NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Hurstbridge railway line, Melbourne

The Hurstbridge railway line is a suburban railway in Melbourne, Australia. It branches from the Epping Railway Line at Clifton Hill and heads in a northeast direction through the City of Yarra, City of Darebin, City of Banyule, and the Shire of Nillumbik. Some of the suburbs served by the line include East Melbourne, Collingwood, Fairfield, Heidelberg, Greensborough, Eltham, and Hurstbridge. It has 23 stations in Metcard ticketing Zones 1 and 2. Melbourne, capital city of the State of Victoria, Australia, has a long history of railway development. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (2126x2325, 175 KB) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Connex Melbourne is a private company which operates suburban trains in the city of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia on behalf of the State Government of Victoria. ... A Hitachi train (left) and newer XTrapolis (right) at Flinders Street Station Hitachi on a Belgrave service The Hitachi train (often called tachis [] or Silvers) is a type of electric train that operates on the suburban railway network of Melbourne, Australia. ... Alstom now United Group LTD refurbished Comeng in Connex livery The term Comeng originally defined the company COMmonwealth ENGineering which, among others things, manufactured Melbournes A, B and Z class trams, some Sydney R, L & S class double-decker trains and Brisbane buses, although now is popularly used to... The XTrapolis 100 is a single deck electric passenger train, one of Alstoms XTrapolis family of trains, used in Melbourne, Australia and Valparaiso, Chile. ... The Epping railway line is a suburban electric railway in Melbourne, Australia. ... The Inner Circle was a steam era suburban railway line, (later electrified), in Melbourne, Australia. ... Melbourne, capital city of the State of Victoria, Australia, has a long history of railway development. ... This is a list of the 200 currently operating suburban railway stations (216 including greater metropolitan stations) in Melbourne, Australia. ... This is a list of former railway stations in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ... In Melbournes train system several new train lines, electrification of existing lines, extensions to existing lines, and new stations on existing lines, have been seriously considered at various times (some were so advanced in plans that they were even printed on Hitachi train destination rolls). ... â€œSuburbiaâ€ redirects here. ... This article is about the Australian city; the name may also refer to City of Melbourne or Melbourne city centre. ... The Epping railway line is a suburban electric railway in Melbourne, Australia. ... Clifton Hill is a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ... The City of Yarra is a Local Government Area in Victoria, Australia. ... The City of Darebin is a Local Government Area in Victoria, Australia. ... The City of Banyule is a Local Government Area in Victoria, Australia. ... The Shire of Nillumbik is a Local Government Area in Victoria, Australia. ... East Melbourne is a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ... Collingwood is an inner city suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ... Fairfield is a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ... Heidelberg is a suburb (and former local government area) of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ... Greensborough is a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ... Eltham is a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria. ... Hurstbridge is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ... Passengers bustle around the typical grand edifice of Londons Broad Street station in 1865. ... Metcard is the ticket used to access public transport in Melbourne, Australia. ...

Description

The Hurstbridge line traverses the rolling hills of Melbourne's north-eastern suburbs, at times cutting across hills and valleys, resulting in a somewhat windy and hilly line. It includes the only three tunnels on the suburban electrified system other than the underground city loop, although none of the three tunnels are particularly long nor deep.

The first section from Flinders Street station to Victoria Park was actually built later than the rest of the line, which was originally connected to the rest of the suburban system via the now-closed "Inner Circle" line. There is evidence that the line was originally intended to be connected via this route, but geography and existing suburbs made it a problematic situation. The section uses two tunnels to cut under a low ridge just east of Melbourne, and most of the rest is built on an embankment that carries the line above numerous main roads and suburban side streets. Flinders Street Station is the central railway station of the suburban rail network of Melbourne, Australia. ... Victoria Park is a railway station on Hurstbridge railway line and the Epping railway line in Abbotsford, Melbourne, Australia. ... The Inner Circle was a steam era suburban railway line, (later electrified), in Melbourne, Australia. ...

After Clifton Hill the line roughly parallels the north bank of the Yarra River, cutting across a number of watercourses flowing into the Yarra, and the ridges between them. At Heidelberg is the third tunnel. The line then encounters steeper grades until Eltham, after which it follows the valley of Diamond Creek, with easier grades but a windier route, with some curves having speed limits as low as 40km/h. This line boasts two of the largest bridges on the suburban network, one over the Merri creek between Clifton Hill and Westgarth, and the other on the up side of Darebin, crossing Darebin Creek. Clifton Hill is a railway station in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ... The Yarra River is a river in southern Victoria, Australia. ... Heidelberg is a railway station in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ... Trestle bridge south of Eltham railway station. ... Westgarth Railway Station is in Westgarth, Victoria. ... This is a stub related to the city of Melbourne. ...

Apart from the first section of the line, it has numerous level crossings, plus a number of unprotected crossings with private driveways past Diamond Creek, and also a number of bridges over or under roads. The area traversed by the line is mostly built-up suburbs in the inner area, thinning out after Greensborough, and much of the outer end of the line is surrounded patches of bush and paddocks. The term level crossing (also called a railroad crossing, railway crossing, train crossing or grade crossing) is a crossing on one level (at-grade intersection) â€” without recourse to a bridge or tunnel â€” of a railway line by a road, path, or another railroad. ... Diamond Creek is a railway station in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ...

Infrastructure

The Hurstbridge line is both notable and notorious for having several single-track sections. The unusually large number of single track sections is due to constraints imposed by the underlying infrastructure, geography and lack of government investment. These unduplicated sections give the Hurstbridge line several bottlenecks at which trains must sometimes wait for the tracks to clear before proceeding. The single-track sections are as follows: A single track railway A single track railway is one where traffic in both directions shares the same track. ...

These single track sections restrict the number of trains that can be timetabled to run on the line and also regularly delay trains by up to 10 minutes waiting for the single tracks to clear.

The Hurstbridge line is the only electrified line in Melbourne to still use token safeworking systems. Greensborough to Eltham is controlled by the "Miniature electric staff" system and Eltham to Hurstbridge by the "Staff and Ticket" system. The latter section can be divided into two sections at Diamond Creek, allowing trains to cross at that station. Eltham, Diamond Creek, and Hurstbridge still retain some semaphore signals. However, these methods of safeworking are being gradually phased out of use on these sections, as they will get Automatic Electronic Signaling to bring them in line with the rest of the metropolitan network. Both the "Miniature electric staff" system & the "Staff and Ticket" system will be out of service before the end of 2008. Image File history File links Eltham-station-trestle-bridge. ... Image File history File links Eltham-station-trestle-bridge. ... In railway signalling, a token is a physical object which a locomotive driver is required to have or see before entering onto a particular section of single track. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into railway signalling. ... Diamond Creek is a railway station in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ... A signal is a mechanical or electrical device that indicates to train drivers or engineers information about the state of the line ahead, and therefore whether he or she must stop or may proceed, or instructions on what speed the train may go. ...

Intermediate terminating facilities are provided at Victoria Park (not normally used except for trains using the stabling siding), Clifton Hill (not normally used), Heidelberg (only normally used by a couple of unadvertised placement trips a day), Macleod, and Greensborough. Also, in theory, trains could terminate anywhere on the sections controlled by Electric Staff or Staff and Ticket, but in practice the only place trains on these sections terminate short of the terminus is Eltham. Stabling facilities are provided at Victoria Park, Macleod, Eltham, and Hurstbridge. Entrance to Macleod railway station. ...

Macleod station is the only station on the Hurstbridge line with more than two platforms. Macleod station has a third platform originally because of a short branch run to Mont Park but is used now for the rail yards located there. The extra platform is used during peak periods to provide a place at which trains can enter the system or terminate.

History

The first section of the Hurstbridge line to open was between Victoria Park (then named Collingwood) and Heidelberg, in May 1888, although there is some evidence that the contractors building the line operated services prior to that. At this time, the line was connected to other lines via a line from Royal Park to Clifton Hill, most of which comprised what was later known as the Inner Circle line. This connection was opened at the same time. Another angle of the Platform 1 stationhouse. ... The Inner Circle was a steam era suburban railway line, (later electrified), in Melbourne, Australia. ...

A more direct connection, between Princes Bridge and Victoria Park (as Collingwood was renamed at the same time) was opened in October 1901. In June the following year the line was extended to Eltham, and ten years later (June 1912) to Hurst's Bridge (now Hurstbridge). Flinders Street Stations main entrance and dome. ...

In the same year as the line reached Hurstbridge, the line between Westgarth and Alphington was duplicated. (The short single-track section between Clifton Hill and Westgarth crosses the moderately-deep valley of the Merri Creek. It remains single track to this day, although duplication of this section will soon begin construction.) For the sound recording technique, see doubletracking. ... A single track railway A single track railway is one where traffic in both directions shares the same track. ...

In April 1921 automatic signalling was implemented between Princes Bridge and Clifton Hill.

A few months later, the line (from Princes Bridge) was electrified to Heidelberg, followed by electrification to Eltham in April 1923 and Hurstbridge in August 1926. Overhead wire in Coventry, England Overhead wire and its suspension system in Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA A railway electrification system is a way of supplying electric power to electric locomotives and multiple units. ...

In September 1926 the single-line section between Clifton Hill and Westgarth was converted to Lever Locking and Track Control signalling, followed by Alphington to Heidelberg in June 1927.

In June 1949 Ivanhoe to Heidelberg to was duplicated and provided with automatic signalling. The same was done to the Alphington to Ivanhoe section in December 1951. Alphington is a railway station in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, located in the suburb of Alphington, on the Hurstbridge railway line. ... This is a stub related to the city of Melbourne. ...

Duplication continued between Heidelberg and Macleod in December 1958, except for a short section after Heidelberg where the line crosses a bridge then goes through a tunnel. That section also remains single to this day.

On two consecutive days in September 1964 automatic signalling was provided between Westgarth and Fairfield, and Fairfield and Alphington.

Macleod to Greensborough was duplicated and converted to automatic signalling in August or September 1979.

List of stations

Bold stations are terminuses, italic stations are staffed and stations with an asterisk (*) are staffed during morning peak periods. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ...

Branches from the Epping Railway Line at Clifton Hill. The Epping railway line is a suburban electric railway in Melbourne, Australia. ... Clifton Hill is a railway station in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ...

Westgarth Railway Station is in Westgarth, Victoria. ... Dennis railway station (station code: DEN) is on the suburban Hurstbridge line in Melbourne, Australia. ... This is a stub related to the city of Melbourne. ... Alphington is a railway station in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, located in the suburb of Alphington, on the Hurstbridge railway line. ... This is a stub related to the city of Melbourne. ... This is a stub related to the city of Melbourne. ... This is a stub related to the city of Melbourne. ... Heidelberg is a railway station in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ... This is a stub related to the city of Melbourne. ... Entrance to Macleod railway station. ... Another view of Watsonia railway station. ... This is a stub related to the city of Melbourne. ... Montmorency is a railway station in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ... Trestle bridge south of Eltham railway station. ... Diamond Creek is a railway station in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ... Signposted as Wattle Glen (two words, rather than one), this is possibly the most basic railway station in the melbourne system. ... Hurstbridge railway station is the terminus of the Hurstbridge line on the Melbourne suburban railway network. ...

External links, maps, and timetables

Category: Melbourne railway lines A ferry operating on the Yarra River // Public transport Melbourne is served with a robust public transportation network. ... This article is about the Melbourne public transport network. ... Melbourne, capital city of the State of Victoria, Australia, has a long history of railway development. ... The city of Melbourne, the second-largest city in Australia, is home to the third largest tram network in the world, consisting of 245 kilometres of track, 500 trams[1], and 1813 tram stops [2]. Operated by the private company Yarra Trams since privatisation in 1999, Melbournes trams contribute... Melbourne, capital city of the State of Victoria, Australia, features an extensive bus network. ... This is a list of the 200 currently operating suburban railway stations (216 including greater metropolitan stations) in Melbourne, Australia. ... This is a list of tram routes operated by Yarra Trams in the city of Melbourne, Australia. ... This is a list of the numerous bus routes in Melbourne, Australia. ... Metcard is the ticket used to access public transport in Melbourne, Australia. ... myki Logo and Plain Card mykiâ„¢ (pronounced my key) is the brand name of the smartcard ticketing system to be introduced in 2007 on public transport in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ... There are very few or no other articles that link to this one. ... Connex Melbourne is a private company which operates suburban trains in the city of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia on behalf of the State Government of Victoria. ... Yarra Trams is a tram operating company in Melbourne, Australia. ... V/Line is a regional passenger train and coach service in Victoria, Australia. ... Broadmeadows Coaches is a bus and coach operator in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ... Cardinia Transit is a bus and coach operator in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ... Melbournes public transport Metlink Metcard myki Modes of Transport Trains Trams Buses Transport Routes Railway stations Tram routes Bus routes Operating Companies V/Line Connex Melbourne Yarra Trams Cranbourne Transit is a bus and coach operator in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ... Driver is a privately owned bus and coach operator in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ... Dysons Bus Services is a privately owned bus and coach operator in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ... Eastrans is a bus and coach operator in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ... East West is a bus and coach operator in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ... Grenda Corporation is an Australian bus manufacturing, and mass transit company, based in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ... Invicta is a bus and coach operator in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ... Ivanhoe Bus Company is a bus and coach operator in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ... Kastoria Bus Lines is a bus and coach operator in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ... Melbourne Bus Link is a Melbourne bus company. ... McKenzies Tourist Services is a bus and coach operator in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ... Moorabbin Transit is a bus and coach operator in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ... The National Bus Company, or NBC, was the Australian brand for National Express Groups mass transit bus services in Melbourne and Brisbane. ... Panorama Coaches is a bus and coach operator in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ... Portsea Passenger Service is a bus and coach operator in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ... Reservoir Bus Company is a privately owned bus operator in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ... RyansBus is a bus and coach operator in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ... Sita Buslines is a bus company that operates in the Western and Middle suburbs of Melbourne. ... Sunbury Bus Service is a bus and coach operator in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ... Melbournes public transport Metlink Metcard myki Modes of Transport Trains Trams Buses Transport Routes Railway stations Tram routes Bus routes Operating Companies V/Line Connex Melbourne Yarra Trams Tullamarine Bus Lines is a bus operator in Melbournes north-western suburbs, operating 6 bus routes under contract from the... Ventura is a privately owned bus and coach operator in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ... Westrans is the brand under which the Kefford Corporation markets its bus services to the western suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ... A Hitachi train (left) and newer XTrapolis (right) at Flinders Street Station Hitachi on a Belgrave service The Hitachi train (often called tachis [] or Silvers) is a type of electric train that operates on the suburban railway network of Melbourne, Australia. ... Alstom now United Group LTD refurbished Comeng in Connex livery The term Comeng originally defined the company COMmonwealth ENGineering which, among others things, manufactured Melbournes A, B and Z class trams, some Sydney R, L & S class double-decker trains and Brisbane buses, although now is popularly used to... The XTrapolis 100 is a single deck electric passenger train, one of Alstoms XTrapolis family of trains, used in Melbourne, Australia and Valparaiso, Chile. ... The Siemens MOMO Train (Modular Metro, originally NEXAS, but more generally Siemens train) is a type of electric train that operates on the suburban railway network of Melbourne, Australia. ... One of the last Harris motor carriages built The Harris trains were first the first steel-bodied trains on the Melbourne metropolitan railway system. ... The Victorian Railways A-Class are a Diesel Electric Locomotive converted from B-Class locomotives in the early 1980s. ... The W class is a class of electric trams that operates in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ... The Z class are a single unit, bogie tram that operates in Melbourne, Australia. ... A1. ... There are two types: B1 B2 Categories: | ... C class is the designation given to the Citadis trams used in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ... The D1 class, or Combino (affectionately known as Bambino), electric tram operates in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ... The D2 class, or Combino (affectionately known as Bigbino), electric tram operates in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ...

Contents

Infrastructure

History

List of stations

External links, maps, and timetables