Travel Australia
Melbourne's Lost Railway Lines
Broadstore Branch Line
Opened: 12th October 1942. Closed: 1992.
A branch line of the Craigieburn railway line was provided during the Second World War to Broadstore, commencing at the north-east of Broadmeadows station, opening on 12 October 1942, and remaining in place until 1982; the tracks were not lifted until after 1991. The Broadstore Line was unelectrified, and extended in a directly easterly direction for approximately 1.6 km towards the Upfield Line terminating at the Maygar Barracks in Campbellfield. At one time, according to Forsberg, it had a branch that supplied a migrant hostel. The Broadstore Line is clearly marked on the 1980 map of Victorian Railways.
Gembrook Line
Opened: 18th December 1900. Closed: April 1954.
The railway was originally one of five narrow gauge lines of the Victorian Railways opened around the beginning of the 20th century. Part of the line is now used by the Puffing Billy Preservation Society. It runs through the southern foothills of the Dandenong Ranges to Gembrook. Being close to the city of Melbourne and with a post-preservation history spanning over 50 years, the line is one of the most popular steam heritage railways in the world, and attracts tourists from all over Australia and overseas.
The line was opened in 1900 to serve the local farming and timber community. It originally ran from Upper Ferntree Gully station, the terminus of the broad gauge line from Melbourne and now part of Melbourne's suburban railway system, but it now begins at Belgrave.
The train, known to the locals as "Puffing Billy" amongst other names, stopped running in 1953 after a landslide blocked the line between Selby and Menzies Creek, and it was formally closed in 1954. Today the former line between Upper Ferntree Gully and Belgrave is serviced by Metro Trains Melbourne suburban electric trains, while the line beyond Belgrave has been reopened by the Puffing Billy Preservation Society.
At the end of 1954, the railways desired a scheme to minimise their financial risks if the train was to run indefinitely. Harold L. Hewett, a teacher at Melbourne Grammar School, was the driving force behind a small group of people who organised a rally attended by 400 people at Upper Ferntree Gully station on 4 January 1955 to try to save the train. The line was re-opened in 1962 as the Belgrave line between Upper Ferntree Gully and Belgrave. Beyond Belgrave the Puffing Billy Railway reopened in 1962 as a heritage service along the former line.
Healesville Line
Opened: 1st March 1889. Closed: 9th December 1980.
The Healesville railway line was the non-electrified continuation of the suburban Lilydale line, extending into the Yarra Valley. The line closed in the 1980s, but a heritage railway group, the Yarra Valley Railway, is working to retain part of the line between Yarra Glen and Healesville.
The Lilydale railway line was extended to Yarra Flats (now known as Yarra Glen) on 15 May 1888 with intermediate stations at Coldstream and Yering. Part of the structure included a long timber viaduct with 502 openings near Yarra Glen, spanning the Yarra River and the adjacent flood plains. The extension of the line from Yarra Glen to Healesville on 1 March 1889 required a 1 in 40 climb into a 154.4 metre tunnel with a corresponding descent at nearly the same grade. Opened at the same time was the intermediate station of Tarrawarra. Traffic on the line included timber, livestock, milk and dairy products. Early timetables included regular goods services specifically for transporting milk.
The last regular steam passenger service was hauled in August 1964. From that time until the closure of the line in 1980, passenger services were run using diesel-electric rail motors. As from 9 December 1980 all services were withdrawn, except for some goods services to Coldstream. The line was officially closed to all traffic on 10 March 1983.
The line remains in place between Lilydale and Yarra Glen. Beyond Yarra Glen the Yarra Valley Railway is undertaking works to restore the line towards Healesville.
Inner Circle Line
Opened: 8th May 1888. Closed: 31st July 1981.
The Inner Circle Line was a steam era suburban railway line (later electrified). It served the inner-northern suburbs of Parkville, Carlton North, Fitzroy North, and Fitzroy. At its closure, it ran from Royal Park station on the Upfield line in the west, to a triangular junction with Rushall and Merri stations on today's Mernda line in the east. There was also a branch line to Fitzroy that opened at the same time.
A section of the Inner Circle line between Royal Parade and The Avenue, Parkville
The Inner Circle was opened on 8 May 1888 with three stations: North Carlton and North Fitzroy on the main line, and Fitzroy at the end of a short branch line leading south through the Edinburgh Gardens from a junction near North Fitzroy station.
When the Inner Circle line first opened, services originated from Spencer Street station at the western end of the Melbourne central business district. Trains bound for the then terminus at Heidelberg station (now on the Hurstbridge line) would run to North Fitzroy station, then continue south to Victoria Park station (then known as Collingwood, and now on the Hurstbridge and Mernda lines). Locomotives would then have to change ends and the trains return to Clifton Hill station, where they diverged east on to the line to Heidelberg.
After 1948 the Inner Circle line was used exclusively for freight trains serving sidings along the line itself, and the goods yard at the end of the Fitzroy branch. The overhead wiring for electric trains was dismantled in 1961. Only the main feeder cables needed for Epping (now Mernda) line trains, and for shunting at the Royal Park end, were retained. Significant changes occurred in 1965, when the line was singled and both legs of the triangle at the eastern end of the line were closed. This left just a single line from Royal Park to Fitzroy remaining for goods services. The line was officially closed on 31 July 1981.
Outer Circle rail trail, from the end of Alamein Platform
The rails were removed after the final closure, except for some short sections at former level crossings which can still be seen today. Of the three former stations, only North Carlton still stands, having been converted into a community centre. North Fitzroy station is now a slight rise in the walking and cycling path east of Nicholson Street. The path was realigned in 2002 to traverse the length of the former platform. The site of Fitzroy station has been redeveloped into a medium-density housing estate.
Kew Line
Opened: 19th December 1887. Closed: 13th May 1957.
The Kew railway line ran from Hawthorn to Kew. It was opened on 19 December 1887 and was officially closed on 13 May 1957. The last train ran on 18 August 1952 after years of decline.
The Kew line was a single track railway 2.4 km in length, departing from the western side of Hawthorn station and running parallel to the Lilydale line for several hundred metres, before curving to the north between the Grace Park and Glenferrie Oval. The line then entered a curved cutting, where three road bridges passed overhead for Chrystobel Crescent, Mary Street, and Kinkora Road. The cutting ended, and a level crossing was provided at Hawthorn Grove, before Barker station was reached. Barkers Road was then crossed, before the terminus of Kew station was reached in a cutting to the south of Wellington Street.
Mornington Line
Opened: 19th December 1887. Closed: 13th May 1957.
The Mornington line was a single track rural railway branching off from the Stony Point railway line at Baxter. The line had a life of 92 years. When opened, the line had two stations: the terminus of Mornington and intermediate station Moorooduc. Between 1920 and 1930 railmotor stopping place (RMSP) 16 was opened between Moorooduc and Mornington, closing again by 1940. Between 1930 and 1940 Mornington Racecourse station was opened, on the Melbourne side of RMSP 16 approximately half way to Moorooduc. Between 1960 and 1970 Mornington Racecourse was renamed to Tanti Park, and between 1970 and 1980 RMSP 16 was reopened.
The disused line remains in place between Baxter and Moorooduc. In 1984 the Mornington Railway Preservation Society was formed with the long term ambition of restoring a tourist railway service along the line. Tourist trains now operate on the line.
Mont Park Line
Opened: 28th August 1911. Closed: 30th June 1964.
The Mont Park railway is a former branch line from the Hurstbridge line. The main line connection was at the up (Melbourne) end of Macleod station, with the line operating between 1911 and 1964. The line was built as a single track goods only line. The line was opened in 1911 to serve the Mont Park Asylum complex, with the construction expense met by the government Health Department. Electrification on the line was commissioned on 14 September 1928, five years after that on the main line. The only remains other than the alignment are the bases of several overhead wiring poles, as well as one complete pole where the section of track retained for stabling once ended.
Outer Circle Suburban line
Opened: 30th May 1890. Closed: 4th April 1893.
The Outer Circle was built in 1891 as a steam-era suburban railway line, in Melbourne, Australia. It covered much of the modern City of Boroondara, including the suburbs of (from north to south) Kew East, Camberwell, Burwood, Ashburton, and Malvern East. At its longest stage, it ran from Fairfield station, on what is today the Hurstbridge line, to Oakleigh station, on the current Pakenham and Cranbourne lines.
Construction commenced in 1888 and was finally completed by 1891. The Outer Circle connected Camberwell station (on the modern Belgrave and Lilydale lines) with Oakleigh station to the south, via Riversdale on what is now the Alamein line. The final section was north from Riversdale through to Fairfield station (then called Fairfield Park station). When opened the line was 16.6 km in length, and had 11 stations, all provided with twin platforms and crossing loops. Provision was made for double track, and heavier duty 75 pounds (34 kg) per yard rails were used. Despite this, the line never carried Gippsland traffic, and the economic depression of the early 1890s saw home building in the area cease.
Port Melbourne (Sandridge) Line
Opened: 13th April 1854. Closed: 16th October 1987.
The Port Melbourne railway line was the first significant railway in Australia, and was opened by the Melbourne and Hobson's Bay Railway Company, to carry passengers arriving in Victoria at Station Pier, and to alleviate the high cost of shipping goods using small vessels up the Yarra River to Melbourne. Work began on laying the railway in March 1853, under the supervision of the company's Engineer-in-Chief James Moore.
Trains were ordered from Robert Stephenson and Company, of the United Kingdom, but the first train was locally built by Robertson, Martin & Smith, because of shipping delays. The line was opened in September 1854 (three years after the discovery of gold at Ballarat) and ran for 4 km from the Melbourne (or City) Terminus (on the site of modern-day Flinders Street station), crossing the Yarra River via the Sandridge Bridge, to Sandridge (now Port Melbourne).
The line was converted to light rail between Port Junction and Port Melbourne, with tram services commencing to use the line from 18 December 1987. The line is today served by tram route 109 services.
Red Hill Line
Opened: 13th April 1854. Closed: 16th October 1987.
The Red Hill railway line was a rural railway branching off from the Stony Point railway line at Bittern. The line had a fairly short life, opening on 2 December 1921 and closing on 29 June 1953. The line was dismantled some time after it was closed, and most of the line from Bittern to Merricks is now on private property, while the right-of-way from Merricks to Red Hill remains, having been converted to a shared use rail trail.
Rosstown Railway
Opened: 14th November 1888. Closed: 1916.
The Rosstown Railway was a private railway in the south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Australia, running between the current railway stations of Elsternwick, on the Sandringham line, and Oakleigh, on the Pakenham line. The line was built in the late 19th century by William Murray Ross, with the intention of transporting sugar beet to his sugar beet mill, and the refined product to the Port of Melbourne. When the mill failed to begin production, the line fell into disrepair without being used, and it was eventually dismantled, with the land being sold. The line was dismantled, and much remains as linear park or parkland adjacent to Elsternwick station.
The alignment of the line at Windsor station today, current main line to city at right
St Kilda - Windsor Line
Opened: 14th November 1888. Closed: 1916.
The St Kilda-Windsor railway line was a short-lived section of railway that linked the isolated Windsor to Brighton (Bay Street) section of the Melbourne railway network to the city. The branch line fell into disuse when an alternative route was built between Windsor and Richmond stations. The first train on the loop line from St Kilda was on 3 December 1859, and it opened to the public ten days later. There were no trains after 7 pm on the branch line; patrons simply walked to their homes in Prahran from St Kilda station in Fitzroy Street.
St Kilda Line
Opened: 14th November 1888. Closed: 1916.
The line was opened by the Melbourne and Hobson's Bay Railway Company in 1857. It ran for 4.5 kilometres from the Melbourne (or City) Terminus (on the site of modern-day Flinders Street station), crossing the Yarra River via the Sandridge Bridge, to branch off from the Port Melbourne line and after stopping at three stations along the line — South Melbourne, Albert Park, Middle Park — ending at St Kilda. For a short time early in the line's history, there was a short connection provided to the then Brighton line at Windsor, however this link was removed shortly after the direct link was provided to Bay Street from Richmond.
St Kilda line at South Melbourne station
The line was originally to be closed in 1981, and replaced with buses as recommended in the Lonie Report. Plans were sufficiently advanced for Melbourne-Brighton Bus Lines to have taken delivery of six Volgren bodied Volvo B10M buses before it was decided to retain the rail service with light rail services after much opposition.
Spring Vale Cemetery Line
Opened: 7th February 1904. Closed: 19th December 1951.
The Spring Vale Cemetery railway line branched from the now Pakenham Line at Springvale railway station, for a short 1.87 km (1.16 mi) journey to the Spring Vale Cemetery. The terminus was a railway station of the same name. Mortuary services ceased in 1943 and the visitor's service was suspended from 10 December 1950, following the end of the statewide 55-day coal strike. Formal closure was only a book date, being 19 December 1951.
Mt Evelyn railway station, 1920
Warburton Line
Opened: 13th November 1901. Closed: 1st August 1965.
The Warburton railway line just outside Melbourne was a railway branching off from the Healesville line at the present terminus, Lilydale. Throughout its life the Warburton line had both passenger and goods services (passenger services generally running as a shuttle between Lilydale and Warburton stations), although passenger services dwindled during the later years.
Whittlesea Station
Whittlesea Line
Opened: 23rd December 1889. Closed: 28th November 1959.
The Mernda railway line (previously the South Morang line, Epping line and Whittlesea line) is a commuter rail passenger train service to Mernda. The Epping line branched off at Fitzroy North to Preston Reservoir station (later renamed Reservoir) in 1889, with the line extended to Whittlesea a few months later, on 23 December 1889.
Electric suburban services were extended to Lalor station in November 1959, in addition to duplication of the line from Reservoir to Keon Park, with services beyond this point to Whittlesea discontinued, and the line closed. The line to Epping itself was reopened and electrified in 1964, with the remaining line dismantled in the 1970s. However, the right-of-way beyond Mernda is still in place, and is retained for a future railway extension.
Maribyrnong River goods lines
The Maribyrnong River goods lines at Footscray were opened in 1921 to replace the Footscray goods sidings. Additional private sidings were later added along the line. The line left the main line at Maribyrnong River Junction and turned south and followed the river, passing under the Dynon Road and Footscray Road bridges, as well under the freight line that itself runs under the Bunbury Street.
Siding 'A" was located west of the main line, between Hopkins Street and the Bunbury Street tunnel freight lines. A loop siding, scotch blocks were provided at each end. It was provided sometime before 1930 but no trace remains today. Sidings 'B' were located west of the main line south of Napier Street. Two loop sidings were provided, each being protected at each end by a scotch block.
The Colonial Gas Company had private sidings branching westwards from Sidings 'B'. Other busineses with branch sidings included Pronto Ready Mix Concrete, Cheethan Salt, Co-Op Box Company, Commonwealth Fertilisers and Chemicals (later Pivot Fertilisers) and the Colonial Sugar Refinery. Industry began moving out of the area in the 1980s. The line saw intermittent use until 2006, falling into disuse and being booked out of service in 2008. Remnants of the line can be seen throughout the parklands that now occupy the west bank of the Maribyrnong River between Hopetoun Bridge and Shepherd Bridge.
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