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This article is about the V/Line service. For the physical railway itself, see North East railway line.
Not to be confused with the Victorian standard gauge line to Sydney, known as the North East standard gauge railway line.

Albury
Railways in Victoria
3VS93 and 3VS94 at Albury in December 2021
Overview
Service typeRegional rail
SystemVictorian railway network
StatusOperational
LocaleVictoria, Australia
Predecessor
^ broad gauge
First service18 April 1872; 152 years ago (1872-04-18)
Current operator(s)V/Line
Former operator(s)
WebsiteV/Line Seymour on Twitter
Route
TerminiSouthern Cross
Albury
Stops12
Distance travelled315.935 km (196.313 mi)
Service frequencyThree services daily each direction
Line(s) usedSouth Kensington–West Footscray, Albion–Jacana, Albury
On-board services
Class(es)Economy
Disabled accessYes
Catering facilitiesYes
Baggage facilitiesYes
Technical
Rolling stockVLocity
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)
Track owner(s)VicTrack

The Albury line is a regional passenger rail service operated by V/Line in Victoria, Australia. It serves passengers between the state capital of Melbourne and the regional cities of Benalla, Wangaratta, Wodonga, and the NSW border city of Albury.

History

19th century

20th century

21st century

N464 at Seymour leading the last regular locomotive-hauled service from Albury on 30 July 2022.

After February 2008, train services on the line terminated at Wangaratta station, with road coaches operating from Wangaratta to Albury. This was due to the deteriorating track conditions between Seymour and Albury which were resulting in train speeds being reduced from 115 to 80 km/h (71 to 50 mph),[1] and trains not being able to make the return journey in the timetabled period.

On 30 May 2008, the then Premier of Victoria John Brumby announced the broad gauge track between Seymour and Albury would be converted to standard gauge, with the project to be combined with the Wodonga Rail Bypass away from the Wodonga CBD. Three V/Line passenger locomotives and 15 passenger carriages were also to be converted to standard gauge to operate the service.[2] Although the project was planned for completion by 2010,[3] it was not finished until the end of June 2011.

While the gauge conversion program was being carried out between 2008 and 2011, all Albury services operated as road coaches north of Seymour, connecting with trains operating between Seymour and Melbourne. 68 seats on the NSW TrainLink Melbourne-Sydney XPT service were also made available at V/Line ticket prices.[4]

Rail services on standard gauge commenced on 26 June 2011 with one service each way each day between Albury and Melbourne. A second daily train service was added from 31 October, with a third daily service commencing operations 22 April 2012, marking the end of road coach replacements on the line.[5] However, serious problems soon emerged with the condition of the standard gauge track north of Seymour, meaning that the new service became very unreliable due to speed restrictions, and trains were regularly replaced by buses.[6][7]

VLocity DMUs began running on the line on 30 December 2021.[8] The final scheduled locomotive-hauled service on the Albury line ran on 30 July 2022, and was led by V/Lines N class locomotive N464.[9]

Regional Rail Revival

Completed in December 2020, the North East Line Upgrade (part of the Regional Rail Revival Program) brought modern VLocity trains to the Albury line.[10] The program was unveiled across two dates in mid 2018, with a series of upgrades announced to the line, alongside all other regional rail lines in Victoria.[11][12] Upgrades were delivered by different parties, including:[13][14][15]

  • The Australian Rail Track Corporation, which completed:
    • Track resurfacing
    • New ballast
    • New underground wires
    • Drainage improvements
    • Rail bridge upgrades
    • Mud-hole removal
    • Upgrades to 20 more rail bridges
    • The renewal of track turnouts at Violet Town and Seymour
  • Rail Projects Victoria, which completed:
    • A number of level crossing closures and upgrades
    • Modifications to train stabling at South Dynon
    • Upgrades to train stabling and accessibility at Albury station
    • An upgrade to Donnybrook station with:
      • 150 new car parking spaces
      • New platform shelters
      • Improved pedestrian access
      • Improved security with addition CCTV and new platform lighting
      • An extension of the city-bound platform
    • An upgrade to Wallan station with:
      • An extension of the existing waiting room
      • New toilets in the waiting room
      • New platform shelters
      • Two new bus bays with shelters
      • Improved security with addition CCTV and new platform lighting
      • Additional bicycle parking
      • An extension of the city-bound platform

The project was declared fully complete in December 2020 following the opening of the new stations and the conclusion of the final upgrade works. Upon opening, the Albury line received new long distance VLocity DMUs which replaced existing locomotive hauled train sets. VLocity's began running on the line on 30 December 2021. The final scheduled locomotive-hauled service on the Albury line ran on 30 July 2022, and was led by N class locomotive N464.[9][8]

Network and operations

Services

V/Line operates daily passenger trains on the Albury line from Southern Cross station in Melbourne. Services as far as Seymour station are operated as the Seymour line. Services run by Metro Trains Melbourne also operate as far as Craigieburn station as the Craigieburn line.

Stopping patterns

On-board amenities

The Albury service is classified by V/Line as a long-distance service, subsequently adding additional amenities to the service. Standard on all V/Line services, toilets and luggage racks are available in addition to other amenities.[16] Each individual carriage accommodates 74 seats in a 2+2 configuration, with each train set having two passenger cars and a cafe car.[17] Cafe facilities are also available on-board all Albury services, serving a range of pre-made warm goods, pre-packaged sandwiches and snacks, as well as drinks.[18] Unlike locomotive hauled services, first class isn't available on-board. Despite the lack of first class, quiet carriages are available.[18]

Operators

Prior to V/Line taking back operation of the Albury service from National Express in 2002, there had been 5 previous operators.[19] The majority of operations on the line have been government run, with these operators including the Victorian Railways, the State Transport Authority, and the Public Transport Corporation.[20]

Operator Assumed operations Ceased operations Length of operations
Victorian Railways 18 April 1872 30 June 1983 111 years
State Transport Authority (V/Line) 1 July 1983 30 June 1989 5 years
Public Transport Corporation (V/Line) 1 July 1989 1995 6 years
Public Transport Corporation (V/Line Passenger) 1995 30 June 1998 31 months
V/Line Passenger 1 July 1998 29 August 1999 13 months
National Express (as V/Line Passenger) 29 August 1999 22 December 2002 3 years
V/Line Passenger 22 December 2002 1 July 2010 7 years
V/Line 1 July 2010 incumbent 14 years (ongoing)

Route

Main articles: North East railway line (pre 2009) and North East standard gauge railway line (post 2009)
Map
Interactive map of the Albury service in north eastern Victoria.

Stations

The line serves 12 stations across 304.9 kilometres (189.5 mi) of track. All stations are at ground level, with one station—Albury station—located in the neighbouring state of New South Wales.

Station Accessibility Opened Terrain Train connections Other connections
Southern Cross Yes—step free access 1859[21] Ground level
27 connections
 Trams Buses Coaches SkyBus
Broadmeadows 1873[21]
4 connections
 Buses
Seymour 1872[21]
3 connections
 Buses Coaches
Avenel No—steep ramp
Euroa Yes—step free access 1873[21] Buses Coaches
Violet Town
Benalla
1 connection
 Buses Coaches
Wangaratta No—steep ramp
Springhurst Coaches
Chiltern
Wodonga Yes—step free access
Albury No—steep ramp 1883[21]
1 connection
 Coaches NSW buses NSW buses
Station histories
Station Opened Closed Age Notes
Flagstaff 27 May 1985 39 years
Melbourne Central 26 January 1981 43 years
  • Formerly Museum
Parliament 22 January 1983 41 years
Flinders Street 12 September 1854 170 years
  • Formerly Melbourne Terminus
Southern Cross 17 January 1859 165 years
  • Formerly Batman's Hill
  • Formerly Spencer Street
North Melbourne 6 October 1859 165 years
Kensington 1 November 1860 1 July 1864 3 years
9 October 1871 153 years
Newmarket 1 November 1860 1 July 1864 3 years
9 October 1871 153 years
Ascot Vale 1 November 1860 1 July 1864 3 years
9 October 1871 153 years
Moonee Ponds 1 November 1860 1 July 1864 3 years
9 October 1871 153 years
Essendon 1 November 1860 1 July 1864 3 years
9 October 1871 153 years
Glenbervie 11 September 1922 102 years
Strathmore 28 October 1890 134 years
  • Formerly North Essendon
Pascoe Vale 10 November 1885 139 years
Oak Park 13 August 1956 68 years
Glenroy 24 January 1887 137 years
Jacana 15 February 1959 65 years
Broadmeadows 1 February 1873 151 years
Broadstore Siding 12 October 1942 c. 1980's Approx. 38 years
Coolaroo 6 June 2010 14 years
Roxburgh Park 18 April 1872 24 September 1963 91 years
  • Was originally Somerton
1 October 2007 17 years
  • Reopened as Roxburgh Park
Somerton Yard 30 June 1889 135 years
Craigieburn 18 April 1872 152 years
Donnybrook 14 October 1872 152 years
Beveridge 14 October 1872 2 April 1990 117 years
Wallan 18 April 1872 152 years
Lightwood 1890 24 April 1941 50 years
  • Formerly Merri Merri Siding
  • Formerly Merri
  • Formerly Merri Siding
Heathcote Junction 17 March 1890 134 years
  • Formerly Kilmore Junction
Wandong 11 April 1876 148 years
  • Also known as Morpeth's Siding
Mathieson's Siding 12 August 1885 ?
  • Was originally Wandong Ballast Pits Siding
2 July 1888 26 February 1924 35 years
  • Reopened as Mathieson's Siding
Kilmore East 18 April 1872 152 years
  • Formerly Kilmore
Kilmore East Quarry Siding 13 September 1976 48 years
Broadford 18 April 1872 152 years
McDougall's Siding 26 March 1890 13 January 1987 96 years
  • Formerly McDougall
Lowry's Siding 19 November 1888 c. 31 May 1909 Approx. 20 years
Tallarook 18 April 1872 152 years
Dysart 18 April 1872 20 August 1872 4 months
  • Was originally Schoolhouse Lane
1 June 1889 3 May 1987 97 years
  • Formerly Schoolhouse Lane
  • Also known as Dysart Military Siding
Seymour 26 August 1872 152 years
Gravelside Siding 24 June 1885 c. 6 December 1890 Approx. 5 years
  • Was originally Gravel Pit Sidings
7 August 1894 11 January 1938 43 years
  • Formerly Gravel Pit Sidings
Mangalore 13 January 1880 c. 5 October 1982 Approx. 102 years
Avenel 20 November 1872 152 years
Monea 27 February 1882 13 June 1960 78 years
Locksley 18 October 1882 1 April 1973 90 years
  • Formerly Burnt Creek Wood Siding
  • Formerly Burnt Creek
Longwood 20 November 1872 c. 5 October 1982 Approx. 109 years
Creighton 9 February 1887 1 September 1970 83 years
  • Formerly Synon's Siding
  • Formerly Creighton's Creek
Euroa 20 March 1873 151 years
Balmattum 12 March 1889 24 July 1965 76 years
Violet Town 20 March 1873 151 years
Burkes Hill Siding 25 April 1889 5 February 1892 33 months
13 October 1899 14 July 1902 33 months
Baddaginnie 19 June 1882 7 May 1978 95 years
Hanson's Siding 3 May 1904 c. 3 February 1925 Approx. 20 years
  • Formerly Caelli's Siding
Benalla 18 August 1873 151 years
Winton 9 December 1877 1 May 1971 93 years
Head's Siding 9 September 1907 c. 20 Oct 1942 Approx. 35 years
  • Formerly Head and Green's Siding
Glenrowan 2 November 1874 c. 5 October 1982 Approx. 107 years
Alumatta Siding 17 June 1882 c. 1908 Approx. 26 years
  • Was originally Wangaratta Meat Siding
16 April 1943 16 August 1989 46 years
  • Reopened as Alumatta Siding
Wangaratta 28 October 1873 151 years
Bowser 2 February 1891 1 October 1972 81 years
  • Formerly Beechworth Junction
Springhurst 29 November 1873 150 years
  • Formerly Springs
  • Also known as Bontherambo or Naringa
Barambogie Ballast Siding 1874 1876 24 months
  • Was originally Doma Mungi Siding
February 1922 7 April 1933 11 years
  • Reopened as State Rivers & Water Supply Commission's Siding
7 January 1935 14 September 1960 25 years
  • Reopened as Chiltern Valley Siding
Chiltern c. 1873 Approx. 151 years
Barnawartha c. 1873 26 October 1986 Approx. 112 years
Wodonga West ? 1899
Wodonga 21 November 1873 9 November 2008 134 years
25 June 2011 13 years
Wodonga Coal Siding 7 August 1916 1 September 2009 93 years
  • inc. Bogie exchange area
Albury 3 February 1881 143 years

Infrastructure

Rolling stock

Main article: V/Line VLocity

Upon the completion of the Albury line upgrade as part of the Regional Rail Revival project in 2022, long-distance VLocity DMUs were introduced on the service.[22] VLocity trains operate in a three-car configuration (with the ability to be configured up to 6 cars) with two doors per side on each carriage and a seating capacity of 222 seats per three car set in a 2+2 configuration.[23] There are two types of interior layouts: commuter (with seating, toilets, and luggage racks) and long distance (with seating, toilets, a kiosk style cafe, and luggage racks).[24] Unlike existing long distance locomotive hauled trains, first class isn't available on-board the new long distance VLocity trains.[25] Long distance VLocity's are currently in operation on all other long distance lines to some extent, with more progressively being delivered. The trains have been continuously built at Alstom's Dandenong factory in Melbourne's south-east since 2004.[26]

Alongside the passenger trains, Albury line tracks and equipment are maintained by a fleet of engineering trains. The two types of engineering trains are: the shunting train, designed for moving trains along non-electrified corridors and for transporting other maintenance locomotives; and the infrastructure evaluation carriage designed for general infrastructure evaluation including track and electrical infrastructure (if travelling along electrified corridors).[27] Most of these trains are repurposed locomotives previously used by V/Line, Metro Trains, and the Southern Shorthaul Railroad.[27]

Accessibility

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.[28] The majority of stations on the corridor are fully accessible, however, there are some stations that haven't been upgraded to meet these guidelines.[29] These stations do feature ramps, however, they have a gradient greater than 1 in 14.[29] Stations that are fully accessible feature ramps that have a gradient less than 1 in 14, have at-grade paths, or feature lifts.[29] These stations typically also feature tactile boarding indicators, independent boarding ramps, wheelchair accessible myki barriers, hearing loops, and widened paths.[29][30]

Projects improving station accessibility have included the Regional Rail Revival (RRL) program, which involves station rebuilds and upgrades.[31] These works have made significant strides in improving network accessibility, with more than 58% of the stations on the line classed as fully accessible. This number is expected to grow within the coming years as works progress on the RRL.[32]

Signalling

See also

References

  1. ^ "News - New timetable for Melbourne <> Albury services". www.vline.com.au. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 29 March 2008.
  2. ^ "Premier of Victoria, Australia - FEDERAL-STATE CO-OPERATION DELIVERS MAJOR RAIL PROJECT". www.premier.vic.gov.au. Archived from the original on 17 September 2008. Retrieved 30 May 2008.
  3. ^ "Full Steam Ahead". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 30 May 2008. Archived from the original on 12 February 2011. Retrieved 30 May 2008.
  4. ^ "Albury Line / North East rail upgrade works ~ V/Line". www.vline.com.au. Retrieved 24 December 2008.[permanent dead link‍]
  5. ^ Bronwen Wade (26 June 2011). "They're back: V/Line trains return". ABC Goulburn Murray. Archived from the original on 13 November 2012. Retrieved 5 July 2011.
  6. ^ Coughlan, Kate, & Thomas, Di (31 August 2012). "V/Line admits defeat". The Border Mail. Archived from the original on 28 July 2015. Retrieved 5 March 2013.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ Carey, Adam (17 December 2012). "$290m loss on botched rail line". The Age. Archived from the original on 18 February 2013. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
  8. ^ a b "Modern VLocity trains for Albury line passengers". V/Line. Archived from the original on 8 January 2022. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  9. ^ a b Bunn, Anthony (31 July 2022). "There was no hoopla from V/Line but train enthusiasts were keen to savour the moment as the N Class era ended". The Border Mail. Archived from the original on 1 August 2022. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  10. ^ "Faster VLocity Services On The Way For North East Line | Premier of Victoria". www.premier.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
  11. ^ "Station Upgrades For Donnybrook And Wallan | Premier of Victoria". www.premier.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
  12. ^ "Inland Rail and Regional Rail Revival Agreements Reached | Premier of Victoria". www.premier.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
  13. ^ Victoria’s Big Build (5 December 2022). "Donnybrook Station". Victoria’s Big Build. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
  14. ^ Victoria’s Big Build (5 December 2022). "Wallan Station". Victoria’s Big Build. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
  15. ^ Victoria’s Big Build (6 February 2023). "North East Line Upgrade". Victoria’s Big Build. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
  16. ^ "Media Release: NEW LOOK V/LINE FLEET TAKES TO THE TRACKS". www.dpc.vic.gov.au. Archived from the original on 27 July 2011. Retrieved 16 March 2008.
  17. ^ "Media Release: NEW LOOK V/LINE FLEET TAKES TO THE TRACKS". www.dpc.vic.gov.au. Archived from the original on 27 July 2011. Retrieved 16 March 2008.
  18. ^ a b "On board with V/Line". V/Line - Regional public transport for Victoria. Archived from the original on 15 May 2023. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
  19. ^ "Coalition Government plans revealed on the privatisation of V/line Rail Services". Railpage. Retrieved 16 July 2023.
  20. ^ "V/Line Background". vline.com.au. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 27 March 2008.
  21. ^ a b c d e "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.
  22. ^ Victoria’s Big Build (6 February 2023). "Warrnambool Line Upgrade". Victoria’s Big Build. Archived from the original on 14 May 2023. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  23. ^ Wong, Marcus. "New style interior onboard VL00: yellow poles and the same fabric as all of the other refurbished V/Line trains". Wongm's Rail Gallery. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  24. ^ Ford, Jeff (20 June 2018). "Buffets On VLocitys" (PDF). RTBU Express. Rail, Tram and Bus Union Victorian Branch. p. 2. Archived (PDF) from the original on 4 July 2018. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
  25. ^ Department of Transport (23 April 2020). "Design unveiled for new North East VLocity trains". transport.vic.gov.au. Archived from the original on 14 March 2022. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
  26. ^ "Bracks invests". Railway Gazette. 1 April 2000. Archived from the original on 13 January 2018. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  27. ^ a b "NETWORK SERVICE PLAN | Addenda". 1 February 2011. Archived from the original on 7 March 2011.
  28. ^ "Accessibility – Public Transport Ombudsman Victoria". www.ptovic.com.au. Archived from the original on 3 January 2023. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  29. ^ a b c d "Station accessibility features". Metro Trains Melbourne. 2023. Archived from the original on 8 December 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  30. ^ "Accessing public transport". City of Melbourne. n.d. Archived from the original on 6 December 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  31. ^ Victoria’s Big Build (14 December 2022). "Now arriving: Warrnambool's 5th weekday return service". Victoria’s Big Build. Archived from the original on 13 April 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  32. ^ Public Transport Victoria. "Growing Our Rail Network 2018–2025". Public Transport Victoria. Archived from the original on 12 August 2019. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
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