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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 08/10/2026

It's possible this is just an outback yarn, but I'd like it to be true. Allegedly, The Ghan train was given its name by Federal Minister for Health Mark Butler's great grandfather who was the driver of the first sleeping-car train to Alice Springs […] [Original post on mastodon.online]

The Maiden Voyage

After more than a decade of relentless effort, in 1891 the first train embarked on its maiden voyage. The railway line wouldn’t reach Alice Springs until 1929, and Darwin until 2001.

While officially named the Central Australian Railway, the line has been dubbed The Ghan, after the passenger train “The Afghan Express” which utilised the line. The story goes that the name is a taunt to officialdom because, when an expensive sleeping car was put on from Quorn to Oodnadatta in 1923, the first return journey had just one passenger – an Afghan. When the train pulled into the station, Engine Driver Ernie Smith and great-grandfather of current Federal Health Minister Mark Butler made the joking remark that, if he was the only passenger on the train, “We’ll have to call it the Afghan Express”.

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 06/10/2026

Not only that. The lads at Mornington have recovered the original, never before publicly seen Ozride video, and they have shared it on Youtube for us all to enjoy. Titled "Ozride - It's Your Business" - here it is in all its 1980s beige glory www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMOErfrXecA 4 of 4.

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 06/10/2026

The locomotive itself has survived, and, now in the ownership of the Mornington Railway Preservation Society, has been proudly restored to its Ozride livery. And, for the first time in many years, ran for the first time this past weekend www.youtube.com/watch?v=we4zrgncE2k Ozride rides […]

mastodon.online

Original post on mastodon.online

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 06/10/2026

The training video was apparently centred around Ozride - a railway that did everything you should NOT do But, the video was never shown to staff. Maybe they were worried the bad examples in Ozride might become anti-heroes The video was lost, and like lost Doctor Who, it became legendary. 2 of 4

Flat Top diesel loco T344 in bright pink Ozride livery

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 06/10/2026

Back On June 13 1987, I took these photos of diesel locomotive T334 in Ozride livery at Traralgon, Vic Garish isn't it? But what in heck was Ozride? Well, it wasn't a real railway at all. It was a bit obscure at the time, but rumours were the loco had been […] [Original post on mastodon.online]

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 05/10/2026

Down at Bendigo railway station, here are a couple of shots of A85 shunting and at the head of VLine train no 8084 ready to depart for Melbourne Exactly 40 years ago today, October 5 1986 5 of 5

A85 shunting a 3 car N set in platform 2, Bendigo station

A85 at the head of an all-tangerine liveried VLine train in platform 1, Bendigo station

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 05/10/2026

Whilst about one third of Bendigo's tram network was saved, the rest of it closed in 1972 and the tracks were removed or covered. But in 1986, this short section of the long-closed Quarry Hill line on the rail overbridge was still visible. Exactly 40 years ago today, October 5 1986 4 of 5

A short section of grooved-rail, unwired tramway track in the roadway crossing a railway bridge

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 05/10/2026

Tram 25 ran as Melbourne P class no 133. Bendigo bought it second hand in 1947 and it has run in Bendigo ever since then. Here she is in Arnold Street near the depot, then at Central Deborah terminus, and in High Street in front of the cathedral. Exactly 40 years ago today, October 5 1986 3 of 5

Bendigo tram no 25 in High Street with the Cathedral in the background.

Bendigo tram no 25 in Arnold Street near the tram depot

Bendigo tram no 25 at the Central Deborah mine terminus

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 05/10/2026

Bendigo retained a section of its former electric tramway network after its closure in 1972, and has run it as a tourist attraction and heritage tramway since then Here is 1917-built tram no 25 in Pall Mall and Charing Cross, Bendigo Exactly forty years ago today, October 5 1986 2 of 5

1917-built tram no 25 in Charing Cross, Bendigo

1917-built tram no 25 in Pall Mall, Bendigo

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 05/10/2026

Forty years ago today, I was in the central Victorian city of Bendigo. Here is VLine Melbourne to Swan Hill train number 8081, headed by X44 with a then-new N class loco assisting, heading north away from Bendigo station Exactly forty years ago today, October 5 1986 1 of 5

VLine Melbourne to Swan Hill train number 8081, headed by X44 with a then-new N class loco assisting, heads north away from Bendigo station

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 04/10/2026

X42 hauls VLine train no 8025 bound for Bendigo near Macedon. Forty years ago today, October 4 1986. 8 of 8

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 04/10/2026

A DRC runs a VLine Kyneton bound train no 8021 near Gisborne. More chaired ancient double-headed rail can be seen in the siding in the foreground. Forty years ago today, October 4 1986. 7 of 8

A DRC runs a VLine Kyneton bound train no 8021 at Gisborne. More remnant chaired rail in the foreground.

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 04/10/2026

At Woodend, here's the same train, no 9025 bound for Bendigo headed by T381 and two others, Forty years ago today, October 4 1986. 6 of 8

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 04/10/2026

Up at Riddells Creek station - note the remnant double headed chaired rail in recently disconnected sidings. The last shot is VLine freight train no 9025 bound for Bendigo headed by T381 plus two other locos. Forty years ago today, October 4 1986. 5 of 8

Chaired rail leading to the bluestone goods shed at Riddells Creek station

Bluestone shed with passenger shelter at Platform 2 at Riddells Creek station

Double headed chaired rail in a disconnected siding at Riddells Creek station

T381 plus two other locos hauling a short mixed goods train along the double track into Riddells Creek station

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 04/10/2026

Further north, here are some shots from Clarkefield station. The last shot is X42 at the head of VLine Bendigo to Melbourne train no 8042. You can also just about see the siding that was I believe a remnant of the junction of the Lancefield line that had […] [Original post on mastodon.online]

X42 at the head of VLine Bendigo to Melbourne train no 8042 at Clarkefield

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 04/10/2026

Here's a DRC and MT class trailer running VLine Kyneton to Melbourne train no 8040 crossing the level crossing as it approaches the station at Diggers Rest Forty years ago today, October 4 1986. 3 of 8

A DRC and MT class trailer running VLine Kyneton to Melbourne train no 8040 crossing the level crossing as it approaches the station at Diggers Rest

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 04/10/2026

Here's Diggers Rest station, before electrification and before the level crossing was removed, when it was still a VLine station beyond the outer boundary of the suburban electric system. Forty years ago today, October 4 1986. 2 of 8

Diggers Rest station, before electrification and before the level crossing was removed, when it was still a VLine station beyond the outer boundary of the suburban electric system.

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 04/10/2026

Forty years ago, I did another gunzel photo road trip - this time along the southern end of the broad gauge Bendigo line in Victoria. Here, B65 and X50 head VLine train no 8038 from Swan Hill to Melbourne through the now closed station at Sydenham Forty years ago today, October 4 1986. 1 of 8

B65 and X50 head VLine train 8038 from Swan Hill to Melbourne through the now closed station at Sydenham

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 28/09/2026

Exactly forty years ago today, September 28 1986, I visited the tramway museum at Bylands, Victoria. Here is Melbourne X1 class tram no 467 running on their section of track that then ran north for a few hundred metres from the site of the former Victorian Railways Bylands railway station.

A Melbourne X1 class tram in a rural location, on grassed track with a dual-bracket-arm overhead pole in front of the tram. The tram desto is 'Ordnance Fty'

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 28/09/2026

The Tim Traveller has made this great video summary of the European Tram Driver Championships held a week or two ago in Warsaw. The World Tram Driver Championships, originally planned for 2027 in Melbourne have now apparently been rescheduled to 2028 […]

mastodon.online

Original post on mastodon.online

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 25/09/2026

P18 on VLine afternoon commuter train no 8127 from Melbourne arrives and terminates at Bacchus Marsh Forty years ago today, Thursday September 25 1986 24 of 24

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 25/09/2026

N451 and VLine train no 8146 from Dimboola to Melbourne ran via the Ballarat to Geelong line. Here it is near Yendon. Forty years ago today, Thursday September 25 1986 23 of 24

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 25/09/2026

N451 and VLine train no 8146 from Dimboola to Melbourne during its station stop in platform 1 at Ballarat station Forty years ago today, Thursday September 25 1986 22 of 24

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 25/09/2026

Back at Ballarat, N451 crosses the Lydiard Street North level crossing as it arrives at Ballarat station with VLine train no 8146 from Dimboola to Melbourne. Forty years ago today, Thursday September 25 1986 21 of 24

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 25/09/2026

Maryborough railway station as seen from the up end dock Forty years ago today, Thursday September 25 1986 20 of 24

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 25/09/2026

Maryborough railway station as seen from the station yard Forty years ago today, Thursday September 25 1986 19 of 24

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 25/09/2026

A streetside view of Maryborough railway station Forty years ago today, Thursday September 25 1986 18 of 24

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 25/09/2026

Talbot railway station Forty years ago today, Thursday September 25 1986 17 of 24

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 25/09/2026

Clunes railway station Forty years ago today, Thursday September 25 1986 16 of 24

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 25/09/2026

Creswick railway station Forty years ago today, Thursday September 25 1986 15 of 24

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 25/09/2026

VLine diesel locomotives G525, S313 and B75 at Ballarat East locomotive depot. Forty years ago today, Thursday September 25 1986 14 of 24

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 25/09/2026

After having terminated at Ballarat and run around its train, N457 returning to Melbourne with VLine train no 8134 passes through Ballarat East. Note the clocktower of Ballarat station in the distance above the locomotive. Forty years ago today, Thursday September 25 1986 13 of 24

N457 returns to Melbourne with VLine train no 8134 passes through Ballarat East. The clocktower of Ballarat station is visible in the distance above the locomotive.

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 25/09/2026

N457 and VLine Melbourne to Ballarat train no 8109 after having terminated in platform 1 at Ballarat station. Forty years ago today, Thursday September 25 1986 12 of 24

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 25/09/2026

N457 and VLine Melbourne to Ballarat train no 8109 arrives at Ballarat station. Forty years ago today, Thursday September 25 1986 11 of 24

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 25/09/2026

Looking east taken from the outer eastern end of platform 1 at Ballarat station, Y154 is shunting a long rake of wagons in front of the signal box. Forty years ago today, Thursday September 25 1986 10 of 24

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 25/09/2026

A view looking west taken from the outer eastern end of platform 1 at Ballarat station. The carriage sheds are at left with a wooden bodied passenger car in residence. Loco T358 and its shunt train are sitting in platform 2. Forty years ago today, Thursday September 25 1986 9 of 24

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 25/09/2026

A view looking west taken from the east end of platform 1 at Ballarat station. Forty years ago today, Thursday September 25 1986 8 of 24

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 25/09/2026

A view looking west towards the Lydiard Street North level crossing taken from platform 1 at Ballarat station. Forty years ago today, Thursday September 25 1986 7 of 24

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 25/09/2026

Y152 runs westbound, light engine, beneath the signal gantry and over the Lydiard Street North level crossing at the west end of Ballarat station. Forty years ago today, Thursday September 25 1986 6 of 24

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 25/09/2026

T358 heads an eastbound shunt train over the Lydiard Street North level crossing at the western end of Ballarat station. Forty years ago today, Thursday September 25 1986 5 of 24

T358 heads a shunt train over the Lydiard Street North level crossing at the western end of Ballarat station

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 25/09/2026

VLine train no 8130, the morning Dimboola to Melbourne passenger train with S312 hauling a van plus an N set, passes through Bungaree station. Forty years ago today, Thursday September 25 1986 4 of 24

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 25/09/2026

Bungaree station, Forty years ago today, Thursday September 25 1986 3 of 24

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 25/09/2026

Bungaree station, Forty years ago today, Thursday September 25 1986 2 of 24

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 25/09/2026

Forty years ago today, I went out chasing trains in central Victoria. Here's VLine Bacchus Marsh bound train no 8111, a P class diesel hauling a 3 car H set, running downhill through Bull Farm curves between Parwan and Bacchus Marsh Thursday September 25 1986 1 of 24

VLine Bacchus Marsh bound train no 8111, a P class diesel hauling a 3 car H set through Bull Farm curves between Parwan and Bacchus Marsh

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 19/09/2026

One of these competitive tram driving events is held each year, alternating between a European event as this year (even though Melbourne is participating), and a World event, which next year will be hosted in Melbourne. A bit of history for context […]

mastodon.online

Original post on mastodon.online

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 19/09/2026

It's Today! The 2026 European Tram Driver Championships are being held in Warsaw, Poland. There are 25 teams, and, just like Eurovision, Australia is participating, with a team from Melbourne. Watch it live on YouTube at 7PM AEST today. This will out-rate the footy […]

mastodon.online

Original post on mastodon.online

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 18/09/2026

We visited each other for a few years after, but gradually lost contact. As you do Dave passed away a few years ago. I guess his condition eventually caught up with him But every September 18th I remember the most courageous and indefatigable person I’ve ever known Here’s to you, Dave. 5 of 5

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