Infrastructure upgrades have secured the 145-year-old railway’s future, helping volunteers create an unforgettable visitor experience.
They say time changes all things.
But, with a bit of know-how and a lot of love, some things can endure the passing of years.
Take The Bellarine Railway, for example.
Constructed in 1879, the tracks were first laid when the Kelly Gang still roamed the bush and decades before Geelong officially became a city.
In 1979, after 100 years of service, the railway passed into the custody of generations of dedicated volunteers from the Geelong Steam Preservation Society.
From there, it has grown into the beloved local icon that puts smiles on thousands of faces each year.
Protecting the past, securing the future
But how do you run modern services on 145-year-old, Victorian-era tracks?
That’s where a Victorian Government grant of more than $3 million, provided through Regional Development Victoria, came into play.
Thanks to this investment, the railway has undergone major infrastructure works.
These have included the upgrade of rails, sleepers and ballasts along the 16.5 kilometre track from Queenscliff to Drysdale.
Sourcing surplus materials from the Yarra Valley and Melbourne’s metropolitan train network, the project:
- Renewed around 4,500 steel and wooden sleepers
- Secured new rail fastenings along the line
- Installed more than 8,000 tonnes of locally-sourced stone ballast.
A new stabling shed has also been created to store and protect trains outside their service hours.
This means The Bellarine Railway now has the infrastructure to support operations for decades to come.
Sharing a unique service
From fine-dining on the Q-Train, to music events on the Blues Train and seasonal sensations like Thomas the Tank Engine and The Polar Express, The Bellarine Railway has something for everyone.
And, thanks to the infrastructure upgrades, even more people now have a chance to create memories on the train from Queenscliff to Drysdale.
The upgraded tracks can now support a broader range of services, while the smoother ride reduces the need for train repairs and enables the trains to burn less fuel while operating.
In 2024, revenue from passenger services increased by 47%.
This will support reinvestment into railway operations and special events, as the Geelong Steam Preservation Society continues to build a bigger and better visitor experience on the Bellarine Peninsula and contributes to growing the regional economy.
With a bright future ahead and a smooth ride awaiting passengers, it’s ‘all aboard’ at The Bellarine Railway.
