History In Motion
It All Started with
a Dream (and a Train)
The Q Train is powered by more than rails — it’s powered by family.
Andrew, a long-time volunteer and former President of the Bellarine Railway, imagined a dining train as a way to help preserve the historic line. In 2016, he and his friend, the late Michael Barclay, acquired 16 decommissioned Sunlander carriages from Queensland Rail. With Michael’s expertise in rail transport, the carriages made their way to Victoria’s Bellarine Peninsula.
That’s when Andrew’s daughter, Marie-Claire and her husband, Daniel, came aboard—combining Daniel’s 15+ years in restaurant management with Marie-Claire’s MBA in Luxury Brand Management. Together, the family brought the vision to life.
Today, son Sam manages carriage maintenance, family friend Kelly leads bookings and IT, and matriarch Robin is the team’s biggest cheerleader — and best Nana going ‘round.
Restoring
the Romance
of Rail
When we began, our carriages were far from dining elegance – they were retired relics, waiting for a purpose.
In 2016, we transported 16 decommissioned Sunlander carriages (once part of Queensland Rail) to the Bellarine Peninsula. These narrow-gauge relics matched
our historic line and offered a canvas for transformation.
Restoration was a labour of care: carving, polishing, engineering, rewiring, and reimagining. We preserved original features while integrating kitchens, climate control, lighting, and service flow.
The result bridges vintage charm with modern function.
Today, those same carriages carry guests through the countryside, offering a dining experience steeped in history, movement, and local flair.
Milestones Along the Track
A Region That Inspired a Restaurant
Before the carriages were restored, before the train ever left the station, there was a deep connection to this region, its people, its produce, and its potential.