Number of tracks 1 Stations 3 | Line length 251,990 m | |
Type V/Line passenger service System V/Line
Pacific National Connecting lines Junction to Moulamein at Barnes Services 2/3 passenger trains a day | ||
The Deniliquin railway line (also known as the Echuca railway line) is a country railway in Victoria, Australia. V/Line operates passenger services along the line as far as Echuca.
Contents
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 could not raise the necessary funds and the state government took over the building of the line. 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. In 1876 the Deniliquin and Moama Railway Company opened its 71 km (44 mi) private railway northwards to Deniliquin. This section was taken over by the Victorian Railways in 1923, as part of the 1922 Border Railways Act.
Passenger rail services from Echuca to Balranald were withdrawn on 7 November 1975, with the last train a 153hp Walker railmotor. The Echuca to Kyabram service was withdrawn on 18 December 1975. The last train was also 153 hp Walker railmotor, the service being provided for school children and paid for by the Education Department. The Bendigo – Echuca – Deniliquin passenger service was withdrawn on 11 January 1979, with the last train being operated by a DERM. Toolamba – Echuca passenger services were withdrawn on 2 March 1981, leaving the town without any rail services.
A twice-weekly passenger service from Bendigo to Echuca was reinstated in 1996. The passenger service was replaced with buses on 19 December 2004, pending an upgrade due to poor track condition. The rail service recommenced 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.