Museum Junction and Zoo Drive Track Replacement

The project will replace up to 600m of track that is in a state of disrepair and dates back to 1905. This will allow the Ballarat Tramway Museum to continue to operate its historic trams in a safe manner for the local community and the 30,000 + visitors per annum.

The objectives of the project are to:

  • ensure BTM can continue to offer visitors the unique and popular experience of riding historic trams;
  • support tourism activity in Ballarat;
  • ensure continued engagement of 60 current volunteers and increase opportunities for an additional volunteers; and
  • create safe and reliable infrastructure which will last for many decades to come.
Announcing the funding - Paul Mong BTM President and Juliana Addison, MLA for Wendouree 20/5/2021.
Announcing the funding - Paul Mong BTM President and Juliana Addison, MLA for Wendouree 20/5/2021.

The Museum would like to thank the State Government, through their Regional Development Victoria and the City of Ballarat for their ongoing support in keeping Ballarat’s history alive.

As well, thanks to Yarra Trams for technical and logistical assistance.

 

Viclogo
Project Signboard - 4-3-2022.
Project Signboard - 4-3-2022.

Progress

welding-the-museum-connection-30-5-202

Depot Junction concreted and construction of depot trackwork
Concreting depot junction - 30-5-2022.
Welding the museum connection - 30-5-2022.
Tracks for the new museum - 1-6-2022.

27-5-2022

Depot Junction and commencement on depot access tracks
Excavating the depot access tracks - 25-5-2022.
Depot Junction curve laid out - 24-5-2022.
Depot track excavations - 25-5-2022.
Excavating the depot fan - 25-5-2022.
Excavating the old access track - 24-5-2022.
Museum Junction tracks - 25-5-2022.

20-5-2022

Loop construction complete, depot junction removed.
Track drains concreted in - 16-5-2022.
Concreting the loop 16-5-2022.
Track drains at the loop - 16-5-2022.
Removing the Wendouree Parade crossing - 18-5-2022.
The loop concreted - 16-5-2022.
Revealling the 1974 construction 19-5-2022.

13-5-2022

Construction of the crossing loop underway.
Points delivered 10-5-2022.
The points changing box 12-5-2022.
St Aidans - 13-4-2022.
The welding crew 11-5-2022.
Positioning rails - 10-5-2022 - note the laptop.
Laying out trackwork - 10-5-2022.

6-5-2022

After a break for holidays, the replaced track has been asphalted. Track work to recommence 9-5-2022.
Location of the junction for the New Museum 6-5-2022.
Laying Ashphalt near depot junction - 6-5-22
Laying Ashphalt near depot junction - 5-5-22
Laying Ashphalt - 6-5-2022 at old loop.
Laying Ashphalt near depot junction - 5-5-22.
Laying Ashphalt - 5-5-2022.

16-4-2022

Gardens Loop removed and track replacement progressing to St Aidans Drive.
St Aidans - 13-4-2022.
Adjusting rails - 11-4-2022.
Removing the loop - 13-4-2022.
Removing the loop 2 - 13-4-2022.
North Gardens - 14-4-2022.
North Gardens - 13-4-2022.

9-4-2022

Old Track removal and new track installation commenced.
Laying out conduit 6-4-2022.
Rails and sleepers laid out- 8-4-22.
Old track removed 5-4-22
Rail chomper at work 7-4-22.
St Aidans Drive terminus 7-4-2022.
Track Removal in Wendouree Parade 5-4-2022

2-4-2022

Work Commenced
Tram Line Works sign 2-4-2022
New Point castings at Beckwith Iron & Steel Coburg North 29-3-2022
First rails delivered ready for welding - 2-4-2022.

4-3-2022

City of Ballarat announced the tender for the track work had been awarded to Fulton Hogan who undertook the 2019 work for the Museum.

 

26-1-2022

The City of Ballarat has completed the preparation of the drawings for the Project and Tenders have been called. The Sleepers and rails etc have been ordered.