Steam locomotive R707, the City of Melbourne, is the flagship asset under 707 Operations' custodianship and features on many Slow Rail Journeys tours.
Built by the North British Locomotive Company Limited in Glasgow, R707 landed at Williamstown Pier in 1951 however due to damage caused by sea water en-route did not enter service until 1954.
R707 as one of 70 steam locomotives orders by the Victorian Railways toward the end of the steam era due to foreign exchange restrictions preventing the purchase of more modern American diesel electric stock.
R707 operated in regular service until 1967 after which it ran a number of excursion trains before being placed in storage at the Newport Workshops in 1974.
On 11 July 1980 Plan R, now 707 Operations, was formed to restore R707 to main line operation. 20 July 1985, when R707 made its triumphant return to service on its re-commissioning trip to Bacchus Marsh.
Today R707 features on a number of 707 Operations day tours and Slow Rail Journeys outside the summer fire season.
"Thoroughly enjoyed the trip. Onboard dining was great. The sleeping accommodation on the train was very comfortable and brought back memories of travelling in similar cars on regular trains back in the days. The Silo Art seen was very impressive"
