Double Hudsons haul the Eureka! - SRV's first Eureka Express of 2026

The Eureka Express is a tour by Steamrail Victoria, which runs between Melbourne and Ballarat with one of their R class Hudson 4-6-4 locomotives. On the down leg via Geelong, and the up leg via Bacchus Marsh. And 2026 had its first Eureka of the year in late June. And it was a special one. In early 2026, locomotive R711 was given a full repaint, and had hauled 2 tours in its scheme, however both of these were assisted by another locomotive. And the eureka would be the first tour hauled by the locomotive solo. And on top of this, the buffer beams of the locomotives had been repainted to red just prior to this tour, making for a great sight! But that wasn’t the half of it! The return tour would feature R707 alongside R711!, following a fault on the week prior’s “The Grainlander”, the locomotive was stabled in Ballarat east and brought home with the tour. I hope you enjoy it. Copyright CS Videography 2026