RENOVATIONS at Stawell’s railway precinct will provide a new recreation space for the community.
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VicTrack started renovating the goods shed at the precinct, as part of their Community Use of Vacant Rail Buildings Program, in June.
Under the program, the organisation has recently restored other buildings at Avoca, Dingee and Willaura stations. Works are also underway at Murtoa.
When renovations at Stawell are complete, the building will provide a meeting place and recreational space for residents, managed by the Grampian Model Railroaders Incorporated.
Works will include repairing the floors, walls and roof, reinstating the platform, installing new gutters and downpipes and fitting a kitchenette.
The building will also be made accessible with the addition of an access ramp and accessible toilet.
Builders Searle Bros, alongside heritage architects Quadratum Architecture, will complete the works.
VicTrack spokesman Jason Murray said the building would provide much-needed space for residents and would preserve one of the historic railway buildings.
Mr Murray expected renovations to finish in September.
The goods shed was built in 1874.
Grampian Model Railroaders Incorporated treasurer Clyde Humphries said the building had a number of purposes over the years – including grain storage, a tyre retailer and a motorbike mechanics.
He said planning for the building’s upgrade started five years ago.
“The final plans for the upgrade were made late last year,” he said.
“The clubrooms will be restored back to the 1960s.
“Stawell used to be a bustling area for wheat in the Wimmera.”
The model railroaders have tenanted the building from VicTracks for the past eight years.
“The goods shed will become our clubrooms,” Mr Humphries said.
“The renovation will combine everything including a railroad museum and a space for our work.
“Our model railroads will be on display in the clubrooms when they are not travelling for exhibitions.
“Our models are currently scattered in different locations, but this will bring our model railroad layouts together.”
The group wants to host open days and run a specialist market for model railroad parts and other items every one to two months.
The group has applied for a grant of $70,000 from the state government to relocate a dining car alongside the renovated platform.
The carriage would have memorabilia inside it, such as the headlights from an old steam train.
The group has also applied for a W-Class tram to be brought to the site.
“Other community groups could use the dining car for a fundraiser for their group,” Mr Humphries said.
“The clubrooms would have a registered kitchen so we can supply food for events in the dining car.”