blues train

Bring your dancing shoes and loosen up! The Blues Train is a night out with a difference. This may not be for everyone, it's not a fancy night out for dinner and a concert, it's a buffet meal and music, on an old train pulled by a steam engine. Drinks can be purchased once on the platform, prices in line with similar events. Dinner is on the train before we get going, in our case in Carriage B, on a tray on our laps. Staff moved quickly to clear up as we finished and we were soon on our way. Each carriage has a musician/band, playing variations of blues music. We experienced a variety of weather on the night, extremely humid, then rain. Our security guard was helpful in getting window closed where necessary, then open again as it got warm again. Our security guard stayed with us from carriage to carriage, meaning he could keep an eye on potential trouble-makers. Because of the weather, we moved fairly quickly to the next carriage each stop, but the staff kept everything in order. Toilet facilities are fairly basic, but it's part of the experience, we are not in the concert hall. The music on the night was great, with a range of styles, each suited to the carriage we were in. Carriage D is for Dancing! Dancing is not compulsory, but it is quite a challenge on a rocking steam train. Come along with a view to have fun on the night and you will not be disappointed. A really great night for groups, but would also work for couples, everyone is so friendly.

We are disappointed that your experience was less than expected. We are also disappointed that you chose not to approach management on the night to express your disappointment to us in person. We have no hesitation in refunding the cost of your tickets, in full, in cash, on the spot. We wish you well with your future travels.

Thank you for your most comprehensive review of your recent Blues Train experience. Firstly, you travelled on a night that was uncharacteristically warm. Our security guards moved through each and every carriage with free water for each and every patron. Under NO circumstances are you obliged to purchase a Blues Train bucket - nor any other merchandise. Our drinks prices are comparable to other bars and cafes. The proprietor, Hugo T Armstrong, gives a welcome speech at the beginning to ensure that anyone who has not travelled with us before understands what will unfold as the night progresses. It is, if you like, a safety speech as it does entail a few things to do in the unlikely event of an emergency. As a licensed event, we abide by Victorian Liquor Licensing laws - to do otherwise can well result in a considerable fine for the license-holder and/or the patron. Our food is prepared fresh by local caterers Bellarine Catering - it is NOT a "spit roast". We have over 200 patrons to feed over a short time frame. As you can imagine, not everyone has the same taste in food. The volunteers of the Bellarine Railway open their shop at Drysdale (the half-way point) and by purchasing an icecream at Drysdale, you are supporting a volunteer-run organisation. There is a new toilet block at Suma Park (first stop), with 3 portaloos and a large men's urinal. The Bellarine Railway is a vintage heritage railway - there is no air-conditioning. Windows were opened by the guards. It is unfortunate that you have chosen to air your grievances in this way, rather than approach us on the night, as we would have had no hesitation in returning your money had we known you were so aggrieved.

Wow! what a great, comprehensive review of your experience with us on The Blues Train! And yes, it is a mini-blues music festival held on the Bellarine Railway every Saturday night (and some Friday nights) August through to May. We ensure that everyone is safe and that everyone has a great time (as Hugo makes clear in his welcome speech). Our bar prices are comparable with other bars and cafes and our food is fresh and hearty (we have over 200 people to serve who invariably have different tastes). We are blessed with a thriving blues scene which ensures that we can bring you the very best in contemporary Australian blues music. And we are doubly blessed that we have a heritage railway that runs along the shores of beautiful Swan Bay. Thank you again, and we look forward to welcoming you again on The Blues Train.

Thanks for taking the time to let others know about your experience with us on The Blues Train. As we always say, you don't have to like blues music as such, you just have to be open to having a great time. We take pride in ensuring that the acts are varied and of a high standard - and, given we have over 200 people with varying tastes in food, we ensure that the meal is fresh and hearty. We look forward to welcoming you again on The Blues Train!

Thanks for your review of your experience with us on The Blues Train. The nature of a vintage heritage train is that they were built before air conditioning was introduced. Security guards travel in each carriage to help with things such as opening and closing windows - so don't be shy, introduce yourself and ask for help! They, as are we, are only too happy to help you have a great time. We look forward to riding the rails with you again.

Thanks for your review of your experience on The Blues Train. We do find that when couples come for the first time, they return with a two more couples, then a group of 20 - and often will then book a whole carriage! Couples do have a great night as it's a bit like a progressive dinner party - you end up having a great time with everyone in your carriage and end the night Best Friends. We look forward again to welcoming you aboard The Blues Train.

Thanks for taking the time to detail your recent experience with us on The Blues Train. As we have maintained for the last 21 years, if you are after a fine dining experience then The Blues Train is not for you. Bellarine Catering, the local catering company who have been supplying fresh fare to Blues Train clientele for over 7 years, have over 200 palates to cater to on any given night. There are a range of condiments to help 'spice up' the experience. Our bar prices are in line with other bars and clubs. The bourbon served, McKenna Bourbon, is stocked in most bars, clubs and pubs in Australia.

We here at The Blues Train would like to thank you for taking the time to submit a balanced and fair review of your recent experience with us. We entertain over 10,000 people each year and take into consideration the vast range of tastes that this volume of people present to us. As we like to say, if you are open to having a great time, The Blues Train is for you. We look forward to seeing you out on the rails again soon.

Hi Judi - thanks for your review of your experience on The Blues Train. We are into our 21st season now and yes, you do have to book ahead! With regards to the Blues Train bucket, it isn't a mandatory purchase; we make them available if you are with a group of people and wish to keep your drinks cold without having to head back to the bar at each stop. We're pleased to hear that you didn't let last weekend's deluge get in the way of having a great time! As we say, you don't have to necessarily like blues music to enjoy The Blues Train, you just have to be open to having a great time. By the way, if (when?!) you return, make sure you bring your bucket with you!)

HI Tina thanks for taking the time to write a review of your time with us on The Blues Train. We have over 200 people who travel with us each Saturday night and as a result we have to cater for a broad range of tastes. With regards to the drinks, we keep them in line with other bars that serve similar products. All the best from The Blues Train team

Margaret, thanks so much for noticing the little things we do to make sure that everyone has a great time. We're into our 21st season now - we wouldn't do what we do if we didn't love it! We appreciate you taking the time to write your review and we hope that you join us again sometime soon. All the best The Blues Train team.

Thank you so much for your review of your experience on The Blues Train! As we like to say, you don't have to be into blues music as such, you just have to be open to having a great time. We look forward to ridin' the rails with you again. All the best The Blues Train team.

Hi Sarah - thanks for sitting down and writing a review of your experience on The Blues Train. Firstly, to clarify your comments, there are toilets at each stop - and The Blues Train stops every half hour. We don't sell alcohol in tin buckets. Drinks are sold in bottles, cans and, in the case of water, PET bottles. Blues Train buckets are available for large groups of people to buy (and keep as a souvenir) to put their drinks in to keep the drinks cold throughout the night. It is not mandatory to purchase the buckets; buckets are iced free-of-charge throughout the night (regardless of whether you purchase soft drinks or white wine/beer/cider/mixed drinks - i.e. things that benefit being kept cold). Drinks prices are in keeping with other bars and pubs. When it is cold, we have cafe heaters on platforms to keep you warm when you are not in the carriages. As to the cost, your ticket includes an approximately four hour train ride on a heritage railway, four of Australia's best blues artists and a meal. As for us laughing? You'll recall from the safety speech that our number one priority is our passengers' comfort and safety (we travel on a heritage train along a railway line, after all) - it's no laughing matter to us.

Thank you for taking the time to review your experience with us on The Blues Train. We're pleased that you finally managed to jump on board! Looking forward to seeing you again when next you travel with us. All the best The Blues Train team.