2007 open day at the Steamrail Victoria depot: R 711 beside an L class electric locomotive and Swing Door suburban train
Steamrail Victoria is a not-for-profit volunteer group established in 1965 to restore and operate historic locomotives and rolling stock used on the railways in Victoria, Australia.[1] The main depot of the group is at the Newport Workshops ('West Block') in suburban Melbourne. In addition to operating railfan special trains and charters for private groups, the group also operates special steam trains in the Melbourne suburban area.[2] Steamrail regularly tours the state, including participation in annual events such as the Ballarat Heritage Weekend (steam locomotive Y112 is used to shuttle between Ballarat and Sulky Gully/Lal Lal).[3] Steamrail Victoria also hires diesel locomotives to freight operators such as Southern Shorthaul Railroad (SSR) & Qube Logistics as required. Locomotives were also hired to El Zorro until they ceased trading.[4][5][6]
The group has custody of a number of Victorian Railwayssteam locomotives, including the R, D3 and K classes; in addition to several diesel electric locomotives, and various suburban electric rolling stock.[7] Heritage carriages include the wooden 'E' and 'W' types, steel air conditioned 'S' type carriages, and South Australian 'K' type steel stock.
Re-entered service on 13 May 2017 after a 30-year restoration
D3 608
1908
Stored
95
95
Stored at Ballarat East
D3 638
1916
D3 639/658
1903
Operational
Restored in 1984. Painted in the Victorian Railways Commissioner's Loco livery (black and red). Occasionally runs with its original number D3 658
D3 641
1915
Stored
Stored at Ballarat East
D3 677
1917
Stored at Newport Workshops (West Block).
D3 688
1912
Stored at Ballarat East
K151
1940
80
80
Stored at Newport Workshops (West Block).
K153
Operational
Restored in 1983
K183
1943
Testing and Commissioning
Originally restored in 1992, suffered damage in a level crossing accident at Benalla in October 2002 and was stored at Newport Workshops East Block until June 30, 2020 when it was transferred to Steamrail's workshops.[8] After an assessment on the condition of the engine, Steamrail have decided to restore the locomotive to mainline operating standard.[9] On October 7 2021, K183 made its first mainline appearance since 2002 performing several test runs on the Newport–Sunshine line.[10]
K184
1945
Stored
Stored at Newport Workshops (East Block). Was used on heritage services with Steamrail Victoria through the 1970s, painted all over gloss black with red frames and buffer beams.[11] The engine was withdrawn in 1980 due to poor mechanical condition.[12]
K190
1946
Operational
Restored in 1979. Painted in a LMS inspired livery.
Restored in 1996. Occasionally runs with its original number Y419. Based at Ballarat East. Returned to service in May 2019 after boiler repairs and a repaint at Newport