While almost every aspect of the Ballarat train line may have changed over the last 50 years, one man has remained a constant presence on the track.
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Ballarat resident Allan Nicholas first joined the Ballarat Railway in May 1958 as a fresh faced 18-year-old, and 55 years later can still be seen on the platform in charge of the modern VLocity trains.
On Saturday Mr Nicholas was able to give some new young train enthusiasts a taste of the old world of rail as vintage steam trains made their way towards Lal Lal and back as part of the Ballarat Heritage Weekend.
“I started as an engine cleaner down in Ballarat east, before long I became qualified at firing and then after seven years I moved up to driving,” Mr Nicholas recalled of his early days on the tracks.
The veteran driver recalled an era of rail transport where country towns across the region such as Skipton, Waubra and Newlyn would be regular stops, with the train performing a far greater role than the simple transport of commuters to and from the city.
“Back in the day we’d be taking the mail by rail and a few passengers got on as well as parcels and papers.”
The services, which ran throughout the day, proved to be one of the most popular attractions on day one of Heriage Weekend.
