A HISTORIC steam train, beautiful weather and a public holiday were a recipe for success for the Maldon and Castlemaine Railway Preservation Society yesterday.

The Maldon to Castlemaine steam train had its second-busiest weekend of the year and an extra carriage had to be added to carry all the passengers.

Society president Paul McDonald said it had been the busiest weekend since Easter.

“I think it was a combination of the nice weather and the two nice towns at either end of the run.

“We get families and sometimes railway enthusiasts, but it’s normally mums and dads and kids having a day out.

“There has been quite an increase in the number of groups over the past few months . . . Probus groups, specific-interest groups.”

In other positive news for the group, VicTrack has committed to rebuild the Maldon railway station that burnt down last year.

“We have been told it will be rebuilt,” Mr McDonald said.

”(VicTrack) is apparently finalising details.”

He said the steam train was the biggest standalone tourist attraction in the Mount Alexander and Central Goldfields shires.

Work to preserve the railway began in 1986 and the full Maldon to Castlemaine via Muckleford route was completed in 2004.