707 Operations Inc

23/03/2026

Our members have read about it, and now it's time to share something amazing.

We've just released T 392 from the paint booth following its mechanical overhaul and repaint into our Slow Rail Journeys livery.

T 392 has been out of service for some time while we gave it a mechanical overhaul to rectify some powering problems that it had developed. With thanks to James from Traction Engineering, we removed and repaired the main generator for trouble free operation.

After the mechanical repairs had been completed, we engaged our painters from Steel Protection Rail to repaint the body in a striking new livery designed to promote the Slow Rail Journeys product.

Tom Anderson, one of our dedicated volunteers, spent many hours producing a variety of different designs and making significant changes to ensure that the final design was what we set out to achieve and we think the final result is superb.

With work on T 392 now complete, we move our focus onto the rust removal and body repairs required to return S 306 to service as soon possible. Please consider a donation to our restoration efforts and help return S 306 to service: https://www.slowrailjourneys.com.au/donate

Our members read about T 392's new livery design first - Become a member today: https://bookings.slowrailjourneys.com.au/events/sevenosevenoperationsinc/1300088

Look out for T 392 on some of our future Slow Rail Journeys.

11/03/2026

Did you get to the Newport Workshops open days last weekend?

Our volunteers enjoyed seeing you there, showcasing our award winning heritage railway tours and restoration efforts.

We even had time to visit each of the other displays to learn what’s happening within the sector. We’re proud to work collaboratively with all other sector groups to achieve the very best outcomes for all.

If you enjoyed your visit to 707 Operations, why not become a member today?
https://bookings.slowrailjourneys.com.au/events/sevenosevenoperationsinc/1300088

Your membership with 707 Operations comes with many benefits, including:

Member discounts on all Single Day Slow Rail Journeys,
The ability to actively volunteer at our Newport Workshops and on our trains,
Pre-booking periods for some weekend Slow Rail Journeys, and
Receipt of the quarterly Hudson News and more!
Please note that memberships purchased now will be valid until 30 June 2027.

08/03/2026

The Riverlander Slow Rail Journey on its return from regional Victoria to Melbourne, near Ballarat, captured by our member Brad Oscar

08/03/2026

The Riverlander Slow Rail Journey is returning to Melbourne today, after a weekend touring regional Victoria.

Guests on board this Riverlander journey have visited the Swan Hill food and wine festival, Lake Boga, Spannerman Art, Lake Tyrrell and some of the Silo Art Trail within the lower Mallee region of Victoria.

On train and off train, our guests are immersing their sense of adventure with the great team of volunteers from 707 Operations. We really enjoy showcasing the very best hidden wonders that regional Victoria has to offer.

Why not immerse YOUR sense of adventure with us on a future Slow Rail Journey? www.slowrailjourneys.com.au

07/03/2026

The volunteer team from 707 Operations and Slow Rail Journeys have done it again, winning the ATHRA (Association of Tourist and Heritage Rail Australia) Tourism Promotion award for 2025!

During the 2024/25 period, 707 Operations further enhanced its award-winning Broad Gauge weekend “Slow Rail Journeys” sleeper trains by introducing the Vinelander, which operates 5-night, 6-day rail cruises along the Standard Gauge line to Mildura, utilising retired ex-V/Line seating cars. Guests are accommodated overnight in hotels. The Vinelander is revolutionary for the Tourist and Heritage sector in Victoria, offering a truly upscale rail cruise product to the Victorian market. Slow Rail Journeys’ Mildura Vinelander tours exemplify how the Tourist and Heritage sector can collaborate with government, regional tourism initiatives, and others to launch a product that is well-patronised, loved by guests, and mutually beneficial to Slow Rail Journeys, Victoria’s rail heritage, and the communities we visit.
The Vinelander is part of Mildura’s identity, and Slow Rail Journeys is excited to reintroduce this iconic train to the Victorian rails.

Congratulations to all our volunteers who work hard to deliver award winning service on each and every Slow Rail Journey that we operate.

Want to learn more about Slow Rail Journeys and our future destinations: https://www.slowrailjourneys.com.au

06/03/2026

If you're visiting the Newport Workshops Open Days this weekend, be sure to visit 707 Operations inside 7 road to learn more about what we've been upto recently.

Inside 7 road you'll find a large range of snacks, drinks and souvenirs available as you browse around the expansive Newport Workshops site. Talk to our volunteers about Slow Rail Journeys, book your next holiday or become a member and benefit from exclusive member discounts!

Also inside 7 road you'll also find Train World Pty Ltd and Paul’s 3d prints with their extensive stalls selling a wide range of model railway equipment and trains.

Outside, R 707 will be in steam and on display for all to enjoy, alongside other magnificent steam locomotives that have been restored by Steamrail Victoria.

Get on down to the Newport Workshops Open Days this weekend. Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

06/03/2026

On behalf of the team at Slow Rail Journeys, we are thrilled to welcome booked guests aboard tonight's Riverlander!

To ensure your journey starts as smoothly as possible, please find the essential details for your trip below.


🗓️ Tour Commencement: Friday, 6 March

Tour Commencement: Your experience begins at 7:30 pm at the Savoy Hotel (630 Little Collins Street, Melbourne).
Arrival Time: To respect the hotel's other guests, please do not arrive or congregate in the lobby/bar area before 7:15 pm.
Check-in & Dinner: At 7:30 pm, a team member will invite you upstairs for check-in and our "Bon Voyage" dinner.
Check-in Process: You do not need to print your tickets. To speed things up, we will have two lines based on your surname: A–M and L–Z.


🧳 Luggage & Packing

Bring it With You: Please bring all luggage upstairs to the dining room. Do not leave bags with the hotel reception, as this causes significant delays during boarding. There is a bag storage area outside the dinner venue.
Size Matters: Space onboard is cozy! We recommend one aircraft cabin-sized bag per person plus a personal item.
Amenities: We’ve got you covered. All bedding, linen, towels, and basic amenities are provided on the train.


🚆 Life Onboard

Dress Code: Keep it casual and comfortable! Sunny days with a maximum of 28 degrees are predicted for Saturday and Sunday in Swan Hill. Overnight lows of 13 degrees.
Power: Every cabin is equipped with 240V power points, perfect for charging your phone and camera.
Cabin Allocations: You will receive your specific cabin number during check-in at the Savoy.


🏁 Return to Melbourne: Sunday, 8 March

Potential Disruptions Post Arrival: Please be aware that Monday, 9 March, is a public holiday in Melbourne and our arrival falls during the F1 Grand Prix weekend, which may lead to road and public transport disruptions.

ℹ️ Additional Information

Itinerary: You will have received a PDF copy of the itinerary to your email for reference.
Onboard Updates: A hard copy of the final itinerary and further journey details will be waiting for you in your cabin.
Real-Time Communication: Keep an eye on your phone! We will provide further information and any schedule updates via SMS throughout the journey.
Cabin Allocations: These will be provided to you individually during the check-in process at the Savoy.


🏨 Guests who have booked the Savoy Hotel through Slow Rail Journeys
Booking Confirmation: If you have booked the Savoy Hotel through Slow Rail Journeys, your confirmation is located on the receipt, which includes details of your payment for your rail journey.
Check-in Time: The hotel is available for check-in from 3:00 pm.
Arrival Process: Simply go to the hotel reception and provide them with your surname to check into your room.

As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in contact with us via our socials, or by phone: 1800 707 677 (booked guests only)

Welcome aboard!

14/01/2026

It’s might be early in 2026 but we are still busy here at 707 Operations.

Have a look at our new website - new information about our locomotive and carriage fleet, upcoming tours and events, what’s in the workshop, volunteering with us and much more.

www.707operations.com/

Ps don’t forget to check out our first day trip of 2026 - Seymour on Saturday 11 April for the Tastes of the Goulburn Festival.

29/12/2025

A review of our VINELANDER Slow Rail Journey written by Tim Richards appeared in Traveller this week! Have a read for your self and see what makes this Slow Rail Journey so special, other than the very best Vanilla Slice that's served on board.

https://www.smh.com.au/traveller/inspiration/one-of-australia-s-great-lost-rail-journeys-is-back-with-a-twist-20251222-p5npkx.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawO_AIFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEegBoXFVgx6XpS1-vWZOrPoDcA6vA3DDC26pLFq9ZNezi_MLgDBzIp9djIbzo_aem_rQpFeYVr4MFeXOMEfO9TwA

We've just started to launch our VINELANDER Slow Rail Journeys for 2026, and places are selling quickly!
Find out more and make your bookings here: https://slowrailjourneys.wetravel.com/i/68e8d1a10b09a48ece75f3b4

It’s been impossible to catch a scheduled passenger rail service to Mildura since 1993. Now a heritage rail operator has filled the gap.

24/12/2025

A very Merry Christmas to our members, supporters and guests who travelled with 707 Operations Inc and Slow Rail Journeys in the last year.

It's been another big year, with the ongoing development and refinement of the Slow Rail Journeys touring program, a program which is covering more distance than ever before.
Along the way we've enjoyed your company, and as we develop plans for an exciting 2026, we hope to have you along for the ride. Get on board today before you miss out! www.slowrailjourneys.com.au

Seasons greetings also go out to our amazing volunteer family.
You guys and girls are the backbone of the organisation, and everyone's contribution and dedication is the reason why 2025 and our reviews are so good - rest up so we can do it all again very soon.

Merry Christmas!

18/12/2025

You might have missed out on our 2025 members only Christmas train, but you don’t have to miss out on our 2026 members only events…..

Become a member of 707 Operations today for exclusive invitations, members only events and discounts on many of our trains.

https://bookings.slowrailjourneys.com.au/events/sevenosevenoperationsinc/1300088

13/12/2025

On Saturday, we operated our annual members only train to Warragul.

The members only train is a time that we all come together to recognise the important work that our volunteers do, volunteers both past and present, to continue the successful direction that the organisation is making.

It’s a chance for our members to enjoy a day out with the volunteers from Seven-O-Seven Operations where we all enjoy a hearty lunch and some cold drinks in Warragul.

Thank you sincerely to our volunteer workers who have come together during 2025, operating many highly successful Slow Rail Journeys. Our volunteers are an amazing group, who work hard to ensure our trains are maintained, ready to roll, and outside the gate operating with full passenger numbers in a safe manner.

We’ve operated on the mainline 50 days in 2025, many of these trips are multi-day trains where our team are away from families and their friends for days (sometimes for a week) at a time. Your contribition is amazing and we hope that those who were able to join us today, with their families and friends along, enjoyed the rest.

With so many new volunteers joining the Slow Rail Journeys team in 2025, today was likely the very first chance they had to sit back, being a passenger and enjoying our travels without guest services onboard. Thanks team, you’re the best and we’re proud to have the finest with us!

Let’s do it all again in 2026.

Did you notice the consist of todays members train?
L1174: water gin, first test run on BG with 707 Operations following a full restoration.
BTN251: first run with 707 Operations following allocation by Victrack.
NAM2380: sleeping car, first test run on BG with 707 Operarions following restoration.
SH34 set: first run with 707 Operations following transfer of ownership from V/Line.

You can expect to see all these vehicles in service again with 707 Operations very soon.

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