The 2011-12 budget will be handed down in Parliament by the Treasurer Kim Wells tomorrow and The Courier understands there will be a major investment set aside for rail services in the area.

Almost $5 million is believed to have been allocated to increase train services at Wendouree and to conduct the restoration of rural train stations.

The Courier understand that after 17 years in train travel wilderness, Talbot Railway Station will be brought back to life with a $2.5 million revamp. Trains between Ballarat and Maryborough will soon stop in Talbot once a day travelling each way, which has not happened since 1994.

Community groups and residents have been campaigning for Talbot to be included as a train stop since passenger trains returned to Maryborough in July last year.

The Courier also expects that the number of trains running in and out of Wendouree station will almost double as part of a $1.6??million commitment over four years.

Under current timetables, trains stop at Wendouree 73 times each week, a number which will almost double.

An additional 68 trains will be added to the service, with increased late-night services to be included in the 141 weekly services.

Currently, people wanting to get to Wendouree station late at night need to get off the train at Ballarat and find a taxi.

But under the proposed funding, it is believed the funding allocation would see the last train from Southern Cross at 11.38pm travel

through to Wendouree and arrive at 1am.

It is also expected that $700,000 will be set aside to upgrade the Ballan Railway Station.

The Baillieu government was criticised recently when it added Ballan to its express Ballarat to Melbourne service, adding five minutes to each express journey.

The Courier is asking residents to “Express Yourself” by visiting www.thecourier.com.au to highlight community desire for better train services in the future.