2004: The Victorian Year in Steam

2004: The Victorian Year in Steam: the eleventh production in this very popular annual almanac series continues the usual excellent production standard in this all-colour, all-digital DVD which records the ever-changing Victorian rail scene. 2004 saw three locos return to service after overhaul; two new sections of main and tourist line each saw steam for the first time; double heading R 711 & R766 combined for the first and last time. Anniversaries celebrated included the 50th anniversary of the J class celebrated at Maldon with J 549, whilst 150 years of railways was marked with operations by K 153, K 160, K 163 and K 190.

A two hour plus almanac featuring over 40 operations, including:

  • Double-headed oil-burning R class (R 711 & R 766) for the first and only time;
  • 150th anniversary of railways in Victoria celebrations at Maldon, Mornington and Melbourne suburbs featuring K 160 at Maldon, K 153 and K 190 on push/pull shuttles between Caulfield and Sunshine and K 163 on the Mornington Railway;
  • G42 on its launch, Great Train Race, Santa, Gembrook mixed and regular runs;
  • the triple Na Lakeside train with 6, 7 & 14;
  • 12A on the Gembrook mixed;
  • Cab rides on R 766, K 163, J 549, Vulcan # 4 at Bellarine Peninsula Railway and G 42 on the Puffing Billy Railway;
  • the first Victorian Goldfields Railway steam train into Castlemaine;
  • J 515 running to Hurstbridge;
  • R 761 to Warrnambool;
  • the Walhalla Goldfields Railway first official steam passenger train to Walhalla and regular service running;
  • R 707 tackling Ingliston Bank en route to Ballarat;
  • J class 50th Anniversary tour with J 549;
  • Y 112, A2 996 and R 761 on the Echuca wharf line:
  • first steam run on the 'new alignments' between Melton and Ballarat and much more.

A 'must have' production for the steam lover or historian's library.