Werribee line
Werribee | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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![]() Williams Landing station on the Werribee line, which opened in 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Overview | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Service type | Commuter rail | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
System | Melbourne railway network | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Status | Operational | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Locale | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Predecessor |
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First service | 25 June 1857 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Current operator(s) | Metro Trains | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Former operator(s) |
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Route | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Termini | Flinders Street (some continue to Frankston) Werribee | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stops | 17 (excluding City Loop stations) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Distance travelled | 32.9 km (20.4 mi) (via Altona) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Average journey time | 39 minutes (direct) 49 minutes (via Altona) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Service frequency |
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Line(s) used | Altona, Port Fairy | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Technical | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rolling stock | Comeng, Siemens, X'Trapolis 100 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Track gauge | 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Electrification | 1500 V DC overhead | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Track owner(s) | VicTrack | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Werribee line is a commuter railway line in the city of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.[1] Operated by Metro Trains Melbourne, it is the city's ninth longest metropolitan railway line at 32.9 kilometres (20.4 mi). The line runs from Flinders Street station in central Melbourne to Werribee station in the south west, serving 17 stations via Footscray, Newport, and Altona.[2] The line operates for approximately 19 hours a day (from approximately 5:00 am to around 12:00 am) with 24 hour service available on Friday and Saturday nights. During peak hour, headways of up to 5–20 minutes are operated with services every 20–30 minutes during off-peak hours.[3] Trains on the Werribee line run with a two three-car formations of Comeng, Siemens Nexas, and X'Trapolis 100 trainsets.[4]
Part of the line initially opened in 1857 by the Geelong and Melbourne Railway Company. The line was progressively finished within the next two years, allowing trains to travel from Melbourne to Geelong. In April 1885, a short branch was opened off the Werribee line just past Newport to Williamstown Racecourse, and in November 1888, a branch was opened off the Racecourse branch to Altona, terminating at a station named Altona Beach.[5] The construction of these lines played important parts in the development of Geelong and Melbourne's west during the 19th and 20th centuries, with the line continuing to be an important asset in the 21st century.
Since the 2010s, due to the heavily utilised infrastructure of the Werribee line, improvements and upgrades have been made. Works have included replacing sleepers, upgrading signalling technology, the removal of level crossings, planning for new infrastructure, the introduction of new rolling stock, and station accessibility upgrades.[6]
History
[edit]19th century
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/71/Geelong_and_Melbourne_Drawing_3.jpg/220px-Geelong_and_Melbourne_Drawing_3.jpg)
In 1857, the Geelong and Melbourne Railway Company (G&MRC) opened the Werribee to Little River section of the line they were building between Newport and Geelong, then in June of that year, they opened the section between Werribee and a temporary station near Newport, known as Greenwich.[7] The intention was to connect to the Williamstown line being built by the Melbourne, Mount Alexander and Murray River Railway Company, with whom they had arranged permission to run the former company's trains over the latter company's tracks to Melbourne, but the Williamstown line was not yet ready.
However, by October 1857, construction of the Williamstown line had sufficiently advanced to allow the Geelong trains to run to the terminus at Williamstown Pier, so Greenwich station was closed and a connection was made to the Williamstown line towards Williamstown.[8] From Williamstown Pier, passengers could connect to a ferry across Hobsons Bay to Port Melbourne.[8]
The Williamstown line fully opened in January 1859, so the connection near Newport towards Williamstown was removed and replaced with a connection to Newport, and the through running of Geelong trains to Melbourne commenced.[8]
In April 1885, a short branch was opened off the Werribee line just past Newport to Williamstown Racecourse, and in November 1888, a branch was opened off the Racecourse branch to Altona, terminating at a station named Altona Beach.[5] This branch was opened by the Altona and Laverton Bay Freehold and Investment Company to encourage people to buy their land in the area.[5] However, the line closed less than two years later, in August 1890.
20th century
[edit]A portion of the Altona Beach line near Williamstown Racecourse was leased by the Victorian Railways (VR) in 1906 to store race trains.[9] Sometime between 1911 and 1919, the line reopened for goods trains with a siding built from Altona Beach to the Melbourne and Altona Colliery Company mine. From November 1917, the VR worked on the line on behalf of the then owners, Altona Beach Estates Ltd., but to a relocated Altona Beach station, short of the original terminus.[10]
The VR electrified the Williamstown line and the branch to Williamstown Racecourse in August 1920.[9][11] In October 1924, the VR took total control of the Altona Beach line, and electrified it in October 1926.[11] Automatic Block Signalling was commissioned between South Kensington and Yarraville in August 1927, and then on to Newport. The Automatic and Track Control system was installed from Newport South towards Geelong, enabling bidirectional use of the then single track line.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/86/Williamstown-racecourse-station.jpg/220px-Williamstown-racecourse-station.jpg)
The Williamstown Racecourse branch closed in May 1950.[9] Duplication of the Werribee line occurred in stages between 1960 and 1968, with the Altona branch converted to Automatic Block Signalling in October 1967. First announced by the Transport Minister Joe Rafferty in 1977, electrification was extended from Altona Junction to Werribee in September 1983, whilst in January 1985, the Altona line was extended to Westona.[12]
By the early 1980s, the Altona Loop was under threat of closure, as recommended in the Lonie Report.[13] In October 1981, the rail service was drastically cut, with all shuttle services withdrawn, and only two morning and evening trains being operated to and from Melbourne.[5] However, a change of state government in 1982 saw the restitution of many services in July of that year.[5] On 21 January 1985, the line was subsequently extended to Westona and, in April of that year, was extended from Westona to Laverton.[14][15][16][17] In April 1985, Altona to Westona, which had temporarily been operated by Staff and Ticket safeworking, was converted to Automatic and Track Control, and a few days later, the line was extended to Laverton and therefore connecting with the Werribee line.
21st century
[edit]Initially, almost every Werribee bound service ran via Westona, but a timetable re-write in May 2011 saw this section converted to a separate service for the majority of the time.[18] The rewrite introduced the controversial practice of having trains serving the Altona Loop run as a shuttle service between Laverton and Newport during off peak hours.[19] Shuttle services were ended in August 2017, with direct services to and from the city being reinstated to the Altona Loop.[20]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e4/Melbourne_RRL.png/220px-Melbourne_RRL.png)
In June 2015, the completion of the Regional Rail Link allowed for the rerouting of Geelong and Warrnambool services via the 90 km of new track constructed between Little River and Deer Park stations.[21] Instead of stopping at select stations on the Werribee line, services now stop at new stations at Wyndham Vale and Tarneit which are in Melbournes growing western suburbs. The separation of suburban and regional trains has reduced overcrowding, increased capacity, and improved service reliability on the Werribee line in addition to the benefits seen on Geelong services.[22]
In January 2021, a major timetable rewrite resulted in increased frequencies and weekend daytime shuttle services being extended from Newport to Flinders Street.[23] Peak hour weekday services now stop at South Kensington, which simplifies stopping patterns on the Sunbury line.[23] In addition, peak hour frequencies were also made more consistent for the Altona Loop.[24]
Future
[edit]Level crossing removals
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/af/Cherry_Street_level_crossing%2C_Werribee.jpg/220px-Cherry_Street_level_crossing%2C_Werribee.jpg)
The Level Crossing Removal Project has announced the removal of all remaining level crossings on the Werribee line, to be completed in stages from 2018 to 2030. In 2018, one level crossing was removed at Kororoit Creek Road, Williamstown North.[25] The crossing was removed by raising the rail line onto a rail bridge above the road with partial duplication of the Altona Loop completed as part of the project.[25] In 2019, another level crossing was removed at Aviation Road, Laverton.[26] The crossing was removed by raising the road onto a bridge above the rail line with upgrades to Aircraft station in conjunction with the project.[26] The upgrades included a redesigned station forecourt and construction of a new pedestrian underpass.[26] In 2021, a total of 3 level crossings were removed at various locations along the line. Crossings were removed at Old Geelong Road in Hoppers Crossing and Werribee Street and Cherry Street in Werribee. Two of these crossings were removed with road bridges and one with a rail bridge.[27][28][29] The removal of the crossing at Old Geelong Road in Hoppers Crossing also included an upgrade to Hoppers Crossing station with a new overpass, station forecourt, and bus interchange.[30] The final five crossings along the line (excluding the ones on the Altona Loop) will be removed by 2030. The crossing at Hudsons Road, Spotswood and Maddox Road, Newport will be removed by constructing two separate rail bridges with a new Spotswood station also being built.[31] In addition, the crossing at Maidstone Street will be removed with the construction of a road bridge and two crossings—Anderson Street and Champion Road—will be closed off.[31] At the end of these works, the Werribee line will be fully level crossing free by 2030.
Network reconfiguration
[edit]When the new cross-city rail corridor being built by the Metro Tunnel opens in 2025 there will be a reorganisation of the Melbourne rail network.[32] The Victorian Department of Transport and Planning plans to return the Frankston line to the City Loop, with dedicated use of the Caulfield group tunnel track.[33] This will mean Frankston line trains will no longer through-run with Werribee and Williamstown line trains, and will again stop at City Loop stations Flagstaff, Melbourne Central, and Parliament.[33] As part of the reconfiguration, the Werribee and Williamstown lines would instead begin through-running services to Sandringham for the first time.[33]
Melbourne Metro 2
[edit]![A map of Melbournes past, present, and future rail system](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2a/Melbourne_rail_map_with_former_lines_and_planned_extensions.svg/220px-Melbourne_rail_map_with_former_lines_and_planned_extensions.svg.png)
The 2012 Network Development Plan identified the need for a east-west tunnel connecting the Werribee (and potentially) the Geelong line to the Mernda line.[34] The project would split the Mernda line from the Hurstbridge line after Clifton Hill into a new tunnel, travelling east stopping at a new station in the "inner north", before connecting with at Parkville, Flagstaff, and Southern Cross stations.[35] Exiting the CBD, the line would continue in a tunnel stopping at a new station in the suburb of Fishermans Bend, before crossing underneath the Yarra River and arriving at Newport station.[35] The line would then exit the tunnel and travel further west to connect with the Werribee line bypassing the Altona Loop.[35] The Werribee and Williamstown lines will be reconfigured to provide better and simpler service.[35][36] This project was initially meant to be completed in the 2020s, however, no funding or planning has taken place, with the revised Victorian Rail Plan stating that the project would be completed under Stage 6 of the plan.[37]
As part of the Melbourne Metro 2, the Werribee and Williamstown lines would be reconfigured to provide simpler service. The Sandringham line would continue running to Williamstown with the line also travelling to and terminating at Laverton via the Altona Loop. Express services (not via the Altona Loop) would instead be served by trains exiting the Melbourne Metro 2 tunnel towards Werribee (and potentially Geelong).[38]
Geelong Fast Rail
[edit]The Western Rail Plan is a plan that aims to improve the quality of rail services in Melbournes western suburbs through infrastructure upgrades on a range of metropolitan and regional lines.[6] Geelong Fast Rail was one project identified in the Western Rail Plan as a matter of priority, as it would allow for Geelong and Warrnambool services to travel back via the Werribee line, cutting travel time and allowing electrification of other corridors to occur which are currently being served exclusively by V/Line trains.[39] Phase 1 of Geelong Fast Rail will consist of the following projects aimed at cutting travel times by 15 minutes:[39]
- New track between Werribee and Laverton dedicated to regional services
- Upgrades and widening of bridges over main roads, creeks, and rivers
- Upgraded stations at Werribee and Laverton
- Signalling and train control system upgrades
Construction on the project expected to get underway in 2023, with the Australian and Victorian governments committing $2 billion each to the project which is expected to create 2800 new jobs.[40]
Network and operations
[edit]Services
[edit]Services on the Werribee line operates from approximately 5:00 am to around 12:00 am daily.[41] In general, during peak hours, train frequency is 5–15 minutes (reduced frequencies on the Altona Loop) while services during non-peak hours drops to 20 minutes throughout the entire route.[3] Instead of running through the City Loop, services terminate at Flinders Street and then continue onto the Frankston line, with boosted frequencies in combination with the Williamstown line.[42] The Night Network operates on Friday nights and weekends, with services running 24 hours a day, with 60 minute frequencies available outside of normal operating hours.[43]
Train services on the Werribee line are also subjected to maintenance and renewal works, usually on selected Fridays and Saturdays. Shuttle bus services are provided throughout the duration of works for affected commuters.[44]
Stopping patterns
[edit]Legend — Station status
- ◼ Premium Station – Station staffed from first to last train
- ◻ Host Station – Usually staffed during morning peak, however this can vary for different stations on the network.
Legend — Stopping patterns
Services do not operate via the City Loop
- ● – All trains stop
- ◐ – Some services do not stop
- ▼ – Only outbound trains stop
- | – Trains pass and do not stop
Werribee Services[45] | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Station | Zone | Werribee (via Altona) |
Werribee (direct) |
Laverton | |
◼ Flinders Street | 1 | ● | ● | ● | |
◼ Southern Cross | ● | ● | ● | ||
◼ North Melbourne | ● | ● | ● | ||
South Kensington | ● | I | ● | ||
◼ Footscray | ● | ● | ● | ||
Seddon | ● | I | ● | ||
◻ Yarraville | ● | I | ● | ||
Spotswood | ● | I | ● | ||
◼ Newport | ● | ● | ● | ||
Seaholme | ● | ● | |||
Altona | 1/2 | ● | ● | ||
Westona | ● | ● | |||
◼ Laverton | ● | ● | ● | ||
Aircraft | 2 | ● | ◐ | ||
◼ Williams Landing | ● | ◐ | |||
◻ Hoppers Crossing | ● | ◐ | |||
◼ Werribee | ● | ● |
Operators
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dd/Altona_estates_train_line.png/220px-Altona_estates_train_line.png)
The Werribee line has had a total of 10 operators since its opening in 1857. Early in 1857, the Geelong and Melbourne Railway Company (G&MR) opened the Werribee to Little River section of the line they were building between Newport and Geelong. 2 years later in 1859, the government acquired the line and begun operations under the newly formed Victorian Railways (VR). The railway to Altona was constructed by the Altona Beach Estate Company, a private land developer, and opened on 9 November 1888 to a station named Altona Beach, which was about a kilometre to the east of the current station.[11] As a result of the collapse of the 1880s Land Boom, regular services to Altona Beach ceased after August 1890, and the Victorian Government declined the offer of the owners to gift it the line. In 1917, the owners of the estate entered into an agreement with the Victorian Railways (VR) to provide a regular passenger service, having guaranteed to cover any operating losses.[5] The majority of operations throughout its history have been government run: from its government acquisition in 1859 until the 1999 privatisation of Melbourne's rail network, four different government operators have run the line.[46] These operators, Victorian Railways, the Metropolitan Transit Authority, the Public Transport Corporation, and Bayside Trains have a combined operational length of 140 years.
Bayside Trains was privatised in August 1999 and later rebranded M>Train. In 2002, M>Train was placed into receivership and the state government regained ownership of the line, with KPMG appointed as receivers to operate M>Train on behalf of the state government.[47][48][49] Two years later, rival train operator Connex Melbourne took over the M>Train operations including the Williamstown line. Metro Trains Melbourne, the current private operator, then took over the operations in 2009. The private operators have had a combined operational period of 28 years.[50]
Operator | Assumed operations | Ceased operations | Length of operations |
---|---|---|---|
Geelong and Melbourne Railway (G&MR) | 1857 | 1860 | 3 years |
Victorian Railways | 1860 | 1983 | 123 years |
Altona Beach Estates | 1888 | 1890 | 2 years |
Victorian Railways for Altona Beach Estates | 1911 | 1924 | 13 years |
Metropolitan Transit Authority | 1983 | 1989 | 6 years |
Public Transport Corporation | 1989 | 1998 | 9 years |
Bayside Trains (government operator) | 1998 | 2000 | 2 years |
M>Train | 2000 | 2004 | 4 years |
Connex Melbourne | 2004 | 2009 | 5 years |
Metro Trains Melbourne | 2009 | incumbent | 14 years (ongoing) |
Route
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Werribee (section) & Altona (physical track) | |
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Overview | |
Status | Operational with passenger services from Flinders Street to Werribee |
Owner |
|
Locale | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
Termini | |
Continues as | Port Fairy line |
Connecting lines |
|
Former connections | Maribyrnong |
Stations |
|
Service | |
Services | Werribee |
History | |
Commenced | 25 June 1857 |
Opened |
|
Completed | 17 January 1859 |
Reopened | Racecourse junction to Altona on 1 December 1917 |
Electrified |
|
Closed |
|
Technical | |
Line length | 32.9 km (20.4 mi) (via Altona) |
Number of tracks |
|
Track gauge | 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in) |
Electrification | 1500 V DC overhead |
Operating speed |
|
Signalling | Automatic block signaling |
Maximum incline | 1 in 40 (2.5%) |
The Werribee line forms a mostly straight route from the Melbourne central business district to its terminus in Werribee. The route is 32.9 kilometres (20.4 mi) long and is fully doubled tracked from Flinders Street to its terminus, excluding during the Altona Loop. After changing from Frankston services at Flinders Street, the Werribee line traverses mainly flat country with few curves and fairly minimal earthworks for most of the line. Few sections of the line has been elevated or lowered to remove level crossings. All remaining level crossings will be removed by 2030.[51]
The line follows the same alignment as the Williamstown line with the two services splitting onto different routes at Newport. The Werribee line continues on its south-western alignment, whereas the Williamstown line takes a southern alignment towards its final destination.[52] Most of the rail line goes through built-up suburbs and heavy industrial areas with small pockets on non-urbanised spaces.[52]
Stations
[edit]The line serves 17 stations across 39.2 kilometres (24.4 mi) of track. The stations are a mix of elevated, lowered, and ground level designs. The majority of elevated and lowered stations being constructed as part of level crossing removals.[53] From 2030, Spotswood station will be elevated as part of additional level crossing removal works.[51]
Station | Opened[55] | Closed[55] | Age | Notes[55] |
---|---|---|---|---|
Flagstaff | 27 May 1985 | 39 years |
| |
Melbourne Central | 26 January 1981 | 43 years |
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Parliament | 22 January 1983 | 41 years |
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Flinders Street | 12 September 1854 | 169 years |
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Southern Cross | 17 January 1859 | 165 years |
| |
North Melbourne | 6 October 1859 | 164 years | ||
South Kensington | 11 March 1891 | 133 years | ||
Saltwater River | 1 October 1859 | c. 1867 | Approx. 7 years | |
Footscray | 24 September 1900 | 123 years | ||
Footscray (Suburban) | 24 January 1859 | 24 September 1900 | 41 years | |
Seddon | 10 December 1906 | 117 years | ||
Yarraville | 20 November 1871 | 152 years | ||
Spotswood | 1 February 1878 | 146 years |
| |
Newport | 1 March 1859 | 165 years |
| |
Greenwich | 25 June 1857 | 28 July 1857 | 33 days | |
Garden Platform (Newport Workshops) | ? | ? | ||
Freezing Works Siding | 27 April 1883 | 1993 | 110 years | |
Williamstown Racecourse (1st) | 26 December 1860 | c. April 1885 | Approx. 24 years |
|
Metro Infrastructure Works Siding | 2 June 1955 | 69 years |
| |
SEC Siding | 9 November 1952 | 14 September 1993 | 40 years | |
Hatherley | 2 March 1891 | 5 April 1897 | 6 years | |
Mobiltown | 24 November 1953 | 21 January 1985 | 31 years |
|
Paisley | 14 October 1929 | 14 April 1985 | 55 years | |
Williamstown Racecourse (2nd) | 6 April 1885 | 10 February 1940 | 54 years |
|
Australian Carbon Black Siding | 1 December 1964 | 19 August 1990 | 25 years | |
BP Sidings | c. 30 May 1922 | July 1996 | Approx. 74 years |
|
BP Platform | 10 May 1927 | October 1959 | 32 years |
|
Seaholme | 26 January 1920 | 104 years | ||
Altona | 1 December 1917 | 106 years |
| |
Altona Beach (1st) | 22 August 1888 | 14 August 1890 | 23 months | |
Galvin | 22 August 1927 | 14 April 1985 | 57 years | |
Westona | 25 January 1985 | 39 years | ||
Laverton | 1 July 1886 | 138 years | ||
Aircraft | 8 March 1926 | May 1932 | 6 years |
|
10 May 1932 | 92 years |
| ||
Williams Landing | 28 April 2013 | 11 years | ||
Hoppers Crossing | 16 November 1970 | 8 July 1983 | 12 years |
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9 July 1983 | 41 years |
| ||
Werribee | 25 June 1857 | 167 years | ||
Werribee Racecourse | 1884 | 1995 | 111 years |
Infrastructure
[edit]Rolling stock
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/89/Metro_Trains_Melbourne_Siemens_at_Spotswood.jpg/220px-Metro_Trains_Melbourne_Siemens_at_Spotswood.jpg)
The Werribee line uses three different types of electric multiple unit (EMU) trains that are operated in a split six-car configuration, with three doors per side on each carriage. The primary rolling stock featured on the line is the Comeng EMUs, built by Commonwealth Engineering between 1981 and 1988.[56] These train sets are the oldest on the Melbourne rail network and subsequently will be replaced by the mid 2030s.[57] Siemens Nexas EMUs are also widely featured on the line, originally built between 2002 and 2005 these train sets feature more modern technology than the Comeng trains.[58] The final type of rolling stock featured on the line is the X'Trapolis 100 built by Alstom between 2002 and 2004, and 2009 and 2020.[4] All of these rolling stock models are widely used on other lines across the metropolitan network and work as the backbone of the network.
Alongside the passenger trains, Werribee line tracks and equipment are maintained by a fleet of engineering trains. The four types of engineering trains are: the shunting train; designed for moving trains along non-electrified corridors and for transporting other maintenance locomotives, for track evaluation; designed for evaluating track and its condition, the overhead inspection train; designed for overhead wiring inspection, and the infrastructure evaluation carriage designed for general infrastructure evaluation.[59] Most of these trains are repurposed locomotives previously used by V/Line, Metro Trains, and the Southern Shorthaul Railroad.[59]
Planned rolling stock
[edit]Contrary to popular belief, the next generation of the X'Trapolis family of electric EMUs, the X'Trapolis 2.0, won't be introduced on the Werribee line. By the time the new trains entered service, the Werribee line will be through routed to the Sandringham line.
Accessibility
[edit]![An old station with a new footbridge](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/89/Footscray_station_signal_box_and_footbridge.jpg/220px-Footscray_station_signal_box_and_footbridge.jpg)
In compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act of 1992, all stations that are new-built or rebuilt are fully accessible and comply with these guidelines.[60] The majority of stations on the corridor are fully accessible, however, there are some stations that haven't been upgraded to meet these guidelines.[61] These stations do feature ramps, however, they have a gradient greater than 1 in 14.[61] Stations that are fully accessible feature ramps that have a gradient less than 1 in 14, have at-grade paths, or feature lifts.[61] These stations typically also feature tactile boarding indicators, independent boarding ramps, wheelchair accessible myki barriers, hearing loops, and widened paths.[61][62]
Projects improving station accessibility have included the Level Crossing Removal Project, which involves station rebuilds and upgrades and other individual station upgrade projects.[63][64] These works have made significant strides in improving network accessibility, with more than 76% of Werribee line stations classed as fully accessible. This number is expected to grow within the coming years with the completion of level crossing removal works on the corridor by 2029.[65]
Signalling
[edit]The Werribee line uses three-position signalling which is widely used across the Melbourne train network.[66] Three-position signalling was first introduced in 1927, with the final section of the line converted to the new type of signalling in 1946.[67] Past Werribee, three-position signalling continues further past Geelong.
References
[edit]- ^ "Werribee Line". Public Transport Victoria. Archived from the original on 7 September 2018. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
- ^ "Metro's paper timetables mess". Daniel Bowen. 3 September 2017. Archived from the original on 9 December 2022. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
- ^ a b "New timetable train line information – Public Transport Victoria". 1 March 2021. Archived from the original on 1 March 2021. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
- ^ a b Carey, Adam (7 November 2014). "Trains are working better but seating not guaranteed". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 6 February 2023. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f Guiney, Michael (1988). The Altona Bay Railway. self-published.
- ^ a b Victoria’s Big Build (29 November 2022). "Western Rail Plan". Victoria’s Big Build. Archived from the original on 2 March 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
- ^ "GEELONG AND MELBOURNE RAILWAY COMPANY". Argus. 7 July 1859. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
- ^ a b c "GEELONG to "GREENWICH". Age. 28 June 1952. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
- ^ a b c "Racecourse – Altona Homestead – Home of the Altona Laverton Historical Society". Archived from the original on 5 May 2023. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
- ^ "THE RAILWAYS". Argus. 1 December 1917. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
- ^ a b c Harrigan, Leo J (1962). Victorian Railways to '62. Melbourne: Victorian Railways Public Relations and Betterment Board.
- ^ "Works". Newsrail. Vol. 5, no. 10. Vic: ARHS Victoria Division. October 1977. p. 228. ISSN 0310-7477. OCLC 19676396.
- ^ "Traffic". Newsrail. Vol. 9, no. 9. Vic: ARHS Victoria Division. September 1981. p. 212. ISSN 0310-7477. OCLC 19676396.
- ^ Harrington, Tony (22 January 1985). "Western suburbs get new station, lose three others". The Age. p. 5.
- ^ "Altona Station". Rail Geelong. Archived from the original on 3 December 2022. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
- ^ "Victoria" Railway Digest March 1985 page 97
- ^ "Victoria" Railway Digest May 1985 page 151
- ^ "Quick review of the new Metro timetables". Daniel Bowen. 29 March 2011. Archived from the original on 18 December 2019. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
- ^ Butt, Adam Carey, Craig (8 July 2013). "A tale of two rail lines: Altona slumps while Werribee soars". The Age. Archived from the original on 18 December 2019. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "DIRECT CITY SERVICES FOR ALTONA LOOP RESTORED, AS PROMISED | Jill Hennessy". Archived from the original on 18 December 2019. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
- ^ "Victoria's new regional rail link opens to cater for busy western suburbs". ABC News. 14 June 2015. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
- ^ "Commuters moving to new stations". Herald Sun. 17 August 2015. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
- ^ a b "New timetable train line information". Public Transport Victoria. Archived from the original on 4 February 2021. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
- ^ "New train timetables confirmed for January". Daniel Bowen. 1 December 2020. Archived from the original on 27 January 2021. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
- ^ a b "Kororoit Creek Road, Williamstown North | Level Crossing Removal Project". levelcrossings.vic.gov.au. Archived from the original on 8 January 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
- ^ a b c "Aviation Road, Laverton | Level Crossing Removal Project". levelcrossings.vic.gov.au. Archived from the original on 11 August 2019. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
- ^ "Old Geelong Road, Hoppers Crossing | Level Crossing Removal Project". levelcrossings.vic.gov.au. Archived from the original on 21 January 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
- ^ "Cherry Street, Werribee | Level Crossing Removal Project". levelcrossings.vic.gov.au. Archived from the original on 18 January 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
- ^ "Werribee Street, Werribee | Level Crossing Removal Project". levelcrossings.vic.gov.au. Archived from the original on 12 January 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
- ^ "Designs confirmed for Werribee Street and Old Geelong Road | Level Crossing Removal Project". levelcrossings.vic.gov.au. Archived from the original on 19 March 2020. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
- ^ a b "Making The Werribee Line Level Crossing Free | Premier of Victoria". www.premier.vic.gov.au. Archived from the original on 25 October 2022. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
- ^ "PTV Network Development Plan Metropolitan Rail Overview" (PDF). Public Transport Victoria. Archived (PDF) from the original on 19 September 2021. Retrieved 18 December 2012.
- ^ a b c Planning, Department of Transport and Planning. "Transport strategies and plans". dtp.vic.gov.au. Archived from the original on 12 February 2023. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
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- ^ a b c d Fact Sheet. Preparing for Melbourne Metro Two infrastructurevictoria.com.au Archived 4 April 2023 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Daniel Andrews' secret Victorian rail plan – Network configuration stages – David Davis MP". Archived from the original on 2 April 2023. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
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- ^ "Werribee Line". Public Transport Victoria. Archived from the original on 6 May 2023. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
- ^ "Melbourne's Rail Network to be Split" Railway Digest November 1997 page 12
- ^ National Express walks out of Australian rail service Archived 12 January 2018 at the Wayback Machine The Daily Telegraph (London) 17 December 2002
- ^ Receivers take over train, tram group Archived 26 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine The Age 24 December 2002
- ^ Victorian passenger services get new managers Archived 25 March 2023 at the Wayback Machine Rail Express 28 January 2003
- ^ Cooper, Mex (25 June 2009). "New train, tram operators for Melbourne". The Age. Archived from the original on 1 January 2023. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
- ^ a b Victoria’s Big Build (24 February 2023). "Werribee Line level crossing removals". Victoria’s Big Build. Archived from the original on 27 October 2022. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
- ^ a b Wray, Tyson (19 January 2017). "Melbourne's train lines definitively ranked from best to worst". Time Out Melbourne. Archived from the original on 12 December 2022. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
- ^ Lee, Robert S. (2007). The railways of Victoria 1854–2004. Rosemary Annable, Donald S. Garden. Carlton, Vic.: Melbourne University Publishing. ISBN 978-0-522-85134-2. OCLC 224727085. Archived from the original on 8 May 2022. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p "What year did your railway station open? | Public Transport Users Association (Victoria, Australia)". 3 August 2018. Archived from the original on 9 December 2022. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
- ^ a b c Anderson, Rick (2010). Stopping All Stations. Clunes, Victoria: Full Parallel Productions. ISBN 978-0646543635. OCLC 671303814.
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{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ Jacks, Timna (18 May 2021). "Ballarat plant bags $1b contract for 25 new Melbourne trains". The Age. Archived from the original on 6 February 2023. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
- ^ "Siemens AG – Siemens Transportation Systems wins major contract in Australia". 22 November 2005. Archived from the original on 22 November 2005. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
- ^ a b "NETWORK SERVICE PLAN | Addenda". 1 February 2011. Archived from the original on 7 March 2011.
- ^ "Accessibility – Public Transport Ombudsman Victoria". www.ptovic.com.au. Archived from the original on 3 January 2023. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Station accessibility features". Metro Trains Melbourne. 2023. Archived from the original on 8 December 2022. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
- ^ "Accessing public transport". City of Melbourne. n.d. Archived from the original on 6 December 2022. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
- ^ "Left behind: the fight for accessible public transport in Victoria". the Guardian. 12 June 2022. Archived from the original on 3 January 2023. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
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External links
[edit]- Werribee line timetable
- Network map
Media related to Werribee railway line at Wikimedia Commons