Classic Railway Stations: Tallarook, Victoria

Tallarook station was opened in 1872 along with the line though it, and became a junction for the branch line to Yea in 1883, the line being extended towards Mansfield and Alexandra in later years. A turntable was added when the station became a junction, and the main line was duplicated from Broadford in the same year, the double track being extended north in 1886. The first interlocked signal box was erected in 1885, controlling three platforms and a four road yard. The crossovers for the branch line initially faced Seymour, requiring Melbourne-bound trains to reverse; a Melbourne-facing crossover was added in 1911.

When the parallel standard gauge line was built in 1961, it cut right through the middle of the station, with three gauge crossings provided between the broad gauge main line and the sidings on the other side. A new signal box was also opened around this time, with a crossing loop on the standard gauge line opening in 1969, the only one added after the initial construction of the line.

The current Main Road underpass, located nearby in the Albury (Down) direction of the station, was provided in 1961, and replaced a previous level crossing. By June 1970, the turntable was removed



Tallarook served as the junction for the Mansfield line until 1978, with the last regular passenger train to Mansfield operating in 1977. After the line to Mansfield was closed, one of the gauge crossings was removed in 1979, with another removed at the Albury end in 1981. The goods yard was closed by November 1982, with the last connection to the goods yard abolished in 1984, but the signals for them remained, until the signal box was closed in 1987, and the station left as straight track.

Work on extending Tallarook Loop on the standard gauge line into a 6.8-kilometre-long passing lane commenced in 2008. Work included extending the existing loop southwards, installation of higher speed points at each end, and resignalling.



Tallarook township is situated at the foot of the Tallarook Ranges. The Tallarook State Forest covers an area of 1,500 hectares and is a popular recreation area for camping, hang gliding, rock climbing, car and motorcycling touring, horse riding and bushwalking. Mount Hickey, also known as Mount Tallarook, is the highest point and offers extensive views.

Tallarook Station is the only operational railway station on the Great Victorian Rail Trail. From Melbourne to the south, or Albury/Wodonga to the north, you can jump on the V-Line Seymour Line train and get off at Tallarook Station to embark on one of Victoria's favourite rail trail adventures.