S313-S303: The Spirit of Progress to Tocumwal

On the Labour day long weekend Steamrail Victoria ran a Spirit of Progress special to Tocumwal. They used twin Victorian Railways S class diesel/electric locomotives painted in their original Victorian Railways liveries (blue and gold).
I managed to chase this train from Donnybrook to Seymour, and then manged tosee it on the return journey as it passed through Kensington station.
The locos used were S313 (which was lead loco to Tocumwal) and S303 (which was lead loco on the return journey).

[@jackybeck2479]

They both look brilliant on that train! S313 & S303 are my two favourite S Class locos in the entire S Class diesel fleet!

[@G516R700]

Fantastic video, was a great trip this one

[@robbiewales3007]

Not the true spirit as the true spirit had rivited S cars.

[@elainelethborg2550]

The true Spirit of Progress is built out of corrosion free ten strength rust proof steel (corten) to my knowledge she is the only one that is. She is now 83 years old and still looks virtually brand new!!!!

[@beagle7622]

I was accidentally booked on the mail train back in the 60’s to Albury. A long slow trip ( 6 hours) . It had a blue steel carriage that was riveted.

[@ollie2sik]

S303 currently shunting down between qube and Dynon rail

[@donretsas1791]

Where is the NORMAN car?

[@markryan5493]

I remember the spirit of progress all ways having silver carriages

[@bryanfarley8335]

Mark Ryan I always knew it to have blue

[@robbiewales3007]

The spirit of the progress was blue and gold. If you're thinking of the train that had silver carriages, that would be the southern aurora

[@beagle7622]

Going back a long time when it first ran on Standard Gauge they ran a couple of “ Silver Sleeping Carriages” on it plus 1 VR sleeping Carriage . They were detached at Goulburn and ran into Canberra. Don’t know any more detail than that.

[@markryan5493]

@@robbiewales3007 Yes you are correct. I am.

[@elainelethborg2550]

No. That was the standard gauge imposter that was built to extend the trip to Sydney. It had 2 or 3 sleepers on the back.
The real Spirit of Progress was built by Harold Klapp in 1937 for the Melbourne to Albury broad gauge line. Its wheel width cannot be changed from broad gauge to standard gauge because it is heritage protected. And rightly so! The all silver train is the Southern Aurora.