Modern Australian
Men's Weekly

.

Melbourne's Transit System: A Quick History

  • Written by Modern Australian

In March 1853, the first railroad tracks were laid down in Melbourne, the first tracks in a line that was to travel from Melbourne to the nearby port of Sandridge. It was a small line, only 4.2km long, intended only to transport merchandise and to improve communication to and from the dock. However, this one line led directly to a railway boom that in some ways continues to this day. Here we’ll take a look at the history of Melbourne’s transit system and see just how much it has evolved since those humble beginnings.

1850-1880: The Railway Boom Begins

After building their first railway, The Melbourne and Hobson’s Bay Railway Company opened a second line in May 1857. This one ran from Melbourne to St Kilda, but later that same line was extended from St Kilda to Brighton by the aptly named St Kilda and Brighton Railway Company. That same year the first country line was established, with the Geelong and Melbourne Railways Company building their train line stretching from Geelong all the way out to Newport. As with the first, these train lines were initially to facilitate moving products and facilitating communication, but they quickly began taking on passengers. By the 1860s, several more lines had been built, both inner-city lines and rural lines, but they had begun to face a new difficulty, financially.

  • 1853 Melbourne to Sandridge
  • 1857 Melbourne to St Kilda
  • 1857 St Kilda to Brighton
  • 1857 Geelong to Newport
  • 1859 Williamstown and Geelong to Spencer Street Station
  • 1859 Footscray to Sunbury
  • 1859 Princes Bridge to Punt Road, to South Yarra to Prahran
  • 1860 St Kilda to Windsor
  • 1860 North Melbourne to Essendon
  • 1860 Newmarket to Flemington Racecourse

Not all the train lines were equally profitable, and as new train lines were developed older lines became superfluous or fell into disuse. Many of the smaller companies were struggling, but the solution was simple. All smaller companies would be absorbed by either the Melbourne and Hobsons Bay United Railway Company or taken over by the Victorian Government. But by then another issue had revealed itself. Many of the lines were disconnected, just individual lines that did one job and one job only, and there could be considerable difficulty if taking freight from one train line to another. But with the train lines still divided between two companies this proved an insurmountable divide - after all, why would competing train lines help each other? Especially if it might mean giving priority to the competition. It would not be until 1878 that all existing train lines came under the control of the Victorian government, and one of their first acts was to build a street-level link between Flinders Street Station and Spencer Street Station, connecting the two most important stations of the time.

1880-1900

During the 1870s many rural lines began to develop, following the trends of the Victorian land boom that saw investors buying huge tracts of land with the intent to develop it. In 1884 the Victorian government passed the Railway Construction Act, popularly known as the Octopus Act, in order to place legislation over the maintenance and expansion of no less than 66 train lines. However, when the Depression hit in the 1890s many of these train lines became unviable, and many fell into decline.

Country lines of the Octopus Act

  1. Avoca and Ararat Railway
  2. Bacchus Marsh and Gordons Railway
  3. Bacchus Marsh Junction and New-port Railway
  4. Ballarat East and Buninyong Railway
  5. Ballarat Cattle Yards Branch Railway
  6. Ballarat Racecourse and Springs Railway
  7. Birregurra and Cape Otway Forest Railway
  8. Camperdown and Curdie's River Railway
  9. Camperdown to Terand and Warrnambool Railway
  10. Coburg and Somerton Railway
  11. Creswick and Daylesford Railway
  12. Dandenong and Leongatha Railway
  13. Dimboola and South Australian Border Railway
  14. Fitzroy and Whittlesea Railway
  15. Frankston and Crib Point Railway 15A: Mornington Railway
  16. Frankston Cemetery Railway
  17. Hamilton and Coleraine Railway
  18. Heyfield and Bairns-dale Railway,
  19. Horsham and Natimuk Railway
  20. Inglewood and Dunolly Railway 20A. Kerang to Swan Hill
  21. Koroit and Belfast Railway
  22. Koroit Railway via Penshurst 22A. Hamilton and Penshurst Railway
  23. Koroit and Warrnambool Railway
  24. Kyneton and Redesdale Railway
  25. Lancefield and Kilmore Railway
  26. Leongatha and Port Albert Railway
  27. Lilydale and Healesville Railway (via Yarra Flats)
  28. Lubeck and Rupanyup Railway
  29. Maffra and Briagolong Railway
  30. Maldon and Laanecoorie Railway
  31. Moe and Narracan Railway
  32. Mount Moriac and Forest Railway
  33. Murchison and Rushworth Rail-way
  34. Murtoa and Warracknabeal Railway
  35. Myrtleford and Bright Railway
  36. Numurkah and Cobram Railway
  37. Numurkah and Nathalia Railway
  38. Ondit and Beeac Railway
  39. Ringwood and Ferntree Gully Railway
  40. Sale and Stratford Railway
  41. Scarsdale and Linton's Railway
  42. Shepparton and Dookie Railway
  43. St. James and Yarrawonga RAilway
  44. Tatura and Echuca Railway
  45. Terang and Mortlake Railway
  46. Wandong Heathcote and Sandhurst Railway
  47. Warragul and Neerim Railway
  48. Wedderburn Road and Wedderburn Railway
  49. Wodonga and Tallangatta Railway
  50. Yackandandah and Beechworth Railway
  51. Yea and Mansfield Railway; Alexandra Branch Railway

Suburban lines  of the Octopus Act

  • 52. Alphington and Heidelberg Railway
  • 53. Brighton and Picnic Point Railway
  • 54. Burnley to Junction with Outer Circle Railway
  • 55. Fitzroy Branch Railway
  • 56. Hawthorn and Kew Railway
  • 57. Lal Lal Racecourse Railway
  • 58. Outer Circle Railway, Oakleigh, via Camberwell to Richmond and Alphington Railway
  • 59. Royal Park and Clifton Hill Railway

Additional infrastructure

  • 60. Murray-bridge
  • 61. Portland Pier
  • 62. Murray-bridge
  • 63. Flinders-street Viaduct
  • 64. Windsor Siding
  • 65. Ballarat siding
  • 66. Duplication Hawthorn and Camberwell Line

The 1900s: Electricity Arrives

In 1908 the first electric railway system was proposed. Intended to cover a geographic area of more than 200km and cater for 80 trains, it was originally slated to only take 2 years to develop and implement. However, it would not be approved by the government until 1912, and when the first world war began electrical equipment could no longer be imported. The first line would not open until 1918 - and even then it was not for public use but for driver training. Official services would only begin on the 28th of May 1919 running from Essendon to Sandringham but slowly expanded to cover the whole grid. At the same time, train lines were extended, with the Lilydale line, the Hurstbridge line and the Burnley - Darling line being extended. However this 

For the rest of the 1900s train work was slow and incremental. Minor expansions, repairs, and replacement of trains were the primary domain of the transport budget, that was until the 1970s when it was decided to modernise the train network. The Victorian government decided to get rid of their now sixty-year-old trains and develop the Melbourne Underground Rail Loop, a massive work of infrastructure that would occur over the next 14 years. At the same time old train lines were rebuilt, disused train lines were closed and replaced with bus services, and the Metropolitan Transit Authority was established to regulate all train, bus and tram services (trams having been in service alongside trains since 1884).

The 2000s: Privatisation and Public Development

In 1998, the MTA began the process of privatisation, eventually becoming the Connex network, and then in 2009 becoming Metro. In 2008, the Brumby Government authorised more than $14b to support the rebuilding and expansion of Melbourne’s train network, including rail extensions, station upgrades and the Melbourne Metro Tunnel Project. An extra $562m was awarded to the state budget in 2009, but despite this work would not begin on many of these projects until May 2011 with the largest of all, the Metro Tunnel, not beginning until 2016.

Many of the expansions and adjustments proposed in 2008 are still underway and it won’t be for a few more years that the railway network can be considered “complete”, but no doubt in a few more decades another major expansion will need to happen again. After all, Melbourne is still growing, and more trains and train systems will always be needed.

Holidays & Travel

Why Personalised Ornaments Make the Perfect Christmas Gift

In a season brimming with sentiment and tradition, gift-giving is one of the most cherished ways to show we care. And while store-bought items can be thoughtful, there’s something especially...

Slowing Down in Nature: My Experience on Orchid Classic Cruise in Lan Ha Bay

Why Orchid Classic is a Top Choice for Lan Ha Bay Lan Ha Bay, a hidden gem adjacent to the more famous Ha Long Bay, offers travelers a quieter and more...

How to Reduce Turbo Lag with an Upgraded Mazda BT-50 Exhaust System

Are you struggling with turbo lag affecting your driving experience?  Did you know upgrading your Mazda BT-50 exhaust system could be the key to unlocking smoother acceleration and enhanced vehicle performance? Exhaust...

Surprise Party Ideas That Will Leave Your Guests Speechless

Throwing a surprise party is one of the most exciting ways to celebrate a special occasion. The thrill of keeping it a secret combined with the joy of watching the...

The Most Scenic Sailing Destinations in Australia and New Zealand

Australia and New Zealand are home to some of the world’s most breathtaking sailing destinations. With vast coastlines, pristine waters, and diverse landscapes, these countries offer incredible opportunities for sailors...

A Guide to Finding Caravans for Sale for Your Australian Road Trip

From the rugged Outback to stunning coastal drives, there's no better way to explore Australia than in a home on wheels. If you're considering joining the caravan community, you're likely...

Must-Have Outdoor Gear for Your Next Trip

 Introduction Getting ready for your next outdoor adventure but not sure what gear makes the cut? Selecting quality equipment optimized for the conditions helps ensure fun and safety during backcountry trips...

5 Innovative Caravan Accessories to Enhance Your Travel Experience

Caravanning offers a unique and liberating way to explore the world around us. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or embarking on your first adventure, having the right accessories can significantly...

Conventional Tent or Roof Top Tent? Which Is Better for Camping in Australia?

For camping in Australia, it depends on factors like terrain and climate. A roof top tent is sturdy in rugged areas and elevates you above ground risks. In flat places like parks...

Why Every Mining Operation Needs a Robust Safety Management System

Mining is one of the backbones of the Australian economy, particularly in Western Australia. Back in 2019-20, mining contributed 10.4% of Australia...

Australian Classic Literature Enjoys Resurgence

Welcome back to the good old days of storytelling! As the modern world becomes increasingly more demanding, returning to childhood favourites offers...

Building a Governance Model for Headless Content Management at Scale

Image by pch.vector on Freepik There's never been a better time to implement a headless content management system (CMS) to gain the flexibility and ...

Understanding Trade Insurance: Essential Protection for Businesses

Image by Drazen Zigic on Freepik In the current economic environment, trade insurance is an important element for companies trading both locally an...

Choosing the Right Timber for External Cladding

Timber cladding is one of those finishes that pulls double duty: it makes a building look warm and welcoming, and it quietly shields the frame from ...

Top Services Offered by Diesel Mechanics in Brisbane

Keeping a diesel vehicle running at its best takes more than the occasional oil change. When you invest in regular specialist care, you protect the ...

Top 5 Benefits of Hiring Professional House Removalists

Moving day should feel like the start of a new adventure, not the end of your patience. Yet once the settlement papers are signed and the champagne ...

Navigating the Digital Landscape: Managed IT Solutions and IT Services in Townsville

As technology advances at an unprecedented pace, companies must adapt to embrace the transformation ahead. With an evolving technology landscape, mana...

Types of Catering You Should Consider for Your Next Event

Choosing the right type of catering service can elevate your event from ordinary to unforgettable. Whether it’s an elegant wedding, corporate func...

Understanding the Benefits of Split System Installation for Your Home

Climate control is essential to maintaining comfort in your home, especially during the extreme temperatures that many regions face. Whether you’r...

Best Aluminium Window Sliding Designs for Natural Light and Airflow

Bringing natural light and airflow into a space is one of the most efficient ways to create a healthy and comfortable home. In Sydney and across Aus...

Maximising Operational Efficiency: Electric Winch Hire Australia and Hydraulic Power Pack Hire Solutions

Image by jcomp on Freepik From urban construction sites and remote mining operations to coastal maritime facilities, specialised equipment solutio...

Navigating the System: Your Guide to Support Finding Work with a Disability Around Melbourne

Image by freepik Finding the right job can be a challenge for anyone, but it can feel particularly daunting when you're also navigating life with a ...

Say Goodbye to Draughts and Hello to Savings: Your Guide to Perth Window Replacement

Image by prostooleh on Freepik Are your windows looking worse for wear? Are you paying a hefty power bill due to sneaky draughts and poor insulation...

How to Choose the Right Horse Trailer for Your Riding Needs

Many horse owners travel long distances for riding lessons, competitions, or to move horses between properties. Having a safe and reliable trailer i...

Sydney Turf Installer for Instant Green Lawns and Long-Term Performance

Having a green lawn at home makes everything look better. Whether it’s the front yard, backyard, or a small patch beside the driveway, people in S...

Designing Better Living Spaces: Why New Kitchens in the Blue Mountains Are in High Demand

The Blue Mountains region is seeing a steady rise in home upgrades. According to recent housing data, kitchen renovations remain one of the most req...

The Role of Packaging Manufacturers in Reducing Supply Chain Costs

In today’s fast-paced logistics and distribution landscape, businesses are under constant pressure to optimise operations and reduce expenses. One...