Broadmeadows railway station, Melbourne
Encyclopedia
Broadmeadows is a railway station in Melbourne
, Victoria
, Australia
, located in the suburb of Broadmeadows
, on the Craigieburn railway line. Broadmeadows is classed as a Premium Station
and is in Metcard
Zone 2.
end of the station.
The station consists of two side platform
s; Platform 1 has a large glass shelter, while platform 2 has a large bluestone building, with an enclosed waiting area, ticket facilities and toilets with an office tower built above it. A large Metcard
ticket vending machine is located inside the platform 1 waiting area, which is able to dispense most ticketing options and also accept notes and coins. A coin-only Metcard vending machine is located inside the platform 2 waiting area. Additional myki
ticket vending machines are located at the entrance to platform 1, and inside the waiting area on platform 2. Stabling facilities
are located at the Craigieburn end of the station.
The Melbourne - Sydney standard gauge line is adjacent to the station on the eastern side, and at the city end the Albion-Jacana freight line branches westward from the main line, providing an alternate route to Melbourne from the suburban lines via Essendon.
. It was not until the post Second World War housing developments that the gap between the old town and the station were filled.
The station was initially provided with a 150 feet (45.7 m) long platform, a goods siding and shed, and a passing loop
for trains on the single track. This early station was closer to Camp Road than the station today. A permanent station building was provided in 1878 along with a longer platform, all on the present site. In 1885 the line was duplicated, and a second platform of timber construction provided.
Electric train services between Broadmeadows and the city were inaugurated in 1921, however Essendon remained the terminus of most suburban services, with a shuttle service operating beyond until 1925, with all day through services to Broadmeadows not provided until 1941. Stabling sidings for electric trains were provided in 1927, and were expanded in 1963 and 1964. The up platform was reconstructed in 1960.
The original 1878 station building was replaced in 1990 as part of a commercial development of the site, with the station upgraded to a Premium Station on 21 March 1996, although the waiting room and ticket facilities were originally built as part of the commercial development. Suburban electric services were extended to Craigieburn in 2007, with the siding closest to the standard gauge line being removed.
In 1920 sheds and sidings for bagged wheat were provided to handle the overflow from the Port of Williamstown
.
The level crossing at Camp Road was initially protected by hand operated gates, with boom barriers provided in 1961, and the current overpass in 1978. Barry Road also had a level crossing but was replaced by the current overpass in the late 1950s as part of the construction of the standard gauge line.
The lever frame
in the signal box
was provided in 1889, which was replaced in 1929 when the Albion-Jacana freight line opened. Mechanical signalling along the line to Essendon was abolished in 1965, but it was not until 2000 that a Westrace solid state interlocking was provided. Control of this was moved to Craigieburn in 2007 as part of the electrification extension.
A third platform on the parallel standard gauge line was completed in late 2009, as part of the North East Rail Revitalisation Project, which will see the V/Line
Albury-Wodonga service operating on standard gauge.
An Army siding was provided during the Second World War to Broadstore, located to the north-east of the station, opening on October 12, 1942, and remaining in place until 1982; however, the track was not lifted until after 1991. The Broadstore Line was a single unelectrified track, and extended in a directly easterly direction for approximately 1.6 km towards the Upfield Line and terminated at the Maygar Barracks
on Camp Road. At one time, it also had a further branch that supplied a migrant hostel. The Broadstore branch line is marked on the maps of Victorian Railways (1950, 1960, 1970, and 1980), terminating in a station marked "Broadstore".
Platform 2:
Platform 3:
(Note: There are exceptions to the above but what is listed is the general rule.)
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, located in the suburb of Broadmeadows
Broadmeadows, Victoria
Broadmeadows is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 16 km north from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Hume...
, on the Craigieburn railway line. Broadmeadows is classed as a Premium Station
Premium station
A premium station is a category of railway station on Melbourne's Metro Rail Network which is operated by Metro Trains Melbourne. In terms of station standards, a premium station is a high standard station which sits above the medium standard host stations and the low standard unmanned...
and is in Metcard
Metcard
"OneLink" redirects here. For the computer/cable company, see OneLink Communications.Metcard is the brand name of an integrated ticketing system used to access public transport in Melbourne, Australia. It is a universal ticket which allows users to ride on the city's Metlink network, consisting of...
Zone 2.
Facilities
Broadmeadows is located between Pascoe Vale Road and Railway Crescent, with station access from both via an underpass located at the Flinders StreetFlinders Street Station
Flinders Street Station is the central railway station of the suburban railway network of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It is on the corner of Flinders and Swanston Streets next to the Yarra River in the heart of the city, stretching from Swanston Street to Queen Street and covering two city...
end of the station.
The station consists of two side platform
Side platform
A Side platform is a platform positioned to the side of a pair of tracks at a railway station, a tram stop or a transitway. A pair of side platforms are often provided on a dual track line with a single side platform being sufficient for a single track line...
s; Platform 1 has a large glass shelter, while platform 2 has a large bluestone building, with an enclosed waiting area, ticket facilities and toilets with an office tower built above it. A large Metcard
Metcard
"OneLink" redirects here. For the computer/cable company, see OneLink Communications.Metcard is the brand name of an integrated ticketing system used to access public transport in Melbourne, Australia. It is a universal ticket which allows users to ride on the city's Metlink network, consisting of...
ticket vending machine is located inside the platform 1 waiting area, which is able to dispense most ticketing options and also accept notes and coins. A coin-only Metcard vending machine is located inside the platform 2 waiting area. Additional myki
Myki
myki is the contactless smartcard ticketing system being introduced on public transport in Victoria, Australia. myki is designed to replace a number of ticket systems in Victoria, primarily the Metcard and V/Line ticketing systems...
ticket vending machines are located at the entrance to platform 1, and inside the waiting area on platform 2. Stabling facilities
Rail yard
A rail yard, or railroad yard, is a complex series of railroad tracks for storing, sorting, or loading/unloading, railroad cars and/or locomotives. Railroad yards have many tracks in parallel for keeping rolling stock stored off the mainline, so that they do not obstruct the flow of traffic....
are located at the Craigieburn end of the station.
The Melbourne - Sydney standard gauge line is adjacent to the station on the eastern side, and at the city end the Albion-Jacana freight line branches westward from the main line, providing an alternate route to Melbourne from the suburban lines via Essendon.
History
Broadmeadows station originally opened on 1 February 1873, the railway having opened in 1872 as part of the North East railway to Wodonga. At the time of opening the village of Broadmeadows was located some distance from the station, becoming known as "Old Broadmeadows" and now WestmeadowsWestmeadows, Victoria
Westmeadows is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 17 km north from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Hume. At the 2006 Census, Westmeadows had a population of 5,857....
. It was not until the post Second World War housing developments that the gap between the old town and the station were filled.
The station was initially provided with a 150 feet (45.7 m) long platform, a goods siding and shed, and a passing loop
Passing loop
A passing loop is a place on a single line railway or tramway, often located at a station, where trains or trams in opposing directions can pass each other. Trains/trams in the same direction can also overtake, providing that the signalling arrangement allows it...
for trains on the single track. This early station was closer to Camp Road than the station today. A permanent station building was provided in 1878 along with a longer platform, all on the present site. In 1885 the line was duplicated, and a second platform of timber construction provided.
Electric train services between Broadmeadows and the city were inaugurated in 1921, however Essendon remained the terminus of most suburban services, with a shuttle service operating beyond until 1925, with all day through services to Broadmeadows not provided until 1941. Stabling sidings for electric trains were provided in 1927, and were expanded in 1963 and 1964. The up platform was reconstructed in 1960.
The original 1878 station building was replaced in 1990 as part of a commercial development of the site, with the station upgraded to a Premium Station on 21 March 1996, although the waiting room and ticket facilities were originally built as part of the commercial development. Suburban electric services were extended to Craigieburn in 2007, with the siding closest to the standard gauge line being removed.
In 1920 sheds and sidings for bagged wheat were provided to handle the overflow from the Port of Williamstown
Williamstown, Victoria
Williamstown is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 8 km south-west from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Hobsons Bay. At the 2006 Census, Williamstown had a population of 12,733....
.
The level crossing at Camp Road was initially protected by hand operated gates, with boom barriers provided in 1961, and the current overpass in 1978. Barry Road also had a level crossing but was replaced by the current overpass in the late 1950s as part of the construction of the standard gauge line.
The lever frame
Lever frame
Mechanical railway signalling installations rely on lever frames for their operation to interlock the signals and points to allow the safe operation of trains in the area the signals control...
in the signal box
Signal box
On a rail transport system, signalling control is the process by which control is exercised over train movements by way of railway signals and block systems to ensure that trains operate safely, over the correct route and to the proper timetable...
was provided in 1889, which was replaced in 1929 when the Albion-Jacana freight line opened. Mechanical signalling along the line to Essendon was abolished in 1965, but it was not until 2000 that a Westrace solid state interlocking was provided. Control of this was moved to Craigieburn in 2007 as part of the electrification extension.
A third platform on the parallel standard gauge line was completed in late 2009, as part of the North East Rail Revitalisation Project, which will see the V/Line
V/Line
V/Line is a not for profit regional passenger train and coach service in Victoria, Australia. It was created after the split-up of VicRail in 1983. V/Line is owned by the V/Line Corporation which is a Victorian State Government statutory authority...
Albury-Wodonga service operating on standard gauge.
An Army siding was provided during the Second World War to Broadstore, located to the north-east of the station, opening on October 12, 1942, and remaining in place until 1982; however, the track was not lifted until after 1991. The Broadstore Line was a single unelectrified track, and extended in a directly easterly direction for approximately 1.6 km towards the Upfield Line and terminated at the Maygar Barracks
Maygar Barracks
Maygar Army Barracks is located in Broadmeadows, Victoria. Maygar was the training place of the Australian Light Horse during World War I.It was named after Victoria Cross winner Leslie Maygar.-References:...
on Camp Road. At one time, it also had a further branch that supplied a migrant hostel. The Broadstore branch line is marked on the maps of Victorian Railways (1950, 1960, 1970, and 1980), terminating in a station marked "Broadstore".
Platforms, services and connecting bus services
Platform 1:- Craigieburn line - all stations and limited express services to Flinders Street.
- Seymour/Shepparton line - intercity services to Southern CrossSouthern Cross StationSouthern Cross is a major railway station and transport hub in Melbourne Docklands, Victoria, Australia. It is located on Spencer Street between Collins and La Trobe Streets at the western edge of the central business district...
.
Platform 2:
- Craigieburn line - all stations services to Craigieburn.
- Seymour and Shepparton lines - intercity services to Seymour and Shepparton.
Platform 3:
- Albury/Wodonga line - intercity services to Southern Cross/Albury (standard gauge).
(Note: There are exceptions to the above but what is listed is the general rule.)