rail transport victoria rail transport victoria australia provided number railway operators operate government owned railway lines victorian lines use broad gauge exception number standard gauge freight interstate lines experimental narrow gauge lines private logging mining industrial railways railways privately owned operated established vertically integrated victorian railways remained occurred 1980s followed 1990s passenger services today operated melbourne suburban melbourne electric multiple units line regional victoria diesel trains freight services operated interstate interstate rail network state capital melbourne main interstate links sydney adelaide major lines running regional centres upgraded project rail network reached peak steadily declined branch cross country lines closed 1980s victoria dominant mining base states traditionally dependent agriculture rail freight traffic 1990s road transport captured general freight traffic average million tonnes freight carried year containers major cargo followed cement logs quarry products steel history lines australia steam operated railway victorian broad gauge line melbourne city terminus site modern day street station constructed melbourne opened september country line victoria melbourne opened early years saw lines constructed private companies changing 1870s victorian railways built lines suburban network expanded east princes bridge railway station richmond later brighton early 1860s initial suburban lines built different private companies centred amalgamated melbourne public ownership coming victorian railways lines reached great gold rush towns railways extended port connection state rail system line completed railways station requiring break gauge standard gauge followed connection broad gauge south australian railways overland adelaide running capitals additional trunk lines built 1870s rails extended sale portland branch lines built time improved train safety railway signalling protect trains provided tests continuous train brakes carried state parliament passed authorised new lines corner state known octopus act proposed lines serve new agricultural communities support suburban land speculation decade narrow gauge line opened lines following line opened late 1890s majority state covered railways exception country north west state saw line openings line new century class steam locomotive introduced locomotives class main passenger locomotive arrival diesel electric class april sunshine train disaster occurred killing passengers worst victorian railway accident electrification melbourne suburban network carried train running passengers passed main city terminal weekday melbourne busiest suburban station million journeys followed million technology continued position automatic signals introduced conversion screw remote controlled signalling provided level crossing flashing lights installed road despite world war significant extensions rail lines carried particularly wheat growing areas north west west new lengthy parallel lines considered cheaper operate numerous short spurs railway map victoria largely complete best land settled remaining land marginal agriculture number lines built state border november run spirit progress streamlined air train run melbourne led matching class steam locomotives tours promoting improved agricultural practices victorian railways biggest steam locomotive heavy harry entered service time railways struggling needs war effort victorian railways employed steam electric register goods wagons passenger cars running miles lines network reached largest extent covering route kilometres post war rebuilding world war railways run unveiled involving expenditure years works included electrification new harris suburban trains walker approximately new goods wagons july entered diesel era delivery class mainline locomotive commissioning mainline electrification scheme australia july march saw queen elizabeth_ii tour victoria time reigning monarch travelled saw steam locomotive enter service class wheeled open wagons built fifties saw loss number short branch lines particularly country traffic timber livestock 1960s break gauge eliminated opening standard gauge line new line aided freight traffic state capitals enabled passenger trains time end steam demolition massive january saw victorian railways produce surplus increasing costs declining revenue resulted deficit july occurred killing passenger railway passenger fatality involving road vehicle late goods country services replaced road transport branch lines outside grain producing areas virtually non existent delivered recommended closure country passenger service elimination number suburban railways moving small volume freight rail road new deal 1980s saw victorian railways carried railway commissioners replaced later government authorities new trains unveiled elderly red replaced new trains saw melbourne underground loop open january followed new air suburban trains type country passenger carriages september year country services sped new deal closure small stations country passenger services saw non air wooden bodied passenger cars withdrawn service replaced new set carriages trials carried upgrades locomotive geared operation series test runs state west july end era freight trains having guards guards abolished carriage livestock ended run spirit progress southern aurora passenger trains august working practices altered working class locomotives introduced melbourne adelaide previously victorian locomotives detached state borders replaced locomotives state new locomotive introduced class classes enabling retirement 1st generation cuts continued rail network larger north western area state replacement traditional systems systems required local staff saw stations manned 1990s saw costs reduced rail network guards removed passenger trains driver suburban trains commenced running suburban train guard running november established taking profitable steel line melbourne adelaide standard gauge line opened moving break gauge moves begun line split line passenger line freight separated line freight sold known freight victoria followed taking line passenger taking end private lease victorian premier negotiated premature end rail victorian country broad gauge network lease minutes mode began state election november cost million premier arranged year lease single track section negotiation involved victoria contributing money track upgraded bypassed today state consists networks electrified metropolitan system operated country passenger network operated upgraded project standard gauge interstate lines adelaide sydney grain network north west state connected ports infrastructure trunk railway lines victoria double track built later early sections suburban network double track later additions single track later built double track 1860s singled 1930s decade 21st century respectively north east line remains today line 1950s conjunction increased traffic busiest country line state progressively railway tunnels exist victoria exception melbourne city loop longest tunnel opening loop near metre long tunnel existed narrow gauge quarry railway open today longest single track metre long followed double track metre metre long big hill tunnels line metre long tunnel exists line tunnels suburban line freight lines station interstate railway corridors independent sections track use broad standard state sections melbourne constructed 1960s melbourne completed gauge issue sees dual gauge track areas including north freight melbourne maximum speed suburban electric multiple units locomotive hauled trains diesel multiple units permitted track specified lines maximum axle loading freight wagons tonnes locomotives axle loading operating train lengths limited metres main interstate lines metre long trains permitted track gauge majority railways victoria broad gauge presenting break gauge difficulties connections new_south_wales uses standard gauge addition victorian railways experimented short narrow gauge lines early 20th century efforts eliminate gauge issue proposed times intervening years deciding gauge adopted standard australia mechanical rail device meet situation secured means conversion 1950s interstate traffic suffering break gauge new south wales state border parallel standard gauge line opened melbourne join new south wales system exchange depot allow wagons operate broad standard gauge networks second interstate link victoria adelaide oldest single gauge inter capital line dating converted broad standard gauge enabling rail traffic victoria access rest nation disruption today standard gauge network consists main interstate lines number branch lines far west state gauge conversion kilometres track announced program proceed difficulty achieving agreement track manager works covered lines including line north western victorian grain network lines centred north east conversion regional suburban passenger networks envisioned conversion line announced conversion kilometres broad gauge track standard gauge providing double track section loading gauge victorian loading gauge vehicles sized british american practices wagons metres feet long metres feet inches wide carry loads metres rail height double container wagons possible limits high containers largest permitted exception high containers routes trials double deck passenger train suburban lines requiring alterations overhead bridges structures double deck trains today signalling compare australian railway signalling victoria uses mix railway signalling practices british route signalling home distant signals position signalling american speed signalling position signalling signals railway lines bare minimum provided time interval system relied instead signals protect trains provided time conflicting moves design signals progressed disc type siding signals introduced lower quadrant type main line signals adopted use today green adopted right colour white time red usual colour signal arms yellow chosen colour distant signals adoption colour light signals appeared standard new installations trains stations early lines time interval working train allowed leave given time train heavier traffic method unsafe staff ticket working single lines adopted telegraph block working double lines systems ensured train section track time block working replaced working system predecessor double line block system today later years saw variations staff ticket system lines provided working provided greater safely trains ran heavier suburban traffic melbourne network saw greater strain block working required large number manned signal boxes enable trains run close result decided adopt power signalling presence trains automatically control signals providing safe distance trains introduced system based american speed signalling practice upper quadrant mechanical signals arms able indicate different speed aspects train drivers signals later replaced colour light signals standard today old mechanical style remained variant automatic introduced provides benefits single lines track ensuring train section time introduced 1960s new standard gauge line main interstate line adelaide allowing trains directed distance today little mechanical signalling remains local signal boxes controlling signals abolished areas project suburban network regional lines use variants automatic block signalling lines use ticket train order systems train protection progressed introduced major passenger lines project victoria air braking tests continuous train brakes carried initially screw connect wagons automatic introduced removed freight wagons locomotives victoria groups locomotives design classed letter system introduced initially low letters given passenger classes high letters goods classes pattern discarded classes locomotives individually numbered continuous number block unique class cases locomotives renumbered number blocks continuous cases number blocks steam diesel locomotives class letter addition classes start number series start locomotives state small steam locomotives end 19th century tender engines goods configurations passenger workings majority locomotives imported britain companies company built locomotives locally size train increased locomotives wheel arrangement popular passenger mixed traffic work classes arrangement goods classes lasting 1960s followed class spirit progress express single class locomotive biggest victorian railways steam locomotive final steam locomotives built victorian railways class classes modern design advantages overshadowed simultaneous arrival electric locomotives acquired electrification suburban railways class suburban engines acquired followed class mainline electrified traffic occurred class classes main line operations followed classes displaced steam branch lines yards apart class monopoly victorian diesel electric australian engines traction motors fitting locally designed bodies 1980s generation locomotives approaching end lives electric locomotives withdrawn modern classes allowing withdrawal lower power classes today victorian railways locomotive fleet split classes utilised line passenger services remainder private operators freight use new passenger locomotives built 1980s acquired instead freight operations seen classes restoration service stored locomotives years old passenger early passenger services operated wheeled passenger carriage small compartments corridors later years saw provision corridors provide access train onboard toilets sleeping carriages introduced dining cars larger started appear turn 20th century type carriage stock introduced overland smaller type carriage stock trains air carriage introduced type carriages fitted steel carriages came victorian railways construction dining cars followed type carriage stock new spirit progress melbourne suburban network introduced speeding services experiments diesel petrol use smaller branch lines successful remaining service fleet walker introduced 1950s type saloon carriage stock interstate trains 1980s country passenger services run older wooden rolling stock approaching use date result type carriages introduced followed converted type stock diesel multiple units norm new purchases introduced freight early wagons built wheeled frames vehicles begun appear early wagons wood construction later types wood steel followed steel wagons groups wagons design classed multiple character code initially system restricted victoria railways australia letter introduced system letter represent owner wagon second represents general type wagon separates different classes general type letter indicates maximum running speed wheeled open wagons built scrapped large numbers 1980s new wagons replaced wagon fleet numbered approximately grain container flats open wagons tank cars flat wagons today broad gauge fleet numbers large numbers open flat wagons tank cars stored scrapped transfer traffic road following years governments operations victoria dominant mining base states traditionally dependent agriculture rail freight traffic early 20th century rail common carrier required carry freight offered world war road competition increased legislation passed regulate trucks competing rail specific routes 1980s road freight rail common carrier obligations removed resulting loss road non bulk freight million tonnes freight carried rail bulk grain main consisting traffic continued drought road competition freight operations seen change recent years average million tonnes freight carried year containers major traffic cement logs quarry steel trains operating 1990s road transport captured general freight traffic traffic discontinued july end freight service exception decline interstate operations container traffic growing competition private operators companies railways victoria operated private companies companies failed victorian railways took victorian railways initially known appointment staff november victorian railways commissioners act established victorian railways situation remained railways amendment act passed management railways victorian railways commissioners victorian railways board following split taking responsibility provision country rail road passenger freight services line brand taking suburban passenger operations authorities merged suburban services met offered long distance country rail services previously run government owned operator line private operators rail services replaced road coach services successfully operate railway line private operator victoria professor presented findings known report leading introduction allowed new rail freight operators establish operations victoria specialised container transport commenced operating trains perth started operations commenced 1990s line split separate freight passenger divisions met divided trains trains separate bodies sold separately line freight rural network track lease line passenger track lease control line interstate rail freight infrastructure passed federal australian rail track corporation december withdrew operations victoria government taking control temporarily line reverted government ownership october train taken april august saw freight victoria business rural track lease purchased november entered agreement sell track lease million sale completed line track manager december announced plans sell close grain transport rural container business operations victoria decision criticised force grain use higher cost road transport transport annual grain harvest rural ports decision seen commentators accuse acquiring operations purposes asset stripping eliminating competition rail freight took melbourne container service moved broad gauge grain services taken melbourne container service line victoria railway victorian broad gauge line melbourne city terminus site modern day street station constructed melbourne opened september today melbourne suburban railway network consists electrified lines central city loop subway stations total length electrified lines operated melbourne franchise government victoria line constructed extension suburban lines extended eastwards line electrified electrification cut progressively line passenger trains run far line opened port albert number branch lines built closed stages early 1970s electrified opened suburban network operates heritage services line originated suburban line extended connecting railways break gauge standard gauge track completed parallel broad gauge track melbourne broad gauge track converted standard gauge line built extended railways break gauge line passenger service run far line completed extensions opened swan hill followed number lines north west corner state lines continue line services lines region seeing freight traffic main western line beginnings railway line melbourne line opened line extended direct line melbourne opened built ends stages met branch lines followed portland western towns line formed interstate railway line australia extended south australian railways 1990s line main route melbourne adelaide overland services adelaide rerouted main interstate line standard gauge port fairy line started opened line newport extended street station line taken victorian railways line opened later extended south east reaching branch lines existed number towns private railways small number private railways existed times melbourne melbourne melbourne acquired victorian railways core state network respectively country branch lines built private companies acquired 20th century addition main victorian rail network victorian railways successors number narrow gauge private railways existed logging mining purposes included railway open cut coal mines near valley mount junction logging operated inner east great dividing range primarily 1850s 1950s surviving 1960s primarily gauge variants railway preservation organised railway preservation commenced victoria formation operating formed operate narrow gauge gauge railway near melbourne group continues operate railway today demise steam locomotives victoria commenced 1960s working victorian railways number locomotives preserved future established house static exhibits formed assist restoration locomotives carriages use special trains 1980s number heritage railways established victoria closed branch lines railways serve tourist attractions preserve railway past work railway preservation groups expanded retired railway carriages electric multiple units rail motors diesel locomotives heritage railways carried patrons track operational steam locomotives carriages heritage railways operators include newport south railway rail trails number rail lines melbourne regional victoria converted rail trails walking cycling horse riding excellent tracks lines originally designed avoid steep lines public ownership sections track specially leased neighbouring farmers stock grazing reduces maintenance costs trails melbourne include inner circle royal park red hill rail trail trails victoria include mountains bright river high country great southern rail trail foster future extension bass coast rail trail anderson future extension port fairy rail trail legislation governance access key statutes prime rail statute victoria transport integration act act establishes integration agency victoria transport system act establishes sets charters state agencies charged providing public transport rail services managing network access freight services director public transport line addition act creates owns public rail network associated infrastructure important statute act powers rail operators provides rail access scheme state rail network result recent changes transport integration act responsibilities progressively assumed new major initiative safety regulation safety rail operations victoria regulated applies commercial passenger freight operations tourist heritage railways act creates framework containing safety duties rail industry participants requires rail operators manage infrastructure rolling stock obtain prior commencing operations rail operators required safety management system guide operations sanctions applying safety scheme established rail safety act contained act safety rail system victoria director transport safety trading office established transport integration act investigation rail operators victoria subject blame investigations conducted chief investigator transport safety chief investigator charged transport integration act conducting investigations rail safety matters including incidents trends hand claims jurisdiction matters occur conduct requirements public transport victoria mainly contained transport regulations rules safe fair conduct trains melbourne generally contained act transport conduct regulations tourist heritage railways tourist heritage railways victoria governed provisions tourist heritage railways act commenced october
Rail transport in Victoria