As part of the Trams and Trains tour at the National Gathering, around fifty shedders and their partners visited the Ferny Grove Men’s Shed, which operates in conjunction with the Brisbane Tramway Museum. The visit offered a behind-the-scenes look at a unique working museum where heritage, hands-on skills, and community come together.
On arrival, the group was taken through the facility and given an overview of how the site is organised and managed. Visitors explored the sheds and gained insight into the maintenance routines that keep historic trams operational. A highlight for many was the opportunity to ride on three different trams, experiencing firsthand the charm and character of these restored vehicles as they travelled around the museum grounds.
The Brisbane Tramway Museum operates with a distinctive structure. While it includes a men’s shed component, tramway operations take priority over private or general shed projects. However, with limited tram restoration work currently underway, much of the members’ time is spent on personal projects, alongside occasional community work for local schools, churches, and other organisations.
The site also relies on a broader group of museum volunteers. Members who identify as “shedders” typically focus on maintaining the grounds, buildings, and essential services, while “trammies” are more directly involved in crewing and maintaining the trams themselves. The museum community is spread widely, with members travelling from as far as Townsville and interstate to participate.
In total, the museum has around 95 members, although only 25 to 30 are regular attendees. Unlike many traditional men’s sheds, Ferny Grove does not typically host guest speakers or participate in inter-shed visits, giving it a more operational, hands-on focus centred on preserving and running the tramway itself.
The Ferny Grove Women’s Shed, a separate but related initiative operates from the same museum site. It runs sessions on Wednesdays and Thursdays, with both morning and afternoon groups limited to 12 participants each. Demand for places is strong, with more than 60 women currently on the waiting list, highlighting the growing interest in the program and its supportive community environment.
Together, these initiatives form a unique blend of heritage preservation and community engagement. The Ferny Grove site not only keeps Brisbane’s tram history alive but also provides a meaningful space for connection, learning, and contribution across both men’s and women’s shed communities.
Trams, lunch and shed organisation
Shedders riding the trains