Restored tram a time capsule

EVERYONE can soon jump aboard the newly restored Geelong tram no. 2, which is set to be unveiled to the public this Sunday, 6 February in the South Gardens Reserve at Lake Wendouree.

Hosted by the Ballarat Tramway Museum, the rolling stock – originally built in 1911 – is the only remaining model from the first of seven trams built to operate in Geelong.

Assistant Operations Manager, Neville Britton, said the tram is at “the top of the tree” in terms of tramway restoration in Australia.

“People really need to see the tram in the flesh, it’s like brand new. It’s as original as it can be,” Mr Britton said.

With Geelong’s tramway no longer functional, Geelong no. 2 has been gifted to the City of Ballarat by restorer Warrington Cameron after having worked on the machine over a 28-year period.

Guests at the unveiling will include mayor of the City of Greater Geelong Cr Trent Sullivan, City of Ballarat mayor Cr Daniel Moloney and vice-president of Council of Tramway Museums of Australasia Rod Atkins.

Mr Cameron will also be present to answer questions regarding what went into the tram’s restoration.

Following the tram’s official ribbon cutting, Mr Britton said it will be “brought out into the sunshine” two to three times a year for public rides where it’ll carry passengers for the first time since 1956.

“It really is such a magnificent restoration that it really needs to be preserved,” he said. “The fact that it’s been restored to the point where it’s fully operational is really significant.”

When not out on the Tramway Museum’s 1.3 kilometres of track, Geelong no. 2 will be featured as one of the primary exhibits in the institution’s new $1.7 million space set to be officially unveiled to the public soon.

Tickets to ride the Geelong no. 2 cost $5 for adults and $2 for school-aged children and can be booked at trybooking.com/BXCHX.