Merri railway station explained

Merri
Type:PTV commuter rail station
Style:Melbourne
Address:Railway Street,
Northcote, Victoria 3070
Borough:City of Darebin
Country:Australia
Coordinates:-37.7778°N 144.9931°W
Distance:8.04 kilometres from
Southern Cross
Other:
  • Bus
  • Tram
Structure:Ground
Platform:2 side
Tracks:2
Parking:6
Rebuilt:1910
Electrified:July 1921 (1500 V DC overhead)
Accessible:Yes—step free access
Code:MER
Owned:VicTrack
Operator:Metro Trains
Zone:Myki Zone 1
Status:Operational, unstaffed
Former:Northcote (1889-1906)
Website:Public Transport Victoria
Map State:expanded

Merri railway station is a commuter railway station on the Mernda line, which is part of the Melbourne railway network. It serves the north-eastern suburb of Northcote, in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Merri station is a ground level unstaffed station, featuring two side platforms. It opened on 8 October 1889, with the current station provided in 1910.[1]

Initially opened as Northcote, the station was given its current name of Merri on 10 December 1906.[2]

History

Merri station opened on 8 October 1889, when the Inner Circle line was extended from North Fitzroy to Reservoir.[1] The original conception of the station was to act as a major junction in a planned "North Suburban Railway System. The Argus reported in 1887 that; "The Station at Union-street, as shown on our plan, must necessarily be the most important in the Northern System, as lines branch from this point to Preston and Whittlesea on the north ; Heidelberg, Kew, &.c., on the east; Carlton, Royal-park, North Melbourne, and Spencer-street on the south-west; Fitzroy, East Melbourne, and Flinders-street on the south; and if the alternative route is adopted, Clifton-hill, Collingwood, Richmond, and Flinders street on the south east.",[3] while land sale plans advertised the upcoming construction of the Grand Central Junction Station".[4]

In 1910, the station building was rebuilt to accommodate an increased population in the area.[5]

The nearby level crossing at Charles Street had hand-operated gates until 1924, when they were replaced with interlocked gates, operated from the nearby signal box, following several serious traffic accidents.[6] In 1986, these gates were replaced with boom barriers.[7] [8] In 1987, the signal box was abolished.[1]

In 1973, both platforms were extended at the down end of the station.[1]

During October 1987, the double line block system between Merri – Northcote was abolished, and replaced with three position signalling,[9] with all two position signals between Merri – Thornbury also abolished.[9]

Announced as part of a $21.9 million package in the 2022/23 Victorian State Budget, Merri, alongside other stations, will receive accessibility upgrades, the installation of CCTV, and platform shelters.[10] The development process will begin in late 2022 or early 2023, with a timeline for the upgrades to be released once construction has begun.

Platforms and services

Merri has two side platforms. It is served by Mernda line trains.[11]

Platform 1:

Platform 2:

Transport links

Dysons operates one bus route via Merri station:

Moonee Ponds JunctionWestgarth station

Yarra Trams operates two routes via Merri station:

West Preston – Victoria Harbour (Docklands)[12]

Bundoora RMIT – Waterfront City (Docklands)[13]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Merri. vicsig.net. 4 February 2023.
  2. Web site: Merri. vicsig.net. 4 February 2023.
  3. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article7878861 The Argus 9 December 1887
  4. http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/171315616 "Fitzroy Junction Estate" land sale advertisement 1887
  5. http://www.darebin.vic.gov.au/Files/DHR02_Northcote_Merri_Area.pdf Darebin Heritage Study 2000 - Merri - Northcote
  6. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2067508 The Argus, 13 Nov 1924
  7. March 1987. Works. Newsrail. Australian Railway Historical Society. 89.
  8. January 1990. Level Crossing Protection. John Sinnatt. Somersault. Signalling Record Society Victoria. 9–17.
  9. January 1988. Works. Newsrail. Australian Railway Historical Society. 27.
  10. Web site: Improving transport accessibility across the state . 7 September 2022.
  11. train.
  12. tram.
  13. tram.