Toolamba–Echuca railway line

The Toolamba-Echuca railway is a cross country links between the towns of the same name in Victoria, Australia. It provides an alternative route through to Echuca without travelling through Bendigo. The line has not been used for passenger services for some time and even freight movements on this line are non-existent with the line booked out of service.

History

The last passenger service from Echuca station along the Toolamba-Echuca line ran on 2 March 1981 with Y class diesel locomotive Y161 an ABE carriage and a C van. This consist had only been introduced a few months prior, with a DERM usually being rostered.^[1] Toolamba finally closed as a station on 20 December 1987.^[2]

In most recent times the line has received use when there has been a blockage on the main line to Echuca via Bendigo such as when works have been undertaken. The line has also been used by Freight Australia to send rice traffic from north of Echuca into Melbourne.

There has been recent plans for this line to be converted to standard gauge to provide standard gauge access to Echuca, but these plans have now been put on hold. There are no longer any regular train movements on this line and it is only maintained to a minimum standard.

The line is being reopened as a freight line while there is track work on the line between Seymour and Shepparton.^[3]

Line guide

References

• http://www.vicrailstations.com/Echuca_Toolamba/Echuca_Toolamba.html

Notes