707 Operations has a strong commitment to Regional Victoria and to sharing Victoria's rail heritage with the residents of towns and regions that we visit, many of which may not have seen a passenger train in over a generation. 

Each Slow Rail Journey includes a number of seated carriages which are primarily used to offer short journeys to local residents while on tour. When the carriages aren't full they are available to all guests to stretch out, have a chat, relax or simply enjoy the view on the opposite side of the train.

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Our fleet of Open Saloon carriages commenced life in the 1950's as either First or Economy Class seated carriages. The carriages served across the Victorian network and were reconfigured a number of times to suite the differing needs of the Victorian Railways and later V/Line.

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A number of carriages featured on our trains served across the Victorian network before being sold by V/Line to the now defunct West Coast Railway in 1993 or 1994. West Coast Railway was formed in 1993 during a brief experiment by the State Government to privatise country rail services using a model similar to the one used in the UK. West Coast Railway was awarded the contract to run trains on the Warrnambool Line and was one of only two successful franchisees (the other being Hoys Roadways which operated trains on the Shepparton Line). In 2004, following long term track-work, rolling-stock issues and a change of Government, West Coast Railway was placed in liquidation and a number of carriages purchased by or on behalf of 707 Operations and other heritage operators.

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Other carriages served on both Standard and Broad Gauge services before being allocated to 707 Operations on retirement.

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All Open Saloon carriages feature:

• 2 + 2 arranged reclining seating 

• Swivel arrangements allowing all seats to be forward facing or rotated to forms groups of four

• Air conditioning; and

• Fold out tray tables.

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