![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2022\/06\/IMG_1406-300x200.jpg\")
\u201cApparently there was 180 people crammed on the tram for that last trip, although I don\u2019t think you\u2019d get 180 people on it now.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe idea is that the Museum will have a rotating display of trams, with all of them except 32 going out on the tracks.\u201d<\/p>\n
A very weathered tram number 32 sat on a property in Maryborough for many years, and although it is on display, it isn\u2019t operational.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is an examp<\/p>\n
le of what can happen when they get left outside,\u201d Mr Whiting said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen again, we have trams at the Museum which were no different, possibly in worse condition, so it goes to show what can be achieved bringing an historic vehicle back to life.\u201d<\/p>\n
A Bedford tower wagon from the 1950s, which was used by tram networks to repair overhead wires, sits not far from a door to a special room which is set to be a real community asset.<\/p>\n This medium-sized meeting and function room, and adjacent commercial kitchen, will not only be utilised by its committee and broader volunteer group, but by other local organisations, or individuals, who hire it for functions and parties.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve now got the facilities to host cosy social events for large groups without having to use makeshift methods, and it\u2019s attractive to the public,\u201d Mr Whiting said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe also have one of Melbourne\u2019s former restaurant trams, so it\u2019s a good combination.\u201d<\/p>\n The new building has opened up a huge range of opportunities for the Museum\u2019s committee who are passionate about celebrating all things transport.<\/p>\n \u201cMelbourne has the Newport Railway Museum, and ultimately, we\u2019re trying to create a heritage transport centre for the regions.<\/p>\n \u201cWe could wheel all the trams out, operate them for the day, and put a vintage car club exhibition in here for example. We could have live musicians. The sky\u2019s the limit,\u201d Mr Whiting said.<\/p>\n The new BTM space is next to the old Museum workshop and is set to be officially opened with a ribbon-cutting in spring. It is based in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, just west of Lake Wendouree.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" DING ding! It\u2019s time for an outing to the new purpose-built Ballarat Tramway Museum. Welcoming visitors into their large, spacious, bright, accessible showroom, BTM has plenty of space for visitors to wander, step back to properly look at trams displayed, read the information boards created by volunteers, and check out murals of historic photos. BTM\u2019s […]<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2022\/06\/IMG_1405-300x200.jpg\")