I wonder if this train was one run by the Cudgewa Rotary Club from Wodonga in the late 1970's in conjunction with a festival in Cudgewa? If it's the one I travelled on, there had been plans for it to be steam-hauled but, apparently, VR cancelled at the last moment. The timber trestle viaduct was possibly the most impressive structure on the line! A memorable train ride. Thanks for the memory.
What a magnificent tourist line this would have been,but alas Victoria barely has a branch line left so shortsighted, but our heritage doesn't rate in Australia.
Gee Victoria had the most well constructed railway lines including the branch lines with spectacular timber gantry bridges and strong concrete & steel bridges . NSW railways could have used about 2000 of those 😉
The line is gone but you can walk or ride along the most impressive parts around Lake Hume. The one very nice part that is not accessible is the rather pretty stretch along the North bank of the Cudgewa creek. Perhaps one day that too will be opened up.
@@smitajky I guess (unfortunately) it was a case of road transport becoming more efficient, major $repairs/maintainence required to the track and huge timber trestle bridges and lack of use that sealed its fate. It would have been fabulous running a Walker Railmotor train up/down the line on weekend gourmet wine/foodie tours to the northeast.
@@neosamurai5374 When even Wodonga has been consigned to history it is much more than being efficient. Road transport has the political ear. So when people move into an area and want cars then a railway is an impediment to that. So it may be more efficient to use the road but at the same time with zero investment in modernization it could not compete with roads that are upgraded every few years at zero incremental cost to the users thereof.
Thanks Jim, good-video. I spent some time relieving at Wodonga when flashing lights were installed at some locations . How the old VR has changed!. Geecee. .
Not so. The GIANT destruction of the VR was in 1953 and 1954. Lines which had survived solely because of the war were closed everywhere once motor transport became available. Have a look at how many were closed in the 50s. It was a horrible loss.
The closure of the Colac to Crowes line,in 1964,via Beech Forest caused great controversy at that time.Meanwhile,line closures continued unabated during this time,around Victoria.
Some of it is a rail trail ( from Wodonga to Old Tallangatta at least). Some of it has been turned into a forest road. And some of it is, as far as I know, inaccessible to the public.
@@smitajky Speaking to some locals in Cudgewa yesterday there's a push to extend the bicycle railtrail but from the Cudgewa end back towards the Tallangatta direction - but with some opposition from farmers adjoining the railway owned land. I noticed yesterday around Beetoomba (where the road crosses the old railway) new signposted pedestrian access gates assuming for walkers/cyclists.
Robert Dow yes mate looked like a farewell tour for the cudgewa line such a great video very sad to see the line gone wished ut was preserved would have been a great tourist railway today.
Such a great video thank you for sharing bit of sadness with the music and the feeling of the passengers of riding which by the looks like a farewell to the cudgewa line.
Thanks for sharing memories of the past it was a good rail line shame it's all gone
I wonder if this train was one run by the Cudgewa Rotary Club from Wodonga in the late 1970's in conjunction with a festival in Cudgewa? If it's the one I travelled on, there had been plans for it to be steam-hauled but, apparently, VR cancelled at the last moment.
The timber trestle viaduct was possibly the most impressive structure on the line! A memorable train ride. Thanks for the memory.
I don't think it was that occasion as there was no festival on in Cudgewa. Cheers
What a magnificent tourist line this would have been,but alas Victoria barely has a branch line left so shortsighted, but our heritage doesn't rate in Australia.
Marvellous piece of film. What a great record of what we once had...
Gee Victoria had the most well constructed railway lines including the branch lines with spectacular timber gantry bridges and strong concrete & steel bridges . NSW railways could have used about 2000 of those 😉
Now they're all shut down. :(
Wow. Spectacular scenery.
T413 was mainly used on the Cudgewa line until it was closed as its the only T Class with Dynamic braking
Some magnificent scenery shame the line is gone
The line is gone but you can walk or ride along the most impressive parts around Lake Hume. The one very nice part that is not accessible is the rather pretty stretch along the North bank of the Cudgewa creek. Perhaps one day that too will be opened up.
@@smitajky I guess (unfortunately) it was a case of road transport becoming more efficient, major $repairs/maintainence required to the track and huge timber trestle bridges and lack of use that sealed its fate. It would have been fabulous running a Walker Railmotor train up/down the line on weekend gourmet wine/foodie tours to the northeast.
@@neosamurai5374 When even Wodonga has been consigned to history it is much more than being efficient. Road transport has the political ear. So when people move into an area and want cars then a railway is an impediment to that. So it may be more efficient to use the road but at the same time with zero investment in modernization it could not compete with roads that are upgraded every few years at zero incremental cost to the users thereof.
Nice footage Beautifully shot
Thanks Jim, good-video. I spent some time relieving at Wodonga when flashing lights were installed at some locations . How the old VR has changed!. Geecee. .
In the late ‘70s it was possible to travel in the van from Wodonga, alas, I never got to do it. The last train derailed at Shelley I think.
So sad that all these branch lines no longer exist.
I agree John, it's a sad to see such a lovely era to see disappear. :(
Another good one Jimmy.
Once the highest track in Victoria.
This is my favourite line, so thanks for sharing.
Which Victorian Liberal Government closed the Cudgewa line,by the way?.
Victoria trashed most of its rail network from the 1960s onward.
Very little remains sadly !
And what remains is shabby and underused. Once proud VR.
Not so. The GIANT destruction of the VR was in 1953 and 1954. Lines which had survived solely because of the war were closed everywhere once motor transport became available. Have a look at how many were closed in the 50s. It was a horrible loss.
@@smitajky it was trashed undeedv
The closure of the Colac to Crowes line,in 1964,via Beech Forest caused great controversy at that time.Meanwhile,line closures continued unabated during this time,around Victoria.
What’s the harmonica music towards the end?
No idea now, found it somewhere in my library. Try using Soundhound on it maybe...
Tried sound hound and Shazam. Too old I think for those apps. Sad as its really atmospheric.
Starts at 4.13
That music is called Prairie Serenade by Ron Goodwin, sad music but fitting for the clip.
I think it’s a rail trail now, is that correct?
Some of it is a rail trail ( from Wodonga to Old Tallangatta at least). Some of it has been turned into a forest road. And some of it is, as far as I know, inaccessible to the public.
@@smitajky Speaking to some locals in Cudgewa yesterday there's a push to extend the bicycle railtrail but from the Cudgewa end back towards the Tallangatta direction - but with some opposition from farmers adjoining the railway owned land. I noticed yesterday around Beetoomba (where the road crosses the old railway) new signposted pedestrian access gates assuming for walkers/cyclists.
@@neosamurai5374 This is good news. One of the pretty parts was along the Cudgewa Creek. It would be nice to be able to ride along this area again.
long time ago. isn't it?
Marvellous. When was this filmed Jim? Thanks.
Not sure Robert, I think late 1970's, maybe someone will post a date for us, glad you enjoyed..
Thanks. I did some home work and you are seem spot on. I think it was a tour in 1978. Would have been one of the last on the line. Cheers.
Robert Dow yes mate looked like a farewell tour for the cudgewa line such a great video very sad to see the line gone wished ut was preserved would have been a great tourist railway today.
Such a great video thank you for sharing bit of sadness with the music and the feeling of the passengers of riding which by the looks like a farewell to the cudgewa line.
Earlier than 1978
Could have shown more stations I thought
No 9 in