707 Operations is a railway preservation group based in Melbourne, Australia. The volunteer organisation was established in 1980 to restore R class locomotive R707. The company has its own section of the Newport Workshops that is used for storing carriages and locomotives when not in use for trips (charter or regular). They are located in roads 7 and 8 of the Newport West Block Workshops.
707 Operations runs regular trips across the broad gauge rail network in Victoria and also charter trains. People who motorcade the train to photograph it are asked to consider donating $10 towards the costs of running the train. This has been controversial among the railway fraternity. For the donation, 707 Operations provide a detailed schedule and tour notes 24 hours prior to departure and SMS updates should the train fall behind schedule in excess of 30 minutes.
History In 1980, a committee of six men got together to inspect the withdrawn steam locomotive R707 at Newport Workshops. This locomotive had been withdrawn from service in 1974. After close examination of the locomotive, which showed some disrepair, a proposal was put forward to VicRail for restoration with work commencing in 1981. The restored locomotive made its debut on a return trip to Bacchus Marsh in July 1985.R707 City of Melbourne Restoration 707 Operations
Operations Today 707 Operations run heritage special trains in Victoria.Past Mainline Trips 707 Operations In 2020 most trips were cancelled due to COVID restrictions, however since 2022, 707 Operations have resumed running their popular mainline day trips and sleeping car trips around Country Victoria and Tocumwal (NSW). Destinations include Bendigo, Bacchus Marsh, Quambatook and the Silo Art Trail, Tocumwal, Ballarat, Swan Hill, Echuca and Seymour.
Fleet After the restoration of R707, the organisation expanded their fleet further with R753 being bought as well as diesel locomotives F204, T413 and Y127. The organisation owns former West Coast Railways S and Z type carriages as well as South Australian Railways carriage 708 for use on special trips. No West Coast Railways liveried cars remain with all S and Z type cars having been repainted in 707 Operations red or VR Blue and Gold. Locomotives NumberImageYear builtBuilderStatusNotesLiveryA621952 (rebuilt 1983)Clyde Engineering, Granville (rebuilt Clyde Engineering, Rosewater)OperationalAllocated by VicTrack in 2020, restored fully in 2025V/Line orange and greyF2081951Dick Kerr Works, Preston, EnglandOperationalLimited to shunting duties VR red and goldP131956 (rebuilt 1984)Clyde Engineering, Granville (rebuilt Martin & King, Somerton)OperationalTransferred from V/Line to 707 Operations ownership in November 2024. On Standard GaugeV/Line Passenger Mk2P201956 (rebuilt 1985)OperationalAcquired from Pacific National in 2023V/Line orange and grey R707 North British Locomotive Company, Glasgow Operational Named City of MelbourneBlack and red R753 1952 StoredParts source for R707Black and redS3001957Clyde Engineering, GranvilleOperationalPrivately owned, on Standard GaugeCFCLA Silver and Blue S306 1957 Out of traffic, Overhaul Purchased from Pacific National in September 2023 after being leased from the company since 2019 PN blue and yellow T3871965 Operational Privately owned, on Standard Gauge CFCLA Silver and Blue T392 Operational Purchased from Pacific National in September 2023 after being leased from the company since 2019 Slow Rail Journeys Blue and Yellow T413 1968 OperationalDelivered as D1 for Fyansford Cement Works VR blue and gold Y1081963Clyde Engineering, Granville StoredParts source for Y127V/Line orange and grey Y127 1965 OperationalFirst locomotive painted into V/Line orange and grey in preservation V/Line orange and greyY1431965StoredParts source for Y127V/Line orange and grey
Passenger carriages
Z cars CarriageImageGaugeYear builtLiveryNotes255 ACZBroad1957Vintage Rail Travel Mk3 - Red and 2 white stripesGuards Van/First Class - Saloon Style270 BZ1959Second Class - Saloon Style257 BCZ1958Grey Livery (Stripped of PTV Purple & Grey, including PTV and V/Line logos)Guards Van/Second Class - Saloon Style. Transferred 14/05/2023251 BTN1956Second Class - Saloon Style. Ex 1AZ.259 BTN1959Saloon car converted to Dining Car. Transferred 06/07/2023
S Cars CarriageImageGaugeYear builtLiveryNotes205 BSBroad1950Vintage Rail Travel Mk3 - Red and 2 white stripesStored. Second Class - Compartment Style212 BS1949VR Blue and GoldSecond Class - Compartment Style215 BS1955224 BRS1940Vintage Rail Travel Mk3 - Red and 2 white stripesSecond Class - Compartment Style - Buffet
N Carriages CarriageImageGaugeYear builtLiveryNotesACN 45Standard1983Grey Livery (Stripped of PTV Purple & Grey, including PTV and V/Line logos)Guards Van/First Class - Saloon Style. Transferred August 2022ACN 48BN 51981Second Class - Saloon Style. Transferred August 2022BN 221982BRN 431983Second Class - Saloon Style - Buffet. Transferred August 2022
H Carriages +CarriageImageGaugeYear builtLiveryNotesBTH 174Broad1958, Converted to H Car 1989Grey Livery (Stripped of PTV Purple & Grey, including PTV and V/Line logos)Transferred 12/12/2024. ex Harris 688TBIH 1931957, Converted to H Car 1990Transferred 12/12/2024. ex refurbished Harris 3505TBCH 1341962, Converted to H Car 1990Transferred 12/12/2024. ex refurbished Harris 902M
Sleeping Cars CarriageImageGaugeYear builtLiveryNotesSJ 284 DoraiBroad1950Overland MaroonTwinette Sleeping Car - Air ConditioningJTA 6 Kuldalai1957LAN 23521961Stainless SteelRoomette Sleeping Car - Air Conditioning. Owned by THNSWLAN 2354 1961Roomette Sleeping Car - Air Conditioning. Privately OwnedNAM 23361961Twinette Sleeping Car - Air ConditioningNAM 2373Standard1963NAM 2380Broad1963
Vans & Special carriages CarriageImageGaugeYear builtLiveryNotesPCP 294Broad1957Vintage Rail Travel Mk3 - Red and 2 white stripesPower VanPCO 3 (PCJ 492)1970Overland MaroonPower VanPCJ 493Standard1970SilverPower VanPHA 23951984Stainless SteelPower Van. Owned by THNSWPHN 23621961Power Van. Owned by THNSW2 COBroad1970Guards Van. Privately Owned35 CP1958RedGuards Van37 CP1958GreyGuards Van708 BK1941Vintage Rail Travel Mk3 - Red and 2 white stripesLounge Car. Privately OwnedDC 783 Lowanna1942MaroonCommissioner's crew car. Privately OwnedClub Car 1 Victoria1970Overland MaroonLounge CarDF 9351968Stainless SteelIndian Pacific Dining Car. Privately OwnedSleeper 4 Buchan1923VR Blue and GoldTwinshare Sleeping Car - Paritally converted to Crew Car
Electric Multiple Units +CarriageImageGaugeYear builtLiveryNotes3 MBroad1973Stainless SteelHitachi Motor Car304 D1973Hitachi Driving Trailer Car178 M1979Hitachi Motor Car
Freight Wagons +WagonImageGaugeYear builtLiveryNotesDT 318Broad1959707 Ops BlackLuggage VanVOAF 100BlackBogie Open Wagon for carrying coalL 1174RedFormer NSWGR Water Gin. Owned by THNSWHH 51902RedLoco Breakdown VanVLCX 1871966RedLouvre VanDT 3611959RedVLPY 1251956RedVWBA 21960RedWell Wagon. Holds Boiler ex R753
References
External links Official website