Bell railway station, Melbourne

Bell
PTV commuter rail station
Eastern facade, exterior and landscaping of Bell station, August 2024
General information
Location	Garnet Street, Preston, Victoria 3072 City of Darebin Australia
Coordinates	37°44′44″S145°00′01″E / 37.7456°S 145.0003°E / -37.7456; 145.0003
Owned by	VicTrack
Operated by	Metro Trains
Line(s)	Mernda
Distance	11.70 kilometres from Southern Cross
Platforms	2 side
Tracks	2
Connections	Bus
Construction
Structure type	Elevated
Parking	75
Bicycle facilities	6
Accessible	Yes—step free access
Other information
Status	Operational, premium station
Station code	BEL
Fare zone	Myki Zone 1
Website	Public Transport Victoria
History
Opened	8 October 1889;135 years ago (1889-10-08)
Rebuilt	5 September 2022 (LXRP) [1]
Electrified	July 1921 (1500 V DC overhead)
Previous names	Preston-Bell Street (1889–1905)
Passengers
2005–2006	307,030 [2]

Preceding station	Metro Trains			Following station
Thornbury towards Flinders Street		Mernda line		Preston towards Mernda

Track layout
Legend to Thornbury 1 2 to Preston

Bell railway station is a commuter railway station located in the north-eastern suburb of Preston in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ^[6] The station opened on 8 October 1889, with the former ground level station closed and demolished in May 2022 and the current elevated station provided in September 2022 by the Level Crossing Removal Project. ^[7] The station initially opened as "Preston-Bell Street" upon its opening in 1889, then it was given its current name of "Bell" on 1 August 1905.

Bell is an elevated premium station, consisting of two side platforms connected by staircases, lifts and a ground level concourse. The station fully complies with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and is accessible as there is a lift connecting to the ground level concourse and the station platforms on either side. ^[8]

The station is owned by VicTrack, a state government agency and the station is operated by Metro Trains Melbourne. Preston station is currently served by the Mernda line, part of the Melbourne railway network. ^[6] Additionally, the station is also served by four bus routes, it includes Dysons bus routes 513, 514, 552 and 553. The station is approximately 9 km (5.6 mi) or around a 22 minute train ride to Flinders Street. ^[9]

Description

The elevated railway leading up to Bell station and the northern entrance (top), the station features a concourse and landscaping area.

Bell railway station is located in the north-eastern suburb of Preston in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The station is owned by VicTrack, a state government agency and the station is operated by Metro Trains Melbourne. ^[6] The station is 9 km (5.6 mi) or around a 22 minute train ride to Flinders Street. ^[9] The adjacent stations are Thornbury station up towards Flinders Street and Preston station down towards Mernda. ^[9]

The station consists of two side platforms with two edges. As is standard in Melbourne, the platform has an asphalt surface with concrete on the edges. The side platforms are approximately 160 m (524 ft 11 in) long, long enough for a 7 car High Capacity Metro Train. ^[6] The station features a ground level concourse, accessible by stairs and lifts up to the elevated platforms. ^[8] There is one main station building, opened in 2022, which contains a waiting room, a customer service, PSO office and a spacious ground level concourse inside the main station building. ^{[10] [11]} The station building is made out of local roofscapes abstracted into three-dimensional patterns and the primary colours are pink and purple colour glazing, post-war rooftops to the main station building and references to the local art and culture scene. ^{[12] [13]} The elevated platforms have shelters over seating to protect from Melbourne's weather and has secure bike parking. ^[12]

The station building, concourse and platform largely stayed the same since the station was rebuilt in 2022. ^[6] There are 77 car and 28 protected bike parking at the station. ^{[14] [15]} The station is listed as fully accessible on the Metro Trains website, as there are lifts and accessible features available at the station. ^[8]

History

Pre level crossing removal

Former ground level station platforms, prior to its 2022 rebuild

Bell station opened on 8 October 1889. The line through the station was originally built to extend the Inner Circle line from North Fitzroy station to a new terminus at Reservoir station. The station was named after the nearby Bell Street, a major road located on the north side of the station. ^{[16] [17]}

The station was situated next to the former Bell Street level crossing, which was upgraded with manually operated boom barriers in 1969, replacing the previous interlocking gates. ^[18] A goods yard originally served the station, however, it was removed in 1986, leaving only a siding at the up end of the station. ^[19] On 17 April 1988, the double-line block signalling system between Bell and Reservoir was decommissioned and was replaced with automatic three position signalling. ^[20] Also in that month, pedestrian gates were provided at the former Bell Street level crossing, in combination with the manually operated road boom barriers. ^[20]

On 25 August 2008, Bell station was upgraded to a premium station, featuring the addition of customer service facilities and the conversion of the former ground-level station building into a waiting room. ^[21]

Level Crossing Removal Project

The western facade (top), The station entrance, building and landscaping (middle), Interior of the station building leading out to the northern entrance (bottom)

The station rebuilt by the LXRP in 2022 features colour glass stained windows on the western and eastern sides of the facade, the station has lighting and staircases on both sides

In 2014, the Andrews government announced a $2.4 billion program to remove and grade separate the Bell Street level crossing, along with 49 other level crossings in Melbourne, projected for completion by 2022. ^{[22] [23]} It was later formed under the Level Crossing Removal Project program in January 2016 and the time, the Bell Street level crossing had not been decided how the grade separation would be achieved. ^[24]

On 30 November 2018, the Andrews government announced that the Level Crossing Removal Project would remove an additional level crossing at Oakover Road, along with 24 other level crossings in Melbourne as part of a $6.6 billion program. ^[25] At the same time, the elevated railway option was chosen. ^{[26] [27]}

In February 2021, construction began on the project with piling works, install fencing around the construction site and foundation for temporary overhead wiring in preparation for the creation of the 2 km (1.2 mi) elevated railway bridge. ^[28] During the major construction period, the Mernda line was closed for a few times at a maximum of 12 days in 2021 and 2022 to facilitate further piling and excavation works. ^[29] Between 5 May to 12 May 2021, the original Bell station building was demolished to make way for the new elevated railway bridge and the Mernda line was closed for the period of that time to install temporary equipment at the station. ^[29] Once the temporary station opened, major excavation works were able to begin. Construction of the first part of the U-through bridge section made up of two L-shaped beams for the elevated railway bridge installed and digging for the 114 piers also started to occur during this time. ^[29]

Between 17 May to 30 May 2022, the Mernda line was shut down for 12 days to remove the Oakover Road and Bell Street level crossings, get the first part of the elevated railway bridge ready for trains to run on and demolish the old ground level station platforms. ^{[30] [31]} On 30 May 2022, the first part of the 2 kilometre bridge opened with only a single track temporarily until 26 August 2022 because they could not close the Mernda line for longer than 12 days due to the requirement of trains to regularly access the Epping maintenance yard facility. ^[32]

On 5 September 2022, the rebuilt elevated Bell station opened to the public. ^{[7] [33]} The elevated station opened in a basic state, with lifts, paving and additional exits opened on the north side of the station. ^[7] The rebuilt Bell station was moved 40 metres from the former ground level station site to increase the amount of community open space, forecourt and landscaping area. ^[34] The station is water and energy efficient with sustainable features such as solar panels, rain water reuse, LED lighting and environmentally sustainable materials to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. ^[13] In late October 2022, came to the completion of the car park located south of Bell station. ^[13] Around the same time, the signalised pedestrian crossing was built at the location of the former Bell Street level crossing in preparation for the opening of the 2 km (1.2 mi) shared walking and bike path. ^[35] In 2023, came to the completion of the open space. ^[13] The open spaces were named "Oakover Green" near Oakover Road and the Bell station area located west of Bell station. ^[13] The Oakover Green space has features a playground, landscaped gardens, seating areas and a yarning circle developed by Wurundjeri artists. ^[13] The Bell station area features the station building's abstract pitched roof, pink and purple colour glazing and an amphitheatre on the eastern side of the station. ^[13]

Platforms and services

An X'Trapolis 100 train on a Flinders Street-bound service idle at Platform 1, July 2023 (top), Platform 1 at Bell station looking southbound, September 2022 (middle), Platform 2 at Bell station looking northbound, August 2024 (bottom)

Bell has two side platforms. The station is currently served by the Mernda line, part of the metropolitan railway network. ^[9] The Mernda line runs from Mernda station, north-east of Melbourne, joining with the Hurstbridge line at Clifton Hill station before travelling through Flinders Street station and back through the City Loop in a clockwise direction. ^[9]

Platform 1:

•   Mernda line   all stations and limited express services to Flinders Street

Platform 2:

•   Mernda line   all stations services to Mernda

Transport links

Bell station has four bus route connections operated by Dysons and no tram connections. The route 513 and route 514 bus operates from the nearby Bell Street, north-west of Bell station. The route 513 bus operates from Eltham station to Glenroy station via Lower Plenty while the route 514 bus operates from Eltham station to Glenroy station via Greensborough. ^{[36] [37]} The route 552 and 553 bus operates from the nearby High Street, east of Bell station. The route 552 operates from North East Reservoir to Northcote Plaza while the route 553 bus operates from Preston to West Preston. ^{[38] [39]} Both bus stop locations on Bell Street and High Street have shelter and seating facilities available. ^{[40] [41]} Bell station also has train replacement bus stop located on High Street. ^[41]

Bus connections:

•  513 : Eltham station – Glenroy station (via Lower Plenty) ^[36]
•  514 : Eltham station – Glenroy station (via Greensborough) ^[37]
•  552 : North East Reservoir – Northcote Plaza ^[38]
•  553 : Preston – West Preston ^[39]

References

1. "Modern stations at Preston just weeks away". Victoria's Big Build. 5 August 2022. Archived from the original on 1 March 2023. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
2. Estimated Annual Patronage by Network Segment Financial Year 2005-2006 to 2018-19 Archived 17 April 2022 at the Wayback Machine Department of Transport
3. Railway station and tram stop patronage in Victoria for 2008-2021 Archived 17 December 2022 at the Wayback Machine Philip Mallis
4. Annual metropolitan train station patronage (station entries) Archived 6 March 2023 at the Wayback Machine Data Vic
5. Annual metropolitan train station entries 2022-23 Data Vic
6. "Bell Station". Metro Trains Melbourne. Archived from the original on 1 April 2023. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
7. "New stations open to passengers today in Preston". Victoria's Big Build. 5 September 2022. Archived from the original on 23 September 2022. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
8. "Access Guide". Metro Trains Melbourne. Archived from the original on 8 December 2022. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
9. "Mernda line". Public Transport Victoria. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
10. "Preston's Bell Station has been named one of the most beautiful stations in the world". TimeOut. 18 October 2024. Archived from the original on 6 December 2024. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
11. "Staffed stations". Public Transport Victoria. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
12. "Making memories at Bell Station". Victoria's Big Build. 16 October 2024. Archived from the original on 29 December 2024. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
13. "Preston community update – October 2022". Victoria's Big Build. 11 October 2022. Archived from the original on 20 April 2024. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
14. "New Bell station" (PDF). Victoria's Big Build. Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 December 2024. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
15. "Parkiteer - Secure cage locations". Parkiteer. Archived from the original on 12 December 2024. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
16. "Bell Street Bridge" (PDF). Merri-bek City Council . Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 December 2022. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
17. First, Jamie (7 January 2014). "The A-Z story of Melbourne's suburbs". Herald Sun. Archived from the original on 26 December 2022. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
18. John Sinnatt (January 1990). "Level Crossing Protection". Somersault. Signalling Record Society Victoria. pp. 9–17.
19. "General News". Newsrail . Australian Railway Historical Society. July 1986. p. 213.
20. "Works". Newsrail. Australian Railway Historical Society. July 1988. p. 220.
21. "Bell Station Becomes a Premium Stop for Commuters". Media Release: Premier of Victoria, Australia. premier.vic.gov.au. 25 August 2008. Archived from the original on 29 October 2008. Retrieved 27 August 2008.
22. "Level Crossing Removals are Labor's Priority". www.premier.vic.gov.au. 12 December 2014. Archived from the original on 29 December 2024. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
23. "$2.4 Billion To Kick Start Level Crossing Removals". www.premier.vic.gov.au. 5 May 2015. Archived from the original on 29 December 2024. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
24. Carey, Adam (31 January 2016). "End of the line for older Melbourne stations being torn down and rebuilt". The Age. Archived from the original on 6 January 2023. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
25. "More level crossing removals on the way". Victoria's Big Build. 30 November 2018. Archived from the original on 29 December 2024. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
26. "Bell Street, Preston". Victoria's Big Build. Archived from the original on 27 February 2020. Retrieved 30 December 2024.
27. "Only Labor Will Remove 75 Dangerous And Congested Level Crossings By 2025". www.premier.vic.gov.au. 21 October 2018. Archived from the original on 29 December 2024. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
28. "Full steam ahead at Preston". Victoria's Big Build. Archived from the original on 28 March 2022. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
29. "Level Crossing Construction Ramping Up In Preston". www.premier.vic.gov.au. 5 May 2021. Archived from the original on 30 December 2024. Retrieved 30 December 2024.
30. "Getting the new Preston rail bridge ready for trains". Victoria's Big Build. 16 May 2022. Archived from the original on 8 August 2024. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
31. "Preston boom gate free". Victoria's Big Build. 20 May 2022. Archived from the original on 8 August 2024. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
32. "How we'll build the Preston rail bridge fact sheet". Victoria's Big Build. 27 July 2021. Archived from the original on 30 December 2024. Retrieved 30 December 2024.
33. "Modern stations at Preston just weeks away". Victoria's Big Build. 5 August 2022. Archived from the original on 1 March 2023. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
34. "New Bell Station fact sheet". Victoria's Big Build. 4 October 2020. Archived from the original on 21 April 2024. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
35. "View of 372 Bell Street". Google Maps. October 2022. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
36. "513 Eltham - Glenroy via Lower Plenty". Public Transport Victoria. Archived from the original on 4 November 2024. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
37. "514 Eltham - Glenroy via Greensborough". Public Transport Victoria. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
38. "552 North East Reservoir - Northcote Plaza via High Street". Public Transport Victoria . Archived from the original on 29 April 2023. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
39. "553 Preston - West Preston via Reservoir". Public Transport Victoria. Archived from the original on 4 November 2024. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
40. "View of 363 Bell Street". Google Maps. July 2024. Archived from the original on 25 December 2024. Retrieved 25 December 2024.
41. "View of 180 Bell Street". Google Maps. September 2022. Archived from the original on 25 December 2024. Retrieved 25 December 2024.

External links

• Media related to Bell railway station, Melbourne at Wikimedia Commons
• Melway map at street-directory.com.au