Train takes off

IT WAS full-steam ahead for the move of a new train carriage from Ballarat to Healesville.
The BW34 lived in a shed in Ballarat East for 15 years before it was shunted into daylight and positioned for cranes to pick it up and begin the journey to Healesville, arriving on Tuesday 17 May.
The Ballarat East railway was notified last month that it had to remove all rolling stock, and Healesville volunteers made arrangements with the use of a low loader, four cranes, four mega tilts and five tilt tray loads to move the carriage and several other wagons.
Yarra Valley Tourist Railway president Brett Morton said the wooden-bodied carriage was in excellent condition and would need only minor restoration work to be prepared for train operations.
“This carriage is close to 100 years old and will form a matching pair with BW1 currently under restoration at Healesville,” he said.
“These carriages are being prepared for future operations at the railway which will include steam locomotive-hauled passenger trains.”
Mr Morton said the carriages would be used behind fully-restored and operating steam locomotive J541, due to arrive in Healesville later this year.
The railway also received many other smaller carriages which will be useful for railway operations, including two historic guards vans, an oil tanker and several general purpose wagons.
Mr Morton thanked all members who put in donations to get the carriage to Healesville.