Hi all, I have seen reference to only 10 loco-hauled services remaining out of Melbourne daily.
The five return weekday Warrnambool (267 kilometres from Melbourne Southern Cross trains (three each way on weekends) are locomotive hauled sets, in theory with a staffed buffet.
First class has been abolished but if you reserve a seat in car A, this will be an ACN car that has reversible and reclinable ex-first class aircraft-style seating (2+2 across).
The two daily return Swan Hill trains (345km from Melbourne Southern Cross) are also loco hauled:
A very limited (weekday only) number of peak period trains on the Geelong/Waurn Ponds line (which forms a c.80km section of the Warrnambool line) are loco hauled.
Provided you have time, I highly recommend a day trip to Port Fairy, using a V/Line road coach beyond Warrnambool.
An alternative is that on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays one can do a 'round trip' for A$10.60 return (!): Geelong by train (use an earlier Warrnambool line train if you wish), then road coach along The Great Ocean Road to Apollo Bay, change coaches with an 11 minute guaranteed connection - insufficient time to buy lunch - then a second road coach to Warrnambool, connect to train to Melbourne with buffet:
The Bendigo line as far as Eaglehawk (a Bendigo suburb) is worth doing as to Bendigo it was the original main line (built c.1860-1862) with some stations and many bridges of bluestone, such as Kyneton and Malmsbury laytter also has a wonderful viaduct but you can hardly see from trains).
You can use a myki smartcard as far as Eaglehawk and Waurn Ponds on the two lines respectively. No extra charge if already using it from Melbourne (apart from exceeding the two hour A$5.30 limit, when it ticks over to become a 'daily' fare):
You'll need either a myki or V/Line paper ticket for your journey on regional trains or coaches.
www.ptv.vic.gov.au
If you travel to Warrnambool or along The Great Ocean Road you must have a V/Line paper ticket (also covers you for Melbourne's trains, trams and buses) so buy on the day,m or days before, at Southern Cross or Flinders St V/Line booking offices (Flinders St V/Line window, near corner Flinders and Swanston Streets, not open for as much of each day as the country and interstate terminal at SC).
Why not also do a day trip on the UK HST "similar" XPT from Melbourne to Albury, or even the small towns of either Culcairn or Henty? These loco hauled sets are 41 or so years old, and will be unfortunately replaced by 2026 (replacement contract is over budget, and late). NSW TrainLink operates these trains: depart Melbourne 0830 daily, arrive back at 1830 (if on time). First class and economy seating available:
transportnsw.info
