The Victorian Railways operated railways in the Australian state of Victoria from 1859 to 1983. The first railways in Victoria were private companies, but when these companies failed or defaulted, the Victorian Railways was established to take over their operations. Emblems: Pink heath (floral)Weedy Seadragon (Aquatic) helmeted honeyeater (bird) Leadbeaters possum (faunal) Motto: Peace and Prosperity Slogan or Nickname: Garden State, The Place To Be, On The Move Other Australian states and territories Capital Melbourne Government Const. ...

The Victorian Railways grew to service all parts of the state, even extending some lines into New South Walesand South Australia. In the late 19th Century the railways became something of a political football with politicians demanding new lines to be built in places where traffic levels never justified it. The result was that by the beginning of the 20th Century, no Victorian (apart from those in the mountain regions) were more than 25 miles (42km) from a railway line. Emblems: Floral - Waratah (Telopea speciosissima); Bird - Kookaburra (Dacelo gigas); Animal - Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus); Fish - Blue Groper (Achoerodus viridis) Motto: Orta Recens Quam Pura Nites (Newly Risen, How Brightly You Shine) Slogan or Nickname: First State, Premier State Other Australian states and territories Capital Sydney Government Const. ... Emblems: Hairy Nosed Wombat (faunal); Leafy Seadragon (marine); Piping Shrike (bird: unofficial); Sturts Desert Pea (floral); Opal (gemstone) Motto: United for the Common Wealth Slogan or Nickname: Festival State Other Australian states and territories Capital Adelaide Government Const. ... President Harrison political cartoon: What can I do when both parties insist on kicking? A political football is a term used to describe a political topic or issue that is continually debated but left unresolved. ...

In 1974 the Victorian Railways was rebranded as VicRail. In 1983 VicRail was reconstituted as the State Transport Authority. V/Line became the operator of the regional network and The Met became the operator of Melbourne suburban services. Between 1996 and 1999 V/Line and The Met were privatised. The former V/Line freight is now owned by Pacific National. V/Line's former interstate rail freight infrastructure is controlled by the Australian Rail Track Corporation. Connex Melbourne now operates the suburban railway network in Melbourne. On the other hand, the National Express Group gave up its V/Line Passenger franchise in 2002, but the latter is slated to be re-privatised after the Regional Fast Rail project project has been completed in 2006. V/Line is the name of the regional train and coach service in Victoria, Australia. ... Metlink is the marketing name of the public transport network of Melbourne, Australia. ... Melbourne, capital city of the State of Victoria, Australia, has a long history of railway development. ... NR Locomotive Pacific National is one of Australias largest private rail freight businesses. ... The Australian Rail Track Corporation is a federal government owned corporation established in 1997 that owns, leases, maintains and control the majority of main line standard gauge railway lines on the mainland of Australia. ... Connex Melbournes Logo Connex Melbourne is wholly-owned by Connex Australia[1], a subsidiary of the International Connex Group. ... Melbournes Yarra River is popular area for walking, jogging, cycling and relaxing on the banks with a picnic Melbourne (pronounced either or [1]) is the second most populous city in Australia with a metropolitan area population of approximately 3. ... National Express Group plc is a UK based transport group, operating airport, bus and rail services in the UK, the US, Canada and Australia. ... The Regional Fast Rail project is a government initiative in Victoria, Australia, which aims to decrease travel times on parts of the Victorian regional railway network. ...

See also

• Rail transport in Victoria
• Railways in Melbourne
• V/Line
• List of Melbourne railway stations
• List of regional railway stations in Victoria