Frankston line explained

Frankston line
Image Alt:Bonbeach station platform view looking north.
Type:Commuter rail
Status:Operational
System:Melbourne railway network
Locale:Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Predecessor:Mordialloc (1881–1882)
Operator:Metro Trains
Start: (from or)
Stops:28
Distance:43.23km (26.86miles)
Journeytime:1 hour 7 minutes
Line Used:Frankston
Stock:Comeng, Siemens, X'Trapolis 100
El:1500 V DC overhead
Owners:VicTrack
Map State:collapsed

The Frankston line is a commuter railway line in the city of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.[1] Operated by Metro Trains Melbourne, it is the city's third-longest metropolitan railway line, at . The line runs from Flinders Street station in central Melbourne to Frankston station in the south-east, serving 28 stations via South Yarra, Caulfield, Moorabbin, and Mordialloc.[2] The line continues to Stony Point on the non-electrified Stony Point line. The line operates for approximately 20 hours a day (from approximately 4:00 am to around 11:30 pm) with 24 hour service available on Friday and Saturday nights. During peak hour, headways of up to 5 to 10 minutes are operated with services every 10–20 minutes during off-peak hours. Trains on the Frankston line run with a two three-car formations of Comeng, Siemens Nexas, and X'Trapolis 100 trainsets.

Sections of the Frankston line opened as early as 1881, with the line fully extended to Frankston in 1882. A limited number of stations were first opened, with infill stations progressively opened between 1881 and 2017.[3] The line was built to connect Melbourne with the rural towns of Caulfield, Moorabbin, and Frankston, amongst others. Significant growth has occurred since opening, with a plan to extend the Frankston line along part of the Stony Point line to Baxter.

Since the 2010s, due to the heavily utilised infrastructure of the Frankston line, significant improvements and upgrades have been made. Different packages of works have upgraded the corridor to replace sleepers, upgrading signalling technology, the introduction of new rolling stock, and the removal of all level crossings.

History

19th century

In 1881, the Frankston line began operations by the Victorian Railways on a single tracked line from Caulfield to Mordialloc.[4] Mordialloc station was officially opened on 19 December 1881 by Sir Thomas Bent, who was the Minister of Railways, and later becoming the Premier of Victoria between 1904 and 1909.[4] [5] The first train to arrive at Mordialloc was a special service from Princes Bridge, which collected school children from the Brighton area. Further specials occurred during the day, with proper timetabled services commencing the following day. Six services were provided upon opening and, apart from two services, all were shuttle services operating between Caulfield and Mordialloc.[4]

In August 1882, operations were extended from Mordialloc to Frankston.[6] The section of track from Caulfield to Mordialloc was duplicated in 1888.[7] In 1883 the line between Richmond station and South Yarra was quadrupled to accommodate an increase in train services due to the opening of Frankston and Sandringham lines.[8]

In 1885, a number of level crossing removal works occurred between Flinders Street station and South Yarra due to an increase in freight and passenger operations.[9] These crossings were removed through a combination of lowering and raising the corridor.

20th century

In 1910, the remaining track from Mordialloc to Frankston was duplicated. In 1915, the line between South Yarra and Caulfield was quadrupled, as part of level crossing removal works. This section of the line was lowered into a cutting to eliminate numerous level crossings.[10] Power signalling was provided between Richmond and Hawksburn at the same time, then on to Caulfield in 1921.[11]

Electrification of the line to Frankston occurred in three stages during 1922. In March 1922, the section from South Yarra to Glen Huntly station was electrified, with the section to Mordialloc being electrified in June 1922, and the final section to Frankston being completed by August 1922.[12] [13] The electrification of the line allowed for the introduction of Swing Door electric multiple unit trains for the first time.[14]

The introduction of power signalling on the line begun in 1933 with the section from Caulfield to Glen Huntly, with the remainder of the line converted in stages from 1958 to 1986. The current bridge over the Patterson River was provided in 1974, replacing the previous trestle bridge.[15] Triplication of the line from Caulfield to Moorabbin from two to three tracks was announced by Transport Minister Steve Crabb in 1984, at a cost of A$10 million. Construction of the additional track was designed to increase peak hour capacity and to provide express services on the corridor, with time savings of more than 10 minutes from Frankston. Work begun in July that year with a completion by the end of 1985.[16] The introduction of services on the new track was delayed by two years till June 1987.[17] Further plans announced in the 1970s included the extension of the third track to Mordialloc, however, these plans failed to materialise.[18]

In 1981, Frankston line services commenced operations through the City Loop, after previously terminating at Flinders or Spencer Street stations.[19] The commencement of operations involved the service stopping at three new stations—Parliament, Melbourne Central (formally Museum), and Flagstaff.[20] The Loop follows La Trobe and Spring Streets along the northern and eastern edges of the Hoddle Grid.[21] The Loop connects with Melbourne's two busiest stations, Flinders Street and Southern Cross, via the elevated Flinders Street Viaduct.

21st century

A 2007, restructure of train ticketing in Melbourne involved the removal of Zone 3, with Zone 3 stations being re-classified to Zone 2.[22] This brought the cost of train fares down, improving system accessibility to the public. All stations between Patterson and Frankston were rezoned to Zone 2.At the 2010 state election, both the Labor Party and the Liberal Party promised to provide a new Premium station between Highett and Cheltenham, to serve the Westfield Southland shopping centre.[23] The station was projected to cost $13 million, and would have two platforms, an information booth, and shelters with a projected usage of 1,400 passengers daily. The project was scheduled to be completed by 2014, however, no progress was made till after the 2014 state election.[24] The new station opened on 26 November 2017 as Southland station.[25] In 2013, the line, along with the Werribee and Williamstown lines, were upgraded as part of the Bayside Rail Project. The upgrade included station refurbishments, track, signal, and electrical upgrades to allow X'Trapolis trains to operate on these lines.[26]

In 2021, the metropolitan timetable underwent a major rewrite, resulting in all Frankston line trains operating direct between Richmond and Flinders Street before continuing onto the Werribee and Williamstown lines. Under these changes, Frankston services no longer operate via the City Loop, with an additional 45 new services each week.[27] The additional services upgraded frequencies to a train every 5 minutes in peak hour, every 10 minutes throughout the day, and every 20 minutes until midnight.

Future

Level Crossing Removals

The Level Crossing Removal Project has announced the removal of all 23 remaining level crossings on the Frankston line, to be completed in stages from 2016 to 2029.[28] Different removal packages have been announced in 2014, 2018, and 2022 to coincide with different state elections and to be delivered in stages up until 2029.[29] [30] All of the various removals have involved the rail under or rail over methods, with some crossing closures also undertaken by the Project. At the conclusion of the project, all level crossings between the city and Frankston station will be full grade operated through a variety of methods.

Return to City Loop

When the new cross-city rail corridor being built by the Metro Tunnel opens in 2025 there will be a reorganisation of the Melbourne rail network.[31] The Victorian Department of Transport and Planning plans to return the Frankston line to the City Loop, with dedicated use of the Caulfield group tunnel track.[32] This will mean Frankston line trains will no longer through-run with Werribee and Williamstown line trains, and will again stop at City Loop stations Flagstaff, Melbourne Central and Parliament. Werribee and Williamstown services would instead continue onto the Sandringham line.

Stage 4 of the Network Development Plan – Metropolitan Rail proposed that the Craigieburn and Frankston lines be joined via a reconfigured City Loop sometime in the 2030s.[33]

Baxter Extension

In 2013, as part of Public Transport Victoria's Network Development Plan for metropolitan rail, an extension of the Frankston line to Baxter was earmarked to begin in the "long-term", which would equate to at least 2033. In 2018, the Liberal Party announced a project to extend electrified services to Baxter during the 2018 state election.[34] The project would have included the removal of all crossings between Frankston and Baxter, duplication and electrification works, the construction of one (or two) new stations, and the reconstruction of stations along the corridor.[35] [36] The Federal Liberals announced $450 million of joint funding for the project promised between the state and federal governments. The incumbent Andrews Labor government argued that the project was not needed, instead prioritising funding to other projects across the state.

A business case commissioned by the government was completed in 2019 with no further progress being made.[37]

Again in the lead up to the 2022 state election, the Liberal opposition supported the electrification to Baxter.[38] The incumbent Andrews government made no commitments to the Baxter rail extension, instead continuing construction on level crossing removal works along the Frankston line. The 2022 state election resulted in another Labor victory, with the Andrews government pushing ahead with these works, with the extension to Baxter remaining stagnate ever since.

Network and operations

Services

Services on the Frankston line operates from approximately 4:00 am to around 11:30 daily.[13] In general, during peak hours, train frequency is 10 minutes during the peak period while services during non-peak hours drops to 10–20 minutes throughout the entire route.[39] Rather than running through the City Loop, services continue onto the Werribee (express or via the Altona Loop) or Williamstown lines (with varying frequencies).[40] On Friday nights and weekends, services run 24 hours a day, with 60 minute frequencies available outside of normal operating hours.[41] Freight operations occur (usually) twice-daily, with Qube Holdings operating services to the Long Island steel mills and the Port of Hastings. Trains to Melbourne run approximately at 4 am and during the mid-afternoon, while trains from Melbourne run approximately at midnight and noon.[42]

Train services on the Frankston line are also subjected to maintenance and renewal works, usually on selected Fridays and Saturdays. Shuttle bus services are provided throughout the duration of works for affected commuters.[43]

Stopping patterns

Legend — Station Status

Legend — Stopping Patterns
Services do not operate via the City Loop

Frankston Services[44] +StationZoneLocalLtd ExpressCarrumMordiallocCheltenham
1
1/2
2

Operators

The Frankston line has had a total of 7 operators since its opening in 1881. The majority of operations throughout its history have been government run: from its first service in 1881 until the 1999 privatisation of Melbourne's rail network, four different government operators have run the line.[45] These operators, Victorian Railways, the Metropolitan Transit Authority, the Public Transport Corporation, and Bayside Trains have a combined operational length of 118 years.

Bayside Trains was privatised in August 1999 and later rebranded M>Train. In 2002, M>Train was placed into receivership and the state government regained ownership of the line, with KPMG appointed as receivers to operate M>Train on behalf of the state government.[46] [47] [48] Two years later, rival train operator Connex Melbourne took over the M>Train operations including the Frankston line. Metro Trains Melbourne, the current private operator, then took over the operations in 2009. The private operators have had a combined operational period of years.[49]

Past and present operators of the Frankston line:!Operator!Assumed operations!Ceased operations!Length of operations
Victorian Railways18811983102 years
Metropolitan Transit Authority198319896 years
Public Transport Corporation198919989 years
Bayside Trains (government operator)199819991 years
M>Train199920045 years
Connex Melbourne200420095 years
Metro Trains Melbourne2009incumbent years (ongoing)

Route

Frankston (physical track)
Status:Operational with passenger services from Flinders Street to Frankston and freight services to the Port of Hastings
Locale:Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Continuesas:Stony Point line
Connectinglines:All metropolitan, regional, and interstate
Routes:Frankston, Port of Hastings freight trains
Event1label:Electrified
Linelength Km:43.23
Electrification:1500 V DC overhead
Signalling:Automatic block signaling
Map State:collapsed

The Frankston line forms a somewhat linear route from the Melbourne central business district to its terminus in Frankston. The route is long and is predominantly doubled tracked, however between Flinders Street station and Richmond, the track is widened to 12 tracks, narrowing to 6 tracks between Richmond and South Yarra before again narrowing to 4 tracks between South Yarra and Caulfield.[50] After Caulfield station, the track again narrows to 3 tracks, which is remain till Moorabbin when the track narrows to two tracks. The centre track is signalled for bidirectional operation, allowing for express trains overtaking stopping trains in the peak direction. After changing from Werribee and Williamstown services at Flinders Street, Frankston line traverses mainly flat country with few curves and fairly minimal earthworks for most of the line. However, between South Yarra and Malvern, the rail corridor has been lowered into a cutting to eliminate level crossings, and between Malvern and Caulfield, the corridor has been raised on an embankment for the same reason.[51] After Caulfield, the line formerly had numerous level crossings, however, all have now been abolished through numerous rail trenches and rail bridges. Remaining level crossings on the line will be removed by 2029 under other level crossing removal works.

The line follows the same alignment as the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines with the three services splitting onto different routes at Caulfield. The Frankston line continues on its south eastern alignment, whereas the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines takes an eastern alignment towards their final destinations.[52] From Mentone, the line is never more than ~1km (01miles) from the eastern shore of Port Phillip Bay, and runs alongside the Nepean Highway for much of its length. At Frankston station, electrified services terminate with Metro Trains operated diesel services continuing to Stony Point.[53] Most of the rail line goes through built-up suburbs and some industrial areas, with small sections of the line passing through more open countryside, passing by open fields and farms.

Stations

The line serves 28 stations across the length of the line. The stations are a mix of elevated, lowered, underground, and ground level designs. Underground stations are present only in the City Loop, with the majority of elevated and lowered stations being constructed as part of level crossing removals.[54] From 2023, Glen Huntly station will be lowered as part of level crossing removal works. In 2025, Parkdale station will be elevated, with Highett, Mordialloc, and Seaford stations being elevated from 2029 for similar works. Aspendale station will also be lowered from 2029.[55]

StationAccessibilityOpenedTerrainTrain connectionsOther connections
Flinders StreetYes—step free access1854Lowered
RichmondNo—steep ramp1859Elevated
South Yarra1860Lowered
Hawksburn1889
Toorak1879
Armadale
Malvern
CaulfieldGround level
Glen HuntlyYes—step free access1881Lowered
Ormond
McKinnon1884
Bentleigh1881
Patterson1961Elevated
MoorabbinNo—steep ramp1881Lowered
HighettYes—step free accessGround level
Southland2017
Cheltenham1881Lowered
Mentone
Parkdale1919Ground level
MordiallocNo—steep ramp1881
AspendaleYes—step free access1891
Edithvale1919Lowered
Chelsea1907
Bonbeach1926
Carrum1882Elevated
Seaford1913Ground level
Kananook1975
Frankston1882
Station histories!Station!Opened!Closed!Age! scope=col class=unsortable
Notes
  • Not a stop since 2021
  • Formerly Museum
  • Not a stop since 2021
  • Not a stop since 2021
  • Formerly Batman's Hill
  • Formerly Spencer Street
  • Formerly Melbourne Terminus
Punt Road
  • Replaced by Swan Street (200m further along line)
  • Formerly Swan Street
  • Formerly Gardiner's Creek Road
  • Formerly Glen Huntly Road
  • Later Glen Huntly
  • Then Glenhuntly
  • Formerly North Road
  • Formerly McKinnon Road
  • Formerly East Brighton
  • Formerly South Brighton
  • Formerly Highett Road
  • Formerly Balcombe Road
  • Formerly Balcombe
  • Formerly Aspendale Park Race-Course
Crystal Sand Siding
  • Formerly Carrum Sand Company siding
Monolyte Siding
McCulloch's Siding
Kelvin's Siding
  • Formerly McCulloch and Lowe Siding
Albion Sand Siding
  • Formerly Battersea Siding

Infrastructure

Rolling stock

See main article: X'Trapolis 100, Siemens Nexas and Comeng. The Frankston line uses three different types of electric multiple unit (EMU) trains that are operated in a split six-car configuration, with three doors per side on each carriage. The primary rolling stock featured on the line is the Comeng EMUs, built by Commonwealth Engineering between 1981 and 1988.[56] These train sets are the oldest on the Melbourne rail network and subsequently will be replaced by the mid-2030s.[57] Siemens Nexas EMUs are also widely featured on the line, originally built between 2002 and 2005 these train sets feature more modern technology than the Comeng trains.[58] The final type of rolling stock featured on the line is the X'Trapolis 100 built by Alstom between 2002 and 2004, and 2009 and 2020.[59] All of these rolling stock models are widely used on other lines across the metropolitan network and work as the backbone of the network.

Alongside the passenger trains, Frankston line tracks and equipment are maintained by a fleet of engineering trains. The four types of engineering trains are: the shunting train; designed for moving trains along non-electrified corridors and for transporting other maintenance locomotives, for track evaluation; designed for evaluating track and its condition, the overhead inspection train; designed for overhead wiring inspection, and the infrastructure evaluation carriage designed for general infrastructure evaluation.[60] Most of these trains are repurposed locomotives previously used by V/Line, Metro Trains, and the Southern Shorthaul Railroad.

Planned rolling stock

See main article: X'Trapolis 2.0. From the middle of 2020s, the next generation of the X'Trapolis family of electric EMUs—the X'Trapolis 2.0—will be introduced. This new model will fully replace the existing fleet of Comeng EMUs currently operating on the line currently with new, modern, and technologically advanced trains. The new trains will include features designed to increase passenger comfort like quicker doors, allowing for reduced boarding times, passenger information systems to display relevant information about the train and its journey, designated bicycle storage areas, and 6 cars that are fully walk through. For reliability, the trains have a higher energy efficiency to work with a lower network voltage. Finally, accessibility is improved through new interior designs featuring fold-up seating to allow additional space for wheelchair users and passenger operated automatic wheelchair ramps (located behind the two driver cabs).[61]

Accessibility

In compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act of 1992, all stations that are new-built or rebuilt are fully accessible and comply with these guidelines.[62] The majority of stations on the corridor are fully accessible, however, some stations have not been upgraded.[63] These stations do feature ramps, however, they have a gradient greater than 1 in 14. Stations that are fully accessible feature ramps that have a gradient less than 1 in 14, have at-grade paths, or feature lifts. These stations typically also feature tactile boarding indicators, independent boarding ramps, wheelchair accessible myki barriers, hearing loops, and widened paths.[64]

Projects improving station accessibility have included the Level Crossing Removal Project, which involves station rebuilds and upgrades and other individual station upgrade projects.[65] [66] These works have made significant strides in improving network accessibility, with more than 68% of Frankston line stations classed as fully accessible. This number is expected to grow within the coming years with the completion of level crossing removal works on the corridor by 2029.[67]

Signalling

The Frankston line uses three position signalling which is widely used across the Melbourne train network.[68] Three position signalling was first introduced in 1915, with the final section of the line converted to the new type of signalling in 1976.[69]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Frankston Line . 2023-02-06 . Public Transport Victoria . en-GB.
  2. Web site: 3 September 2017 . Metro's paper timetables mess . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221209095505/https://www.danielbowen.com/2017/09/04/metro-paper-timetable-issues/ . 9 December 2022 . 9 December 2022 . Daniel Bowen.
  3. Web site: What year did your railway station open? Public Transport Users Association (Victoria, Australia) . 3 August 2018 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221209095505/https://www.ptua.org.au/2018/08/03/railway-stations-years-opened/ . 9 December 2022 . 9 December 2022.
  4. Andrew Waugh . July 2010 . Mordialloc . Somersault . Signalling Record Society Victoria . 69–72.
  5. Web site: Sir Thomas Bent . 28 May 2023 . parliament.vic.gov.au.
  6. News: 1882-08-02 . Opening of the Frankston Railway. . South Bourke and Mornington Journal . 2023-02-07.
  7. Web site: 2011-03-14 . Mordialloc Structure Plan-Precinct 1 Railway Station . https://web.archive.org/web/20110314090515/http://www.kingston.vic.gov.au/Files/Part_3-Mordialloc_Structure_Plan-Precinct_1_Railway_Station.pdf . 14 March 2011 . 2023-02-07 . Kingston Council.
  8. Web site: 9 January 2023 . Victorian Heritage Database place details. Former South Yarra Railway Station . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230109020044/http://vhd.heritage.vic.gov.au/reports/report_place/1081 . 9 January 2023 . 9 January 2023.
  9. Web site: Woodcock . Ian . Stone . John . 2016 . The Benefits Of Level Crossing Removals. Lessons from Melbourne's historical experience . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230109020042/https://msd.unimelb.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/2733112/LXRA-Report_low_resolution.pdf . 9 January 2023 . 9 January 2023 . 18.
  10. Web site: Woodcock . Ian . Stone . John . 2016 . The Benefits Of Level Crossing Removals. Lessons from Melbourne's historical experience . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230109020042/https://msd.unimelb.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/2733112/LXRA-Report_low_resolution.pdf . 9 January 2023 . 9 January 2023 . 18.
  11. Fisher, Peter (2007). Victorian Signalling: by Accident or Design?. Australian Railway Historical Society (Victorian Division).
  12. Web site: Report upon the Application of electric traction to the Melbourne suburban railway system . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230124093209/https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-489878788/view . 24 January 2023 . 20 December 2022 . Trove.
  13. News: 22 August 2022 . More Melburnians could hop on a train or tram every 10 minutes under ambitious Greens proposal . ABC News . live . 18 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221217181820/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-08-23/melbourne-train-tram-services-victorian-greens-state-election/101357298 . 17 December 2022.
  14. S.E. Dornan and R.G. Henderson: (1979) The Electric Railways of Victoria
  15. Jack McLean . June 1974 . Carrum . Newsrail . Australian Railway Historical Society . 47.
  16. June 1984 . Works . Newsrail . Australian Railway Historical Society (Victorian Division) . 221.
  17. September 1987 . Works . Newsrail . Australian Railway Historical Society (Victorian Division) . 221.
  18. July 1975 . Mordialloc-Caulfield . Victorian Railways . VicRail . 103.
  19. Web site: Trove . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230114102753/https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/230627886?keyword=city%20loop%20opening . 14 January 2023 . 2023-01-14 . trove.nla.gov.au.
  20. Web site: City Loop closure . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230114102756/https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/disruptions/city-loop-closure/ . 14 January 2023 . 2023-01-14 . Public Transport Victoria . en-GB.
  21. Web site: Guide to navigating the City Loop Public Transport Users Association (Victoria, Australia) . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221212120652/https://www.ptua.org.au/tips/loop/ . 12 December 2022 . 2023-01-14 . en-AU.
  22. Web site: Moynihan . Stephen . 3 March 2007 . No more Zone 3 lifts load on commuters . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221229011957/https://www.theage.com.au/national/no-more-zone-3-lifts-load-on-commuters-20070303-ge4cc2.html . 29 December 2022 . 29 December 2022 . The Age.
  23. Web site: City of Kingston Historical Website – 'Railway Station at Bay Road' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20110927095850/http://localhistory.kingston.vic.gov.au/htm/article/72.htm . 27 September 2011 . 2007-07-30.
  24. News: Andrews . Jon . 2010-11-18 . Both parties promise Southland train station . Bayside Leader . 2017-11-13 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110123170538/http://bayside-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/mordialloc-both-parties-promise-southland-train-station/ . 2011-01-23.
  25. Web site: New station at Southland . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131126020859/https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/projects/railway-stations/new-station-at-southland/ . 26 November 2013 . 19 October 2019 . Public Transport Victoria.
  26. Web site: Bayside Rail Project . https://web.archive.org/web/20140429223236/http://ptv.vic.gov.au/projects/rail-projects/bayside-rail-project/ . 2014-04-29 . 2017-11-13 . Public Transport Victoria.
  27. Web site: New timetable train line information . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210204042226/https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/more/the-new-timetable-for-victorias-train-network/new-timetable-train-line-information/ . 4 February 2021 . 2021-01-31 . Public Transport Victoria . en-GB.
  28. Web site: Tribune . The National . 2022-10-08 . Making Frankston Line Level Crossing Free . 2023-02-06 . The National Tribune . en-AU.
  29. Web site: Carmody . Broede . 2016-08-01 . Frankston line reopens as level crossing program rolls on . 2023-02-06 . The Age . en.
  30. Web site: 2021-07-02 . Five more level crossings on the Frankston line to be gone by November Level Crossing Removal Project . 2023-02-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210702022209/https://levelcrossings.vic.gov.au/media/news/five-more-level-crossings-on-the-frankston-line-to-be-gone-by-november . 2 July 2021 .
  31. Web site: PTV Network Development Plan Metropolitan Rail Overview . 18 December 2012 . Public Transport Victoria.
  32. Web site: Planning . Department of Transport and Planning . Transport strategies and plans . 2023-02-07 . dtp.vic.gov.au . en-au.
  33. Web site: Growing Our Rail Network 2018–2025 . 2023-02-08 . Public Transport Victoria . en-GB.
  34. https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/south-east/state-liberal-leader-matthew-guy-supports-duplication-electrification-of-rail-line-to-baxter/news-story/bfafeeea15be68889b16bf725027a6fe State Liberal leader Matthew Guy supports duplication, electrification of rail line to Baxter
  35. Web site: Towell . Noel . 2018-07-16 . Guy, Turnbull all aboard the $450 million Baxter rail link . 2023-02-06 . The Age . en.
  36. Web site: Walker . Neil . 2018-07-23 . Liberals' electric plan ends at Baxter . 2023-02-06 . MPNEWS . en-US.
  37. Web site: Baxter electrification business case . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20190106065315/https://transport.vic.gov.au/getting-around/public-transport/baxter-electrification-business-case . 6 January 2019 . Transport for Victoria.
  38. Web site: Cowburn . Brodie . 2022-10-10 . Promise to pay for Baxter extension . 2023-02-06 . MPNEWS . en-US.
  39. Web site: 1 March 2021 . New timetable train line information – Public Transport Victoria . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20210301102536/https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/more/the-new-timetable-for-victorias-train-network/new-timetable-train-line-information/?line=cranbourne-and-pakenham . 1 March 2021 . 18 December 2022 .
  40. Web site: Growing Our Rail Network 2018–2025 . 2023-02-06 . Public Transport Victoria . en-GB.
  41. Web site: 2022 . Melbourne Weekend Night Network Train Map . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230112114049/https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/assets/PTV-default-site/Maps-and-Timetables-PDFs/Maps/Night-Network-maps/Night-Train-Map-SEPT-2021.pdf . 12 January 2023 . 18 December 2022 . Public Transport Victoria.
  42. Web site: Wong . Marcus . 2019-10-14 . Shipping steel on the Frankston line . 2023-02-11 . Waking up in Geelong . en-US.
  43. News: 15 November 2016 . Where do train replacement buses come from? . ABC News . live . 18 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221214224815/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-11-15/where-do-train-replacement-buses-come-from/8018532 . 14 December 2022.
  44. Web site: Frankston Line . Public Transport Victoria . 9 February 2023.
  45. "Melbourne's Rail Network to be Split" Railway Digest November 1997 page 12
  46. Web site: Osborne . Alistair . 17 December 2002 . National Express walks out of Australian rail service . 2023-08-05 . www.telegraph.co.uk.
  47. http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/12/23/1040511007915.html Receivers take over train, tram group
  48. Web site: Staff Writer . 2003-01-27 . Victorian passenger services get new managers . 2023-08-05 . Rail Express . en-AU.
  49. Web site: Cooper . Mex . 25 June 2009 . New train, tram operators for Melbourne . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230101122206/https://www.theage.com.au/national/new-train-tram-operators-for-melbourne-20090625-cxgx.html . 1 January 2023 . 1 January 2023 . The Age.
  50. Web site: Carey . Adam . 4 June 2015 . Multimillion-dollar Richmond railway station revamp in limbo . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221212123654/https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/multimilliondollar-richmond-railway-station-revamp-in-limbo-20150604-ghgyos.html . 12 December 2022 . 12 December 2022 . The Age.
  51. Web site: Wong . Marcus . 10 May 2021 . Level crossing removals in 1920s Melbourne . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221212120708/https://wongm.com/2021/05/melbourne-1920s-level-crossing-removals/ . 12 December 2022 . 12 December 2022 . Waking up in Geelong.
  52. Web site: Wray . Tyson . Melbourne's train lines definitively ranked from best to worst . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221212120710/https://www.timeout.com/melbourne/blog/melbournes-train-lines-definitively-ranked-from-best-to-worst-011917 . 12 December 2022 . 12 December 2022 . Time Out Melbourne. 19 January 2017 .
  53. Web site: Stony Point Line . 2023-02-06 . Public Transport Victoria . en-GB.
  54. Book: Lee, Robert S. . The railways of Victoria 1854–2004 . 2007 . Melbourne University Publishing . Rosemary Annable, Donald S. Garden . 978-0-522-85134-2 . Carlton, Vic. . 224727085 . 29 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220508063019/http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/224727085 . 8 May 2022 . live.
  55. Web site: The National Tribune . 2022-10-08 . Making Frankston Line Level Crossing Free . 2023-02-05 . The National Tribune . en-AU.
  56. Web site: Johnston . Matt . March 13, 2009 . Commuters get to try new look Connex trains . dead . https://archive.today/20120908211425/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/commuters-take-pole-position/story-fna7dq6e-1111119116347 . 8 Sep 2012 . 2023-02-06 . Hearld Sun.
  57. Web site: Jacks . Timna . 2021-05-18 . Ballarat plant bags $1b contract for 25 new Melbourne trains . 2023-02-06 . The Age . en.
  58. Web site: 2005-11-22 . Siemens AG – Siemens Transportation Systems wins major contract in Australia . 2023-02-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20051122043434/http://www.siemens.com/page/1,3771,226112-1-18_0_0-0,00.html . 22 November 2005 .
  59. Web site: Carey . Adam . 2014-11-07 . Trains are working better but seating not guaranteed . 2023-02-06 . The Sydney Morning Herald . en.
  60. Web site: 1 February 2011 . NETWORK SERVICE PLAN Addenda . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110307165249/https://www.vline.com.au/pdf/networkaccess/networkserviceplan/addenda.pdf/addenda . 7 March 2011 . V/Line.
  61. Web site: Jacks . Timna . 2019-07-15 . New train designs revealed, but contract under threat . 2023-02-06 . The Age . en.
  62. Web site: Accessibility – Public Transport Ombudsman Victoria . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230103084345/https://www.ptovic.com.au/improving-pt/accessibility . 3 January 2023 . 3 January 2023 . www.ptovic.com.au.
  63. Web site: 2023 . Station accessibility features . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221208020143/https://www.metrotrains.com.au/station-accessibility-features/ . 8 December 2022 . 3 January 2023 . Metro Trains Melbourne.
  64. Web site: n.d. . Accessing public transport . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221206144538/https://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/community/health-support-services/accessing-melbourne/Pages/public-transport.aspx . 6 December 2022 . 3 January 2023 . City of Melbourne.
  65. Web site: 12 June 2022 . Left behind: the fight for accessible public transport in Victoria . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230103084335/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/jun/13/left-behind-the-fight-for-accessible-public-transport-in-victoria . 3 January 2023 . 3 January 2023 . the Guardian.
  66. Web site: 17 October 2022 . Urban design framework . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230103084334/https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/projects/level-crossing-removal-project/about/urban-design-framework . 3 January 2023 . 3 January 2023 . Victoria’s Big Build.
  67. Web site: Growing Our Rail Network 2018–2025 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190812025052/https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/footer/legal-and-policies/growing-our-rail-network-2018-2025/ . 12 August 2019 . 3 January 2023 . Public Transport Victoria.
  68. Web site: A walk around Gunning . 2023-02-07 . vrhistory.com.
  69. Web site: National Code 3-Position Speed Signalling . SA Track and Signal.