Tramway display bigger, better than ever

DING ding! It’s time for an outing to the new purpose-built Ballarat Tramway Museum.

Welcoming visitors into their large, spacious, bright, accessible showroom, BTM has plenty of space for visitors to wander, step back to properly look at trams displayed, read the information boards created by volunteers, and check out murals of historic photos.

BTM’s John Whiting said their aim is to tell as much of Ballarat’s tramway story as they can within the sparkling $1.6 million facility.

Of course, the main attractions are those on wheels, including the oldest operating tram in Australia, the horse tram, “hand-me-down” vehicles that ran on the Ballarat network but had previously operated in Melbourne, and the newly-restored Geelong number two tram, which recently came into the care of BTM.

Many adults Ballarat-born and bred might recognise tram 40, which ran in Melbourne for 30 years, before making a mark in regional Victoria.

“This became the very last tram to run in Ballarat in 1971, so it’s got that feather in the cap,” Mr Whiting said.

“Apparently there was 180 people crammed on the tram for that last trip, although I don’t think you’d get 180 people on it now.

“The idea is that the Museum will have a rotating display of trams, with all of them except 32 going out on the tracks.”

A very weathered tram number 32 sat on a property in Maryborough for many years, and although it is on display, it isn’t operational.

“This is an example of what can happen when they get left outside,” Mr Whiting said.

“Then again, we have trams at the Museum which were no different, possibly in worse condition, so it goes to show what can be achieved bringing an historic vehicle back to life.”

A Bedford tower wagon from the 1950s, which was used by tram networks to repair overhead wires, sits not far from a door to a special room which is set to be a real community asset.

This medium-sized meeting and function room, and adjacent commercial kitchen, will not only be utilised by its committee and broader volunteer group, but by other local organisations, or individuals, who hire it for functions and parties.

“We’ve now got the facilities to host cosy social events for large groups without having to use makeshift methods, and it’s attractive to the public,” Mr Whiting said.

“We also have one of Melbourne’s former restaurant trams, so it’s a good combination.”

The new building has opened up a huge range of opportunities for the Museum’s committee who are passionate about celebrating all things transport.

“Melbourne has the Newport Railway Museum, and ultimately, we’re trying to create a heritage transport centre for the regions.

“We could wheel all the trams out, operate them for the day, and put a vintage car club exhibition in here for example. We could have live musicians. The sky’s the limit,” Mr Whiting said.

The new BTM space is next to the old Museum workshop and is set to be officially opened with a ribbon-cutting in spring. It is based in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, just west of Lake Wendouree.