This magnet commemorates the 70th Anniversary of the inaugural journey of the Spirit of Progress express passenger train. Its first journey was on 2nd November 1937 when it was launched by Victorian Premier Albert Dunstan and Chief Commissioner Harold Clapp at Spencer Street Station in Melbourne. It originally ran non-stop between Melbourne and the New South Wales border at Albury. The route was extended to Sydney in April 1962 after standard-gauge track was completed. The “Spirit” was Australia's first streamlined, air-conditioned, all-steel express train, styled in a 1930s Art Deco design with royal blue and gold paintwork . It was hauled by streamlined S-class 3-cylinder Pacific steam locomotives capable of travelling at around 75 to 100 kilometres per hour. It ceased operations in August 1986 due to competition from cars and air travel. Magnet Details & Event Background • The Anniversary Run: The magnet highlights the date November 25, 2007 when the Seymour Railway Heritage Centre (SRHC) operated a special celebratory commemorative run to mark exactly 70 years since the first journey of the Spirit of Progress. • The "Blue Train": The text at the top features the SRHC Blue Train. Seymour Railway Heritage Centre maintains a preserved fleet of original, iconic 1937 royal blue and gold all-steel passenger carriages and a dining car from the Spirit of Progress • Design Motifs: The centre of the magnet incorporates the classic winged "VR" logo used historically by the Victorian Railways, flanked by the stylized text "Spirit of Progress" and a large "70" at the bottom. • The Commemorative Journey: For this special anniversary event, the SRHC ran the original train from Melbourne to Albury using freshly repainted, heritage diesel locomotives B74 and S303 in their original Victorian Railways colours. This magnet is significant because it celebrates the Spirit of Progress which serviced Wodonga for 48 years and 8 months between 1937 and 1986.A small commemorative magnet with black background and gold lettering. It was used to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the inaugural run of the "Spirit of Progress".November 25 2007| SRHC BLUE TRAIN SPIRIT OF PROGRESS VR 70 www.SRCHBLUETRAIN.COM.AU"spirit of progress", spirit of progress 70th anniversary, spirit of progress memorabilia