Works to expand Bendigo Tramways are complete – increasing the Tramways’ capacity to restore historic rolling stock and securing ongoing skilled jobs in central Victoria.
Premier and Member for Bendigo East, Jacinta Allan and Member for Bendigo West, Maree Edwards MP officially opened the expanded facilities on 24 May.
The $10.7 million expansion, co-funded by VicTrack, has created additional storage space for trams, which will enable historic W Class trams currently in storage at VicTrack’s Newport workshops to be relocated to Bendigo Tramways for future restoration.
“With trams being such an iconic part of Victoria’s transport history, Bendigo Tramways plays a really important role in preserving and restoring heritage rolling stock,” VicTrack Chief Executive Chris Olds said.
“VicTrack was pleased to co-fund the expansion along with Regional Development Victoria and the City of Greater of Bendigo because we saw this as a great opportunity to support the tourist and heritage sector and the preservation of our rich tramways history.”
The expansion project, which commenced in 2022, also included upgrading the workshop equipment that is used to restore heritage rolling stock. The upgrades will help meet the increased demand for tram restoration and ensure trams can continue to be restored for many years to come while providing ongoing skilled jobs for local people.
Some of the retired W Class trams made available through VicTrack’s retired trams expression of interest have gone to Bendigo Tramways for restoration before beginning new lives back in the community.
“It’s been a great collaboration between VicTrack and Bendigo Tramways leading to some terrific outcomes,” Mr Olds said.
“Instead of being out of sight in storage, historic trams have been reborn as learning spaces at schools, cafes and function centres where they can be seen and enjoyed again.
“With another group of trams recently leaving Newport bound for Bendigo Tramways, where they will be stored ahead of restoration works, I can’t wait to see what comes next.”
Read more about the project to expand Bendigo Tramways.
Find out more about VicTrack community leases.
Works to expand Bendigo Tramways are complete – increasing the Tramways’ capacity to restore historic rolling stock and securing ongoing skilled jobs in central Victoria.
Premier and Member for Bendigo East, Jacinta Allan and Member for Bendigo West, Maree Edwards MP officially opened the expanded facilities on 24 May.
The $10.7 million expansion, co-funded by VicTrack, has created additional storage space for trams, which will enable historic W Class trams currently in storage at VicTrack’s Newport workshops to be relocated to Bendigo Tramways for future restoration.
“With trams being such an iconic part of Victoria’s transport history, Bendigo Tramways plays a really important role in preserving and restoring heritage rolling stock,” VicTrack Chief Executive Chris Olds said.
“VicTrack was pleased to co-fund the expansion along with Regional Development Victoria and the City of Greater of Bendigo because we saw this as a great opportunity to support the tourist and heritage sector and the preservation of our rich tramways history.”
The expansion project, which commenced in 2022, also included upgrading the workshop equipment that is used to restore heritage rolling stock. The upgrades will help meet the increased demand for tram restoration and ensure trams can continue to be restored for many years to come while providing ongoing skilled jobs for local people.
Some of the retired W Class trams made available through VicTrack’s retired trams expression of interest have gone to Bendigo Tramways for restoration before beginning new lives back in the community.
“It’s been a great collaboration between VicTrack and Bendigo Tramways leading to some terrific outcomes,” Mr Olds said.
“Instead of being out of sight in storage, historic trams have been reborn as learning spaces at schools, cafes and function centres where they can be seen and enjoyed again.
“With another group of trams recently leaving Newport bound for Bendigo Tramways, where they will be stored ahead of restoration works, I can’t wait to see what comes next.”
Read more about the project to expand Bendigo Tramways.
Find out more about VicTrack community leases.
