Daylesford Spa Country Railway marketing manager Bronwyn Liddelow said the return of the service marked an important milestone in the bushfire recovery process.

``It's something that has been close to the community's heart,'' she said. ``The bushfire affected everyone in the area.''

The track was destroyed in the 2009 Musk Vale bushfire but last February Daylesford Spa County Railway received $300,000 in bushfire recovery funding to repair the line between Daylesford and Musk.

A free maiden voyage of the service departed from Daylesford station at 11am on Sunday.

``It was a really good turnout and there were a lot of locals,'' Ms Liddelow said. ``A lot of people said it was really great to be involved and that they were excited to be on the train.''

She said during the 15-minute trip to Musk station, the train passed through forest that had been burnt in the bushfire and now had been rejuvenated.

``It's lovely, vibrant and green,'' she said.

The train will run weekly on Sundays and once a month on Saturday evenings.

The monthly evening service will depart this Saturday.