Crowds gathered at stations all the way along the line to catch a glimpse of the first steam train to visit Warrnambool in 14 years.

Mr Gibson drove to Melbourne on Saturday morning to capture these spectacular shots of the train on its journey across the south-west.

The visit fulfilled a long-held dream by Allansford’s Eddie White, who put $30,000 of his own money into seeing the R711 back in Warrnambool.

The trip proved popular with the train selling out in 10 days, and over 120 people on the waiting list for possible future visits.

Work has already begun on another potential steam train trip to Warrnambool by Christmas.