Drysdale housing for tourist trains
A ROLLING stock shed is set to transform Drysdale’s train station next month as part of major upgrades to the Bellarine Railway precinct.
Steve Dalton from the Bellarine Railway said the shed will house the Q Train while forming part of the redevelopments at the Drysdale Turntable Paddock.
“Ultimately what happens is that the Q Train resides in Queenscliff and it has to run empty cars to Drysdale to start its trips and run empty cars again at night to take it back,” he said. “Having the Q Train stay in Drysdale will mean less traffic on our railway line by cutting out two trains a day and we will have a nice modern shed long enough to keep the train and a couple other locomotives.
“It is a win-win situation not only for the Bellarine Railway but for Q Train and it will create a better facility.”
Mr Dalton said up to 95 per cent of its train services start in Drysdale making the shed a valuable asset to its operations.
Funding for the upgrades has been obtained through the state government which has provided $300,000 for the initial stage as well as the City of Greater Geelong, Total Quality Solutions Pty Ltd and the Geelong Steam Preservation Society.
Stage one of the rehabilitation project aims to enhance the Bellarine Railway site, improve community access, and provide a base for the Q Train as its principal service.
Stage two will include an upgrade to 16.5 kilometres of track between Drysdale and Queenscliff to further establish the station as a gateway for the Bellarine Railway in Geelong and as a tourist destination. Other attractions set to benefit from the upgrades includes The Blues Train, Day Out with Thomas and group charters.
The project is part of a broader 10-year Bellarine Railway Development Plan.