History
Diamond Creek station opened on 25 June 1912, when the railway line from Eltham was extended to Hurstbridge. [5] Like the suburb itself, the station was named after the nearby Diamond Creek, which was given that name as it was believed that the water at the bottom of the creek bed was bright, due to the crystalline minerals of various shapes. [6] [7] [8]
In 1957, the station was closed to goods traffic [5] and, in 1959, flashing light signals were provided at the Hurstbridge Road level crossing, located nearby in the up direction of the station. [5]
In 1979, the station building on Platform 1 was damaged by fire. [9] In 1988, boom barriers were provided at the Hurstbridge Road level crossing. [10]
On 22 March 1991, just after 19:00, a Hurstbridge-bound train collided with a stationary Flinders Street-bound train at the station, resulting in three people injured and three carriages derailing. [11] [12] [13] Parts of the platform were also damaged in the collision. [12] [13]
A passing loop had been provided at the station for many years, believed to have been originally used as a goods siding. On 7 June 1994, a second platform was constructed on the passing loop. [5] Before that, one train had to set back after using the platform, then enter the loop to allow another train to pass. Both platforms are bi-directional, however, with the introduction of electronic signalling in 2008, Platform 2 could only be used by Hurstbridge-bound trains. In 2013, Platform 2 received a signal pointing city-bound, allowing both platforms to become bi-directional again.
Diamond Creek was one of the last stations in Melbourne controlled by the staff and ticket safeworking system, including the use of semaphore signals. The station was a break between two sections of the safeworking system: Eltham to Diamond Creek, and Diamond Creek to Hurstbridge. As a result, Metro Trains' staff were required to operate the safeworking system, including operating the points for the crossing loop. In 2008, the signals and the points were upgraded to be controlled electronically and, in early 2013, the safe working system was converted to Automatic & Track Control (ATC). [14]
On 15 May 2019, the Level Crossing Removal Project announced that planning for the duplication of 1.5 km (0.93 mi) of track between Diamond Creek and Wattle Glen was underway, [15] with construction commencing in early 2022. [16] As part of the duplication works, Platform 2 also received an upgrade. [16] Works were completed in 2023.
On 30 April 2023, the rebuilt Platform 2 opened and was rebuilt to meet modern safety and accessibility standards. [17] The rebuilt Platform 2 included installation of new platform shelters, resurfacing the platform from white concrete to asphalt, new platform and entrance signages, a new access ramp with a new upgraded pedestrian crossing gates which were upgraded from occupational pedestrian crossing to swing gates pedestrian crossings. [17] The pedestrian crossing is located southbound of the station. Platform 1 largely stayed the same, the only thing changed was the new platform signages installed. [17]
Prior to the duplication north of the station in 2023, both platforms were bi-directional. After the duplication was completed, citybound trains must depart from the upgraded platform 2 (which was built in 1994) while Hurstbridge-bound trains must depart from the larger original platform 1. This platform numbering arrangement is uncommon across stations with two platforms with citybound trains typically using platform 1 and outbound typically using platform 2. [17]
Bus
5.89%
1.26%
