The Wimmera’s only passenger rail service is set to resume this month after enduring an uncertain future over recent years due to doubts over funding, and being suspended when the South Australian border was closed to Victoria back in March last year.
The Overland train that has linked Melbourne and Adelaide since 1887 will resume with twice-weekly trips in each direction, with trains from Adelaide to Melbourne operating on Sundays and Thursdays with the return trips will be on Mondays and Fridays.
In June last year, the Victorian government announced that it would fund the service for another three years, although it has not run for nine months due to the Coronavirus restrictions.
This announcement was welcomed by Member for Lowan Emma Kealy, who said that the news would come as a major relief to the many western Victorians who relied on The Overland to link them with Ballarat, Melbourne and Adelaide.
The first train for the year is scheduled to depart Adelaide’s Parkland Terminal this Sunday morning.
The then Mayor of the Hindmarsh Shire, Rob Gersch, said “We are very excited by the announcement of continued funding for this important service. Many of our residents utilise this service to travel to appointments and visit family in both Melbourne and Adelaide.
“We see opportunity for increased visitors to our Shire now that overseas travel has
been ruled out in the immediate future. Hindmarsh has a lot of natural attractions, and we will be
encouraging people from Melbourne and Adelaide to hop on the train and visit our beautiful part of
Victoria.”
It is hoped that the recent changes in restrictions due to the changing COVID-19 situation will not affect this train’s recommencement, and residents will be able to support this service.
Unfortunately, Journey Beyond Rail Expeditions’ Great Southern rail cruise train between Brisbane and Adelaide that last year operated via Melbourne has currently been rescheduled to bypass Victoria and will not be seen through the Wimmera this year.
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