Superload: Crowd lines up to watch 390 tonne transformer leave Wilson Transformers, Glen Waverley

A small crowd of enthusiasts — and bemused locals — braved the cold night to watch a 390-tonne start its journey from Glen Waverley to South Australia.

Locals have braved chilly weather and safety warnings to watch a 390-tonne superload — an electrical transformer — begin its four-day journey from Glen Waverley to South Australia.

The load, which stretches 90m, left Wilson Transformers in Glen Waverley about 10pm on Wednesday on a staggered four-day journey.

About 50 people gathered at the gates of Wilson’s headquarters and on the opposite side of Springvale Rd in front of St Leonard’s Catholic Church to watch the huge load leave.

People line up at Wilson Transformers' gates to watch the superload leave Glen Waverley on July 14, 2022. Picture: Kiel Egging.

People gather outside St Leonard’s Catholic Church to watch the superload on July 13, 2022. Picture: Kiel Egging.

The superload departs Wilson's Transformers in Glen Waverley and begins its journey down Springvale Rd. Picture: Kiel Egging.

Several were out taking a glimpse while walking their dogs, while others came down just for the novelty of the event.

They were all trumped by superload mega fan Diane Mead, of East Bentleigh, who arrived two hours early at 8pm, and had also driven down to familiarise herself with the departure point a day earlier.

Ms Mead said it was the fourth superload she had watched and thought it was a great occasion.

East Bentleigh's Diane Mead was excited to watch the superload leave Glen Waverley. Picture: Kiel Egging.

“I love seeing all these things, the enormity of them and everything that goes into it, it’s fascinating,” she said.

“It’s my fourth one and I don’t want to miss a thing.”

Wheelers Hill couple Thomai and Herb, who didn’t give their surnames, said it was “unique and different” for the area.

A huge transformer heads from Glen Waverley to South Australia. Picture: Jason Edwards

“The fact that a big transformer is locally manufactured and transported over four days is cool,” Thomai said.

“We used to bring our kids, but they’re are smart enough to stay warm at home,” Herb said.

VicRoads has discouraged people from getting up close and watching the superload on its journey for safety reasons and due to the size and complexity of the operation.

The route map for a large superload carrying an electrical transformer from Glen Waverley to Bordertown, South Australia from Wednesday 13 July to Sunday 17 July 2022. Picture: Supplied.

It has warned drivers of road closures and significant travel delays on the Western Highway as the superload begins the second leg of its journey from Yarraville at 11pm Thursday.

The load is expected to arrive in Burrumbeet near Ballarat by 6am Thursday, and will eventually arrive in Bordertown, South Australia, on Saturday afternoon.

More information and traffic updates can be found at VicRoads’ website.