Sandringham line explained

Sandringham line
Image Alt:Comeng train on the Sandringham line at Prahran station.
Type:Commuter rail
Status:Operational
System:Melbourne railway network
Locale:Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Operator:Metro Trains
Stops:14
Distance:18.09km (11.24miles)
Journeytime:30 minutes
Line Used:Sandringham
Stock:Siemens Nexas
El:1500 V DC overhead
Owners:VicTrack
Map State:collapsed

The Sandringham line is a commuter railway line in the city of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.[1] Operated by Metro Trains Melbourne, it is the city's fourth shortest metropolitan railway line at . The line runs from Flinders Street station in central Melbourne to Sandringham station in the south-east, serving 14 stations via South Yarra, Balaclava, Elsternwick, and Brighton.[2] The line operates from approximately 5am to 12am, daily, with 24 hour service available on Friday and Saturday nights. Services run every 7–8 minutes during peak hour, with services running every 15 minutes during the inter-peak period on weekdays, and every 20 minutes at night and during the day on weekends (with the exception of early Sunday mornings when services run every 40 minutes). Additionally, services run every 60 minutes overnight on Friday and Saturday nights as part of the Night Network.[3]

Sections of the Sandringham line opened as early as 1859, with the line fully extended to Sandringham in 1887. A limited number of stations were first opened, with infill stations progressively opened between 1860 and 1912.[4] The line was built to connect Melbourne with the suburbs of Balaclava, Elsternwick, Brighton, and Sandringham, amongst others. Minor upgrades have occurred since its opening, including historical level crossing removal works and regular infrastructure upgrades.

History

19th century

The Melbourne and Suburban Railway Company opened their line from Princes Bridge (later amalgamated with Flinders Street station) to a temporary station on Punt Road in February 1859, then to Cremorne (now closed) in December of that year. Shortly after, the St Kilda and Brighton Railway Company opened their railway line from St Kilda to Bay Street (now North Brighton) in December 1859. Twelve months after that, the Melbourne and Suburban Railway Company extended their line from Cremorne to Chapel Street (now Windsor) station, on the St Kilda and Brighton Railway Company's line, providing a second route to the city from the Brighton line. The following year, again in December, the St Kilda and Brighton Railway Company extended their line to Beach (now Brighton Beach).

The link between St Kilda and Windsor, disused since 1862, was dismantled in 1867, although part of it at the Windsor end was used as a siding for some time afterwards. In 1865, the Melbourne and Hobson's Bay Railway Company, who owned the St Kilda line, purchased the Melbourne Suburban Railway Company and became the Melbourne and Hobson's Bay United Railway Company, and subsequently bought the St Kilda and Brighton Railway Company, which was in financial difficulties, for £99,500. The Victorian Government acquired the United railway company in July 1878.

In September 1887, the Brighton line was extended to Sandringham.

20th century

The Sandringham line became the first line in Victoria to be provided with automatic signals, with the line as far as Elsternwick converted in stages from 1915 to 1918. Then in 1919, the Sandringham line became, with the line to Essendon, the first line in the country to be electrified (apart from a test installation on the Flemington Racecourse line).[5] Automatic signalling was provided the rest of the way to Sandringham in two stages in during 1926.

When the underground City Loop line was designed, it was not intended to cater for trains on the Port Melbourne, St Kilda, and Sandringham lines. However, a crossover was installed near Richmond to allow Sandringham trains to cross to the tracks used by the Frankston, Pakenham, and Cranbourne line trains, which had access to the underground loop. In 1985, two Sandringham trains each way were altered to run via the underground loop, and in 1987, with the Port Melbourne and St Kilda lines converted to light rail operation, all off-peak and many peak trains were routed via the underground loop. The commencement of operations involved the service stopping at three new stations—Parliament, Melbourne Central (formally Museum), and Flagstaff.[6] The Loop follows La Trobe and Spring Streets along the northern and eastern edges of the Hoddle Grid.[7] The Loop connects with Melbourne's two busiest stations, Flinders Street and Southern Cross, via the elevated Flinders Street Viaduct. From 2021, Sandringham line services stopped operating through the loop as part of a timetable restructure.[8]

21st century

In 2021, the metropolitan timetable underwent a major rewrite, resulting in all Sandringham line trains terminating at Flinders Street without operating through the City Loop.[8]

Future

Network reconfiguration

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.[9] 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.[10] 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. As part of the reconfiguration, the Sandringham line would instead begin through-running services to Werribee and Williamstown lines for the first time.

Stage 4 of the Network Development Plan – Metropolitan Rail proposed that the Upfield and Sandringham lines be joined via a reconfigured City Loop sometime in the 2030s.[11]

Network and operations

Services

Services on the Sandringham line operates from approximately 5:00am to 12:00am (midnight) daily and all night on Friday and Saturday nights.[12] Services run every 7–8 minutes during peak hour, with services running every 15 minutes during the inter-peak period on weekdays, and every 20 minutes at night and during the day on weekends (with the exception of early Sunday mornings when services run every 40 minutes until 10:00am). Additionally, services run every 60 minutes overnight on Friday and Saturday nights as part of the Night Network.[3] Services don't run via the City Loop, instead they run direct to Flinders Street.[13]

Stopping patterns

Legend — Station status

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

Sandringham Services[14] +StationZoneLocalLtd ExpressMiddle Brighton
1
1/2
2

Operators

The Sandringham line has had a total of 11 operators since its opening in 1859. The line was initially operated by the Melbourne and Suburban Railway Company, the St Kilda and Brighton Railway Company, the Melbourne Railway Company, and the Melbourne and Hobson's Bay Railway Company over the course of 19 years from 1859 till nationalisation in 1878. The majority of operations throughout its history have been government run: from 1878 until the 1999 privatisation of Melbourne's rail network, four different government operators have run the line.[15] These operators, Victorian Railways, the Metropolitan Transit Authority, the Public Transport Corporation and Bayside Trains have a combined operational length of 121 years.[15]

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.[16] [17] [18] Two years later, rival train operator Connex Melbourne took over the M>Train operations including the Sandringham line. Metro Trains Melbourne, the current private operator, then took over the operations in 2009. These private operators have had a combined operational period of years.[19]

Past and present operators of the Sandringham line:!Operator!Assumed operations!Ceased operations!Length of operations
Melbourne and Suburban Railway Company185918623 years
St Kilda and Brighton Railway Company
Melbourne Railway Company186218653 years
Melbourne and Hobson's Bay Railway Company1865187813 years
Victorian Railways18781983105 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)
*Operated part of the route

Route

Sandringham (physical track)
Status:Operational with passenger services from Flinders Street to Sandringham
Locale:Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Connectinglines:All metropolitan and Bairnsdale/Traralgon
Routes:Sandringham
Event1label:Electrified
Linelength Km:18.090
Electrification:1500 V DC overhead
Speed:70km/h
Signalling:Automatic block signaling
Map State:collapsed

The Sandringham line forms a somewhat linear route with minor curves from the Melbourne central business district to its terminus in Sandringham. 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 2 tracks between South Yarra and Sandringham.[20] After departing from its terminus at Flinders Street, the Sandringham line traverses mainly flat country with few curves and fairly minimal earthworks for most of the line. However, sections of the line have been elevated or lowering into a cutting to eliminate level crossings.[21] Despite historical removals, there are numerous level crossings still present on the line with no current plans to remove them.[22]

The line follows the same alignment as the Cranbourne, Pakenham, and Frankston lines with the four services splitting onto different routes at South Yarra. The Sandringham line continues on its south eastern alignment, whereas the Cranbourne, Pakenham, and Frankston lines takes an eastern alignment towards their final destinations.[23] From Balaclava, the line is never more than ~2km (01miles) from the eastern shore of Port Phillip. All of the rail line goes through built-up suburbs towards its terminus in Sandringham.

Stations

The line serves 14 stations across of track. The stations are a mix of elevated, lowered, and ground level designs. The majority of stations are at ground level, with elevated or lowered stations constructed in conjunction with historical level crossing removals works.[24]

StationAccessibilityOpenedTerrainTrain connectionsOther connections
Flinders StreetYes—step free access1854Lowered
RichmondNo—steep ramp1859Elevated
South Yarra1860Lowered
PrahranYes—step free access1860Ground level
WindsorNo—steep ramp1859
BalaclavaYes—step free accessElevated
Ripponlea1912Ground level
Elsternwick1859Lowered
GardenvaleNo—steep ramp1906Elevated
North BrightonYes—step free access1859Ground level
Middle Brighton1861
Brighton Beach
Hampton1887
Sandringham
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
  • Not a stop since 2021
  • Formerly Melbourne Terminus
Punt Road
  • Replaced by Swan Street (200m further along line)
  • Formerly Swan Street
  • Formerly Gardiner's Creek Road
  • Formerly Greville Street
  • Formerly Chapel Street
  • Formerly Bay Street
  • Formerly Church Street
  • Formerly Beach
  • Formerly Hampton
  • Formerly Retreat

Infrastructure

Rolling stock

See main article: Siemens Nexas. The Sandringham line is operated by Siemens Nexas multiple unit trains operating in a two three-car configuration.

The Siemens Nexas EMUs contain two doors per side on each carriage and can accommodate up to 432 seated passengers in each six car configuration.[25] The trains were originally built between 2002 and 2005 with a total of 72 three-car sets constructed.[26]

Alongside the passenger trains, Sandringham 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.[27] Most of these trains are repurposed locomotives previously used by V/Line, Metro Trains, and the Southern Shorthaul Railroad.

Former rolling stock

When the line was electrified, the Sandringham line initially used a fleet of Swing Door and Tait EMUs. Until the 2000s, the line generally used all types of EMUs operating in Melbourne.

From 1982, as the Comeng EMUs entered service, the remaining Tait stock were cascaded onto the Sandingham line, as well as on the Port Melbourne and St Kilda lines as they were banned from running in the City Loop. At the same time, the refurbished Harris trains were put into service on those said three lines. From 1991, the line went back to using the regular Hitachi and Comeng trains until its displacement with the Siemens EMU.

Hitachi EMUs were removed from the line in December 2013 and the Comeng EMUs were removed in June 2024.

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.[28] The majority of stations on the corridor are fully accessible, however, there are some stations that haven't been upgraded to meet these guidelines.[29] 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.[30]

Individual upgrade projects designed around improving station accessibility have occurred in recent years, with works making significant strides in improving network accessibility, with more than 71% of Sandringham line stations classed as fully accessible.[31]

Signalling

The Sandringham line uses three position signalling which is widely used across the Melbourne train network.[32] Three position signalling was first introduced in 1915, with the final section of the line converted to the new type of signalling in 1926.[33] The Sandringham line was the first line in Victoria to be equipped with this technology and was also the first (along with part of the Craigieburn line) to have a regular electric service.[34]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Sandringham Line . 16 February 2023 . Public Transport Victoria . en-GB . 7 September 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180907155122/https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/route/ . live .
  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: 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 .
  4. 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.
  5. Fisher, Peter (2007). Victorian Signalling: by Accident or Design?. Australian Railway Historical Society (Victorian Division).
  6. 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 . 14 January 2023 . Public Transport Victoria . en-GB.
  7. 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 . 14 January 2023 . en-AU.
  8. 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 . 31 January 2021 . Public Transport Victoria . en-GB.
  9. Web site: PTV Network Development Plan Metropolitan Rail Overview . 18 December 2012 . Public Transport Victoria . 19 September 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210919131436/https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/assets/PTV-default-site/footer/legal-and-policies/growing-our-rail-network-2018-2025/PTV_Network-Development-Plan_Metropolitan-Rail_Overview_2016update.pdf . live .
  10. Web site: Planning . Department of Transport and Planning . Transport strategies and plans . 7 February 2023 . dtp.vic.gov.au . en-au . 12 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230212093612/https://dtp.vic.gov.au/about/planning/transport-strategies-and-plans . live .
  11. Web site: Growing Our Rail Network 2018–2025 . 8 February 2023 . Public Transport Victoria . en-GB . 12 August 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190812025052/https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/footer/legal-and-policies/growing-our-rail-network-2018-2025/ . live .
  12. 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.
  13. Web site: Growing Our Rail Network 2018–2025 . 6 February 2023 . Public Transport Victoria . en-GB . 12 August 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190812025052/https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/footer/legal-and-policies/growing-our-rail-network-2018-2025/ . live .
  14. Web site: Sandringham Line . Public Transport Victoria . 26 December 2022 . 20 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221220072731/https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/route/timetable/12/sandringham/ . live .
  15. "Melbourne's Rail Network to be Split" Railway Digest November 1997 page 12
  16. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/2836793/National-Express-walks-out-of-Australian-rail-service.html National Express walks out of Australian rail service
  17. http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/12/23/1040511007915.html Receivers take over train, tram group
  18. https://www.railexpress.com.au/victorian-passenger-services-get-new-managers/ Victorian passenger services get new managers
  19. 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.
  20. 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.
  21. 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.
  22. Web site: Anderton . Gary . 20 November 2020 . Key level crossing removals must feature in this year's State Budget – Michael O'Brien MP, Member for Malvern . 15 February 2023 . Michael O'Brien MP . en-AU . 15 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230215095437/https://www.michaelobrien.com.au/key-level-crossing-removals-must-feature-in-this-years-state-budget/ . live .
  23. 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 .
  24. 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.
  25. http://ptv.vic.gov.au/assets/PTV/PTV%20docs/Partnership-agreements/Train-Franchise-Agreement-Vol-2-of-2.pdf Train Franchise Agreement Volume 2
  26. Web site: 4 October 2005 . Media Release: New Train Hits the Tracks . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070831033620/http://www.dpc.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/newmedia.nsf/798c8b072d117a01ca256c8c0019bb01/97735a0de321c545ca257091000166ff!OpenDocument . 31 August 2007 . Minister for Public Transport.
  27. 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.
  28. 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.
  29. 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.
  30. 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.
  31. 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.
  32. Web site: A walk around Gunning . 7 February 2023 . vrhistory.com . 15 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220815134339/http://vrhistory.com/walks/Gunning/Gunning.htm . live .
  33. Web site: National Code 3-Position Speed Signalling . 12 February 2023 . 7 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230207082457/http://www.sa-trackandsignal.net/Pdf%20files/ARTC/ASig%20descr.pdf . live .
  34. Web site: Safety First on line for Passengers Kingston Local History . 12 February 2023 . localhistory.kingston.vic.gov.au . 12 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230212051913/https://localhistory.kingston.vic.gov.au/articles/242 . live .