidays!

🎟️ Book your journey:
www.vgr.com.au/school-holiday-trains

👇 Which date will you be joining us?
🚂 TAG someone who would love to see the K160 + J549 double header!
📲 SHARE this post with your family and start planning your school holiday adventure!

Address

Platform 3 Railway Station
Castlemaine, VIC
3450

Telephone

+61354706658

Website

http://www.vgr.com.au/

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