From 1947 to 1986, The Spirit of Progress carriages were seen regularly stationed at Albury - and they made a rare return to the platform on Friday morning.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
While not hauled by the original locomotive, train buffs were still impressed by the Victorian Railways diesel models taking heritage rolling stock, including the compartment and parlor cars, to Melbourne.
The six-day journey run by Cruise Express began with a 1966 diesel train from Sydney on Thursday with a 1952 steam locomotive added for the Goulburn to Junee leg.
They will return to Sydney via Orange and then Lithgow through a mix of locomotives, arriving on Tuesday.
Hervey Bay couple Paula and Terry Hewett were enjoying the 'Great Southern Loop' despite the chill in Albury.
"We went on a train trip in Canada last year and realised we liked train travel," Mrs Hewett said.
"It's a chance to see parts of the country we haven't seen before.
"It's nostalgic to see the steam train."
The P and T class locomotives in Albury are usually stationed at the Seymour Railway Heritage Centre.
