Riding the Q Train - Victoria, Australia 

There appears a bit of confusion by some of the comments, the Q train is run by a seperate business who just have a business agreement with the railway and not by the Bellarine railway organisation itself.

Having just done the first class midday dinning experience a few days ago I would have to say that sure , if your a true rivet counter the train it's self is showing its age, but the dinning experience was truly memorable. In a party of 4, we had a larger space that the single cabin shown here. Our hosts, prior to the trip questioned their decision to upgrade to first class, but very quickly agreed that they had made a great choice. Sure, its all a numbers game and the number in first class that day allowed us to have a very attentive wait staff member. Food wise the serving sizes were just right. Personal opinion to follow.... As an experience I would rate it higher than the regular Puffing Billy trip we had done the day before, both being perfectly enjoyable in their on right.

Will, thank you for an interesting report. I have seen ads for the Q Train, and you have explained what it is. It is something to consider, but, I will see. Cheers, and stay safe, Michael

An interesting perspective. I think the ex-QR cars more or less went straight into service with the Bellarine Railway after their arrival in Victoria following withdrawal from Queensland trains. My recollection is that the cars were really starting to feel 'tired' in 2014, when they were withdrawn, but I imagine the time and expense of internal refurbishment is perhaps beyond the resources of Bellarine, at least at the moment? I'd be interested to know what you thought of the food. One of the advantages of sitting in the dining car is that, if there is only two of you, you will get to at least meet two others sitting at your table. You make a good point about Drysdale's relative isolation - an optional transport connection would almost be a necessity, although it would obviously add to the cost. The fare seems 'reasonable' for what it is and we have to remember these kinds of trips are not really targetting gunzels. At least Bellarine is having a go and keeping rail alive on the peninsula.

The Q train is a unique service in itself as this kind of service is not offered by anyone else, it runs 5 days a week and has won many awards including a golden plate award, the Q train is it's own business and has an agreement with the BR, while you spoke about the staff "Needing more training with a camera" please do keep in mind that their main job is to serve food, it's a little disappointing to see that you didn't talk about the food and the quality of it, I understand it is a railway channel and not the food network but you mainly spoke about the train. The reason for the stop at Suma Park is to allow people to get out and have a walk around as well as use the loo if needed, it is also used as a photo stop as well, it's also used for operational reasons, this is including timing for the kitchen, if service is ahead of time it allows everyone to get the timing back on track (pun intended) so there is a reason why they stop there as well as other spots along the line, especially in the warmer months with the sun setting over swan bay. What makes the Q train different from puff and others is it was built from the ground up, all works had to be done in house with wanting to try and keep the consist as original as they could. This was a huge gamble, a gamble that has paid off. I hope this has helped a little more with some of the "issues" you raised in your video. PLEASE NOTE: I am not talking on behalf or for the Bellarine Railway or the Q train, this is an independent comment and in no way reflects the views of the BR or the Q train.

I think the Bellarine Railway lacks that confidence you would see at Puffing Billy or MTR. The Bellarine Railway does offer some beautiful steam locomotives, hence my recent visit with a double-header to Drysdale with T251. About your experience, I would say that is quite disappointing. But, for a railway enthusiast, I would say the locomotives hold a special place in the Victorian Railways.

I did the Q train in the ‘2nd class’ and it was great. We did it with some friends and have a 2x2 table in the more open carriages and it was a great experience and loved the food. We didn’t do the stop at Suma Park from memory. Train originated and started from Queenscliff and there was a connection with the Searoad ferry

Wonderful cinematography Will! Love the quality of your videos! Coincidentally, I'm taking this train next month, also in First Class but on a steam-operated service, so will be interesting to compare my experience with yours. By the way, there are transfer options available, including taking the ferry from Sorrento or the ferry from Docklands (which I'm doing), with a bus to take you to/from Drysdale. 😃

THANK YOU FOR VIDEO AS GREAT DETAIL ABOUT AROUND IN AUSTRALIA

Appreciate your honest review 👍🏻

Wish I had traveled behind that loco to Kuranda, but Bellarine railway is a great experience.

Nice video! Unfortunate to hear that the service onboard wasnt great, it usually looks very organised and classy from the outside. Always a fun day out chasing the train though, what a diverse selection of locos that pull it! 1604, 1107, 3620, occasionally the Xs, T251 at one point and now Z4!!!! Cheers.

Will James the powerhouse

Brilliant video Will

How I would love to go on those trains Cheers Greg

It does look like it'll be somethings different but then may not be for everyone though, unfortunately Puffing Billy offer the Luncheon Train anymore but they do have the dinner trains as well

What a coincidence, I’m heading there today!

It's always disappointing when advertised expectations don't meet reality. The camera thing sounds very weird. Maybe some of the staff were a bit new. It will be good to see a review of the regular Bellarine Railway. The Zig Zag Railway in NSW also runs ex QR rolling stock and it felt very strange to be riding in a carriage with old QR logos cast into luggage racks and other things, while travelling on a groundbreaking piece of NSWGR infrastructure that was such an important achievement. I have read about the reasons QR rolling stock was chosen. On a lighter note, the food looked nice. 😊

Hi Will, Is Steve Dalton still at BPR? I Hear the poor bloke has cancer. Terrific Video of a Very Professional Preservation Society. Cheers BigMan

Sooooo what was the food like? What did you have? Is it a set menu or alacarte?

Sorry to hear you didn't have a great experience Will! I went with some non-train friends and my very train-tolerant partner in the 4 person first class cabin and we had a ball! Yep, the staff were a bit odd, but for us that added to the charm. I had a great time showing our friends all the hidden nooks that remained in the former sleeping carriage. But you are dead right, it could be done up in such a way that it looks similar to the puffing billy lunch train. And having a camera on the tripod at the red carpet would make a world of difference! I have almost the exact same picture of the Q train and we went in 2022! I find that some of these things you need to take non-train people on and pitch it as a "train themed lunch".

Do you think the Trainspotting will be good

Was the food atleast good?

Pretty much all the remaining 1100 diesel locomotives are also in cairns and are used on the cairns rail service which moves concrete from a siding near cairns station to portsmith rail yard. most of them are in the cairns rail livery but at least 2 are still in the tas rail livery. though one of them has been completely broken down probably for parts. 3620 would of stayed doing the Kuranda scenic railway service but the train was too big for the track and apparently spread the track while it was running which is why we only have 1720s doing that’s service now. Anyways great video

I think the idea of first class dining in a former sleeping car is not a great idea as in any restaurant Will you don't sit cocooned in a cabin apart from everyone else. I think they need to go to the UK and see how it's done on their preserved railways using fairly modern rolling stock. Steam is ALWAYS used never a diesel and if stopping at Suma Park then the winery should be part of the experience not everyone out of the train on the platform basically twiddling their thumbs until they get back on board again for no apparent reason. So it's business not connected with the railway but the sort of experience you described will actually impact on the railway as a place not to go for a "meals on wheels" experience and Puffing Billy is a much better experience of "meals on wheels".

We like trains?

Looks great 🚂