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To celebrate 30 years since Hudson steam locomotive R707s return to mainline service, a special tour from Melbourne to Seymour was run featuring R707 and two other R class steam locomotives R761 and R711.


R707 is operated by heritage rail operator '707 Operations Incorporated' whilst R761 and R711 (an oil burning R class) is operated by 'Steamrail Victoria'.

This was a rare opportunity to experience a trip with triple head R class steam locomotives in Victoria, with over 15 years since the last event.

This video contains lineside footage as well as exclusive GoPro footage mounted on top of steam locomotive R711 on the return from Seymour to Melbourne.
Footage from on board R711 is courtesy of Akila Ariyapperuma, with full permission given. **Full permission was granted by the crews and operators of this tour for the onboard footage to be taken***

For future tours from 707 Operations Inc, please visit: http://www.707operations.com.au/

The story of 707 Operations Inc. goes back to 1980 when a committee of six people (Lyn Helsby, Alan Jones, Peter Martin, Rodney Martin and Neil Tait) formed themselves into a group under the name of ‘Plan R’. Inspections of steam locomotive R707 were made at Newport where it had laid in storage for the 6 years since its removal from service. Although it looked to be in a very dilapidated condition on the exterior, closer examination revealed that it was largely superficial and was mechanically in fair condition.

Proposals were then forwarded to the General Manager of VicRail regarding its restoration. Agreements were then put into place and R707 was placed in the old tarpaulin shop, and it was here in February 1981 that the all-volunteer workforce began work on the actual restoration.

The locomotive was dismantled and the complete overhaul began on the boiler, the frame wheels and axles, the cab fittings, smoke box, cylinders, motion gear and the tender. Late in 1984, R707 was steam tested in the presence of the DLI Inspector. Having passed all these tests R707 was almost complete. Final adjustments were made, and then began the task of painting the locomotive and tender in its original livery as delivered.

And so, on the 20th July 1985, R707 was returned to service when she ran a trip to Bacchus Marsh and return. 2015 marks 30 years of operations of R707 by 707 Operations Inc.