Timber Tramway and Museum President Peter Aumann then provided a brief history of the station Precinct:
The railway line was built as a spur off the Tallarook / Mansfield line to carry timber out of the forest from Rubicon. The first station was built at Koriella / Alexandra Rd, then in
Station Street in 1909.
Alexandra was one of the first stations to lose its passenger service in 1945 as private motor vehicles became more common. Freight service continued until 1978 and the Tramway Museum was established in 1980.
Timber was cut and milled in the surrounding forests until the Black Friday fires in 1939,
when the mills were rebuilt in Alexandra.
A busy couple of years under a new committee has seen membership tripled, passengers doubled as special events such as Dog Days and Halloween Night were introduced, in addition to the Heritage Machinery Festival on first weekend in October.
Maintenance works include refencing of the track to comply with OH&S. Drivers must
undergo an annual medical assessment ($1000 each) to drive these trains at 9Km/hr!
This additional cost has led to the closure of two regional tourist railways nationally.
ATTM now has 4 locomotives up and running; 1 steam, 2 diesel and a petrol/electric, plus a portable steam engine which is also back in steam.
They have a new line of merchandise, and upgraded accounting system.
Interaction with other tourist railways including Red Cliffs, Walhalla and Bellarine has led to information sharing and collaborations.
Locally, there has also been more community engagement. The Woodworkers Guild is
currently making a new carriage with disabled access, and ATTM reports improved
cooperation with Council.
A strategy workshop was held recently at the Race Club, which attracted 37 attendees.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Top priority is accommodation for volunteers, many of whom live in Melbourne, and have nowhere to stay or shower during working bees. A heritage sleeper carriage, currently garaged at Newport workshops , has been identified as a solution.
Platform and rail-line extension will be needed to accommodate it.
An engine shed is also on the wish list. This would free up the existing goods shed to
become a community hub/events space.
Track extension. There is space to the north of the existing track loop which could
accommodate a tripling of the track length. Lots of surplus rail is available, money
and volunteer helpers are needed to make this dream a reality.
Workers huts were built, with Rotary input, about 30 years ago to illustrate
conditions for timber workers in the forest before 1939 fires. Collaboration with
Hedger Constructions may be a possibility.
Re-key the museum buildings for improved security.
Rolling Stock:- two diesel locos which were built specifically for Alexandra, used on the
Alexandra to Rubicon line to decrease fire risk and have remained in the district.
Krass steam locos used here were cut up for scrap, but the museum is still hunting for a
similar loco; one possibility in Tasmania, another on static display in NSW.
Following the presentation, members embarked on an exploration of the station and surrounds.
Thanks for a fantastic evening.
