Bellarine Railway services to return later this month following major works

THE Bellarine Railway is undergoing major works that will see the heritage service return at the end of this month with a new timetable.

Acting president Steve Dalton said the railway received a request months ago to carry out some external works for the new Point Lonsdale Landcare development, which includes the new estate in the area known as The Point.

“As we not only operate our heritage service, negotiations had to be arranged with other stakeholders who operate trains on our line, that being the Q Train and the Blues Train,” Mr Dalton said.

“After the planning was sorted it was agreed to do a shutdown from June 2 through to June 30, which allowed the Landcare people, along with their contractors Demicil, to commence work.”

Mr Dalton said works included digging under the railway and placing in new piping and drainage to allow water to flow from Swan Bay into the new area.

He said several other options were trialled before a decision was made to close the railway.

“The track was ripped up from the Fellows Road level crossing to allow these works to take place,” he said.

“As a result of this, the Bellarine Railway has also taken on the major task of re-railing what is known as the Lakers Straight, which is the section of the railway that follows Murray Road.

“New heavier rail has been installed and a rather large number of new sleepers have also been installed.

“This will improve safety and give a more comfortable ride on the trains.”

Mr Dalton said at the other end of the line in Drysdale, where contractors are building the new Drysdale bypass, works had begun to place in bridge beams for the overpass, so new track would also be laid in that section of line as well.

“The whole works program is scheduled to be returned by June 29, which means we plan on resuming services from June 30,” he said.

“The Q Train is scheduled to return on July 4 and the Blues Train is currently in its winter shut down and will resume its normal services in August as previous years.”

Mr Dalton said this was a major project for the railway and it had not experienced a shut down like this in a very long time.

“When the railway returns a whole new timetable for the heritage service will commence with a new Picnic Train operating, check out the website for more information.”