The Tramway Heritage Centre at Bylands was burgled on Saturday, with offenders stealing about 500 metres of copper wire from one of the tram lines.
Police believe two unknown offenders attended the museum, in Union Lane, at midday on Saturday.
Tramway Museum Society of Victoria secretary Graham Jordan said a neighbour noticed some suspicious activity at the site, with several people in the process of removing infrastructure items from the society’s tram line.
“The police were notified and duly attended in quick time, however no persons or activity was found,” he said.
“However it was discovered that a length of over 500 metres of our tramway overhead wire was missing and a number of bracket support arms had been removed from our poles.
“To say we are devastated is an understatement, when you consider the museum has been closed for most of the time since the beginning of the COVID pandemic back in March last year.
“It is also distressing that as the society is a voluntary, not-for-profit organisation, it relies on peoples good nature and generosity to survive.”
Mr Jordan said while the society is yet to calculate the total value of the stolen items and the cost involved to replace and re-install, they estimated to be in excess of $100,000.
