Restoring History
At Programmed, we’re passionate about preserving local heritage and building great communities.
One of our recent highlights was the restoration of Wollongong’s beloved steam train for the Wollongong City Council, supported by NSW State Government funding for the Illawarra community.
Teamwork brings Steam Train back to life
This comprehensive restoration aimed to bring the steam train back to its former glory while retaining its heritage status. The train was carefully removed from Luke’s Park, Princes Highway, Corrimal, and transported to our Unanderra workshop. Here, our team replaced rusted and corroded steel panels, restored brass components and refurbished the iconic copper dome and stack.
The final touch was a complete blast and repaint, returning the train to its original condition – complete with polished brass nameplates.
The project was a joint effort between Programmed’s Energy and Resources (E&R) and Property Services (PS) teams in Unanderra; E&R led the charge with project management, fabrication, and repairs, while PS expertly handled the blasting and painting.
This collaboration highlighted our combined expertise and our ability to work seamlessly with Wollongong City Council on this prominent community project.
A community treasure
More than a restoration, this project was a labour of love for the Illawarra community. It provided our tradespeople and apprentices with the chance to showcase their skills on a legacy project that will be admired for generations to come.
The fully restored train was returned to Luke’s Park on 1 November 2024. We’re proud to have played a role in preserving this piece of history, ensuring it continues to inspire and delight the community.
