Echuca railway line

The Echuca line (also known as the Deniliquin line) is a country railway in Victoria, Australia. V/Line operates passenger services along the line.

History

The Melbourne, Mount Alexander and Murray River Railway Company was formed in 1853 to build a railway to Echuca via Bendigo. Work began in 1854, but the company hit financial troubles and sold out to the state government.^[1] The railway finally reached Echuca in 1864 and transformed the town into a major river port, with a famous wharf and substantial urban growth in the 1870s.^[2] In 1876 the Deniliquin and Moama Railway Company opened their 71 km (44 mi) long private railway northwards to Deniliquin, New South Wales.^[3] This section was taken over by the Victorian Railways in 1923,^[4] as part of the 1922 Border Railways Act.

Passenger rail services from Echuca to Balranald were withdrawn on November 7, 1975, with the last train a 153hp Walker railmotor. The Echuca to Kyabram service was withdrawn on December 18, 1975. The last train was also 153hp Walker railmotor, the service being provided for school children and paid for by the Education Department.^[5] The Bendigo – Echuca – Deniliquin passenger service was withdrawn on January 11, 1979, with the last train being operated by a DERM.^[5] Toolamba – Echuca passenger services were withdrawn on March 2, 1981,^[5] leaving the town without any rail services.

The passenger service was replaced with buses on December 19, 2004, pending an upgrade due to poor track condition, and has since re-opened in late 2006.

Line guide

Passenger services on the line are operated by V/Line as extensions of services to Bendigo from Southern Cross Station in Melbourne. Bold stations are termini, where some train services terminate; italic stations are always serviced; and stations with an asterisk (*) are staffed part time.

References

External links

• http://www.vline.com.au
• Official map
• Statistics and detailed schematic map at the vicsig enthusiast website