By JESSE GRAHAM
A trip on the Yarra Valley Railway provides unique winter views of the valley.
The railway will be running its historic Walker RM22 Railmotor from the Healesville Railway Station to Tunnel Hill each Sunday, with seven trips departing daily.
The Walker will take visitors across the Watts River, under the Donovan’s Road over-bridge and through a tunnel at TarraWarra Estate, before heading back in a 45 minute round trip.
Yarra Valley Railway (YVR) vice president Brett Whelan said the fully-enclosed Walker offers protection from the wintery coldness outside, while providing passengers with a unique view of the area.
“They’ll see kangaroos out the back of Donovan’s Road, halfway along the line,” he said.
“In winter, it’s quite interesting, because the dams are quite full and the grass is green.”
Being a seasonal area, Mr Whelan said that the Yarra Valley has a different look for each season, with the colder months offering foggy mornings and wet pastures, along with an opportunity to rug up and see the scenery unfold through the windows of the train.
“With the view, because you’re facing one way, you get to see everything in the direction towards Yarra Glen and coming back you’ll see it the other way – you get a full view,” Mr Whelan said.
“You’ll get to sit up the front if you get in fast enough, next to the driver and see from the driver’s perspective, which is nice.”
The Yarra Glen to Healesville section of the railway is being redeveloped by YVR volunteers and contractors in an effort to restore the line between the two towns.
As part of the redevelopment, Yarra Glen Railway Station is being reconstructed and trains are estimated to run between Yarra Glen and Healesville around 2016-2017.
Trips on the Yarra Valley Railway depart from Healesville every hour from 10am-4pm on Sundays and public holidays, and Wednesday and Sundays on school holidays.
Fares are $9 for children, $13 for concession holders, $15 for adults and $39 for families of two adults and two children.
For more information, visit www.yarravalleyrailway.org.au, call 5962 4429, email reservations@yvr.com.au or visit Healesville Station on Healesville-Kinglake Road.
