victorian goldfields railway

we planned this trip for a few weeks and were dressed in period (1890's) costume. We called before hand to check if that was ok and they were more than happy for us to do that. We just wanted to get into the spirit of it and We really enjoyed the first class carriages. The scenery was great and will be back next time when the steam engine runs. What great work the volunteers put in, from the people at the station to the drivers, great effort and dedication. Especially the lady who served in the buffet car, who chatted to us about how much she enjoys helping. The young man who was showing us around the yard was very helpful and polite. It was a pleasure to experience their service.

We take the kids three to four times a year. Just a beautiful experience. The train runs between Maldon and Castlemane. Theres plenty to see and do. We highly recommend it.

We travelled from Castlemaine to Maldon and back again on a Sunday during the school holidays. It was full both ways. Loved the steam train on the first leg but with no prior announcement only had the diesel train on the return leg. Totally different ambience and not the same as the steam train at all. We had 2 hours to spend in Maldon which was a perfect amount of time to wander through the shops and antiques. We also appreciated the free minibus that drove us from the station to the Maldon township and later back again, considering it was a hot day. We had brought a picnic lunch which we ate in the shady gardens in Maldon and found the public toilets across the road to be impeccably clean and fresh. People had stopped by the roadside and everyone waved at the steam train going by on the first journey with plenty of whistles and quite a party atmosphere, not on the return journey unfortunately. It was still a very enjoyable day though, the volunteers are to be congratulated.

My husband organised this as a Birthday present! Loved every minute, travelled in the first class Macedon carriage from Castlemaine to Maldon (with a lovely glass of champagne and a cheese platter). A bonus as it has aircon...2hr stop in Maldon to walk around and have lunch at the pub!On our way back to Castlemaine, we rode up the front in the cab with the driver who answered many of my questions, and even let me pull the whistle.The volunteers (all of them from carriage to drivers) are an absolute credit, they are friendly and make this experience for the passengers comfortable and exciting. I would recommend all age groups, parents with children, couples (young and old) etc.

Have travelled on this railway before. Step back in time by enjoying a relaxed journey in old VR cars pulled by a steam train. A photographers delight!

A group of us travelled on the steam train from Maldon to Castlemaine. We chose first class and had two carriages available, both of which had been lovingly refurbished. Club Car very comfortable and one could order tea, coffee or glass of wine and some light snacks. Volunteer staff very friendly. Trip through the countryside very relaxing and we had a pleasant few hours in Castlemaine before catching the return train in the afternoon Lovely way to spend a day with friends.

We celebrated my fathers 80th birthday with a First Class trip on this lovely steam train, complete with a ride in the locomotive for part of the journey. The journey began in Castlemaine and travelled to Maldon, a 45 minute trip. We sat in the very comfortable Bar Car (the Maldon) and enjoyed the trip immensely. My husband was in the steam locomotive with the Driver and Engineer for the first leg of the journey (to the half way point of Muckleford), where my 80 year old Dad swapped and spent the last half of the trip to Maldon watching the men shovel coal and keep the Old Girl chugging along happily. We spent a pleasant 2 hours in Maldon and had a yummy pie lunch at the Bakery before strolling the street and popping into the many shops and antique venues on offer. Back on the train for the return journey to Castlemaine we enjoyed the First Class hospitality with cheese platters, Champagne, beer and softdrinks! My father said it was the best thing he's done in his first 80 years, so I think that says it all!

if you intend to gravel on the goldfields railway do yourself a favour and pay the extra to travel in the cab.Hot.noisy valve gear going everywhere,just a great experience to watch the team work between driver and fireman to get this thing along.Return in comfort in the pullman carraige.It was a great day made better by really friendly volunteer staff.I will be back to do the drivers course and then actually get to sit in the drivers seat

We had a compartment in first class - great fun with a three year old convinced he was travelling with Thomas. A pleasant time for the adults, sharing a cheese plate bought at the club car, looking out at the countryside, wathching sheep and cows. The carriages are quite lovely inside - pressed metal ceilings and beautiful carved wood. The club car had an art deco look.Thanks to the volunteer staff for keeping a great atmosphere.

We took a train ride from Maldon to Castlemaine and back. The scenery is so pretty and the kids loved the train ride. I would highly recommend it. We took a picnic and had a great day out

Brilliant the old building of the Station has the best character frontage of any where in Australia. The coffee shop and the old relic Museum is a must to see

The Goldfields Railway at Maldon is a really great way to re-live the romance of the steam age of days gone by. Trips to nearby Castlemaine and return evoke images of how the mighty steam trains were the backbone of the development of the goldfields, bringing much needed supplies taking out highly valued gold. The volunteer staff are enthusiastic and friendly and must be applauded for the time and commitment they put in to keep this valuable piece of history alive for us all. Even if you only have time to visit the Maldon Station and climb on Thomas the Tank, a visit to the Goldfields Railway is a must on a visit to Maldon.

I bought my husband a Red Balloon experience, a return trip on the Victorian Goldfields Railway. This included overnight accommodation at Eaglehawk Motel. An opportunity for my husband to travel part of the journey in the actual steam engine section of the train, a lovely cheese platter for 2 along with a drink of our choice.

If you love trains and especially steam trains, this is a nostalgic trip. All the volunteers were friendly, helpful and knowledgeable - chatting with them enhanced our enjoyment of the journey. Nothing quite matches the thrill of hearing the 'chuff-chuff' of the engine as you haul out of the station, and the smell of the burning coal adds to the mood. We took the afternoon train from Maldon to Castlemaine and return, travelled first class and enjoyed a glass of red wine along the way. It was a wonderfully romantic journey, a great relic of a bygone era. The countryside through which the train passes is a reminder of the beauty of this great country, with much of the passing scenery making me imagine McCubbin characters were lingering behind the trees. Not a cheap outing if you opt for first class but definitely worth doing at least once.

We loved our train ride from Castlemaine to Maldon on Easter Sunday 2014. The scenery of the box ironbark forest is spectacular, with the gold dust wattle in flower at this time of year. We loved the sights, smells and sounds of the old steam train, its actually quite thrilling ... even though we only travel at 15 km/h. We enjoyed our short stop in Maldon, enough time to enjoy a delicious lunch at the Crowded House cafe and a stroll through the amazing shops in Maldon. We bought some snacks at the Castlemaine VGR station (hot cross buns, dim sims and hot dogs) since we were hungry after our travel to get to Castlemaine. The train arrives about 30 minutes before departure, and to get your choice of seats you should get on board about 20 minutes before departure. First class looks fun, but we were perfectly comfortable and happy with economy class. We would like to travel on the VGR once again soon!