Warrnambool railway line

Last updated

Warrnambool railway line
Led-colour-light-signal.jpg
The twin broad gauge and single standard gauge tracks near Lara, 2006
Overview
Other name(s)
  • Port Fairy railway line
  • Dennington railway line
  • South West railway line
Status
Owner
Locale Victoria, Australia
Termini
Connecting lines
Former connections
Stations
  • 29 current stations
  • 41 former stations
  • 8 sidings
  • 15 former sidings
Service
TypeFormer Victorian regional service
Services Geelong Warrnambool Werribee Williamstown
Operator(s)
History
Commenced25 June 1857 (1857-06-25)
Opened
  • Greenwich to Geelong on 25 June 1857 (1857-06-25)
  • Southern Cross to Newport on 17 January 1859 (1859-01-17)
  • Geelong to Winchelsea on 25 November 1876 (1876-11-25)
  • Winchelsea to Birregurra on 13 March 1877 (1877-03-13)
  • Birregurra to Colac on 27 July 1877 (1877-07-27)
  • Colac to Camperdown on 2 July 1883 (1883-07-02)
  • Camperdown to Terang on 23 April 1887 (1887-04-23)
  • Terang to Port Fairy on 4 February 1890 (1890-02-04)
Completed4 February 1890 (1890-02-04)
Electrified
  • Flinders Street to North Melbourne on 28 May 1919 (1919-05-28)
  • North Melbourne to Altona junction on 2 August 1920 (1920-08-02)
  • Altona junction to Werribee on 27 November 1983 (1983-11-27)
Closed
  • Newport to Greenwich on 18 July 1857 (1857-07-18)
  • Dennington to Port Fairy on 12 September 1977 (1977-09-12)
Technical
Line length298.486 km (185.471 mi)
Number of tracks
Track gauge 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in)
Electrification 1500 V DC overhead Southern Cross to Werribee
Operating speed160 km/h (99 mph)
Signalling
  • Automatic block signaling: Southern Cross to Altona Junction
  • Automatic and Track Control: Altona Junction to North Geelong
  • Automatic block signaling: North Geelong to Geelong
  • Track Block: Geelong to Waurn Ponds
  • Automatic and Track Control: Waurn Ponds to Warrnambool
Route map

Contents

km
BSicon CONTg.svg
Arrow Blue Up 001.svg
Multiple lines
via Richmond or Jolimont
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BSicon tkSTR3+la.svg
BSicon ABZgr+r.svg
BSicon tkSTR+1.svg
BSicon INT.svg
1.2
Flinders Street
BSicon tINT.svg
BSicon hSTRa.svg
Parliament
BSicon tBHF.svg
BSicon hSTR.svg
Melbourne Central
Melbourne tram logo.svg Victoria bus logo.svg
BSicon tINT.svg
BSicon hSTRe.svg
Flagstaff
Melbourne tram logo.svg
BSicon tSTR.svg
BSicon uKINTa-L.svg
BSicon INT-R.svg
0.0
Southern Cross
Melbourne train logo.svg Melbourne tram logo.svg Victoria bus logo.svg Victoria train logo.svg Victoria coach logo.svg Melbourne skybus logo.svg TfNSW T.svg
BSicon tkSTR2.svg
BSicon uhSTRa@f.svg
BSicon KRWg+l.svg
BSicon KRWgr.svg
BSicon tkSTRc1.svg
BSicon kMSTR2.svg
BSicon hkSTR2 teal.svg
BSicon tkSTRl+4.svg
BSicon hkSTR-c3.svg
BSicon ABZgr+r.svg
BSicon hkSTRc1 teal.svg
BSicon kMSTRl+4.svg
BSicon hkSTRl+4 teal.svg
BSicon STR.svg
BSicon kSTR2+r teal.svg
BSicon lhkSTR2+r(l).svg
BSicon lhSTR+r(r).svg
BSicon STR+r.svg
BSicon hkSTRc3 teal.svg
Arrow Blue LowerRight 001.svg
BSicon INT.svg
BSicon hkSTR-c1.svg
BSicon hSTR.svg
BSicon hkLLSTR+4 teal.svg
2.9
North Melbourne
BSicon dRAq.svg
BSicon SKRZ-Ahl.svg
BSicon MSTRq.svg
BSicon RAq.svg
BSicon lhSTRq.svg
BSicon hSTR.svg
BSicon lhSTReq.svg
BSicon RAq.svg
3.1
Australian state route 50.svgDynon Road
BSicon KRWgl.svg
BSicon hKRWg+r.svg
BSicon CONTgq.svg
BSicon ABZgr.svg
BSicon hSTR.svg
Arrow Blue Left 001.svg
BSicon SKRZ-Bhl.svg
BSicon MSTRq.svg
BSicon SKRZ-Bhr.svg
BSicon hSTR.svg
3.7
BSicon hKRZWae.svg
BSicon hKRZW.svg
3.7
BSicon CONTgq.svg
BSicon ABZq2.svg
BSicon hSTRc3a.svg
BSicon ABZgr.svg
BSicon hSTR.svg
Arrow Blue Left 001.svg
BSicon hSTRc1a.svg
BSicon MSTRl+4.svg
BSicon hSTRl+4.svg
BSicon STR.svg
BSicon hABZgr.svg
Arrow Blue Left 001.svg
BSicon KRWg+l.svg
BSicon lhSTRe@g.svg
BSicon kkSTR2.svg
BSicon KRWr.svg
BSicon LSTR teal.svg
BSicon kSTRc3.svg
Arrow Blue LowerRight 001.svg
BSicon HST.svg
BSicon LSTR teal.svg
BSicon kLLSTR+4.svg
3.5
South Kensington
BSicon v-LSTR.svg
BSicon vLSTR+l- teal.svg
BSicon LSTRq teal.svg
BSicon v-LSTRr teal.svg
Metro section
(Werribee Line)
BSicon exCONTgq.svg
BSicon eABZg+r.svg
Arrow Blue Left 001.svg
Melbourne Metro Tunnel
to Caulfield
(under construction)
BSicon eHST.svg
Saltwater River
(demolished)
BSicon hKRZWae.svg
5.5
BSicon eABZgl.svg
BSicon exCONTfq.svg
Arrow Blue Right 001.svg
Maribyrnong line
to Maribyrnong River Terminal
(dismantled)
BSicon SKRZ-Au.svg
6.6
Australian state route 35.svgHopkins Street
BSicon INT.svg
BSicon kLSTR3 teal.svg
6.9
Footscray
BSicon CONTgq teal.svg
BSicon STR.svg
BSicon TUNNEL1q teal.svg
BSicon kSTRr+1 teal.svg
BSicon kSTRc4 teal.svg
BSicon CONTgq.svg
BSicon ABZgr.svg
Arrow Blue Left 001.svg
Multiple lines
via Sunshine
BSicon eHST.svg
Footscray (Suburban)
(demolished)
BSicon SKRZ-Ao.svg
6.0
Australian state route 32.svgNapier Street
BSicon HST.svg
6.6
Seddon
BSicon SKRZ-Ao.svg
7.3
Australian state route 50.svgSomerville Road
BSicon HST.svg
7.5
Yarraville
Victoria bus logo.svg
BSicon SKRZ-Ao.svg
8.1
Francis Street (Docklands Highway)
BSicon hKRZWae.svg
8.3
BSicon SKRZ-Bu.svg
8.6
BSicon HST.svg
9.2
Spotswood
BSicon KDSTa teal.svg
BSicon STR.svg
ANZAC & Goninans Sidings (was Spotswood Workshops)
BSicon CONTgq teal.svg
BSicon v-STR+r.svg
BSicon vABZg+r- teal.svg
BSicon v-SHI2g+r.svg
Arrow Blue Left 001.svg
BSicon vSTR- teal.svg
BSicon v-INT.svg
10.6
Newport
Victoria bus logo.svg
BSicon lhSTRaq.svg
BSicon RAq.svg
BSicon vSTR- teal.svg
BSicon MSTRq.svg
BSicon RAq.svg
BSicon lhSTRq.svg
BSicon v-STR.svg
BSicon lhSTReq.svg
BSicon RAq.svg
10.7
Australian state route 37.svgMelbourne Road
BSicon udSTR.svg
BSicon dSHI2l.svg
BSicon vSHI2g+r-.svg
BSicon vABZgl+xl-.svg
BSicon ABZr+2f.svg
BSicon exSTRq.svg
BSicon STRc3.svg
BSicon exKBHFeq.svg
Greenwich
(demolished)
BSicon umvSTR.svg
BSicon STRc1.svg
BSicon KDSTe.svg
BSicon CONT4.svg
Newport Workshops | Garden Platform
BSicon exlv-BST.svg
BSicon umvSTR.svg
Freezing Works Siding
(demolished)
BSicon umvSTR-ABZgl.svg
BSicon LSTR+r.svg
Arrow Blue LowerRight 001.svg
Altona line
to Laverton
BSicon exlv-HST.svg
BSicon umvSTR.svg
Williamstown Racecourse (1st)
(demolished)
BSicon exlv-BST.svg
BSicon umvSTR.svg
13.4
Metro Infrastructure Works Siding
BSicon exlv-BST.svg
BSicon umvSTR.svg
13.5
SEC Siding
BSicon exlv-HST.svg
BSicon umvSTR.svg
13.7
Hatherley
(demolished)
BSicon exlv-HST.svg
BSicon umvSTR.svg
14.1
Paisley
(closed)
BSicon lhSTRaq.svg
BSicon RAq.svg
BSicon MSTRq.svg
BSicon RAq.svg
BSicon lhSTRq.svg
BSicon umvSTR.svg
BSicon lhSTReq.svg
BSicon RAq.svg
14.3
Australian state route 41.svgMillers Road
BSicon exlv-BST.svg
BSicon umvSTR.svg
15.2
Australian Carbon Black Siding
BSicon ulvBST-.svg
BSicon umvSTR.svg
CRT Siding
BSicon dWASSERq.svg
BSicon lvMKRZvo.svg
BSicon umvSTR.svg
BSicon WASSERq.svg
BSicon dWASSERq.svg
15.3
BSicon exlv-HST.svg
BSicon umvSTR.svg
15.5
BP Platform & Sidings
(demolished)
BSicon lhSTRaq.svg
BSicon RAq.svg
BSicon MSTRq.svg
BSicon RAq.svg
BSicon lhSTRq.svg
BSicon umvSTR.svg
BSicon lhSTReq.svg
BSicon RAq.svg
15.8
Australian state route 35.svgKororoit Creek Road
BSicon RAe.svg
BSicon umvSTR.svg
BSicon lvBUE.svg
BSicon RAq.svg
BSicon RAw.svg
17.7
Australian state route 39.svg
Maidstone Street
(Removing by 2030)
BSicon exlv-HST.svg
BSicon umvSTR.svg
18.0
Galvin
(demolished)
BSicon ulvBST-.svg
BSicon umvSTR.svg
SCT Siding
BSicon umvSTR-ABZg+l.svg
BSicon LSTRr.svg
Arrow Blue UpperRight 001.svg
Altona line
to Newport
BSicon lhSTRaq.svg
BSicon RBq.svg
BSicon MSTRq.svg
BSicon RBq.svg
BSicon lhSTRq.svg
BSicon umvSTR.svg
BSicon lhSTReq.svg
BSicon RBq.svg
20.6
BSicon lv-INT.svg
BSicon umvSTR.svg
21.0
Laverton
Victoria bus logo.svg
BSicon lv-HST.svg
BSicon umvSTR.svg
22.2
Aircraft
Victoria bus logo.svg
BSicon lhSTRaq.svg
BSicon RAq.svg
BSicon MSTRq.svg
BSicon RAq.svg
BSicon lhSTRq.svg
BSicon umvSTR.svg
BSicon lhSTReq.svg
BSicon RAq.svg
23.3
AUS Alphanumeric Route A91.svgPalmers Road
BSicon lv-HST.svg
BSicon umvSTR.svg
23.5
Williams Landing
Victoria bus logo.svg
BSicon lhSTRaq.svg
BSicon RAq.svg
BSicon MSTRq.svg
BSicon RAq.svg
BSicon lhSTRq.svg
BSicon umvSTR.svg
BSicon lhSTReq.svg
BSicon RAq.svg
24.5
AUS Alphanumeric Route A93.svgForsyth Road
BSicon dWASSERq.svg
BSicon lvMKRZvo.svg
BSicon umvSTR.svg
BSicon WASSERq.svg
BSicon dWASSERq.svg
25.7
BSicon lv-HST.svg
BSicon umvSTR.svg
27.7
Hoppers Crossing
Victoria bus logo.svg
BSicon lv-BHF.svg
BSicon umvSTR.svg
31.7
Werribee
Victoria bus logo.svg
BSicon dWASSERq.svg
BSicon lvMKRZvo.svg
BSicon umvSTR.svg
BSicon WASSERq.svg
BSicon dWASSERq.svg
31.9
BSicon umvSTR.svg
BSicon lELC.svg
32.3
end of overhead
BSicon exlv-HST.svg
BSicon umvSTR.svg
33.7
Werribee Racecourse
(closed)
BSicon dGRZq.svg
BSicon GRZq.svg
BSicon umvSTR.svg
BSicon dGRZq.svg
34.4
end of Metro area
BSicon CONTgq.svg
BSicon umvSTR-ABZg+ro.svg
Arrow Blue Left 001.svg
BSicon CONTgq teal.svg
BSicon uvSTRr-.svg
BSicon v-ABZgr.svg
Geelong section
BSicon exlv-HST.svg
BSicon umvSTR.svg
39.6
Manor
(demolished)
BSicon exlv-HST.svg
BSicon umvSTR.svg
41.0
Mambourin
(demolished)
BSicon lv-HST.svg
BSicon umvSTR.svg
47.6
Little River
BSicon dWASSERq.svg
BSicon lvMKRZvo.svg
BSicon umvSTR.svg
BSicon WASSERq.svg
BSicon dWASSERq.svg
47.8
BSicon lv-HST.svg
BSicon umvSTR.svg
57.5
Lara
Victoria bus logo.svg
BSicon exlv-BST.svg
BSicon umvSTR.svg
61.2
Elders IXL Siding
(closed)
BSicon lhSTRaq.svg
BSicon RBq.svg
BSicon MSTRq.svg
BSicon RBq.svg
BSicon lhSTRq.svg
BSicon umvSTR.svg
BSicon lhSTReq.svg
BSicon RBq.svg
61.9
BSicon exlv-BST.svg
BSicon umvSTR.svg
62.8
Geelong Grammar Siding
(demolished)
BSicon lv-HST.svg
BSicon umvSTR.svg
63.9
Corio
BSicon exlv-BST.svg
BSicon umvSTR.svg
65.3
Distillers Siding
(demolished)
BSicon umvINT.svg
67.2
North Shore
Victoria bus logo.svg
BSicon dWASSERq.svg
BSicon lvMKRZvo.svg
BSicon umvSTR.svg
BSicon WASSERq.svg
BSicon dWASSERq.svg
68.1
BSicon umvSTR-ABZgl+l.svg
BSicon KDSTeq.svg
Harbour Trust Sidings
BSicon CONTgq teal.svg
BSicon uvSTRr-.svg
BSicon v-ABZgr.svg
Arrow Blue Left 001.svg
BSicon SKRZ-Au.svg
68.8
BSicon DST.svg
69.9
North Geelong Yard
BSicon CONTgq.svg
BSicon ABZg+r.svg
Arrow Blue Left 001.svg
Geelong–Ballarat line to Ballarat &
Fyansford line to APC Fyansford (dismantled)
BSicon HST.svg
70.0
North Geelong
Victoria bus logo.svg
BSicon SKRZ-Au.svg
71.1
AUS Alphanumeric Route A300.svgChurch Street (Midland Highway)
BSicon KDSTaq.svg
BSicon ABZgr+r.svg
Geelong Locomotive Depot
BSicon SKRZ-Au.svg
72.0
AUS Alphanumeric Route A10.svgLatrobe Terrace (Princes Highway)
BSicon eABZgl.svg
BSicon exKBSTeq.svg
Cunningham Pier
(dismantled)
BSicon INT.svg
72.6
Geelong
Victoria bus logo.svg Victoria coach logo.svg
BSicon TUNNEL1.svg
72.9
Geelong Tunnel
BSicon HST.svg
74.4
South Geelong
Victoria bus logo.svg
BSicon eABZgl.svg
BSicon exCONTfq.svg
Arrow Blue Right 001.svg
Queenscliff line
to Queenscliff
(dismantled)
BSicon eHST.svg
76.9
Geelong Racecourse (2nd)
(demolished)
BSicon eHST.svg
77.7
Breakwater
(demolished)
BSicon hKRZWae.svg
BSicon HST.svg
79.6
Marshall
Victoria bus logo.svg
BSicon eABZgl.svg
BSicon exKHSTeq.svg
Geelong Racecourse (1st)
(demolished)
BSicon eHST.svg
81.8
Grovedale
(demolished)
BSicon eHST.svg
84.5
Duneed
(demolished)
BSicon BHF.svg
84.9
Waurn Ponds
Victoria bus logo.svg
BSicon eBST.svg
88.3
Waurn Ponds Cement Siding
(closed)
BSicon BST.svg
88.9
Waurn Ponds Stabling Sidings
BSicon LSTR.svg
Warrnambool section
BSicon eHST.svg
90.5
Pettavel
(demolished)
BSicon eHST.svg
96.7
Moriac
(demolished)
BSicon eABZgl.svg
BSicon exCONTfq.svg
Arrow Blue Right 001.svg
Wensleydale line
to Wensleydale
(dismantled)
BSicon eHST.svg
103.8
Buckley
(demolished)
BSicon SKRZ-Bu.svg
108.8
BSicon hKRZWae.svg
BSicon HST.svg
113.7
Winchelsea
BSicon eHST.svg
123.5
Armytage
(demolished)
BSicon SKRZ-Bu.svg
128.6
BSicon eABZg+l.svg
BSicon exCONTfq.svg
Arrow Blue Right 001.svg
Forrest line
to Forrest
(dismantled)
BSicon HST.svg
134.3
Birregurra
BSicon SKRZ-Bu.svg
139.8
BSicon eHST.svg
139.9
Warncoort
(demolished)
BSicon exCONTgq.svg
BSicon eABZg+r.svg
Arrow Blue Left 001.svg
BSicon eHST.svg
147.7
Irrewarra
(demolished)
BSicon eBST.svg
149.9
CRB Siding
(demolished)
BSicon eBST.svg
150.9
Shell Oil Company
(demolished)
BSicon SKRZ-Au.svg
151.5
BSicon STR.svg
BSicon fexCONTl+f.svg
Arrow Blue Right 001.svg
Crowes line
to Crowes
(dismantled)
BSicon HST-L.svg
BSicon fexKHSTe-R.svg
153.4
Colac
Victoria bus logo.svg
BSicon exCONTgq.svg
BSicon eABZgr.svg
Arrow Blue Left 001.svg
Alvie line
to Alvie
(dismantled)
BSicon eHST.svg
161.2
Larpent
(demolished)
BSicon eHST.svg
168.3
Pirron Yallock
(closed)
BSicon eHST.svg
178.4
Stoneyford
(demolished)
BSicon eHST.svg
182.9
Pomborneit
(demolished)
BSicon SKRZ-Au.svg
BSicon eHST.svg
189.5
Weerite
(demolished)
BSicon HST.svg
198.5
Camperdown
Victoria coach logo.svg
BSicon eABZgl.svg
BSicon exCONTfq.svg
Arrow Blue Right 001.svg
Timboon line
to Timboon
(dismantled)
BSicon eHST.svg
211.0
Boorcan
(demolished)
BSicon hKRZWae.svg
213.8
BSicon HST.svg
220.8
Terang
Victoria coach logo.svg
BSicon exCONTgq.svg
BSicon eABZgr.svg
Arrow Blue Left 001.svg
Mortlake line
to Mortlake
(dismantled)
BSicon SKRZ-Au.svg
BSicon eHST.svg
232.5
Garvoc
(demolished)
BSicon hKRZWae.svg
BSicon eHST.svg
242.7
Panmure
(demolished)
BSicon SKRZ-Au.svg
BSicon eHST.svg
249.6
Cudgee
(demolished)
BSicon SKRZ-Au.svg
BSicon eHST.svg
255.9
Allansford
(demolished)
BSicon hKRZWae.svg
BSicon HST.svg
261.4
Sherwood Park
Victoria bus logo.svg
BSicon eBST.svg
264.8
Warrnambool Caltex Oil Sidings
(demolished)
BSicon eABZgl.svg
BSicon exKBSTeq.svg
Warrnambool Pier
(demolished)
BSicon BHF.svg
267.3
Warrnambool
Victoria bus logo.svg Victoria coach logo.svg
BSicon eBST.svg
269.0
Briquette Siding
(closed)
BSicon KBSTxe.svg
270.0
Westvic Siding
BSicon exHST.svg
272.0
Dennington
(demolished)
BSicon exhKRZWae.svg
BSicon exHST.svg
276.8
Illowa
(demolished)
BSicon exHST.svg
283.3
Koroit
(closed)
BSicon exCONTgq.svg
BSicon exABZgr.svg
Arrow Blue Left 001.svg
BSicon exHST.svg
285.9
Crossley
(demolished)
BSicon exHST.svg
287.9
Kirkstall
(demolished)
BSicon exHST.svg
291.9
Moyne
(demolished)
BSicon exhKRZWae.svg
BSicon exHST.svg
296.4
Rosebrook
(demolished)
BSicon exBHF.svg
298.5
Port Fairy
(demolished)
BSicon exKBSTe.svg
Port Fairy Wharf
(demolished)
km

BSicon STRq.svg
BSicon exSTRq.svg
BSicon uSTRq.svg
BSicon uexSTRq.svg
BSicon fSTRq.svg
BSicon fexSTRq.svg
BSicon STRq teal.svg
BSicon exSTRq teal.svg

The Warrnambool railway line is a railway serving the south west of Victoria, Australia. Running from the western Melbourne suburb of Newport through the cities of Geelong and Warrnambool, the line once terminated at the coastal town of Port Fairy before being truncated to Dennington (just west of Warrnambool). This closed section of line has been converted into the 37 km long Port Fairy to Warrnambool Rail Trail. The line continues to see both passenger and freight services today.

Services

V/Line VLocity train near Little River, 2006 Vlocity train at little river victoria.jpg
V/Line VLocity train near Little River, 2006

Metro Trains Melbourne operates suburban passenger services along the inner section of the line as far as Werribee, while V/Line operates the Geelong and the Warrnambool services. For 11 years, from 19 September 1993 until 31 August 2004, the Melbourne to Warrnambool passenger service was run by the private West Coast Railway company. [1] [2] Freight services also run on the line, operated by Pacific National and, for a brief period, El Zorro to the WestVic container terminal, between Warrnambool and Dennington.

History

N class locomotive hauled train running near Lara, 2006 Vline n class train at lara victoria.jpg
N class locomotive hauled train running near Lara, 2006
V/Line train crossing the Breakwater Bridge, 2006 Breakwater-bridge-geelong.jpg
V/Line train crossing the Breakwater Bridge, 2006

The Warrnambool line was originally built by the private Geelong and Melbourne Railway Company and opened on 25 June 1857, the line being sold to the Victorian Railways in 1860. [3] The line was designed by English engineer Edward Snell, and built as a single track. The standard of engineering was called into question as the light timber bridges required extra maintenance and had a short life span, while the decision to build only a single track resulted in slow and infrequent trains. Travelers between Melbourne and Geelong continued to prefer the bay steamers across Port Phillip Bay, leading to diminished profits for the company. [4] At a railway commission enquiry, Snell defended his approach as necessary to complete the work in time, with the expectation that the engineering works would be upgraded as traffic and revenue increased. [5] The railway had the misfortune of a fatal accident on its first run. The company's superintendent – and a friend of Snell's – was struck when leaning out of the train's engine as it approached a bridge. An inquiry cleared the company of any negligence.

Colac station goods shed and platform, 2006 Colac Station looking down from up end.jpg
Colac station goods shed and platform, 2006

The line was progressively duplicated from the 1950s to the 1980s. [6]

The line was later extended south-west, to Winchelsea in 1876, Colac in 1877, Camperdown in 1883, Terang in 1877 and Warrnambool, Dennington and Port Fairy in 1890. This line is now closed beyond Warrnambool, [7] with the last train leaving Port Fairy on 10 September 1977, hauled by B75, with the line officially closing on 12 September 1977. [8] A branch line was built from Koroit (between Warrnambool and Port Fairy) to Hamilton (on the Ararat – Portland railway), via Penshurst, in 1890. At the same time a short-lived connection was opened between Penshurst and Dunkeld (also on the Ararat – Portland railway). It closed eight years later.

Branch lines were also constructed from South Geelong to Queenscliff in 1879, from Moriac (between Geelong and Winchelsea) to Wensleydale and Terang to Mortlake in 1890, from Birregurra (between Winchelsea and Colac) to Forrest in 1891, from Camperdown to Timboon in 1892, from Irrewarra (east of Colac) to Cressy in 1910, and from Colac to Alvie in 1923.

A 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) narrow gauge branch was also opened from Colac to Beech Forest in 1902, principally to carry timber, and was extended to Weeaproniah and Crowes in 1911.

The branch lines began to be closed from the late 1940s, the Wensleydale line being the first in 1948, followed by the Forrest line in 1957, the Irrewarra line in 1953, the Alvie line in 1954, the Beech Forest line in 1962 (the section from Weeaproniah to Crowes having been closed in 1954), and the Timboon line in 1988.

In 1993 West Coast Railway won the government tender to operate passenger services to Warrnambool using former Victorian Railways locomotives and rolling stock, including a regular steam hauled service. West Coast Railway ceased operations in 2004 handing the services back to government control by V/Line.

New Marshall and Waurn Ponds stations opened along the line in April 2005 and October 2014 respectively.

In July 2012, the Minister for Public Transport announced that a new crossing loop would be constructed on the line at Warncoort, between Birregurra and Colac. Tenders were called for in August. [9] [ better source needed ] The loop opened in April 2014. [10]

In 2017, the Victorian State Government announced upgrades to allow VLocity railcars to travel to Warrnambool. The Warrnambool line upgrades, as part of Regional Rail Revival, include new signalling, level crossing upgrades and a second track between Boorcan and Weerite, either side of Camperdown. [11] [12] Other upgrades of the line (Geelong line upgrade) as part of the Regional Rail Revival include the duplication of track between South Geelong and Waurn Ponds and an upgrade of Waurn Ponds station. [13]

19th century

The Port Fairy line was originally built by the Geelong and Melbourne Railway Company and opened on 25 June 1857, with the line being sold to the Victorian Railways in 1860. [3] The line was designed by English engineer Edward Snell, and built as a single track. The line was later extended south-west, to Winchelsea in 1876, Colac in 1877, Camperdown in 1883, Terang in 1877, and finally Warrnambool, Dennington, and Port Fairy in 1890. The line is now closed beyond Warrnambool, with the last train leaving Port Fairy in September 1977. [7] [8]

Branch lines were constructed from South Geelong to Queenscliff in 1879, from Moriac (between Geelong and Winchelsea) to Wensleydale and Terang to Mortlake in 1890, from Birregurra (between Winchelsea and Colac) to Forrest in 1891, from Camperdown to Timboon in 1892, from Irrewarra (east of Colac) to Cressy and Ballarat in 1910, and from Colac to Alvie in 1923. [7]

20th century

Crowes station, terminus of the Crowes railway line, was opened in 1912 and closed in 1954. Crowes Station.jpg
Crowes station, terminus of the Crowes railway line, was opened in 1912 and closed in 1954.
Goods shed at the original terminus at Port Fairy, 2015 Port Fairy Station Stevage.jpg
Goods shed at the original terminus at Port Fairy, 2015

Throughout the mid 20th century, numerous branch lines were closed. The Wensleydale line was the first to close in 1948, followed by the Forrest line in 1957, the Colac–Ballarat line in 1953, the Alvie line in 1954, the Forrest line in 1962 (the section from Weeaproniah to Crowes having been closed earlier in 1954), and the Timboon line in 1988, amongst a few others. [14] [15] [16] [17] These branch lines were closed due to limited passenger and freight demand with passenger rail services being replaced by coach services.

Whilst the track beyond Waurn Ponds station is mostly single with some passing loops, many duplication projects have occurred along the Geelong section of the line. The section from North Geelong to Geelong was duplicated late April 1922. [18] 37 years later in 1959, the section of track from Corio to North Geelong was duplicated. In 1979 the track from Werribee to Little River was duplicated and the sections from Little River to Lara and Lara to Corio in 1981. [19] The Regional Rail Revival project duplicated the track between South Geelong and Waurn Ponds in August 2024. [20] [21]

In September 1977, the line beyond Warrnambool was closed. The final service to Port Fairy was hauled by a Victorian Railways B75 locomotive on 12 September. [7] [8]

Stations

Station Histories
StationOpened [22] [23] Closed [22] [23] AgeNotes [22] [23]
Southern Cross 17 January 1859 || || data-sort-value=60,501 | 165 years
  • Formerly Batman's Hill
  • Formerly Spencer Street
Footscray 24 September 1900 || || data-sort-value=45,276 | 123 years
Sunshine 7 September 1885 || || data-sort-value=50,771 | 139 years
  • Formerly Braybrook Junction
Deer Park 2 April 1884 || || data-sort-value=51,294 | 140 years
  • Formerly Kororoit Creek
Tarneit 15 June 2015 || || data-sort-value=3,374 | 9 years
Wyndham Vale 15 June 2015 || || data-sort-value=3,374 | 9 years
Wyndham Vale South Sidings ?
  • Future Black Forest Road station site
Manor 2 February 1911 || 1 November 1970 || data-sort-value=21,822 | 59 years
Mambourin November 1888 || 1893 || data-sort-value=1,765 | 4 years
  • Formerly Pearce's Bros Siding
Little River 1 January 1857 || || data-sort-value=61,247 | 167 years
  • Formerly Little River
  • Formerly Bulban
Lara 1 November 1856 || || data-sort-value=61,308 | 167 years
  • Formerly Duck Ponds
Elders IXL Siding12 March 1986 || 2010 || data-sort-value=8,947 | 24 years
Geelong Grammar Siding24 May 1955 || || data-sort-value=41,051 | 112 years
Corio 15 September 1890 || || data-sort-value=48,937 | 133 years
  • Formerly Cowies Creek
  • Formerly Cowie
Distillers Siding14 February 1928 || c.21 February 1987 || data-sort-value=21,557 | Approx.59 years
North Shore 15 April 1895 || || data-sort-value=47,264 | 129 years
  • Formerly North Shore
  • Formerly Corio
Harbour Trust Sidings8 March 1909 || || data-sort-value=42,189 | 115 years
North Geelong Yard28 January 1885 || || data-sort-value=50,993 | 139 years
North Geelong 1 August 1883 || || data-sort-value=51,539 | 141 years
  • Formerly West Geelong
Geelong Locomotive Depot20 May 1917 || || data-sort-value=39,194 | 107 years
Cunningham Pier ? ?
  • Formerly Railway Pier
Geelong 1 November 1856 || || data-sort-value=61,308 | 167 years
South Geelong 1 November 1883 || || data-sort-value=51,447 | 140 years
Geelong Racecourse (2nd)1 January 1911 || 19 October 2005 || data-sort-value=34,625 | 94 years
  • Formerly Geelong Showgrounds
Breakwater 28 December 1889 || 6 March 1895 || data-sort-value=1,894 | 5 years
25 June 1895 || 12 August 1898 || data-sort-value=1,144 | 3 years
Marshall 14 July 1879 || 17 February 1964 || data-sort-value=30,898 | 84 years
  • Formerly Connewarra
26 April 2005 || || data-sort-value=7,076 | 19 years
Geelong Racecourse (1st)26 January 1877 || c.January 1878 || data-sort-value=348 | Approx.11 months
  • On main line
22 January 1878 || 13 January 1906 || data-sort-value=10,217 | 27 years
  • On branch
Grovedale c.25 November 1876 || 1954 || data-sort-value=28,411 | Approx.77 years
  • Formerly Germantown
Duneed c.25 November 1876 || 26 July 1921 || data-sort-value=16,313 | Approx.44 years
Waurn Ponds 12 October 2014 || || data-sort-value=3,620 | 9 years
Waurn Ponds Cement Siding22 March 1963 || 31 May 2021 || data-sort-value=21,255 | 58 years
Waurn Ponds Stabling Sidings27 February 2023 || || data-sort-value=560 | 18 months
Pettavel  ?22 August 1952 ?
  • Formerly Pettavel Road
Moriac 1 October 1877 || 5 October 1982 || data-sort-value=38,354 | 105 years
  • Formerly Mount Moriac
Buckley  ?17 October 1955 ?
  • Formerly Buckley's Road
Winchelsea 25 November 1876 || || data-sort-value=53,979 | 147 years
Armytage 24 August 1911 || 12 November 1956 || data-sort-value=16,517 | 45 years
Birregurra 13 March 1877 || || data-sort-value=53,871 | 147 years
Warncoort 13 March 1877 || 22 August 1958 || data-sort-value=29,746 | 81 years
Irrewarra 1 October 1877 || 22 August 1958 || data-sort-value=29,544 | 80 years
CRB Siding1927 ? ?
Shell Oil Company ?December 1975 ?
Colac 27 July 1877 || || data-sort-value=53,735 | 147 years
Larpent  ? ? ?
Pirron Yallock  ?5 October 1982 ?
Stoneyford  ?17 October 1955 ?
Pomborneit  ?14 August 1978 ?
Weerite  ?22 July 1975 ?
Camperdown 2 July 1883 || || data-sort-value=51,569 | 141 years
Boorcan 23 April 1887 || 5 October 1982 || data-sort-value=34,863 | 95 years
Terang 23 April 1887 || || data-sort-value=50,178 | 137 years
Garvoc  ?30 January 1966 ?
Panmure 4 February 1890 || 5 October 1982 || data-sort-value=33,845 | 92 years
Cudgee  ?26 September 1960 ?
Allansford  ?5 October 1982 ?
Sherwood Park 19 February 2006 || || data-sort-value=6,777 | 18 years
Warrnambool Caltex Oil Sidings27 November 1946 || 1966 || data-sort-value=7,226 | 19 years
Warrnambool Pierc.1890 ? ?
Warrnambool 4 February 1890 || || data-sort-value=49,160 | 134 years
Briquette Siding ? ? ?
Westvic Siding ? ?
Dennington c.pre 1897 || 1 September 1958 || data-sort-value=22,271 | Approx.60 years
  • Passengers
  • Siding for British Imperial Oil Coy (later Shell)
  • Siding for Anglo Swiss Condensed Milk Coy (later Nestle)
1 September 1958 || 2002 || data-sort-value=16,079 | 44 years
  • Siding for British Imperial Oil Coy (later Shell)
  • Siding for Anglo Swiss Condensed Milk Coy (later Nestle)
Illowa August 1890 || 12 September 1977 || data-sort-value=31,810 | 87 years
  • Formerly Farnham
Koroit 4 February 1890 || 12 September 1977 || data-sort-value=31,996 | 87 years
Crossley 4 February 1890 || 1 August 1955 || data-sort-value=23,918 | 65 years
  • Formerly West Koroit
Kirkstall 4 February 1890 || 1 September 1957 || data-sort-value=24,680 | 67 years
  • Formerly Crossley
Moyne 4 February 1890 || 1 September 1957 || data-sort-value=24,680 | 67 years
  • Formerly Korongah
  • Formerly Moyne Siding
Rosebrook 4 February 1890 || 1 August 1955 || data-sort-value=23,918 | 65 years
Port Fairy 4 February 1890 || 12 September 1977 || data-sort-value=31,996 | 87 years
Port Fairy Wharf ? ? ?

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