AFTER twelve years of inactivity, the Ballarat East Locomotive Depot\u2019s turntable is operational and will be used by Steamrail Victoria.<\/p>\n
Jeremy Lavery from Steamrail Victoria operations said the organisation has signed a lease for the area \u201cencompassing the Ballarat East turntable from V\/Line.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe turntable was last used around 2009 before it was booked out of service, requiring some repairs,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlthough it was a V\/Line asset, it was not required, as regular locomotive-hauled services had ceased running to Ballarat some years earlier.\u201d<\/p>\n
Steamrail Victoria is now the \u201caccredited Rail infrastructure manager\u201d on site, and with volunteer support, the turntable has been repaired.<\/p>\n
It emerged from its dormant period in May for Victoria\u2019s six-day Cruise Express Southern Steam Spectacular.<\/p>\n
\u201cFive steam locomotives were able to be turned. Further use was planned for the Ballarat Heritage Festival, however, unfortunately this was cancelled,\u201d Mr Lavery said.<\/p>\n
An accessible and usable turntable in Ballarat East means there are opportunities for many day tours to be run through the city.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe return to service of the turntable provides great benefit. Previously steam-hauled day-tours to Ballarat were not a viable proposition due to having to run tender first, or backwards, in one direction.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs these movements are restricted to 50 kilometres per hour, timetabling amongst regularly scheduled trains is problematic. The slower speed also added several hours,\u201d Mr Lavery said.<\/p>\n
Classic turntable technology has been a focus for Steamrail Victoria in 2021.<\/p>\n
They recently repaired one in the town of Wycheproof in the north-west of the state. When in recent operation, it drew crowds.<\/p>\n
\u201cWycheproof is a unique Mallee destination where the railway line runs down the middle of the Main Street,\u201d Mr Lavery said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
AFTER twelve years of inactivity, the Ballarat East Locomotive Depot\u2019s turntable is operational and will be used by Steamrail Victoria. Jeremy Lavery from Steamrail Victoria operations said the organisation has signed a lease for the area \u201cencompassing the Ballarat East turntable from V\/Line.\u201d \u201cThe turntable was last used around 2009 before it was booked out […]<\/p>\n