Mernda line

This article is about the Metro Trains Melbourne service. For the physical railway itself, see Whittlesea railway line.

The Mernda line is a commuter railway line on the Melbourne metropolitan railway network serving the city of Melbourne in Victoria, Australia. Operated by Metro Trains Melbourne, the line is coloured red and is one of the two lines that constitute the Clifton Hill group. It is the city's eighth longest metropolitan railway line at 33.1 kilometres (20.6 mi). The line runs from Flinders Street station in central Melbourne to Mernda station in the north, serving 29 stations via Clifton Hill, Reservoir, Epping, and South Morang.^[1]

Mernda
Mernda station, the terminus of the Mernda line, December 2021
Overview
Service type	Commuter rail
System	Melbourne railway network
Status	Operational
Locale	Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Predecessor	Reservoir (1888–1889) Whittlesea (1889–1959) Reservoir ^ (1921–1929) Thomastown ^ (1929–1959) Lalor ^ (1959–1964) Epping ^ (1964–2012) South Morang ^ (2012–2018) ^ were electric services
First service	8 October 1888; 136 years ago (1888-10-08)
Current operator(s)	Metro Trains
Former operator(s)	Victorian Railways (VR) (1888–1974) VR as VicRail (1974–1983) MTA (The Met) (1983–1989) PTC (The Met) (1989–1998) Hillside Trains (1998–2000) Connex Melbourne (2000–2009)
Route
Termini	Flinders Street Mernda
Stops	29 (including City Loop stations)
Distance travelled	33.1 km (20.6 mi)
Average journey time	1 hour 2 minutes (via City Loop)
Service frequency	3–20 minutes weekdays peak 20 minutes weekdays off-peak 20 minutes weekend daytime 30 minutes nights 60 minutes early weekend mornings Double frequency between Flinders Street and Clifton Hill in combination with Hurstbridge line Some services run from Flinders Street to either Reservoir, Epping or South Morang
Line(s) used	Whittlesea
Technical
Rolling stock	X'Trapolis 100
Track gauge	1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in)
Electrification	1500 V DC overhead
Track owner(s)	VicTrack
Route map Legend h:mm km zone 0:03 1.2 Southern Cross ●●●●●●● 1 0:05 1.3 Flagstaff ●●● 0:07 1.9 Melbourne Central 0:09 3.0 Parliament ●●●●●●● 0:00 0.0 Flinders Street ●●●●●●●●●● 0:12 1.7 Jolimont ■■ 0:13 2.4 West Richmond 0:15 2.9 North Richmond ■■ 0:16 3.6 Collingwood 0:18 4.2 Victoria Park 0:21 5.4 Clifton Hill ● 0:23 6.1 Rushall 0:25 6.8 Merri ■■ 0:26 7.7 Northcote ■■ 0:28 8.4 Croxton ■■ 0:30 9.4 Thornbury ■■ 0:32 10.5 Bell 1 0:33 11.2 Preston 1/2 0:35 12.4 Regent 0:37 13.7 Reservoir 1/2 0:39 14.7 Ruthven 2 0:41 16.3 Keon Park 0:44 17.9 Thomastown 0:46 19.6 Lalor 0:49 21.6 Epping 0:53 24.7 South Morang 0:56 26.7 Middle Gorge 0:59 29.5 Hawkstowe 1:02 36.8 Mernda 2 h:mm km zone This diagram: view talk edit

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 7.5 minutes are operated with services every 10–30 minutes during off-peak hours.^[2] Trains on the Mernda line run with two three-car formations of X'Trapolis 100 trainsets.^[3]

Services on the line began in 1889 when the section between North Fitzroy (on the now-closed Inner Circle line) and Reservoir was opened, which was extended to Whittlesea in the same year. The line was closed beyond Lalor in November 1959, while the remainder of the line was electrified. The closed section has since been gradually reconstructed and reopened; to Epping in 1964, South Morang in April 2012, and to Mernda in August 2018.

Since the 2010s, due to the heavily utilised infrastructure of the Mernda line, significant improvements and upgrades have been made. Two major upgrades of the corridor have taken place, with the line from Epping extended to South Morang in April 2012, duplicated between Keon Park and Epping, and extended again to Mernda in August 2018.^[4][5] Other works have included replacing sleepers, upgrading signalling technology, the introduction of new rolling stock, the removal of level crossings, and station accessibility upgrades.^[6]

History

19th century

The early beginning of the Mernda line opened on 8 October 1889, as part of railway extensions into the northern suburbs. What became known as the Inner Circle line was opened from Spencer Street station (now Southern Cross station) via Royal Park station, to a station called Collingwood (now called Victoria Park), and then on to Heidelberg.^[7] The Epping line branched off at Fitzroy North to Preston-Reservoir station (later renamed Reservoir) in 1889, with the line extended to Whittlesea a few months later, on 23 December.^[8]

20th century

A steam train departing Northcote station on an up service to Whittlesea, 1912.

Trains on the line operated via Fitzroy and the Inner Circle, until the opening of the current connection between Victoria Park and Princes Bridge stations in 1901. Passenger services were operated in two tiers: a local train to Preston-Reservoir station via Clifton Hill, and a country-bound mixed train to Whittlesea, via Fitzroy.^[9] The Epping line was electrified to Reservoir in 1921, with an AEC railmotor providing a shuttle service between Reservoir and the terminus at Whittlesea. Preston-Reservoir station was renamed Reservoir in 1909.^[10][11]

The line had a number of Rail Motor Stopping Places along the line, these being a mere nameboard beside the railway line at a public access point. The first were RMSP 8, 9, and 10, which opened on 10 May 1927; followed by Epping Quarries Siding RMSP in January 1928; RMSP 17 in March 1928; RMSP 26 in January 1930; RMSP 33 in July 1932; RMSP 39 in July 1941; and RMSP 77 in October 1949, which was renamed Lalor station in 1952.^[9] Direct trains to Whittlesea from Flinders and Spencer streets were withdrawn from 1948.^[12]

Electrification was extended along 4.4 kilometres (2.7 mi) of single track to Thomastown in 1929, paid for by a land developer, who paid for the works, as well as guaranteeing against operating losses.^[9] Keon Park station was opened at the same time, but the Whittlesea shuttle train continued to connect with suburban trains at Reservoir, until 1931. Goods trains to Whittlesea were withdrawn in 1955, and goods trains from Epping ended in 1958.^[12]

Electric suburban services were extended to Lalor station in November 1959, in addition to the duplication of the line from Reservoir to Keon Park, services beyond this point (to Whittlesea) were replaced by a bus service, subsequently closing the remaining section of the line.^[13][14][15] The line to Epping itself was reopened and electrified in 1964, with the remaining line dismantled in the 1970s.^[12] However, the right-of-way beyond Epping was retained to allow future expansion of the rail corridor.^[16]

21st century

South Morang extension

Epping station was rebuilt as part of the project.

South Morang station opened on 2 April 2012.

Proposals for the duplication of the line between Keon Park and Epping have dated as far back as 1974.^[17] In 1983, Whittlesea Council made a submission to the Victorian Government supporting the duplication of the line.^[18] Following the election of the Bracks Government in 1999, a promise was made to restore the service to South Morang, along the former right-of-way by 2003.^[19] In 2003, a Trainlink bus service was introduced from Epping to South Morang, meeting every train, but the 2005 Meeting Our Transport Challenges plan postponed construction of the railway until 2021.^[19] The restoration of the railway to Mernda was also identified in the Strategic Transportation Study, undertaken by the City of Whittlesea in 2002. In the 2008 State Budget, $10 million was earmarked for planning work on the four-kilometre extension, in addition, to design work for the duplication between Keon Park and Epping stations.^[19]

On 1 May 2009, the State Government announced that they had committed $562.3 million in the 2009 State Budget for the extension of the line to South Morang, covering capital and construction works. Construction would begin the following year in 2010 and was to be completed by 2013.^[4][20] Major construction commenced in October 2010, with works including:^[4][21]

• The duplication of the 5 km (3.1 mi) of existing single track between Keon Park and Epping
• The construction of 3.5 kilometres (2.2 mi) of new double track from Epping to South Morang
• A rebuilt South Morang station with a bus interchange, 450 car parking spaces, and 29 protected bike spaces
• A rebuilt Thomastown station with a second platform and a pedestrian overpass
• Newly built Epping station
• The upgrade and expansion of the Epping train maintenance facility
• The construction of a new shared use path between Epping and South Morang

The double track between Keon Park and Epping was commissioned on 28 November 2011. A shared use path was opened to the public on 5 February 2012. The three-metre wide path runs the length of the rail extension and provides connections between the existing bicycle network, through to South Morang station. Finally, the extension to South Morang opened on 2 April 2012. No level crossings were built on the new section of the track, with road overpasses provided at Cooper Street, Pindari Avenue, and Civic Drive.^[4]

Mernda extension

The space underneath the rail corridor on the Mernda extension features public open space like playground equipment.

Proposals for an extension to Mernda have dated as far back as 1974.^[17] In 1983, Whittlesea Council made a submission to the Victorian Government to extend the Epping line to South Morang and Mernda.^[18] After many years of extensive community activism, the Andrews government announced in the 2015 State Budget that $9 million was to be allocated to plan the 8-kilometre (5 mi) extension of the line to Mernda, with construction commencing in 2016. The announcement included:^[5]

• The 8-kilometre (5 mi) line to be fully double tracked
• Completely grade separated through a combination of rail bridges and underpasses, with more than 86% of the rail line being built at ground level
• The construction of two new stations (Mernda and Middle Gorge) with an option for an additional one (Hawkstowe) (all three were constructed)^[22]
  • All three stations included bike and car parking as well as bus interchanges
• A new shared use path, connecting to the one constructed at South Morang as part of the South Morang rail extension

Construction began in 2016, with the stations opening six months early on 26 August 2018.^[23][24] Prior to the lines official opening, a community open day was held to promote the new stations to the local residents.^[25]

Future

Level Crossing Removals

The rebuilt platforms at Reservoir station in February 2020. The station was rebuilt to remove the crossing at High Street, Reservoir.

The Level Crossing Removal Project has removed 6 level crossings on the line, completed in stages from 2019 to 2024. In 2019, the level crossing at High Street, Reservoir was removed by building a rail bridge over the road, along with Reservoir station being rebuilt.^[26] In 2022, Bell station and Preston station were both rebuilt with an elevated rail bridge connecting them to remove four crossings, one each at Bell Street, Cramer Street, Murray Road, and Oakover Road.^{[27][28][29][30]} The level crossing at Keon Parade was removed in 2024 by constructing a rail bridge over the road and rebuilding Keon Park station.^[31] The Mernda line has 12 remaining level crossings that are not yet proposed for removal.^[32]

Melbourne Metro 2

Main article: Melbourne Metro 2

The indicative alignment of the Melbourne Metro 2.

The 2012 Network Development Plan identified the need for a new tunnel connecting the Mernda line to the Werribee line and possibly also the Geelong line.^[33] The tunnel would run from Clifton Hill, potentially include a new stop somewhere in the inner north, before connecting with Parkville, Flagstaff, and Southern Cross stations.^[34] 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.^[34] The line would then exit the tunnel and travel further west to connect with the Werribee and Geelong lines.^[34] The Werribee and Williamstown lines would be reconfigured to provide better and simpler service.^[34][35] 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.^[36]

Wollert extension

Highlighted in the 2018 Victorian Rail Plan, a proposal exists for a spur line to be constructed to the suburb of Wollert, at a cost of up to $300 million.^[37] The line would branch off the Mernda line after Lalor station, with new stations at the Pacific Epping shopping centre, and in the suburbs of Epping, Aurora and Wollert.^[38][36] In addition to the new stations, the corridor would be fully grade separated from opening, with the line featuring two tracks, and modern, fully wheelchair accessible stations. In 2017, the State Government announced the acquisition of 6 properties valued at $3.8 million for a future rail corridor.^[39] The $3.8 million was sourced from a 'statewide developers' contribution fund. Since the 2017 acquisitions, there has been little planning developments, with only a small amount of attention given by the local residents, council, and some political parties.^[40]

Network and operations

Services

Services on the Mernda line operate from approximately 5:00 am to around 12:00 am daily.^[41] In general, during peak hours, train frequency is 7–10 minutes in the AM peak on the Mernda line while during non-peak hours the frequency is reduced to 20–30 minutes throughout the entire route.^[2] Frequencies are doubled between Flinders Street and Clifton Hill in conjunction with the Hurstbridge line. On Friday nights and weekends, services run 24 hours a day, with 60-minute frequencies available outside of normal operating hours.^[42]

Train services on the Mernda line are also subjected to maintenance and renewal works, usually on selected Fridays and Saturdays. Shuttle bus services are provided throughout the duration of work for affected commuters.^[43]

Stopping patterns

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
Some services do not operate via the City Loop

• ● – All trains stop
• ◐ – Some services do not stop
• ▲ – Only inbound trains stop
• ▼ – Only outbound trains stop (trains operate clockwise through the city loop all day)
• | – Trains pass and do not stop

Mernda Services[44]
Station	Zone	Local	Ltd Express	Reservoir	Epping	South Morang
◼ Flinders Street	1	●	●	▼	●	▼
◼ Southern Cross		▼	▼	▼	▼	▼
◼ Flagstaff		▼	▼	▼	▼	▼
◼ Melbourne Central		▼	▼	▼	▼	▼
◼ Parliament		▼	▼	▼	▼	▼
◻ Jolimont		●	●	▼	●	▼
◻ West Richmond		●	|	|	▲	▼
◻ North Richmond		●	|	|	▲	▼
◻ Collingwood		●	|	|	▲	▼
◻ Victoria Park		●	●	▼	●	▼
◼ Clifton Hill		●	●	▼	●	▼
◻ Rushall		●	|	|	▲	▼
◻ Merri		●	|	|	▲	▼
◻ Northcote		●	|	|	▲	▼
◻ Croxton		●	|	|	▲	▼
◻ Thornbury		●	|	|	▲	▼
◼ Bell		●	|	|	▲	▼
◼ Preston	1/2	●	●	▼	●	▼
◻ Regent		●	|	|	▲	▼
◼ Reservoir		●	●	▼	●	▼
◻ Ruthven	2	●	|		▲	▼
◻ Keon Park		●	|		▲	▼
◼ Thomastown		●	●		●	▼
◻ Lalor		●	|		▲	▼
◼ Epping		●	●		●	▼
◼ South Morang		●	●			▼
◻ Middle Gorge		●	|
◻ Hawkstowe		●	|
◼ Mernda		●	●

Operators

The Mernda line has had a total of 6 operators since its opening in 1888. The majority of operations throughout its history have been government-run: from its first service in 1888 until the 1999 privatisation of Melbourne's rail network, four different government operators have run the line.^[45] These operators, Victorian Railways, the Metropolitan Transit Authority, the Public Transport Corporation and Hillside Trains have a combined operational length of 111 years. Hillside Trains was privatised in August 1999 and later rebranded Connex Melbourne. Metro Trains Melbourne, the current private operator, then took over the operations in 2009. Both private operators have had a combined operational period of 25 years.^[46]

Past and present operators of the Mernda line:

Operator	Assumed operations	Ceased operations	Length of operations
Victorian Railways	1888	1983	95 years
Metropolitan Transit Authority	1983	1989	6 years
Public Transport Corporation	1989	1998	9 years
Hillside Trains (government operator)	1998	1999	1 years
Connex Melbourne	1999	2009	10 years
Metro Trains Melbourne	2009	incumbent	14 years (ongoing)

Route

For information about about the actual track, see Whittlesea railway line.

v t e Mernda line
Legend
km Multiple lines via North Melbourne City Loop 1.2 Southern Cross ●●●●●●● 2.5 Flagstaff ●●● 3.1 Melbourne Central 4.3 Parliament ●●●●●●● 0.0 Flinders Street ●●●●●●●●●● 0.1 Princes Bridge (closed) Multiple lines via Richmond City Loop 1.7 Jolimont ■■ 2.0 Jolimont Tunnel 2.2 West Richmond Tunnel 2.4 West Richmond 2.9 North Richmond ■■ 3.0 Victoria Street 3.6 Collingwood 4.1 Johnston Street 4.2 Victoria Park 4.5 Eastern Freeway 5.4 Clifton Hill ● 5.6 Heidelberg Road Hurstbridge line to Hurstbridge 5.8 High Street 6.1 Rushall Inner Circle line to Royal Park (dismantled) 6.4 Merri Creek 6.6 Merri Parade 6.8 Merri ■■ 7.7 Northcote ■■ 8.4 Croxton ■■ 9.4 Thornbury ■■ Miller Street (tram only) 10.5 Bell 10.5 Bell Street 11.2 Preston 12.4 Regent 13.7 Reservoir 13.9 High Street 14.7 Ruthven 16.2 Keon Parade 16.3 Keon Park 17.3 Western Ring Road 17.9 Thomastown ~18.9 RMSP 8 (2nd) (demolished) 19.6 Lalor ~20.5 RMSP 8 (1st) (demolished) 21.6 Epping 21.9 Darebin Creek 24.7 South Morang 24.9 McDonalds Road ~24.9 RMSP 39 (demolished) 26.7 Middle Gorge 27.9 Plenty Road ~28.2 RMSP 33 (demolished) 29.5 Hawkstowe ~30.5 RMSP 9 (demolished) 30.7 Mernda 32.0 Bridge Inn Road 32.9 end of Metro area Whittlesea line to Whittlesea (dismantled) km

Interactive map of the Mernda line in northern Melbourne

The Mernda line forms a relatively linear route from the Melbourne central business district to its terminus in Mernda. The route is 33.1 kilometres (20.6 mi) long and is double track the entire way from Flinders Street to its termnius. The only underground section of the Mernda line is in the City Loop, where the service stops at 3 underground stations.^[47] Exiting the city, the Mernda line traverses mainly flat country with few curves and fairly minimal earthworks for most of the line. Despite the otherwise fairly straight line, it does include Melbourne's sharpest railway curve, between Rushall and Merri. This curve originally made up the third side of a triangular junction, connecting the two original branches from the now-closed North Fitzroy station.^[48] Only this third leg of the triangle remains. Some sections of the line has been elevated or lowered into a cutting to eliminate level crossings.^[49] Despite some removals, there are a number of level crossings still present with no current plans to remove them.

The line follows the same alignment as the Hurstbridge line with the two services splitting onto different routes at Clifton Hill. The Mernda line continues on its northern alignment, whereas the Hurstbridge line takes a north-eastern alignment towards its final destination of Hurstbridge station.^[50] Most of the rail line goes through built-up suburbs and some industrial areas, but after Middle Gorge, the line gets into more sporadic suburbs and park lands.^[50] This outer portion of the line is one of Melbourne's main growth corridors, which is rapidly replacing farmland with housing and commercial developments causing a rise in patronage.^[51]

Stations

The line serves 29 stations across 33.1 kilometres (20.6 mi) of track. The stations are a mix of elevated, lowered, underground, and ground-level designs. Underground stations are present only in the City Loop, with the majority of elevated and lowered stations being constructed as part of level crossing removals or line extension projects.^[52] From 2025, Keon Park station will be elevated as part of level crossing removal works.^[31]

Station	Accessibility	Opened	Terrain	Train connections	Other connections
Flinders Street	Yes—step free access[53]	1854[54]	Lowered	16 connections  Alamein line   Belgrave line   Craigieburn line   Cranbourne line   Flemington Racecourse line   Frankston line   Gippsland line   Glen Waverley line   Hurstbridge line   Lilydale line   Pakenham line   Sandringham line   Sunbury line   Upfield line   Werribee line   Williamstown line
Southern Cross		1859[54]	Ground level	27 connections  Alamein line   Albury line   Ararat line   Ballarat line   Belgrave line   Bendigo line   Craigieburn line   Cranbourne line   Echuca line   Flemington Racecourse line   Geelong line   Gippsland line   Glen Waverley line   Hurstbridge line   Lilydale line   Maryborough line   NSW TrainLink Southern   Pakenham line   Seymour line   Shepparton line   Sunbury line   Swan Hill line   The Overland   Upfield line   Warrnambool line   Werribee line   Williamstown line
Flagstaff		1985[54]	Underground	10 connections  Alamein line   Belgrave line   Craigieburn line   Cranbourne line   Glen Waverley line   Hurstbridge line   Lilydale line   Pakenham line   Sunbury line   Upfield line
Melbourne Central		1981[54]
Parliament		1983[54]
Jolimont		1901[54]	Lowered	1 connection  Hurstbridge line
West Richmond			Ground level
North Richmond	No—steep ramp[53]		Elevated
Collingwood
Victoria Park		1888[54]
Clifton Hill			Ground level
Rushall		1927[54]
Merri	Yes—step free access[53]	1889[54]
Northcote
Croxton	No—steep ramp[53]
Thornbury	Yes—step free access[53]
Bell			Elevated
Preston
Regent	No—steep ramp[53]		Ground level
Reservoir	Yes—step free access[53]		Elevated
Ruthven	No—steep ramp[53]	1963[54]	Ground level
Keon Park	Yes—step free access[53]	1929[54]	Elevated
Thomastown		1889[54]	Ground level
Lalor		1949[54]
Epping	Yes—step free access[55][a]	1889[54]	Lowered
South Morang	Yes—step free access[53]	2012[54]
Middle Gorge		2018[54]	Ground level
Hawkstowe			Elevated
Mernda

Station histories

Station	Opened[56]	Closed[56]	Age	Notes[56]
Parliament	22 January 1983 || || data-sort-value=15,270 | 41 years
Melbourne Central	26 January 1981 || || data-sort-value=15,996 | 43 years	Formerly Museum
Flagstaff	27 May 1985 || || data-sort-value=14,414 | 39 years
Southern Cross	17 January 1859 || || data-sort-value=60,565 | 165 years	Formerly Batman's Hill Formerly Spencer Street
Flinders Street	12 September 1854 || || data-sort-value=62,153 | 170 years	Formerly Melbourne Terminus
Princes Bridge	8 February 1859 || 1 October 1866 || data-sort-value=2,792 | 7 years
	2 April 1879 || 30 June 1980 || data-sort-value=36,979 | 101 years
Jolimont	21 October 1901 || || data-sort-value=44,948 | 123 years
West Richmond	21 October 1901 || || data-sort-value=44,948 | 123 years
North Richmond	21 October 1901 || || data-sort-value=44,948 | 123 years
Collingwood	21 October 1901 || || data-sort-value=44,948 | 123 years	Formerly Collingwood Town Hall
Victoria Park	8 May 1888 || || data-sort-value=49,861 | 136 years	Formerly Collingwood
Clifton Hill	8 May 1888 || || data-sort-value=49,861 | 136 years
Rushall	1 January 1927 || || data-sort-value=35,745 | 97 years
Merri	8 October 1889 || || data-sort-value=49,343 | 135 years	Formerly Northcote
Northcote	8 October 1889 || || data-sort-value=49,343 | 135 years	Formerly Middle Northcote
Croxton	8 October 1889 || || data-sort-value=49,343 | 135 years
Thornbury	8 October 1889 || || data-sort-value=49,343 | 135 years
Bell	8 October 1889 || || data-sort-value=49,343 | 135 years	Formerly Preston – Bell Street
Preston	8 October 1889 || || data-sort-value=49,343 | 135 years	Formerly Preston – Murray Road Formerly Murray
Regent	8 October 1889 || || data-sort-value=49,343 | 135 years	Formerly Preston – Regent Street
Reservoir	8 October 1889 || || data-sort-value=49,343 | 135 years	Formerly Preston – Reservoir
Ruthven	5 August 1963 || || data-sort-value=22,380 | 61 years
Keon Park	16 December 1929 || || data-sort-value=34,665 | 94 years	Formerly Keonpark
Thomastown	23 December 1889 || || data-sort-value=49,267 | 134 years
Railmotor Stopping Place No.8 (2nd)	c. 13 March 1928 || 29 November 1959 || data-sort-value=11,583 | Approx. 31 years	Approx. near Mann's Crossing
Lalor	29 September 1947 || 28 November 1959 || data-sort-value=4,443 | 12 years	Formerly Railmotor Stopping Place No.77
	30 November 1959 || || data-sort-value=23,724 | 64 years
Railmotor Stopping Place No.8 (1st)	c. 10 May 1927 || c. 13 March 1928 || data-sort-value=308 | Approx. 10 months	Approx. near Childs Road
Epping	23 December 1889 || 28 November 1959 || data-sort-value=25,541 | 69 years	1st site
	30 November 1964 || 24 November 2011 || data-sort-value=17,160 | 46 years	2nd site
	28 November 2011 || || data-sort-value=4,733 | 12 years	3rd site
Railmotor Stopping Place No.34	12 May 1925 || 29 November 1959 || data-sort-value=12,619 | 34 years	Formerly Epping Quarries Siding
South Morang	22 April 2012 || || data-sort-value=4,587 | 12 years
Railmotor Stopping Place No.39	c. 1 July 1941 || 29 November 1959 || data-sort-value=6,725 | Approx. 18 years	Approx. near McDonald's Road
Middle Gorge	23 December 1889 || 28 November 1959 || data-sort-value=25,541 | 69 years	Was originally South Morang
	26 August 2018 || || data-sort-value=2,270 | 6 years	Known as Marymede during construction Reopened as Middle Gorge
Railmotor Stopping Place No.33	25 July 1932 || 29 November 1959 || data-sort-value=9,988 | 27 years	Approx. near Plenty Road
Hawkstowe	26 August 2018 || || data-sort-value=2,270 | 6 years
Railmotor Stopping Place No.9	c. 10 May 1927 || 29 November 1959 || data-sort-value=11,891 | Approx. 32 years	Approx. near Hawkstowe Parade
Mernda	23 December 1889 || 28 November 1959 || data-sort-value=25,541 | 69 years	Formerly South Yan Yean
	28 June 2018 || || data-sort-value=2,329 | 6 years

Infrastructure

Rolling stock

A X'Trapolis train departing Bell station in July 2023.

The Mernda line uses X'Trapolis 100 electric multiple unit (EMU) trains operating in a two three-car configuration, with three doors per side on each carriage, and can accommodate up to 432 seated passengers in each six-car configuration.^[57] The trains were originally built between 2002 and 2004 as well as between 2009 and 2020 with a total of 212 three-car sets constructed. The trains are shared with 7 other metropolitan train lines and have been in service since 2003.^[57]

Alongside the passenger trains, Mernda 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.^[58] Most of these trains are repurposed locomotives previously used by V/Line, Metro Trains, and the Southern Shorthaul Railroad.^[58]

Accessibility

The recently rebuilt Bell station has assisted in making the line more wheelchair accessible

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.^[59] Just over half of the stations on the corridor are fully accessible, however, some stations haven't been upgraded to meet these guidelines.^[60] These stations do feature ramps, however, they have a gradient greater than 1 in 14.^[60] Stations that are fully accessible feature ramps that have a gradient less than 1 in 14, have at-grade paths, or feature lifts.^[60] These stations typically also feature tactile boarding indicators, independent boarding ramps, wheelchair accessible myki barriers, hearing loops, and widened paths.^[60][61]

Projects improving station accessibility have included the Level Crossing Removal Project, which involves station rebuilds and upgrades, and individual station upgrade projects.^[62][63] These works have made significant strides in improving network accessibility, with more than 67% of Mernda line stations classed as fully accessible. Future station upgrade projects will continue to increase the number of fully accessible stations overtime.

Signalling

The Mernda line uses three-position signalling which is widely used across the Melbourne train network.^[64] Three-position signalling was first introduced on the line in 1921, with the final section of the line converted to the new type of signalling during the extension of the line to Mernda in 2018.^[23]

Notes

1. Other source is incorrect, has had lift since 2011

References

1. "Metro's paper timetables mess". Daniel Bowen. 3 September 2017. Archived from the original on 9 December 2022. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
2. "New timetable train line information – Public Transport Victoria". 1 March 2021. Archived from the original on 1 March 2021. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
3. 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.
4. "STATE BUDGET TO COMMIT $562.3 MILLION FOR SOUTH MORANG RAIL EXTENSION". Media Release: Premier of Victoria, Australia. premier.vic.gov.au. 1 May 2009. Archived from the original on 16 May 2009. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
5. "Mernda Rail Extension Project, Melbourne". Railway Technology. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
6. "Thomastown Railway Station – Doogood Surface Coatings Pty Ltd". doogood.com.au. 13 September 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
7. "COLLINGWOOD LINE AND THE". Age. 17 October 1907. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
8. "THE FITZROY AND WHITTLESEA RAILWAY LINE". Age. 18 October 1887. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
9. Jack McLean (November 1995). "Reservoir – Whittlesea: Signalling and Safeworking". Newsrail. Australian Railway Historical Society (Victorian Division). pp. 333–337.
10. First, Jamie (7 January 2014). "The A-Z story of Melbourne's suburbs". Herald Sun. Archived from the original on 26 December 2022. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
11. "Reservoir". Victorian Places. Archived from the original on 18 March 2023. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
12. "Extracts of 'The Whittlesea Railway' by Robert Aquilina". The Northcote History Group. home.vicnet.net.au. Archived from the original on 6 July 2008. Retrieved 16 June 2008.
13. S.E. Dornan and R.G. Henderson (1979). Electric Railways of Victoria. Australian Electric Traction Society. p. 84. ISBN 0-909459-06-1.
14. "Station & stops".
15. "VR History". victorianrailways.net. Retrieved 6 May 2008.
16. "Railmap – map of the Victorian rail network displaying property information. | VicTrack". www.victrack.com.au. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
17. "Items of Interest". Newsrail. Australian Railway Historical Society. April 1974. p. 86.
18. "General News". Newsrail. Australian Railway Historical Society. April 1983. p. 84.
19. "Rail extension revived, but locals sceptical – National – theage.com.au". The Age. Melbourne. 6 May 2008. Retrieved 6 May 2008.
20. "Vic govt commits $562m to rail extension". The Age. 1 May 2009. Archived from the original on 1 May 2009. Retrieved 1 May 2009.
21. "Locations". Parkiteer. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
22. "Hawkstowe is go: Third train station announced for Mernda rail extension". The Age. 15 November 2016.
23. "Meet Mernda, your new line". Public Transport Victoria. August 2018. Archived from the original on 1 August 2018.
24. "Mernda Rail Extension Opens Today Six Months Early | Premier of Victoria". www.premier.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
25. "Mernda rail extension opens this Sunday". Daniel Bowen. 21 August 2018. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
26. Victoria’s Big Build (21 June 2022). "High Street, Reservoir". Victoria’s Big Build. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
27. Victoria’s Big Build (28 March 2023). "Bell Street, Preston". Victoria’s Big Build. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
28. Victoria’s Big Build (28 March 2023). "Oakover Road, Preston". Victoria’s Big Build. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
29. Victoria’s Big Build (28 March 2023). "Cramer Street, Preston". Victoria’s Big Build. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
30. Victoria’s Big Build (28 March 2023). "Murray Road, Preston". Victoria’s Big Build. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
31. Victoria’s Big Build (24 February 2023). "Keon Parade, Reservoir". Victoria’s Big Build. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
32. "Managing the Level Crossing Removal Program". Victorian Auditor-General's Office. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
33. "Growing Our Rail Network 2018–2025". Public Transport Victoria. Archived from the original on 12 August 2019. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
34. https://www.infrastructurevictoria.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Fact-sheet-Melbourne-Metro-2-preparation.pdf ^{[bare URL PDF]}
35. "Daniel Andrews' secret Victorian rail plan – Network configuration stages – David Davis MP". Retrieved 4 April 2023.
36. "Exclusive: Secret rail blueprint for Melbourne revealed". www.9news.com.au. 16 October 2018. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
37. "liveable-neighbourhoods-wollert-train-line-2019.pdf" (PDF). Archived from the original on 3 April 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
38. Moynihan, Stephen (29 January 2008). "Anger grows over dumped rail extension – National – theage.com.au". The Age. Melbourne. Retrieved 6 May 2008.
39. "Lalor to Epping train line a step closer as State Government buys properties". The Herald Sun. 7 December 2017.
40. Russell, Jackson (26 August 2020). "New plan to transform the Melbourne's north". The North Central Review. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
41. "Mernda Line". Public Transport Victoria. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
42. "Melbourne Weekend Night Network Train Map" (PDF). 2022. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 January 2023. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
43. "Where do train replacement buses come from?". ABC News. 15 November 2016. Archived from the original on 14 December 2022. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
44. "Mernda Line". Public Transport Victoria. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
45. "Melbourne's Rail Network to be Split" Railway Digest November 1997 page 12
46. 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.
47. "Guide to navigating the City Loop | Public Transport Users Association (Victoria, Australia)". Archived from the original on 12 December 2022. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
48. Victorian Railways signal diagram: "North Fitzroy to Merri". victorianrailways.net. Retrieved 16 June 2008.
49. Wong, Marcus (10 May 2021). "Level crossing removals in 1920s Melbourne". Waking up in Geelong. Archived from the original on 12 December 2022. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
50. 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.
51. Hui, Jin (2 December 2020). "Big train gain: Pakenham line extended". Pakenham Gazette. Archived from the original on 12 December 2022. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
52. 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.
53. "Access Guide". www.metrotrains.com.au. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
54. "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.
55. "Epping Station". Public Transport Victoria. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
56. Anderson, Rick (2010). Stopping All Stations. Clunes, Victoria: Full Parallel Productions. ISBN 978-0646543635. OCLC 671303814.
57. "Train-Franchise-Agreement-Vol-2-of-2" (PDF). 1 March 2014. Archived from the original on 1 March 2014. Retrieved 17 February 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
58. "NETWORK SERVICE PLAN | Addenda". 1 February 2011. Archived from the original on 7 March 2011.
59. "Accessibility – Public Transport Ombudsman Victoria". www.ptovic.com.au. Archived from the original on 3 January 2023. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
60. "Station accessibility features". Metro Trains Melbourne. 2023. Archived from the original on 8 December 2022. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
61. "Accessing public transport". City of Melbourne. n.d. Archived from the original on 6 December 2022. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
62. "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.
63. Victoria’s Big Build (17 October 2022). "Urban design framework". Victoria’s Big Build. Archived from the original on 3 January 2023. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
64. "Metro Tunnel Project's hi-tech trial". Hearld Sun.

Further reading

• Robert Aquilina (1999). The Whittlesea Railway – A brief history of the Fitzroy and Whittlesea railway 1889–1959 including current day operations. Self published.

External links

• Mernda line timetable
• Network map
• Media related to Mernda railway line at Wikimedia Commons