| Albury-Wodonga railway line, Victoria | |
|---|---|
| Line details | |
| Length | 306 km (190.1 mi) |
| Stations | 8 |
| Service pattern | Intercity |
| Rolling stock | Locomotive hauled N type carriages |
| Rail transport in Victoria | |
The Albury-Wodonga Line is a regional passenger rail service operated by V/Line in Victoria, Australia. It serves passengers between state capital Melbourne and the regional cities of Benalla, Wangaratta, Wodonga, and Albury.
Contents |
From February 2008 train services on the line had been terminated at Wangaratta station, with coaches operating beyond. This is due to deteriorating track conditions between Seymour and Albury 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 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 relocation of the railway line from the Wodonga CBD. The project was projected to be completed in 2010.[2], but is now due to resume service on June 26, 2011. Three V/Line passenger locomotives and 15 passenger carriages will also be converted to standard gauge to operate the service.[3]
Since November 9 2008 all Albury-Wodonga services have operated as road coaches north from Seymour, connecting with trains operating between Seymour and Melbourne. 68 seats on the CountryLink Melbourne-Sydney XPT service have also been made available at V/Line ticket prices.[4]
As at the time of the 2010 Victorian State Election no passenger or any regular freight services have used the newly converted line. The project is considerably overdue, leading to various visits by Victorian Politicians. Most recently in November 2010 The Victorian Opposition has used a horse and cart to highlight the lack of passenger rail services to Wodonga.
Rail services on the standard gauge commenced on June 26, 2011 with one service each way each day between Albury and Melbourne. A second daily train service will be added October 31st, with the third daily service to commence operation in November 2011, marking the end of bus replacements on the line.[5]
V/Line operates daily passenger trains on the Albury-Wodonga 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.
Classified by V/Line as an Intercity service, a snack bar is provided on board trains, and first class accommodation is available. Locomotive hauled N type carriages are used, and most services run express between Seymour and Melbourne.
Bold stations are termini, italic stations are staffed at least part time. Standard gauge is in blue. (Correct as of 26 June 2011 when trains returned to Albury)
| Albury-Wodonga Line | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Legend
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||