Upgrade works complete on Bellarine Railway

MORE locals and visitors across the Bellarine can enjoy the Bellarine Railway for years to come, with upgrade works now complete.

Last week, Bellarine MP Alison Marchant officially announced the completion of the sworks along the 16.5km of line between Queenscliff and Drysdale, supported through a $3.4 million from the Victorian government.

Established more than 140 years ago, the railway’s history includes its operation as an important defence line ferrying military traffic from South Geelong to Fort Queenscliff and Swan Island.

The replacement of sleepers and rails along the line have boosted ride quality and safety for passengers to enjoy the line into the future.

The heritage train passes through impressive scenery and the Drysdale-Queenscliff section was reborn as a tourist attraction in 1979 run by the Geelong Steam Preservation Society.

Founded in 1970, the not-for-profit organisation originally operated at Belmont Common in the first Victorian preserved railway to be established entirely by volunteers

The former Victorian Railway’s South Geelong-Queenscliff branch line is recognised as the oldest Victorian branch line still in operation.

Today, the railway offers visitors a unique opportunity to relive the sights, smells of a bygone area by riding on a steam- or diesel-hauled heritage train, assembled from the railway’s collection of locomotives and carriages from 3’6″ narrow-gauge systems across Australia.

It also hosts the popular Q Train, which offers an award-winning dining experience, and the Blues Train, which features live music and dining.

“The Geelong Steam Preservation Society welcomes the upgrades to the railway that will ensure the viability of the operation for future generations, ” Geelong Steam Preservation Society president Steve Dalton said.

The project is part of the Victorian government’s investment of more than $41 billion in rural and regional Victoria since 2015.

“The society and its volunteers do an incredible job running this railway, and it’s fantastic to give them the support they need so this rail experience can continue to attract visitors to the region,” Ms Marchant said.