Winding through forest and open land in Central Victoria, the Victorian Goldfields Railway is a remnant of the extensive branch line railway system which served rural Victoria from around 1880 through to the 1970's.
With time, the value of the branchline railway waned as the increased use of road motor transport reduced the isolation of rural areas. The Maldon Railway, no longer a vital link, outlived its usefulness and like the other 'light' lines of Victoria, closure and dismantling appeared to be the only prospect.
Closure came, but through the efforts of volunteers the line has taken on a new life as a heritage railway, enabling the visitor to see, hear and participate in an active steam railway from the era of the branchline.
Castlemaine, Muckleford & Maldon
Gold was discovered at Forest Creek (Castlemaine) in September, 1851. The area became known as the Mount Alexander Diggings, taking the name from Mount Alexander near by and was later renamed Castlemaine. Developing with the wealth of the goldfields, the township was laid out with wide streets, botanic gardens and grand buildings, much of which remains today.
Gold was found to the west of Castlemaine in the area of forest around Mount Tarrangower in 1853. The township of Tarrangower, renamed Maldon in 1862 and in 1966 the National Trust awarde Maldon the title of Notable Town due to its unique collection of buildingsand reminders of its goldmines, the last active mine closing in 1926.
Railways
The railway reached Castlemaine in the form of the main Melbourne - Bendigo Line in October, 1862. This long, classically engineered railway tapped the booming goldfields at Bendigo and Castlemaine and ushered in a new era of transport to the goldfields and towns of Central Victoria.
The Bendigo line was soon extended to reach the Murray River at Echuca, and Maryborough was the destination of a cross-country line from Castlemaine.
As work progressed on the Maryborough line, the citizens of Maldon started to press for their own railway. By the time the Castlemaine-Maryborough line opened (July 1874) they were petitioning their parliamentarians with demands for railway connection to further open up land in their district.
In 1876 a preliminary survey was undertaken for a railway from Castlemaine to Maldon and on to Newbridge. In 1881, Parliament authorized a number of new lines including a 10 mile (16 kilometre) branch from Maldon Junction (about 1 km from Castlemaine on the Maryborough line) to Maldon.
In August, 1882 the contract was let for the construction of the Maldon line to A. Nicholls and Co. The country was described as difficult for a railway. Heavy earthworks were necessary and two major bridges required. Built to 'light-line' construction, the line included grades of 1 in 40, sharp curves and rail of 60 lb./yard. The line opened for traffic on 16th June, 1884. 1891 saw the opening of a 10 mile (16 km) extension of the line to Shelbourne.
Commencing 2/11/2011 or by arrangement
Departure Melbourne each Wednesday
Southern Cross Station 09.00
Return Southern Cross Station 1713
Tours per person $121.00
Group tours by arrangement
Special Tours Castlemaine and Maldon by Coach and Rail
Departure Melbourne each Wednesday
Departure Southern Cross 0709
Return Southern Cross 1713
Tour per person $175
Personal Tours min 3 passengers by arrangement
Meals, morning teas, afternoon teas are not included in any of the above |
