Sunshine railway station, Melbourne

Sunshine
PTV commuter and regional rail station
Siemens Nexas 772M departing Platform 2, October 2023
General information
Location	Station Place, Sunshine, Victoria 3020 City of Brimbank Australia
Coordinates	37°47′17″S144°49′57″E / 37.7881°S 144.8325°E / -37.7881; 144.8325
Owned by	VicTrack
Operated by	Metro Trains
Line(s)	Sunbury (Deniliquin) Ballarat Ararat Maryborough Geelong (Ararat)
Distance	12.25 kilometres from Southern Cross
Platforms	4 (1 island, 2 side)
Tracks	5
Connections	Bus
Construction
Structure type	Ground
Parking	250
Bicycle facilities	Yes
Accessible	Yes—step free access
Other information
Status	Operational, premium station
Station code	SUN
Fare zone	Myki Zone 1/2 overlap
Website	Public Transport Victoria
History
Opened	7 September 1885;140 years ago (1885-09-07)
Rebuilt	28 April 2014
Electrified	October 1921 (1500 V DC overhead)
Previous names	Braybrook Junction (1885–1907)
Passengers
2005–2006	1,341,488 [1]

Preceding station	Metro Trains			Following station
Tottenham or Footscray towards Flinders Street		Sunbury line		Albion or St Albans towards Watergardens or Sunbury

V/Line Services
Preceding station V/Line Following station Footscray towards Southern Cross Ballarat line Ardeer towards Wendouree Ballarat line (Melton line) Ardeer towards Melton or Bacchus Marsh Ararat line Ardeer towards Ararat Maryborough line One daily service Ardeer One-way operation Geelong line Deer Park towards Wyndham Vale, Geelong or Waurn Ponds

Future Services
Preceding station Metro Trains Following station West Footscray towards Dandenong, East Pakenham or Cranbourne Sunshine–Dandenong corridor (under construction) Albion towards Sunbury or Watergardens Tottenham towards Dandenong, East Pakenham or Cranbourne Airport (under construction) Keilor East towards Melbourne Airport [4]

Track layout
Legend to Tottenham to Newport– Sunshine line Stony Creek to Newport– Sunshine line 4 1 2 3 to Ardeer to Albion Broad gauge, electrified Broad gauge, non-electrified Standard gauge, non-electrified This diagram: view talk edit

Location

Sunshine railway station is a commuter and regional railway station on the Sunbury, Geelong and Ballarat lines, serving the western suburb of the same name in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The station opened on 7 September 1885, with the current buildings opening in 2014, after reconstruction as part of the Regional Rail Link project.

Originally named Braybrook Junction, it was given its current name in July 1907 when the suburb of Sunshine took its name from the recently opened Sunshine Harvester Works. ^[5]

V/Line services on the Bendigo corridor pass through the station but do not stop there. Freight services running towards northern Victoria and Sydney run past the station, as well as freight trains heading for the western standard gauge line via the Newport–Sunshine railway line. The bus interchange at the station is a hub for a large number of routes to surrounding suburbs.

It is planned that the station will receive a significant upgrade as part of the Melbourne Airport Rail project, with work scheduled to commence in early 2026. ^{[6] [7]}

History

19th century

In the 1850s, the Melbourne, Mount Alexander and Murray River Railway Company began building a line from Footscray to Bendigo. The company encountered financial difficulties and was sold to the Victorian Government in 1856. No station was built on the site of the current station when the line was opened as far as Sunbury in 1859, the closest one being Albion and Darlington, on the site of the current Albion station. ^[8]

In 1874, a line to Melton was opened, which branched from the Bendigo line at that point, and a station was built at the site of the junction, which was opened as Braybrook Junction on 7 September 1885. In 1887, the Melton was extended westwards to Bacchus Marsh, eventually meeting up with a line extended eastwards from Ballarat in 1889 . That created a direct route from Melbourne to Ballarat. Previously, the rail traffic between Melbourne and Ballarat had to run via Geelong on the Geelong-Ballarat line. ^{[9] [10] [11] [12] [ better source needed ]}

In 1887, the Newport-Sunshine railway line was opened, connecting the new station at Braybrook Junction to Newport and Williamstown, Victoria's major cargo port at the time.

20th century

In 1907, Braybrook Junction station was renamed Sunshine, after Hugh McKay had moved his Sunshine Harvester Works to a site adjacent to the station. ^[5]

On 20 April 1908, Sunshine was the scene of the Sunshine train disaster, the worst train crash in Victorian railway history. 44 people were killed and over 400 were injured.

In 1929, the Albion – Jacana goods line was opened, connecting Sunshine with the North East line, allowing freight trains to avoid the steeper grades and suburban traffic on the suburban line between North Melbourne, Essendon and Broadmeadows.

The road level crossing at Sunshine was removed when grade separation was carried out in 1961. ^[13] The works took place as part of the project to construct a standard gauge line from Sydney to Melbourne. ^[14] In that same year, boom barriers were provided at the nearby former Anderson Road level crossing, on the Bendigo line. ^[15]

In January 1963, a fourth platform was provided on the adjacent Melbourne – Sydney standard gauge line, to enable passengers to transfer between the interstate Sydney and Adelaide expresses. ^[13] In 1965, control of signals at Albion was transferred to the signal box at Sunshine. ^[13] Also in that year, the Grain Elevator Board sidings, that serve the nearby grail silos, opened for traffic. ^[5] In 1976, a signal panel was provided to replace an existing panel ^[5] and, in 1977, boom barriers were provided at the nearby former Anderson Road level crossing, on the Serviceton line. ^[15]

White City station was located between Sunshine and Tottenham. It closed on 4 October 1981 and has been removed. ^[16]

On 5 February 1985, Harris trailer carriage 830T was destroyed by fire in a vandalism attack, whilst stabled in the former down end siding. ^{[17] [18]}

In 1988, the sidings leading to the Massey Ferguson factory were booked out of use. The lead to the sidings, which crossed the standard gauge line, was removed in February of that year. ^[19]

In 1994, the former station underpass, which connected the platforms to nearby City Place, was completed, ^[20] replacing an underpass. ^[21] It was removed during the station upgrades between 2012 and 2014. Also in that year, the track leading to the former goods shed was removed, ^[21] and a number of semaphore signals were replaced with automatic colour signals. ^[22]

On 26 July 1996, Sunshine was upgraded to a premium station. ^[23]

21st century

In mid-2004, the platform on the standard gauge line was removed. ^[24] The waiting room on the platform was demolished five years earlier, in 1999. ^[25]

From 2012 to 2014, the station was rebuilt as part of the Regional Rail Link project. ^[26] Works included:

• a new bus interchange, completed in September 2013; ^[27]
• construction of a new footbridge and concourse, completed in January 2014; ^[28]
• upgrading Platforms 1 and 2 with new canopies;
• rebuilding Platform 3 and a new Platform 4, both completed in April 2014; ^{[29] [30]}

The standalone signal box to the north of the station, commissioned in 1914, was closed in 2016, and control of trains in the Sunshine and Albion areas was transferred to Metrol. ^[31] The former signal box is one of the largest surviving examples of a tappet and lever frame box on the Victorian network, having once housed 80 levers. Although mechanical signalling was replaced with electronic interlocking before the box was finally taken out of service, it remains relatively intact as an example of Victorian Railways signal box architecture. ^[32]

In early 2020, construction commenced on a new signal control centre south of the station, which will share control of the Sunshine–Dandenong corridor with an existing facility at Dandenong, after completion of the Metro Tunnel. ^[33]

Future

See also: Melbourne Airport rail link

Map showing the Melbourne Airport Rail link route.

In 2018, the Victorian Government announced that the Melbourne Airport Rail project would operate via Sunshine. ^[34] The state government announced a significant package of upgrades for the station, branding it a "superhub". ^[35] Works at Sunshine are planned to commence in early 2026, after a combined $4 billion of funding was announced by the Australian Government and the Victorian Government in 2025. ^{[36] [37]}

In 2022, early construction commenced on the Melbourne Airport Rail project, ^{[35] [38] [39]} and a masterplan for the station's precinct was released. The plan includes new entrances to the station, an integrated bus interchange, new open spaces, high-density housing developments surrounding the station, and the creation of pedestrian and cycling links across the rail lines. ^{[40] [41] [42]}

Within the station itself, works will include a new pair of platforms for Geelong and Ballarat services, an extension of the station's concourse, new rail bridges, new signalling, and a major reconfiguration of the passenger and freight tracks. ^[43]

A track diagram was released in 2025 depicting the planned reconfiguration. Trains on the Bendigo line, which currently run express through Sunshine, are planned to begin stopping at the station using the existing Sunbury line platforms. The Airport line and a future electrified Melton line will run through the Metro Tunnel, and the Sunbury line will be reconfigured to no longer include Tottenham, which will be served instead by the Airport and Melton lines. Quadruplication of the Melton line is planned to occur to a junction site near Caroline Springs to separate the future Melton line from Ballarat services. ^[44]

Facilities, platforms and services

Sunshine is a ground level, premium station. It has two side platforms and a centre island platform with two faces. Access to the platforms is by stairs, lifts and ramps from an overhead footbridge and concourse, which includes a customer service window, an enclosed waiting room and toilets.

It is served by Sunbury line and V/Line Ballarat and Geelong line trains. ^{[45] [46] [47]}

Platform 1:

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

Platform 2:

•   Sunbury line   all stations services to Watergardens and Sunbury

By June 2025, it is planned that trains on the Sunbury line will be through-routed with those on the Pakenham and Cranbourne lines, via the new Metro Tunnel.

Platform 3:

•   Ballarat line   V/Line services to Southern Cross (set down only)
•   Ararat line   V/Line services to Southern Cross (set down only)
•   Geelong line   V/Line services to Southern Cross (set down only)
•   Maryborough line   one daily V/Line service to Southern Cross (set down only)

Platform 4:

•   Ballarat line   V/Line services to Melton, Bacchus Marsh and Wendouree (pick up only)
•   Ararat line   V/Line services to Ararat (pick up only)
•   Geelong line   V/Line services to Wyndham Vale, Geelong and Waurn Ponds (pick up only)
•   Maryborough line   one daily V/Line service to Southern Cross (pick up only)

Transport links

There are 15 bus services that use the bus interchange at Sunshine station.

CDC Melbourne operates three routes via Sunshine station, under contract to Public Transport Victoria:

•  400 : to Laverton station (via Robinsons Road, shared with Transit Systems Victoria) ^[48]
•  408 : St Albans station – Highpoint Shopping Centre ^[49]
•  410 : to Footscray (via Ballarat Road) ^[50]

Kinetic Melbourne operates four routes via Sunshine station, under contract to Public Transport Victoria:

•  216 : to Melbourne CBD (Queen Street) (via Dynon Road) ^[51]
•  220 : to Melbourne CBD (Queen Street) via (Footscray Road) ^[52]
•  429 : to Sunshine South (loop service) ^[53]
• SmartBus  903 : Altona station – Mordialloc ^[54]

Transit Systems Victoria operates eight routes to and from Sunshine station, under contract to Public Transport Victoria:

•  400 : to Laverton station (via Robinsons Road, shared with CDC Melbourne) ^[48]
•  420 : to Watergardens station (via Deer Park) ^[55]
•  422 : to Brimbank Central Shopping Centre ^[56]
•  427 : to Sunshine West (via Forrest Street) ^[57]
•  428 : to Sunshine West ^[58]
•  456 : to Woodgrove Shopping Centre (Melton) (via Rockbank) ^[59]
•  471 : to Williamstown (via Newport and Altona Gate Shopping Centre) ^[60]
• Night Bus  941 : to Watergardens station (Saturday and Sunday mornings only) ^[61]

Gallery

• 
  V/Line VLocity train departing Platform 3 towards Southern Cross Station at Sunshine Station in October 2023.
• 
  Westrans Volgren bodied Volvo B7L at Sunshine station, December 2013
• 
  North-west bound view from Platform 2,
  May 2014
• 
  South-east bound view from Platform 3 looking at station concourse and entrance, May 2014

References

1. Estimated Annual Patronage by Network Segment Financial Year 2005–2006 to 2018–19 Department of Transport
2. Railway station and tram stop patronage in Victoria for 2008–2021 Philip Mallis
3. Annual metropolitan train station patronage (station entries) Data Vic
4. https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/projects/melbourne-airport-rail
5. "Sunshine". vicsig.net. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
6. Build, Victoria’s Big (26 February 2025). "Sunshine Station Superhub". Victoria’s Big Build. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
7. "Sunshine Station Masterplan | Sunshine Precinct". Engage Victoria. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
8. Brimbank City Council – Travelling: Roads, Railways and Bridges
9. "VICSIG". vicsig.net.
10. "VICSIG". vicsig.net.
11. "Ballarat". www.victorianrailways.net.
12. Build, Victoria's Big (24 June 2021). "Last train travels over the Bungaree loop". Victoria's Big Build.
13. SE Dornan & RG Henderson (1979). Electric Railways of Victoria. Australian Electric Traction Society. p. 68. ISBN   0-909459-06-1.
14. Going Ahead (PDF). Melbourne: Victorian Railways. 1960. p. 12. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
15. Andrew Waugh. "VR History by Andrew Waugh – Bendigo Line" (PDF). vrhistory.com. Retrieved 24 February 2009.
16. "Works". Newsrail . Australian Railway Historical Society (Victorian Division). November 1981. p. 274.
17. "Train blaze". The Herald . 6 February 1985. p. 3.
18. "Rollingstock". Newsrail. Australian Railway Historical Society (Victorian Division). May 1985. p. 152.
19. "Works". Newsrail. Australian Railway Historical Society (Victorian Division). April 1988. p. 123.
20. "Works". Newsrail. Australian Railway Historical Society (Victorian Division). April 1994. p. 121.
21. "Works". Newsrail. Australian Railway Historical Society (Victorian Division). May 1994. p. 153.
22. "Works". Newsrail. Australian Railway Historical Society (Victorian Division). July 1994. p. 219.
23. "Upgrading Eltham to a Premium Station". Newsrail. Australian Railway Historical Society. October 1997. pp. 303–315.
24. "Works". Newsrail. Australian Railway Historical Society. September 2004. p. 290.
25. Banger, Chris (May 2014). "The Standard Way to Albury – Part 7". Newsrail . Australian Railway Historical Society. pp. 134–137.
26. Sunshine railway station Regional Rail Link
27. Sunshine bus interchange Regional Rail Link
28. Commuters have new concourse at Sunshine The Courier 3 January 2014
29. Ballarat services now stopping at new, dedicated platforms at Sunshine station Premier of Victoria 28 April 2014 Retrieved 3 May 2014
30. "Ballarat services now stopping at new, dedicated platforms at Sunshine station" Railway Digest June 2014 page 21
31. "Sunshine Signal Box". Vicsig. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
32. Brimbank City Council (8 September 1998). "Sunshine Railway Signal Box". Victorian Heritage Database. Heritage Council Victoria. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
33. Papworth, Tate (30 March 2020). "Metro construction creates local jobs". Brimbank & North West Weekly. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
34. "Melbourne airport rail up and away with Andrews government $5b pledge". The Age . Retrieved 28 July 2018.
35. "Sunshine supercharged as Melbourne Airport Rail Link targets take off | Premier of Victoria". www.premier.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
36. Grand, Kieran Rooney, Rachel Eddie, Chip Le (26 February 2025). "Airport rail back on track after $2 billion federal lifeline". The Age. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
37. "Albanese makes $2 billion promise for Melbourne Airport rail link". ABC News. 26 February 2025. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
38. Eddie, Rachel (22 July 2018). "What the Melbourne Airport Sunshine Route rail link means for you". The New Daily . Retrieved 28 July 2018.
39. Build, Victoria's Big (15 December 2022). "Start of works, Sunshine Masterplan and Contract announcements". Victoria's Big Build. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
40. jimjin (31 October 2022). "Masterplan to help transform Sunshine". Brimbank & North West. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
41. Planning, Department of Transport and. "Sunshine Precinct". dtp.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
42. Department of Transport, Victoria (October 2022). "Sunshine precinct: Sunshine station masterplan" (PDF). Department of Transport and Planning.
43. Build, Victoria’s Big (2 June 2025). "Sunshine Superhub". Victoria’s Big Build. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
44. Build, Victoria’s Big (10 August 2022). "Connecting Regional Victoria". Victoria’s Big Build. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
45. "Sunbury Line". Public Transport Victoria.
46. Ballarat – Melbourne timetable Public Transport Victoria
47. Geelong – Melbourne timetable Public Transport Victoria
48. "400 Sunshine Station - Laverton Station via Robinsons Road". Public Transport Victoria.
49. "408 St Albans Station - Highpoint SC via Sunshine Station". Public Transport Victoria.
50. "410 Sunshine Station - Footscray via Ballarat Road". Public Transport Victoria.
51. "216 Sunshine Station – City via Dynon Rd". Public Transport Victoria.
52. "220 Sunshine Station - City via Footscray Rd". Public Transport Victoria.
53. "429 Sunshine Station - Sunshine South Loop". Public Transport Victoria.
54. "903 Altona - Mordialloc (SMARTBUS Service)". Public Transport Victoria.
55. "420 Sunshine Station - Watergardens Station via Deer Park". Public Transport Victoria.
56. "422 Sunshine Station - Brimbank Central SC via Deer Park". Public Transport Victoria.
57. "427 Sunshine Station - Sunshine West via Forrest St". Public Transport Victoria.
58. "428 Sunshine Station - Sunshine West via Wright St". Public Transport Victoria.
59. "456 Sunshine Station - Melton". Public Transport Victoria.
60. "471 Williamstown - Sunshine Station via Newport & Altona Gate SC". Public Transport Victoria.
61. 941 Sunshine Station – Watergardens Station via Keilor Downs Public Transport Victoria

External links

• Media related to Sunshine railway station at Wikimedia Commons
• Rail Geelong gallery
• Melway map