Our Railway
Our Railway
A Story Spanning All States…
The Bellarine Railway is proudly home to one of the most diverse collections of railway equipment in the country.
From our humble beginnings as the Belmont Common railway in 1968, we have bought together 13 steam locomotives, five diesel locomotives, two diesel railcars, and a fascinating assortment of carriages and wagons, spanning the breadth of Australia’s narrow gauge railway system. Offerings such as The Blues Train and The Q Train now frequent the rails, to form a unique tourist attraction for Geelong and The Bellarine.
We are proud of what our railway has become, and it is only through the tireless work of countless Geelong Steam Preservation Society volunteers over the last 55 years, that we are able to display such an intriguing collection. The work of these members has provided us with the framework to not only display our countries railway heritage, but give it a new lease on life in the 21st century.
The Bellarine Railway is a unique gold-mine for trainspotters, click here to plan your trainspotting adventure!
Our Collection
The Bellarine Railway is home to one of the most diverse collections of locomotives and carriages in Australia. The motive power collection comprises of 13 steam locomotives, five diesel locomotives and two diesel railcars.
Currently the operational fleet consists of three steam locomotives, three diesels, and ten carriages. (Plus a variety of freight vehicles). Click below to explore the collection.
Our History
The 16km heritage steam railway you see today tells a story far different than the origins of the Geelong Steam Preservation Society. 1968 saw the beginnings of the society at a completely different location, The Belmont Common Railway. The story of the Geelong Steam Preservation Society is a fascinating one, and illustrates a history of a passionate crew of volunteers that continued to persevere and evolve with the times to keep heritage railways alive in the Geelong region.
Belmont Common Railway
August 30th, 1968 saw ex-Fyansford Cement Works steam locomotive No6 delivered to the Belmont Common Railway depot in Geelong – A disused aircraft hangar, and stretch of track long enough to hold No6, and the larger No4, which arrived a few weeks later. The Belmont Common Railway was initially formed by the members of Geelong Division of the Australian Railway Historical Society (ARHS), who decided that it would be more interesting to steam up the locos and run them up and down a short track, than have a static exhibit. Consequently, a length of track was laid, and No.6 began hauling passengers. Regular running on the line began in October 1969 with seats being fitted to a flat wagon donated by the cement works.
The Belmont Common Railway continued to grow throughout the and 1970s, negotiating with interstate 3′ 6″ gauge railway systems with the aim to acquire historic engines and rollingstock before they were all scrapped. The track at Belmont was slowly extended to allow a longer train journey for passengers, and a small station was built to cater for ticket sales.
In the early 1971, a small sugar cane locomotive was given to the GSPS by the Pioneer Sugar Mill in Queensland. The engine, named ‘Klondyke’ was shipped to Geelong via the Australian National line and was restored to operation at Belmont, but never hauled a passenger train before the lines closure.
In November of that same year, South Australian locomotive T251 was purchased and delivered to Geelong by rail. January 1972 saw the arrival of a vintage diesel railmotor and trailer (RM76 and PL127) from the Queensland Railway system. Having obtained enough rollingstock to cater for expansion in the near future, the Belmont Common Railway volunteers would now look towards the further expansion of their railway.
Bellarine Peninsula Railway
1979 saw the opening of what we now know as the Bellarine Railway, with steam locomotive M6 and a small selection of carriages delivered to the Queenscliff to Drysdale railway line. The first trains ran from Queenscliff to Lakers Siding on May 19 and 20, 1979, being sold out all through the weekend. The commencement of heritage trains commemorated the centenary of the opening of the Victorian Railways’ Queenscliff line on May 21, 1879.
Queenscliff Loco Shed 1977, G Winkler photo
The Line
The Bellarine Railway itself comprises of a 16km stretch of ex-Victorian Railways branch line, converted from 5ft 3in, to 3ft 6in narrow gauge.
There are five stations on our line, and a few other areas of interest along the way.
Queenscliff Station is a quiet rail yard these days, with no running trains stabling here overnight. The current projects of the Queenscliff Workshops volunteer work group are housed in a small compound at the eastern end of the yard.
Swan Bay Station is a short platform of only three carriages in length, and is a stopping place of our heritage trains only by request.
Lakers Siding is the hub of our heritage operations, with a large rolling stock shed, island platform, and safe working office all situated within the yard limits.
Suma Park features short platform and garden area, and is a stopping place for chartered trains, and The Blues Train on a Saturday Night.
Drysdale has expanded in recent years, with a long platform and booking office, water tower, and a 125m long shed for the stabling of The Q Train carriages and engines.
