Steam trains will soon return to the Yarra Valley for the first time in 40 years.
Both sides of state politics in the past week pledged $3.75 million in funding to finish restoring the 14-kilometre Yarra Valley Railway between Yarra Glen and Healesville.
Visitors will be able to ride an historic steam train between the towns, stopping at restored railway stations and historic work sheds, as well as wineries and a museum.
The trains could carry up to 600 passengers and more than 250,000 visitors are expected to ride the tourist train each year.
The railway would also connect to the Yarra Valley Rail Trail so cyclists could board the train at various points along the route.
The Yarra Valley Railway organisation expects the project to generate $30 million for the local economy and create about 120 jobs.
President Brett Whelan said men and women of different age groups had been involved, and he’d seen great social benefits.
“It’s a beautiful thing,” he said.
The Federal Government and community funded stage one.
Local residents, community groups and businesses raised $2.74 million towards the project and more than 500 volunteers donated more than 70,000 hours in work to it last year alone.
The State Government donated more than 5000 tonnes of stony ballast and 17.5 kilometres of steel track from its level crossing removal project.
The first stage of the railway project is almost finished, including the restoration of station platforms, buildings and railway yards at Yarra Glen and Tarrawarra Railway Stations, 16 railway bridges and nine kilometres of track.
The second and final stage would include redeveloping the historic Healesville Railway Station precinct and upgrading the remaining four kilometres of railway track and bridges from Healesville to Tarrawarra Estate.
Labor candidate for Eildon, Sally Brennan, said the commitment was a massive shout-out to all the volunteers who’d worked so hard to bring the project to this point.
Eildon MP Cindy McLeish said: “What makes this project so special is that it is Australia’s largest volunteer infrastructure project.”
“Credit should go to the committed volunteers who are lovingly and painstakingly working to restore the rail line, rolling stock and train stations.”
Volunteer Will Farr said it was obvious that the community wanted the project, because it had been working on it from the ground up.
“It’s fantastic news,” he said about the funding commitment.
“It would allow us to finish the job, finish the fantastic work we’ve been doing already.”
Roly Deighton said there was still plenty to do.
“But I think we’ve broken the back of it,” he said.
“There’s been a lot of sweat, a bit of blood and quite a few tears.”
Andrew Blair said the volunteer team was like a bit family, and Sam Whiteside agreed.
“We’ve all got a common goal and it brings a lot of people together,” he said.
