Geelong tram reborn in a new city

THE Ballarat Tramway Museum’s newest acquisition Geelong tram 2 took its first local passengers last weekend at the Botanical Gardens.

It was officially re-launched by BTM president Paul Mong, its immediate former custodian Warrington Cameron, and the City of Ballarat and City of Greater Geelong’s respective mayors, Cr Daniel Moloney and Cr Trent Sullivan.

Built in 1911 by Adelaide’s Duncan & Fraser for the Geelong system, tram 2 travelled one million miles until it was decommissioned in 1956, and is the waterfront city’s only surviving tram from the original fleet.

Representatives of eight different Australian tramway museums came to see the car on-track last Sunday, which has been gifted to the Museum by Mr Cameron, a Canberra-based restorer.

“We are very fortunate to be in the position to be launching this very historic tram,” Mr Mong said.

“It did not operate in Ballarat, but [is appropriate for our Museum] because of its historic value, the link that Geelong had to Ballarat during the SEC operations, and the detailed level of restoration done by Warrington.

“After spending nearly 30 years in Canberra, we believe the tram is also acclimatised to operate in Ballarat. We really do appreciate the wonderful gift and will look after it and cherish it for many years to come.”

The tram was based at the Shoppee family farm on the Bellarine Peninsula for 35 years, holding feed for animals, but they wanted it to go to a more appropriate home.

Mr Cameron became its custodian in 1991, sat it beside his home, and restored it over a 28-year period.

He said the project has been a “team effort” with fitting by Mr Mong at BTM and “electrical and pneumatic” work by Bendigo Tramways. Parts have come from places including the Tramway Museum Society of Victoria, the Seashore Trolley Museum in Maine, the Brussels tram depot, and Adelaide.

As trams no longer operate anywhere in Geelong, Mr Cameron decided to gift Geelong 2 to BTM where it will run on special occasions and be displayed all-year round in their new purpose-built museum building.

BTM driver Chris Phillips is one of a small group of people qualified to operate the tram.

“It’s a privilege to drive something that’s so historic, and something that’s been so beautifully restored,” he said.

“We’ve got to drive it extremely carefully and slowly, as it’s a bit different to our other trams. It’s got very large, powerful motors, much larger than anything else we’ve got, but it’s very smooth riding.”

Visitors to the Museum can ride Geelong 2 again on Sunday, 27 February. This Saturday, 12 February, BTM will run an information session from 10am for anyone interested in becoming a volunteer.