The historic Trentham Railway Precinct has become a much-loved community hub thanks to the efforts of a team of volunteers from the Trentham Rail and Tramway Association (TRATA). The precinct has become a focal point for Trentham’s events, including the popular Spudfest.
The 1880s-era Trentham Railway Station, on the former Carlsruhe-to-Daylesford line, is one of the few surviving railway stations from Victoria’s branch line network.
The site, which includes around four acres of land, gardens and historic rolling stock, is leased to TRATA under VicTrack’s community lease program. Community leases make underused land and buildings available to community organisations to support social and cultural programs as well as beautification and recreational purposes.
The not-for-profit association is dedicated to the restoration and preservation of the site, explained TRATA’s Secretary, Phil Davis.
“Our charter is to showcase the heritage of the Trentham railway precinct and its operations, and make the area a tourist attraction for the town,” he said.
“We manage, maintain, and preserve the precinct around the railway station, including rolling stock that is on display here.
“We’re building a close relationship with VicTrack in managing the site to make sure it’s safe and we’re respecting the heritage significance of the area.”
Recently volunteers made improvements to the precinct’s previously unkempt garden area, and installed picnic tables and a mobility path to the railway line with funds from a VicTrack Community Grant.
“The grant provided by VicTrack allowed us to update the site so it can be used as a recreational area for all sorts of events,” Phil said.
The improvements have helped make the railway precinct a hub for the town’s events previously held in the town centre, helping to attract more people to the precinct. another recent improvement was the addition of a mural by local artist Chalky.
It also provides a pleasant welcome to visitors as the starting point for the Domino Trail – a six-kilometre walking and cycling trail between Trentham and Lyonville that runs along an old railway line.
