Blues Train ready to ‘shake, rattle and roll’ for first time in two years

THE Blues Train is back and, after a long two years, shows are already lined up for the months of April and May with anticipation growing for one of the Bellarine’s hottest tickets.

Since the pandemic began, it has been a case of “rolling with the punches” for Blues Train owner Hugo Armstrong and, according to Mr Armstrong, there have been an abundance of them.

“The emotional side of the past two years has been indescribable,” Mr Armstrong said.

“The condensed story of the last two years has been one of tenacity, hope and not giving up.

“I had a business that was self-sustainable for 26 years and then overnight it was in freefall during March of 2020.”

The Blues Train lost its shows and its patrons, but most devastatingly, it lost its connection to its bar staff and hospitality workers, perhaps the biggest damage to the Bellarine-based business.

This proved to be the main factor in 2021 being an even more difficult year for Mr Armstrong’s business than 2020, as there were no safety nets for him or his workers after JobKeeper was repealed.

Despite the challenges and the adversity, Mr Armstrong and his business made it to the end of the tunnel and are ready to welcome back patrons with open arms and exciting music.

“In some ways we were perhaps the hardest hit business in Victoria, but there is light at the end of the tunnel, and we are happy to still be here,” Mr Armstrong said.

“The biggest names are coming back such as the Japanese Blues Cowboy, Jimi Hocking from the Screaming Jets, The Mojo Corner from Geelong, The Detonators, Ezra Lee and Phil Para just to name a few. I’ve made sure we have secured the best of the best in terms of music, but we have also used our time effectively to produce a new menu and a new caterer.

“But, lastly, and perhaps the biggest announcement we have, the T Class steam engine has been fully restored after 10 years of restorations.

“It’s all happening at The Blues Train; you don’t want to miss it!”

Before the pandemic, The Blues Train was contributing more than $3 million per year to the local economy due to overnight visitation and overnight stays.
In turn, the return of The Blues Train will be beneficial to local businesses in towns such as Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale.

Mr Armstrong wanted to acknowledge the assistance The Blues Train received from charity Support Act’s services that they offered, which included mental health counselling and others.

In addition, the more than $60,000 raised through The Blues Train Rescue GoFundMe page kept the business alive and Mr Armstrong couldn’t thank those who contributed enough.

The Blues Train is always on the lookout for casual hospitality staff, and you can do so by going to www.thebluestrain.com.au/work-with-us/.

Mr Armstrong also encourages anyone to subscribe to The Blues Train’s mailing list at www.thebluestrain.com.au/subscribe/ to receive advance notification of on-sale dates and line-ups in addition to exclusive pre-sale and discount ticket offers.