A retired W-Class tram has taken its final journey, travelling from the Newport Workshops back in time to World War Two.
The tram has found a new home at the Terang RSL thanks to the Andrews Labor Government, where it will be refurbished and fitted out as a World War Two recruitment centre and information hub, to commemorate the importance of trams during the war years.
The tram was stored at the Newport Workshops for nearly 30 years and will now be on permanent display outside the RSL hall, where it will become an educational resource for local schools and attraction for tourists in the region.
Over the coming months, local tradespeople and volunteers will construct a roof for the tram, paint it in its original colours, and fit out the interior.
The tram is the fifth to leave the Newport Workshops following an expression of interest process last year to give Victoria’s retired trams a new home, with the Terang RSL successfully applying for this tram.
Local communities are given the opportunity to give a new home to predominantly W-Class trams that have been retired from the network. More than 1,500 applications were received to re-home the retired trams.
Around 130 trams were available, with the process to move all trams from Newport expected to take around two years. The first tram to depart the workshops went to the set of TV drama series Neighbours, where it is promoting Melbourne to an international audience.
For more information, please visit victrack.com.au
Quote attributable to Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney
“The refurbishment of this tram will give locals the opportunity to work on a project that will give back to the community, while transforming a Victorian transport icon into a new landmark for Terang.”
“It is exciting that a retired tram has come to Terang, where it will become a focal point for the area and attract tourists to the region.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport, Melissa Horne
“It’s fantastic to see another retired tram given a new lease on life after being stored in the Newport Workshops for nearly three decades.”
“We are gifting these retired trams to the Victorian community, museums, and public organisations, including schools, while also covering the cost of relocating them to their new homes.”