SOME of Victoria's tourist railways:

Alexandra Timber Tramway and Museum - historical collection with a 610mm gauge railway; ph: (03) 5772 2392

Ballarat Tramway Museum - formed to preserve the trams now gone from Ballarat; ph: (03) 5334 1580

Bellarine Peninsula Railway - trains depart from the historic Queenscliff station and follow a scenic water route to Drysdale; ph: (03) 5258 2069

Daylesford Spa Country Railway - operates restored railmotors from Carlsruhe to Daylesford. The railway is unique in Australia for its diesel-powered self-propelled passenger vehicles; ph: (03) 5348 1759

Mornington Railway - formed in 1984 to preserve the Baxter-Mornington line as a tourist railway; ph: 1300 767 274

Portland Cable Trams - diesel powered cable trams past various tourist attractions; ph: (03) 5523 2831

Redcliffs Historical Steam Railway - operates the restored Kerr Stuart 0-4-2T steam locomotive on the first Sunday of the month; ph: (03) 5029 1388

Seymour Railway Heritage Centre - operates steam locomotive J515; ph: (03) 5799 0515

Victorian Goldfields Railway - trains run between Castlemaine and Maldon; ph: (03) 5475 2966

Walhalla Goldfields Railway - considered a masterpiece of railway engineering, the most spectacular section clings to a narrow ledge; ph: (03) 5126 4201