BALLARAT will play host to the first mainline heritage train for the year, bringing guests to the city for the annual Beer Fest celebrations on Saturday.
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The 707 Operations will stop off at Ballarat on Saturday on its round trip journey from Southern Cross to Dunolly.
Historic towns including Creswick, Clunes, Talbot and Maryborough will also be stop off points along the way.
Dunolly resident Brian Phillips said the standard class carriages will feature open saloon and compartment style seating areas in carriages which date from the 1950's.
"These restored carriages have travelled to Sydney as part of the Southern Aurora and to Mildura as part of the Vinelander and of course other destinations around Australia and in Dunolly there will be a great opportunity to see these magnificent train carriages from yesteryear up close," Mr Phillips said.
"All of these carriages have been restored by volunteers. There's already 310 people booked all the way to Dunolly, it's going to be more than half our population come through on the day.
"Our cafe carriage and licensed lounge carriages will be attached and available for all passengers throughout the journey serving a wide range of beer, wines and spirits along with hot and cold snack foods, confectionery, tea and coffee."
The train is scheduled to roll into Ballarat at 11.15am, into Wendouree and 11.28am and depart Wendouree at 11.50am.
It will then travel up to Dunolly and return via the same route, arriving at Wendouree at 4.55pm and departing from Ballarat at 5.40pm.
Individual sector tickets are available, or the entire trip from Southern Cross return can be booked at https://www.trybooking.com/book/event?eid=572297&
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