The Last Train to Warburton

Throughout its life the Warburton line had both passenger and goods services (passenger services generally running as a shuttle between Lilydale and Warburton stations), although passenger services dwindled during the later years.

This locomotive was built at the Newport Workshops and entered service on the 11th of December 1903, the fourth of the original class and numbered DD 586. During 1923 she was fitted with a superheater and re-numbered as DD 799 and in December 1929 was re-classified as D2 799. By 12th December 1934 she had been rebuilt with a new boiler and modifications as are numbered D3 658. In the mid-1950’s the original D3 639 (the locomotive used to pull the V.R. Commissioner's train) was retired and replaced by D3 658, but with 639 having become a popular locomotive the two locomotives swapped numbers so 658 became 639.

In October 1964 D3 639 became the first "Vintage Trains Engine", maintained by enthusiasts and used on special outings. In 1965, these enthusiasts formed a committee; the 'Steam Preservation Co-ordinating Committee' from which Steamrail Victoria Ltd. has evolved. This saw the introduction of The Vintage Train' in January 1966, which used historic carriages hauled behind D3 639.

In 1973, a boiler failure resulted in her withdrawal from service. Following her delivery to Ballarat on 23rd August 1981, A new boiler and replacement driving wheels were fitted by the Ballarat branch of Steamrail Victoria. On 17th November 1984, she was re-commissioned as "The Spirit of Ballarat" by then Prime minister Bob Hawke, running her first preserved mainline passenger trip in December 1984 to Bacchus Marsh. Since then, the locomotive has taken part in countless Steamrail tours, several festivals including the Australian Bicentenary and "Austeam '88", and even starred in a few movies. At almost 120 years old, 639 is still going strong and remains a crowd favourite.

Current Status:

Although the track was dismantled in the 1970s, the Warburton line right-of-way is intact, except for a short section leased to Mount Lilydale Mercy College. All the bridges are still in place, except the one that previously crossed the Maroondah Highway. A new bridge, allowing the highway to be safely crossed by cyclists and pedestrians, was completed in 2011. The route formerly used by the line is now the Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail, a pedestrian, bicycle and equestrian trail.