Cranbourne railway line, Melbourne

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Melbourne's railway lines
 City Loop
 Caulfield group
 Frankston line
 Pakenham line
 Sandringham line
 Cranbourne line
 Northern group
 Upfield line
 Werribee line
 Broadmeadows line
 Sydenham line
 Williamstown line
 Flemington Racecourse line
 Burnley group
 Lilydale line
 Glen Waverley line
 Belgrave line
 Alamein line
 Clifton Hill group
 Hurstbridge line
 Epping line
 Greater-metropolitan
 Stony Point line
 Melton line
 Sunbury line
 Craigieburn line
Melbourne's public transport
Metlink Metcard myki
Modes of Transport
Trains Trams Buses
Transport Routes
Railway stations Tram routes Bus routes
Operating Companies
V/Line Connex Melbourne Yarra Trams

The Cranbourne railway line is a suburban electric railway in the south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Australia.

Contents

[edit] Description

The line traverses flat country and there is little in the way of earthworks. There are several level crossings along the line. The area around Cranbourne is one of Melbourne's main growth areas, giving the line considerable potential for growing patronage, although the line suffers from an inferior service to the nearby Pakenham line.

[edit] Infrastructure

The line, which branches from the Pakenham line at Dandenong, is single track throughout, with a crossing loop towards the Cranbourne end of the line. Trains can also cross at Cranbourne itself, which has two platforms. Power signalling is provided throughout, being controlled from Dandenong. There are no intermediate terminating facilities, and no stabling sidings on the line.

Beyond Cranbourne there is a siding between Cameron Street and Berwick-Cranbourne Road near the cranbourne "Shed" and the new Hunt Club Estate. The line then continues to Leongatha, but between Cranbourne and Nyora the line is unserviceable. Government plans have the line to Leongatha being rebuilt and reopened, but there appears to be little happening in this regard.

[edit] History

The Cranbourne line opened in December 1886 as part of the section to Tooradin. This was the first section of the South Gippsland Railway.

In November 1993 Train Order working replaced Electric Staff to Cranbourne, then in March 1995, the line from near Dandenong to Cranbourne was electrified and provided with power signalling. (It had previously been electrified for a short distance to the Commonwealth Engineering siding).

The line beyond Cranbourne was booked out of use in 1998, although it had not been regularly used since 1993.

[edit] List of stations

Bold stations are terminuses, italic stations are staffed.

Branches from Pakenham line at Dandenong station.

[edit] External links, maps, and timetables