Piangil railway line: Difference between revisions
m convert |
|||
(19 intermediate revisions by 13 users not shown) | |||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Short description|Partially closed railway line in Victoria, Australia}} |
|||
{{Use dmy dates|date= |
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2021}} |
||
{{Use Australian English|date=January 2012}} |
{{Use Australian English|date=January 2012}} |
||
{{Infobox rail line |
{{Infobox rail line |
||
Line 48: | Line 49: | ||
| tracklength = |
| tracklength = |
||
| tracks = 1 |
| tracks = 1 |
||
| gauge = {{Track gauge|1600 mm| |
| gauge = {{Track gauge|1600 mm|lk=on}} |
||
| old_gauge = |
| old_gauge = |
||
| load_gauge = |
| load_gauge = |
||
Line 70: | Line 71: | ||
}} |
}} |
||
The '''Piangil railway line''' is a [[5 ft 3 in gauge railways|5 ft 3 in gauge]] (1600 |
The '''Piangil railway line''' is a [[5 ft 3 in gauge railways|5 ft 3 in gauge]] (1600 mm) railway line in north-western [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]], Australia. It branches off the [[Deniliquin railway line|Deniliquin line]] just north of [[Bendigo railway station|Bendigo]], and runs in a north-westerly direction through [[Pyramid railway station|Pyramid Hill]] and [[Kerang railway station|Kerang]] to the border town of [[Swan Hill railway station|Swan Hill]], then roughly parallels the [[New South Wales]] border to [[Piangil railway station|Piangil]] and [[Yungera, Victoria|Yungera]]. The line is now open only as far as Piangil, and passenger services only operate to Swan Hill. |
||
==History== |
==History== |
||
The line was opened from its junction with the [[Deniliquin railway line|Deniliquin line]], just north of Bendigo, to [[Raywood railway station|Raywood]] in 1882. It was progressively extended to [[Mitiamo railway station|Mitiamo]] in 1883, [[Pyramid railway station|Pyramid]] and [[Kerang railway station|Kerang]] in 1884, and [[Swan Hill railway station|Swan Hill]] in 1890.<ref name="newsrail-line">{{cite magazine |date=March 1990 | title = Tracks Across the State | author = Sid Brown |magazine= Newsrail | publisher = Australian Railway Historical Society (Victorian Division) | pages =71–76 }}</ref> The line from Swan Hill was extended to [[Piangil]] in 1915, [[Kooloonong]] in 1920, and Yungera in 1926. The section from Kooloonong to Yungera was closed in 1957, and from Piangil to Kooloonong in 1981.<ref name="newsrail-line"/> Parts of the former route beyond Piangil, including all of it beyond Kooloonong, are preserved as the Piangil Yungera Railway Bushland Reserve.<ref>{{cite web |title=Piangil |
The line was opened from its junction with the [[Deniliquin railway line|Deniliquin line]], just north of Bendigo, to [[Raywood railway station|Raywood]] in 1882. It was progressively extended to [[Mitiamo railway station|Mitiamo]] in 1883, [[Pyramid railway station|Pyramid]] and [[Kerang railway station|Kerang]] in 1884, and [[Swan Hill railway station|Swan Hill]] in 1890.<ref name="newsrail-line">{{cite magazine |date=March 1990 | title = Tracks Across the State | author = Sid Brown |magazine= Newsrail | publisher = Australian Railway Historical Society (Victorian Division) | pages =71–76 }}</ref> The line from Swan Hill was extended to [[Piangil]] in 1915, [[Kooloonong]] in 1920, and Yungera in 1926. The section from Kooloonong to Yungera was closed in 1957, and from Piangil to Kooloonong in 1981.<ref name="newsrail-line"/> Parts of the former route beyond Piangil, including all of it beyond Kooloonong, are preserved as the Piangil Yungera Railway Bushland Reserve.<ref>{{cite web |title=Piangil – Yungera Railway B.R. |url=https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/parks/piangil---yungera-railway-b,-d-,r,-d-, |publisher=Parks Victoria |access-date=2020-03-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.veac.vic.gov.au/submissions/published/8742-SA_Subs_NOI_0016_Mid_Murray_Field_Naturalists_Inc..pdf |title=Submission to VEAC State Wide Assessment of Public Land |first=Neil |last=Macfarlane |date=18 June 2015 |publisher=Mid-Murray Field Naturalists Inc. |access-date=1 January 2017 |archive-date=13 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313043710/http://www.veac.vic.gov.au/submissions/published/8742-SA_Subs_NOI_0016_Mid_Murray_Field_Naturalists_Inc..pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> |
||
[[File:Kerang yard silos crane.jpg|thumb|left|Silos and goods crane at [[Kerang railway station|Kerang]]]] |
[[File:Kerang yard silos crane.jpg|thumb|left|Silos and goods crane at [[Kerang railway station|Kerang]]]] |
||
The [[Kerang-Koondrook Tramway|Koondrook branch line]], built and operated by the [[Shire of Kerang]], was opened in 1886. It was acquired by the Victorian Railways in 1952 and closed in 1981. Under the [[1922 Border Railways Act]], a branch opened from Kerang to [[Murrabit]] in 1924, which was extended across the [[New South Wales]] border at the [[Murray River]] to [[Stony Crossing, New South Wales|Stony Crossing]] in 1928. Passenger services on the section beyond Murrabit had ended by 1932, and all services were suspended in 1943. Passenger services to Murrabit had ceased by the end of 1941, and the line to Murrabit closed in 1961.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Hennell|first1=David|title=Poonboon|url=http://cdn.timetable.org.au/thetimes200212issue.pdf|website=The Times online|publisher=Australian Timetable Association Inc.| |
The [[Kerang-Koondrook Tramway|Koondrook branch line]], built and operated by the [[Shire of Kerang]], was opened in 1886. It was acquired by the Victorian Railways in 1952 and closed in 1981. Under the [[1922 Border Railways Act]], a branch opened from Kerang to [[Murrabit]] in 1924, which was extended across the [[New South Wales]] border at the [[Murray River]] to [[Stony Crossing, New South Wales|Stony Crossing]] in 1928. Passenger services on the section beyond Murrabit had ended by 1932, and all services were suspended in 1943. Passenger services to Murrabit had ceased by the end of 1941, and the line to Murrabit closed in 1961.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Hennell|first1=David|title=Poonboon|url=http://cdn.timetable.org.au/thetimes200212issue.pdf|website=The Times online|publisher=Australian Timetable Association Inc.|access-date=2016-02-26|archive-date=28 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200328013706/http://cdn.timetable.org.au/thetimes200212issue.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> |
||
[[File:Swan hill line 330km.jpg|thumb|left|Silos and loop siding at [[Lake Boga railway station|Lake Boga]]]] |
[[File:Swan hill line 330km.jpg|thumb|left|Silos and loop siding at [[Lake Boga railway station|Lake Boga]]]] |
||
The last passenger service from Swan Hill to Woorinen, a service for school children that was paid for by the Victorian Education Department and run by a [[ |
The last passenger service from Swan Hill to Woorinen, a service for school children that was paid for by the Victorian Education Department and run by a {{cvt|102|hp|kW}} [[Walker railmotor]], was withdrawn on 17 December 1976. The last passenger service from Swan Hill to Piangil ran on 24 December 1976, again using a 102 hp Walker. Both services were replaced by coaches.<ref name="nrs">{{cite magazine|date=March 1997|title=Rail passenger service withdrawals since 1960|author=Chris Banger|magazine=Newsrail|publisher=Australian Railway Historical Society (Victorian Division)|pages=77–82}}</ref> |
||
==Proposed upgrade and extension== |
==Proposed upgrade and extension== |
||
[[File:Pyramid silos goods shed yard.jpg|thumb|left|Silos and goods shed at [[Pyramid railway station|Pyramid]]]] |
[[File:Pyramid silos goods shed yard.jpg|thumb|left|Silos and goods shed at [[Pyramid railway station|Pyramid]]]] |
||
In April 2008, it was announced that the Swan Hill – Piangil section of the track, along with six other lines, would be upgraded under a $23.7 million package of improvements to the Victorian core grain network.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://business.theage.com.au/43m-to-upgrade-rail-freight-lines/20080421-27nl.html|archive-url=https://archive. |
In April 2008, it was announced that the Swan Hill – Piangil section of the track, along with six other lines, would be upgraded under a $23.7 million package of improvements to the Victorian core grain network.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://business.theage.com.au/43m-to-upgrade-rail-freight-lines/20080421-27nl.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121206023611/http://business.theage.com.au/43m-to-upgrade-rail-freight-lines/20080421-27nl.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-12-06|title=$43m to upgrade rail freight lines|publisher=business.theage.com.au|access-date=2008-04-27}}</ref> |
||
In October 2010, the Victorian government released a report into public transport options for the north-west of Victoria, which analysed nine proposals for improving services to the city of [[Mildura]]. One alternative investigated was an extension of the railway from Swan Hill to connect to the [[Mildura railway line]] at [[Ouyen]].<ref> |
In October 2010, the Victorian government released a report into public transport options for the north-west of Victoria, which analysed nine proposals for improving services to the city of [[Mildura]]. One alternative investigated was an extension of the railway from Swan Hill to connect to the [[Mildura railway line]] at [[Ouyen]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/component/content/article/12274.html |title=Victorian Government press release – "NORTH WEST PUBLIC TRANSPORT REVIEW REPORT RELEASED", 13 October 2010 |access-date=1 November 2010 |archive-date=21 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101021004009/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/component/content/article/12274.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://transport.vic.gov.au/DOI/Internet/transport.nsf/AllDocs/AB4C036AA57FC455CA2571FA008328EE?OpenDocument |title=North West Public Transport Review |access-date=1 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101021004724/http://transport.vic.gov.au/DOI/Internet/transport.nsf/AllDocs/AB4C036AA57FC455CA2571FA008328EE?OpenDocument |archive-date=21 October 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |
||
As part of the [[Regional Rail Revival]] |
As part of the [[Regional Rail Revival]] program, a new station at [[Raywood railway station|Raywood]] opened on 17 July 2022, replacing the old station {{convert|100|m|yd}} down the track.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nakos |first1=Nicholas |title=Three new train station concept maps released for Huntly, Goornong and Raywood |url=https://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/story/6857575/huntly-station-build-brought-forward-a-year/ |work=Bendigo Advertiser |publisher=Australian Community Media |date=31 July 2020 |access-date=20 August 2020 |archive-date=2 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802195434/https://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/story/6857575/huntly-station-build-brought-forward-a-year/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Huntly Station construction fast-tracked |url=https://transport.vic.gov.au/about/transport-news/news-archive/huntly-station-construction-fast-tracked |work=Department of Transport (Victoria) |access-date=20 August 2020 |archive-date=23 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923061728/https://transport.vic.gov.au/about/transport-news/news-archive/huntly-station-construction-fast-tracked |url-status=live }}</ref> |
||
==Passenger services== |
==Passenger services== |
||
Some [[Bendigo V/Line rail service|Bendigo]] [[V/Line]] passenger trains extend their services to [[Eaglehawk railway station|Eaglehawk]] on weekdays. Dedicated Swan Hill passenger services serve the remainder of the operating stations on the line |
Some [[Bendigo V/Line rail service|Bendigo]] [[V/Line]] passenger trains extend their services to [[Eaglehawk railway station|Eaglehawk]] on weekdays. Dedicated Swan Hill passenger services serve the remainder of the operating stations on the line and Eaglehawk. |
||
===Swan Hill services=== |
===Swan Hill services=== |
||
Line 104: | Line 105: | ||
| type = [[Regional rail]] |
| type = [[Regional rail]] |
||
| status = Operational |
| status = Operational |
||
| locale = [[Victoria |
| locale = [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]], [[Australia]] |
||
| predecessor = |
| predecessor = |
||
| first = <!-- {{Start date and age|yyyy|mm|dd|df=y}} --> |
| first = <!-- {{Start date and age|yyyy|mm|dd|df=y}} --> |
||
Line 124: | Line 125: | ||
| class = First and economy |
| class = First and economy |
||
| access = No |
| access = No |
||
| seating = |
| seating =Yes |
||
| sleeping = |
| sleeping = |
||
| autorack = |
| autorack = |
||
Line 135: | Line 136: | ||
| gauge = {{Track gauge|1600 mm}} |
| gauge = {{Track gauge|1600 mm}} |
||
| el = None |
| el = None |
||
| speed = |
| speed =65km/h at North Bendigo Junction - Eaglehawk |
||
80km/h at North Bendigo Junction - Bendigo and From (Swan Hill) Bryan Street PCR to Swan Hill Station |
|||
90km/h from Victoria Street PCR (Kerang) to Bryan Street PCR (Swan Hill) |
|||
100km/h from Eaglehawk to Wellington Street PCR (Kerang) |
|||
| owners = [[VicTrack]] |
| owners = [[VicTrack]] |
||
| routenumber = |
| routenumber = |
||
Line 148: | Line 155: | ||
==Incidents== |
==Incidents== |
||
On 5 June 2007, [[2007 Kerang train crash|a fatal crash]] occurred when a [[semi-trailer]] ran into a train at a [[level crossing]] near Kerang. Eleven people died, all of whom were passengers on the train. |
On 5 June 2007, [[2007 Kerang train crash|a fatal crash]] occurred when a [[semi-trailer]] ran into a train at a [[level crossing]] near Kerang. Eleven people died, all of whom were passengers on the train.{{cn|date=September 2023}} |
||
==References== |
==References== |
||
Line 158: | Line 165: | ||
*[http://www.vicsig.net/index.php?page=infrastructure§ion=lineguide&line=Bendigo Statistics and detailed schematic map] at the [http://www.vicsig.net/ vicsig] enthusiast website |
*[http://www.vicsig.net/index.php?page=infrastructure§ion=lineguide&line=Bendigo Statistics and detailed schematic map] at the [http://www.vicsig.net/ vicsig] enthusiast website |
||
{{Victorian Railway Lines| |
{{Victorian Railway Lines|mainlines}} |
||
{{Regional Victoria public transport}} |
|||
[[Category:Railway lines in Victoria ( |
[[Category:Railway lines in Victoria (state)]] |
||
[[Category:Railway lines opened in 1882]] |
[[Category:Railway lines opened in 1882]] |
||
[[Category:V/Line rail services]] |
[[Category:V/Line rail services]] |
Latest revision as of 19:19, 14 January 2024
Piangil | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
The line near Pyramid station | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Overview | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other name(s) |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Status | Operational between Piangil and Bendigo, closed beyond Piangil. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Owner | VicTrack | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Locale | Victoria, Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Termini | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Service | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Type | Heavy rail | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Services |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operator(s) | Passenger: V/Line Freight: Pacific National | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
History | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Completed | 1926 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Technical | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Line length | 225.2 km (139.9 mi) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of tracks | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Track gauge | 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Electrification | None | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
The Piangil railway line is a 5 ft 3 in gauge (1600 mm) railway line in north-western Victoria, Australia. It branches off the Deniliquin line just north of Bendigo, and runs in a north-westerly direction through Pyramid Hill and Kerang to the border town of Swan Hill, then roughly parallels the New South Wales border to Piangil and Yungera. The line is now open only as far as Piangil, and passenger services only operate to Swan Hill.
History
[edit]The line was opened from its junction with the Deniliquin line, just north of Bendigo, to Raywood in 1882. It was progressively extended to Mitiamo in 1883, Pyramid and Kerang in 1884, and Swan Hill in 1890.[1] The line from Swan Hill was extended to Piangil in 1915, Kooloonong in 1920, and Yungera in 1926. The section from Kooloonong to Yungera was closed in 1957, and from Piangil to Kooloonong in 1981.[1] Parts of the former route beyond Piangil, including all of it beyond Kooloonong, are preserved as the Piangil Yungera Railway Bushland Reserve.[2][3]
The Koondrook branch line, built and operated by the Shire of Kerang, was opened in 1886. It was acquired by the Victorian Railways in 1952 and closed in 1981. Under the 1922 Border Railways Act, a branch opened from Kerang to Murrabit in 1924, which was extended across the New South Wales border at the Murray River to Stony Crossing in 1928. Passenger services on the section beyond Murrabit had ended by 1932, and all services were suspended in 1943. Passenger services to Murrabit had ceased by the end of 1941, and the line to Murrabit closed in 1961.[4]
The last passenger service from Swan Hill to Woorinen, a service for school children that was paid for by the Victorian Education Department and run by a 102 hp (76 kW) Walker railmotor, was withdrawn on 17 December 1976. The last passenger service from Swan Hill to Piangil ran on 24 December 1976, again using a 102 hp Walker. Both services were replaced by coaches.[5]
Proposed upgrade and extension
[edit]In April 2008, it was announced that the Swan Hill – Piangil section of the track, along with six other lines, would be upgraded under a $23.7 million package of improvements to the Victorian core grain network.[6]
In October 2010, the Victorian government released a report into public transport options for the north-west of Victoria, which analysed nine proposals for improving services to the city of Mildura. One alternative investigated was an extension of the railway from Swan Hill to connect to the Mildura railway line at Ouyen.[7][8]
As part of the Regional Rail Revival program, a new station at Raywood opened on 17 July 2022, replacing the old station 100 metres (110 yd) down the track.[9][10]
Passenger services
[edit]Some Bendigo V/Line passenger trains extend their services to Eaglehawk on weekdays. Dedicated Swan Hill passenger services serve the remainder of the operating stations on the line and Eaglehawk.
Swan Hill services
[edit]Overview | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Service type | Regional rail | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Status | Operational | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Locale | Victoria, Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Current operator(s) | V/Line | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Route | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Termini | Swan Hill Southern Cross | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stops | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Distance travelled | 347.3 km (215.8 mi) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Average journey time | 4 hours 40 minutes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Service frequency | 2 return services daily | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Line(s) used | Piangil | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
On-board services | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class(es) | First and economy | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Disabled access | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Seating arrangements | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Catering facilities | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Technical | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rolling stock | N set | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Track gauge | 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Electrification | None | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating speed | 65km/h at North Bendigo Junction - Eaglehawk
80km/h at North Bendigo Junction - Bendigo and From (Swan Hill) Bryan Street PCR to Swan Hill Station 90km/h from Victoria Street PCR (Kerang) to Bryan Street PCR (Swan Hill) 100km/h from Eaglehawk to Wellington Street PCR (Kerang) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Track owner(s) | VicTrack | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Two services operate daily in each direction between Swan Hill and Southern Cross station in Melbourne. In metropolitan Melbourne, services only stop at Watergardens and Footscray stations, setting down passengers only on services to Southern Cross and picking up passengers only on services to Swan Hill. Outside Melbourne, services do not stop at Macedon, Riddells Creek or Clarkefield. Malmsbury is only served by one weekday service to Swan Hill, and Kangaroo Flat is only served on weekdays. All Swan Hill services stop at all other operating stations, both picking up and setting down passengers.
Incidents
[edit]On 5 June 2007, a fatal crash occurred when a semi-trailer ran into a train at a level crossing near Kerang. Eleven people died, all of whom were passengers on the train.[citation needed]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Sid Brown (March 1990). "Tracks Across the State". Newsrail. Australian Railway Historical Society (Victorian Division). pp. 71–76.
- ^ "Piangil – Yungera Railway B.R." Parks Victoria. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
- ^ Macfarlane, Neil (18 June 2015). "Submission to VEAC State Wide Assessment of Public Land" (PDF). Mid-Murray Field Naturalists Inc. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 March 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
- ^ Hennell, David. "Poonboon" (PDF). The Times online. Australian Timetable Association Inc. Archived (PDF) from the original on 28 March 2020. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
- ^ Chris Banger (March 1997). "Rail passenger service withdrawals since 1960". Newsrail. Australian Railway Historical Society (Victorian Division). pp. 77–82.
- ^ "$43m to upgrade rail freight lines". business.theage.com.au. Archived from the original on 6 December 2012. Retrieved 27 April 2008.
- ^ "Victorian Government press release – "NORTH WEST PUBLIC TRANSPORT REVIEW REPORT RELEASED", 13 October 2010". Archived from the original on 21 October 2010. Retrieved 1 November 2010.
- ^ "North West Public Transport Review". Archived from the original on 21 October 2010. Retrieved 1 November 2010.
- ^ Nakos, Nicholas (31 July 2020). "Three new train station concept maps released for Huntly, Goornong and Raywood". Bendigo Advertiser. Australian Community Media. Archived from the original on 2 August 2020. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
- ^ "Huntly Station construction fast-tracked". Department of Transport (Victoria). Archived from the original on 23 September 2020. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
External links
[edit]- http://www.vline.com.au
- Official map
- Statistics and detailed schematic map at the vicsig enthusiast website