Wrap up, wear a jersey and take a coat was just some of the advice we were given when we said we were taking a trip on the Etmilyn Restaurant train, part of the Hotham Valley Heritage Railway. So on a rainy, windy, Saturday night we boarded the dining car dressed for the North Pole to find that it was nice and toasty inside!
We were all aboard for an evening meal on the 105 year-old dining car, which seats 46 passengers in groups of four. It was a three hour journey – 8 kilometres up the track and back to Dwellingup Station. Alcoholic and soft drinks are available.
From the train drivers to the servers, all staff are volunteers. They are dedicated and make the journey even more interesting with their anecdotes – shout-out to our servers Dave and Vincent for the impeccable service and entertainment value!
The meal was simple Aussie fare. We did not have high expectations for the meal – cooked on a wood stove and served on a moving train – but were proved wrong. A lovely bowl of pumpkin soup started us off, followed by a perfectly cooked barramundi fillet. Then, a very generous amount of roast beef with pumpkin, green beans, roast potatoes and lashings of gravy. Next up was apple crumble and cream followed by a cheese plate and to finish off a glass of port – what a feast! Currently, vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free meals are not available.
Floodlit from the train, travelling through the Dwellingup State Forest was really interesting, although there was no wildlife to be seen. The rain on the leaves and branches made the greenery sparkle and it was almost like Christmas.
The Hotham Valley Railway has a long history. Opened in stages between 1910 and 1927, it served local industries between Pinjarra and Narrogin. Bushfires in the 1960s wiped out many of the timber mills in the area and that led to a decline in demand for rail services and the line was closed in 1969.
Thanks to the persistence of local volunteers and the Community Employment Program, the train started running again in 1986.
Now a major tourist attraction for Dwellingup, the railway operates several services as well as the restaurant car. The Forest Train (open air wagons), runs every weekend during the summer months, through the historic Holyoake site to Etmilyn. Passengers on this service can also enjoy a short bush walk. In the winter months , the Stram Ranger service travels to Isandra where passengers can view the inside of a 1951 steam locomotive. The Steam Ranger operates on a Sunday, as well as Wednesday and Saturday during WA school holidays.
I definitely recommend taking a trip in the HVR restaurant car. Please note that it would be difficult to access for wheelchair users due to steps to board the train and extremely narrow aisles in the car.
Availability: The restaurant train operates every Saturday evening between April and December.
Price: Tickets are $115 per person (No concessions or children’s tickets)
Phone: 08 6278 1111
Reservations: Essential. Tickets can be booked online.
Restrooms: Clean but limited
Parking: Lots of parking available beside the station, the Visitors Centre and across the road from the Dwellingup Community Hotel.
Website: www.hothamvalleyrailway.com.au
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