The SP8 Restoration Project is a co-operative effort between The Blues Train and the Bellarine Railway to restore a previously derelict carriage into a new multi-purpose carriage for use on The Blues Train
Restoration of our new multipurpose carriage SP8 is well underway in the workshops of the Bellarine Railway.
Originaly a part of the Tasmanian Government Railways (TGR), the SP8 was built as a steam powered rail car.
It was later converted to a passenger vehicle with the boiler room becoming a goods storage area.
The SP8 eventually found its way to the Bellarine Railway, where it was used extensively before being retired in the early 1990s. It was subsequently stripped and transferred to a siding in Mannerim (about halfway up the line).
In late 2008, The Blues Train and the Bellarine Railway agreed to restore the carriage, providing a complete fleet of uniform carriages for operation on The Blues Train, and allow for any one carriage to be removed from service should maintenence need to be carried out mid-season. The SP8 was subsequently transferred back to the new storage facility at Point Lonsdale for assessment.
In mid-2009 work began on the restoration of this vehicle. In late 2009 the carriage returned to the Queenscliff work shops for the first time in approximately 20 years to allow for full restoration to be undertaken.
Work to date.
- Flooring has been stripped and replaced where required.
- Both end walls have been completely rebuilt.
- Repairs to the roof are almost completed leaving two full sections of roof to be re paneled.
- Patches have been welded in to the walls along both sides.
- Work has begun on getting the out side ready to be painted.
- A couple of the doors have been taken away to be re built.
- Work has begun on preparing the interior timber panels.
- The inside of the roof has been cleaned and painted.
- Once welding on the roof is completed the wiring for the lights will be put in and the ceiling will be re fitted.
- All 240V wiring has been put in.
- Window parts have been sorted and will be ready for test fitting once all the steel work has been completed.
Whilst this restoration project is progressing well, the Bellarine Railway is still looking for donations to complete this. All donations to the SP Restoration Project over $2 are tax deductible. See www.bpr.org.au for details.
SP8 RESTORATION PROJECT IMAGE GALLERY
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