a number of special railway enthusiast services were operated along the line during the 1980s and 1990s, given that the line was near closure. notable special journeys included k.153 hauling the last steam special to yarram on 24 october 1987, as well as an earlier vintage train journey to foster and return on 6 september 1987. the last steam hauled train to run beyond leongatha was on 13 november 1988, when steam locomotives d3.639 and k.153 travelled to foster. that was the last time the locomotive turntable at foster would be available for usage prior to its relocation to korumburra railway station for the south gippsland tourist railway in 1994. local melbourne community groups continued to organise chartered special diesel and railcar-hauled trains beyond leongatha until 1991. a steam and diesel special to barry beach and welshpool on 11 november 1989, which was organised to celebrate the 100th anniversary since the dandenong to nyora section of the great southern railway line opened. heritage steam locomotive j515 hauled the special to leongatha and return later one in the day while then v/line diesel locomotive t368 took over for the section of track beyond leongatha due to the turntable at foster not being available for operation. d.e.r.m. 58 ran the last advertised special train available to the public beyond leongatha to welshpool and barry beach on may the 12th 1990.