Vintage Rail Journeys - Riverina Tour Part 1

On Sunday March 27th 2022, we took a trip on the restored "Southern Aurora" train operated by Vintage Rail Journeys to the Riverina area of NSW. It was a 5 day and 4 night journeyto Goulburn, Junee, Coolamon, Griffith and Temora, leaving from Sydney Central station and return. Unfortunately the original itinerary did include Katoomba on the way home, but due to flooding and landslips on the railway line to Sydney was closed. They amended the itinerary to return to back to Goulburn, then bus us to Bowral for the day. The train met us at Bowral railway station for the journey home.
Never the less a wonderful time was had and this video in 2 parts depicts the journey on the way, visiting the towns, experiences, tours and looking at the train itself.

[@geoffcrumblin7505]

Thanks for the vid. It has whet my appetite for a train trip.

[@michaeloakley5281]

RMS 2360 was the blue dining car you had Mal :) RMS 2358 was the other dining car its a red colored one. BCS 2357 Lounge Car was the car i was on plus 7 others got on at Violet town on the 60th anniversary Southern Aurora special on it from Violet town to Melbourne was so much fun love the Southern Aurora it such a beautiful train

[@normansilver905]

Watching and hearing the 44 class diesels at work is music to my ears. Look at heir performance history. Thank you for posting!

[@sithlordofoz]

Would love to do one of these trips - I remember going on the "real" Aurora back in the 1970s and 80s.

[@LDW1961]

Worked with lovely Lili years ago on the airline. Great video my dad was with the Colonial Railways in Rhodesia.

[@malcalder8003]

Yes Lili was terrific on the trip, so helpfull and always happy and talkative. She told us she did work for Qantas. Glad you liked the video.

[@jamesgovett2501]

Just a correction @ .54 you said they have 2 stroke engines in them but this is not the case they are Alco 251B which are 4 stroke Diesel engines of 1600 HP, the 2 stroke diesels power all the GM EMD units

[@malcalder8003]

Oh ok, glad you explained the 2 different types, my mistake.

[@dieseldavetrains8988]

Very enjoyable and pleasant plus informative commentary, what was the fare per person?

[@malcalder8003]

Thank you for your comments. I tried to give some idea what life is like on the train, plus experiencing what the tours have on offer that you go on. It is so well run and organized. You can check on the Vintage Rail Journeys website, but you'll looking at around $4000 per person. Expensive yes, but to experience the iconic Southern Aurora in all it's glory, it is well worth it.