The Warrnambool line is a long-distance regional rail service in Victoria, Australia. Operated by V/Line, it is the state's fourth longest railway line at 267.3 kilometres (166.1 mi). The line runs from Southern Cross station in central Melbourne to Warrnambool station in the south-west, serving 21 stations via Wyndham Vale, Geelong, Waurn Ponds, and Colac.[1] The line has five return services each weekday and four return services on weekends. Trains on the Warrnambool service run with three- to five-car N-type carriage sets, which are hauled by N class locomotives, and three-car Vlocity units.[2][3]
The service was taken over by V/Line after the closure of West Coast Railway in 2004. The track that the service operates on was originally built to connect Melbourne with the rural towns of Geelong, Colac, Warrnambool, and Port Fairy, amongst others. Sections of the Port Fairy line opened as early as 1857, with the line fully extended to Warrnambool in February 1890. A section of the line between Warrnambool and Port Fairy was closed in 1977 due to limited demand.[4] Today V/Line only operates as far as Warrnambool.
The line to Geelong was originally built by the Geelong and Melbourne Railway Company and opened on 25 June 1857, with the line being sold to the Victorian Railways in 1860.[8] The line was designed by English engineer Edward Snell, and built as a single track. The line was later extended south-west, to Winchelsea in 1876, Colac in 1877, Camperdown in 1883, Terang in 1877, and finally Warrnambool, Dennington, and Port Fairy in 1890. The line is now closed beyond Warrnambool, with the last train leaving Port Fairy in September 1977.[9][4]
In the early 20th century, a similar service named "The Flyer" was introduced as an extension of the Geelong Flier to Port Fairy. The service shaved 90 minutes off the whole journey, compared with the schedule of its predecessors. This service was operated by the longer-distance E-class carriages and lasted until about 1967.
Whilst the track beyond Waurn Ponds station is mostly single with some passing loops, many duplication projects have occurred along the Geelong section of the line. The section from North Geelong to Geelong was duplicated late April 1922.[10] 37 years later in 1959, the section of track from Corio to North Geelong was duplicated. In 1979 the track from Werribee to Little River was duplicated and the sections from Little River to Lara and Lara to Corio in 1981.[11] The Regional Rail Revival project will duplicate the track from South Geelong to Waurn Ponds in late 2024.[12]
In September 1977, the line beyond Warrnambool was closed, with the final service to Port Fairy being hauled by a Victorian Railways B75 locomotive on 12 September.[9][4]
In the 1980s the Victorian Railways decided to give names to its flagship services, to follow on from the previously named "Vinelander" & "Gippslander", and "The Westcoaster" was born. It had buffet facilities on board and shaved minutes off the journey time
West Coast Railway was formed in 1993 when the Kennettgovernment privatised long-distance country rail services previously run by the government-owned operator V/Line to private operators. Bids were lodged in February 1993 with West Coast Railway being announced as the successful tender on 30 April of the same year.[13] The initial franchise was for eight years with operations commencing on 19 September 1993.[14] The service continued using the name "The Westcoaster" until services were returned to V/Line operation and the name fell into disuse.
In August 2001, Connex purchased a 50% shareholding of West Coast Railway.[15][16] In 2003, Connex sold its shareholding to Australian Public Trustees.[17] West Coast Railway continued to operate the line until 2004 when the contract was handed back the government with V/Line resuming operation of the line.
Sherwood Park station was one of 2 new stations to open in the early 2000s
From 29 January 2017, V/Line started running a fourth service return service on weekdays with Sunday road coach services being replaced by trains. This meant that three Sunday train services ran in both directions instead of two.[20] Following the timetable change in late August 2017, weekday Warrnambool trains no longer serve Wyndham Vale or Tarneit stations. In December 2018, due to a lack of available rolling stock, H carriages were used on the line past Geelong for the first time.[21] H carriages are no longer used on the Warrnambool service.
From 31 March 2023, the cost of V/Line rail tickets were capped to the same fare as metropolitan services, with daily fares being capped at $9.20 or $4.60 for concession.[22][23][24] These changes are expected to bring a large rise in patronage, with fears of overcrowding on V/Line services.[25][26]
Due to an increase in congestion on the Werribee line where Metro and V/Line services have to share tracks, a proposal was created to construct a separate line for regional trains called the "Tarneit Link". The project was expanded and re-branded as the Regional Rail Link when announced as part of the Brumby Government'sVictorian Transport Plan in December 2008.[5] The project was revised to separating all regional trains between Southern Cross and Geelong, Ballarat, and Bendigo, from suburban rail movements, with the proposed route beginning at Southern Cross, travelling through Sunshine and Tarneit to West Werribee.
The Level Crossing Removal Project removed 3 level crossings in the area surrounding Deer Park in 2022 and 2023. The crossing at Robinsons Road was removed by constructing a road tunnel underneath the rail line, with the project being completed in September 2022.[28] Another crossing was removed at Mt Derrimut Road via the construction of an elevated rail bridge. This removal also included a newly elevated Deer Park station, car-parking, and public open space.[29] The final crossing that was removed was the one at Fitzgerald Road in neighbouring suburb of Ardeer. This crossing was removed in April 2022 via the construction of a road bridge over the line.[30] Despite a large number of remaining crossings on the line, there are no more scheduled to be removed by the Level Crossing Removal Project.
A sign advising of the major Regional Rail Revival program construction works, 2022.
In 2017, the Regional Rail Revival program was announced which included an upgrade to the Warrnambool service. The first stage was aimed at allowing a fifth return service to be introduced and involved:[31][32]
Signalling upgrades including the construction of trenches, cabling, and additional infrastructure (complete)
12 level crossing upgrades between Waurn Ponds and Warrnambool with boom gates, flashing lights, bells, and more advanced train detection technology (complete)
Stage 1 of the upgrade was completed in December 2022 with a fifth weekday return service introduced between Melbourne and Warrnambool.[33] In September 2021, a second stage of upgrades aimed at allowing VLocity trains to operate on the line was announced with a targeted completion date of late 2024. This second stage includes:[34]
Upgrades to train detection technology at more than 50 public level crossings (underway)
Installation of boom gates, bells, and flashing lights at 17 of those crossings (underway)
The upgrade of stabling facilities at Warrnambool Station (underway)
Track upgrades to replace old wooden sleepers (complete)
Once the project is fully complete, there will be no unprotected public level crossings on the line, with all protected by boom gates and flashing lights. The project is targeted for completion in late 2023 with works progressing.[34]
The Western Rail Plan is a plan that aims to improve the quality of rail services in Melbournes western suburbs through infrastructure upgrades on a range of metropolitan and regional lines.[35] Geelong Fast Rail was one project identified in the Western Rail Plan as a matter of priority, as it would allow for Geelong and Warrnambool services to travel back via the Werribee line, cutting travel time and allowing electrification of other corridors to occur which are currently being served exclusively by V/Line trains.[7] Phase 1 of Geelong Fast Rail will consist of the following projects aimed at cutting travel times by 15 minutes:[7]
New track between Werribee and Laverton dedicated to regional services
Upgrades and widening of bridges over main roads, creeks, and rivers
Construction on the project expected to get underway in 2023, with the Australian and Victorian governments committing $2 billion each to the project which is expected to create 2800 new jobs.[36]
Network and operations
Services
On weekdays, there are five express services per day. All Melbourne-bound services operate express between Geelong and Southern Cross, stopping only at Footscray.[37] On weekends and public holidays, there are a total of four services per day—three express and one local service.[38]
Train services on the line are also subjected to maintenance and renewal works, usually on selected Fridays and Saturdays. Shuttle coach services are provided throughout the duration of works for affected commuters.[39]
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.
The interior of a N-type economy carriage in March 2022.The interior of a VLocity carriage in 2022
The Warrnambool 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.[41] On locomotive hauled long-distance services (N-class carriages), each train typically has two economy carriages with a total of 176 seats in a 3+2 configuration and one first class carriage with 52 seats in a 2+2 configuration as well as a luggage compartment.[41] Cafe facilities are also available on-board all locomotive-hauled Warrnambool services serving a range of pre-made warm goods, pre-packaged sandwiches and snacks, as well as drinks. [42] Quiet carriages aren't available on locomotive hauled services, However are provided on VLocity railcars[42]
Prior to V/Line taking back operation of the Warrnambool service from West Coast Railway in 2004, there had been 3 previous operators. 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.[43]
Interactive map of the Warrnambool service in south western Victoria.
The Warrnambool line forms a somewhat curved route from the Melbourne central business district to its terminus. The route is 267.3 kilometres (166.1 mi) long and is doubled tracked up until Waurn Ponds where it narrows to one track. Exiting the city, the Warrnambool line traverses somewhat flat country. Past Waurn Ponds the line begins to curve due to the natural terrain. On track constructed as part of the Regional Rail Link, there are numerous cuttings and embankments designed to eliminate new level crossings.[27] After Wyndham Vale, the line has many level crossings especially past Waurn Ponds station.
The line follows the same alignment as the Geelong line until Waurn Ponds where the Geelong line terminates and the Warrnambool line continues onto Warrnambool.[44] The track up to Waurn Ponds primarily travels through built-up suburbs, industrial areas, and some farm land.[45] After Waurn Ponds, the line travels through open countryside and through small regional towns. The portion of the line before Waurn Ponds is one of Melbourne and Victoria's main growth corridors, where farmland is being replaced with housing and commercial developments, leading to a rise in patronage.[46]
Stations
The line serves 21 stations across 267.3 kilometres (166.1 mi) of track. The stations are a mix of lowered and ground level designs. The only station that isn't at ground level is Wyndham Vale which was constructed in a lowered fashion as part of the Regional Rail Link in 2015.[47]
The Warrnambool service uses N classdiesel-electric locomotives with N-class carriages operating in a three five-car set, with two doors per side on each carriage and can accommodate of up to 88 economy passengers or 52 first class passengers in one individual car configuration. The locomotives were originally built between 1985 and 1987 for V/Line by Clyde Engineering with a total of 25 produced. The locomotives are shared with other V/Line long-distance regional services and have been in service since 1985. In addition to locomotives, VicRail N-class carriages are also in use by V/Line. The carriage sets have both first class in a 2+2 seating arrangement and economy seating in a 2+3 arrangement. Snack bar facilities are also provided on board alongside toilets, drinking fountains, and luggage areas. Originally delivered as three-car sets, some sets were extended in length with Z type carriages. The Warrnambool line is one of the two remaining lines that uses the loco hauled V/Line N class with N type carriages as services to Albury, Bairnsdale and Shepparton are all operated by V/Line VLocity as of October 2024.
Upon the completion of Stage 2 of the Warrnambool line upgrade as part of the Regional Rail Revival project from 1 November 2024, the Warrnambool service has used VLocity trains.[31] VLocity trains operate in a three-car configuration (with the ability to be configured up to 6 cars or 9 (on select segments only)) with two doors per side on each carriage and a seating capacity of 222 seats per three car set in a 2+2 configuration.[51] 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). Only commuter VLocities are available for use on broad gauge, with all long-distance VLocities currently on Standard Gauge.[2] Unlike existing long distance locomotive hauled trains, first class isn't available on board the VLocity trains.[52] Commuter and 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'sDandenong factory in Melbourne's south-east since 2004.[53] From 1 December 2024, Vlocity services were introduced on all except overnight stabling services to Warrnambool, with only two services in each direction on weekdays and one on weekends still being locomotive hauled.[54]
Alongside the passenger trains, Port Fairy 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).[55] Most of these trains are repurposed locomotives previously used by V/Line, Metro Trains, and the Southern Shorthaul Railroad.[55]
Accessibility
Marshall station has accessible features including tactile boarding indicators and ramps that have a gradient less than 1 in 14.
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.[56] The majority of stations on the corridor are fully accessible, however, there are some stations that haven't been upgraded to meet these guidelines.[57] These stations do feature ramps, however, they have a gradient greater than 1 in 14.[57] Stations that are fully accessible feature ramps that have a gradient less than 1 in 14, have at-grade paths, or feature lifts.[57] These stations typically also feature tactile boarding indicators, independent boarding ramps, wheelchair accessible myki barriers, hearing loops, and widened paths.[57][58]
Projects improving station accessibility have included the Regional Rail Revival (RRL) program, which involves station rebuilds and upgrades.[59] These works have made significant strides in improving network accessibility, with more than 80% 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.[60]
^ abFord, 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.
^ abcVictoria’s Big Build (3 October 2022). "Geelong Fast Rail". Victoria’s Big Build. Archived from the original on 1 March 2022. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
^International2001-09-01T10:00:00, Railway Gazette. "Connex still expanding". Railway Gazette International. Archived from the original on 21 September 2021. Retrieved 21 May 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
^Victoria’s Big Build (7 July 2023). "Robinsons Road, Deer Park". Victoria’s Big Build. Archived from the original on 10 July 2023. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
^Victoria’s Big Build (9 June 2023). "Mt Derrimut Road, Deer Park". Victoria’s Big Build. Archived from the original on 10 July 2023. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
^Victoria’s Big Build (7 July 2023). "Fitzgerald Road, Ardeer". Victoria’s Big Build. Archived from the original on 10 July 2023. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
^ abVictoria’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.
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