Newport Railway Museum is a must-see for rail enthusiasts of all ages, and a favourite of families looking for an interesting, enjoyable and affordable weekend outing.

Newport Railway Museum’s display includes the largest collection of steam locomotives of the former Victorian Railways, many of which were built just metres away in the Newport Railway Workshops. An amazing testament to Victoria’s home-grown industrial capability, the collection ranges from a diminutive tank engine built in 1880 all the way up to 1941’s 264 tonne express passenger locomotive ‘Heavy Harry’, the largest locomotive ever built in Australia.

The collection extends into the modern era, with diesels ranging from a 40 horsepower shunting locomotive to a 1,800 horsepower mainline locomotive, and electric suburban trains dating from 1923 to 1983.

There are beautiful carriages to see, highlights including the Art Deco stainless-steel interior of 1939 buffet car ‘Mitta Mitta’ or the intricate Art Nouveau timberwork and pressed metal ceilings of 1907 sleeping car ‘Torrens’.

Other attractions include beautifully-crafted scale models of Victorian trains, the signalbox, and many smaller displays of other railway exhibits ranging from photographs to railway crockery.