Description

This channel will present a history of the Melbourne metropolitan passenger rail network. Each episode will detail development of the network during a particular period, from the era of private railway companies, to the advent of underground railways in Melbourne, and beyond.

The focus is on the provision of a regular passenger service, and things such as track duplication, grade separations, and minor relocation of stations are all ignored. Some freight lines and non-passenger lines are shown, where they were electrified (Mont Park), or used by some passenger services (the Brooklyn Loop).

Rail gauges are only mentioned where relevant. Others have covered the sorry saga of Australia’s schizophrenic rail gauges better, and 1,600mm broad gauge can be assumed where not specified.

Where does Melbourne begin and end for the purposes of this history? Although not yet part of the electrified network, Melton and Wyndham Vale fall within the urban growth boundary. On the other hand, Stony Point is included, as it is operated by Metro Trains, though not electrified, and few would consider it part of Melbourne.

For ease of reference, the modern names of the lines are used, and the modern name is mentioned for any extant station that has been renamed over its lifetime. Indeed, Victorian railway operators, both public and private, have had a propensity, bordering on ADHD, to change station names at the drop of a hat. Spotswood, for example, is not the only station to have had a total of four different names, and was renamed twice in the space of a month in 1881. So ready to change station names have we been in Victoria, that of all the events noted in this history, one in every seven is a station name change.

I hope viewers enjoy this nerdy endeavour, as much as I’ve enjoyed putting it together. Constructive feedback is welcome. Short of camping out at the State Library for several months, I’ve done my best to get the details correct, and resolve the inconsistencies from different sources. I will read the comments, and do my best to make appropriate changes, especially where sources are referenced.