- Mansfield railway line
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Mansfield railway line, Victoria Line details Opened 1883 to Yea, extended
from Yea in 1889
reaching Mansfield in 1891.Completed 1891 to Mansfield
Branch to Alexandra in 1909.Closed 8 November 1978 Fate Closed Stations 16 Tracks Single Former connections Joined North East line at Tallarook, Alexandra line branched off at Cathkin. Rail transport in Victoria List of stations
Closed railwaysMansfield railway line Legend
North East line 
at Tallarook Station 
Trawool Granite Kerrisdale Homewood Yea Cheviot Molesworth Cathkin 
Alexandra line Yarck Kanumbra Merton Woodfield Bonnie Doon Maindample 
Mansfield The Mansfield railway line was a branch line in the Goulburn Valley of northern Victoria, Australia, branching from the main North East line at Tallarook station and heading east into mountainous territory.
History
The first stage of the line was opened from Tallarook to Yea in 1883, being extended in stages from 1889 though Molesworth, Cathkin, Merton and Maindample to reach Mansfield in 1891, located 117 kilometres from the junction.[1] A short 7 kilometre long branch was also opened from Cathkin to Koriella in 1890, being extended another 7 kilometres to Alexandra in 1909.[1]
The line was a result of a decade of local lobbying, and provided improved access for agricultural products from the region to Melbourne markets. [2] The line was quite scenic and included a 200 m tunnel near Cheviot and a viaduct over an arm of the Lake Eildon reservoir near Bonnie Doon, which was rebuilt in 1955 as part of the enlarging of the reservoir.[3]
The last regular passenger service operated to Mansfield on 28 May 1977 by 280hp Walker railmotor 91 RM. It was replaced by a bus service via Yarra Glen, but was rerouted via Whittlesea after road upgrades were carried out. By this point the track had deteriorated beyond Yea, and after March 1977 the majority of services beyond this point were buses.[4]
The line was closed on 8 November 1978 along with the branch line to Alexandra.[1] The line was quickly dismantled following closure, preventing any chance of tourist services from operating along the line despite some interest being shown. Many bridges along the line have also since been removed with only the uprights remaining.[5] Currently, 17 kilometres of the line has been reopened as the Goulburn River High Country rail trail, in three separate sections.[6] The Federal Government together with local councils have committed funding to complete a 134-kilometre trail along the way of the former rail line.[7]
References
- ^ a b c Sid Brown (March 1990). "Tracks Across the State". Newsrail (Australian Railway Historical Society (Victorian Division)): pages 71–76.
- ^ Mansfield Historical Society. "History of Mansfield". home.vicnet.net.au. http://home.vicnet.net.au/~manshs/mansfield.htm. Retrieved 2008-06-04.[dead link]
- ^ "Rail Trails News - Old Railway at Bonnie Doon". www.railtrails.org.au. http://www.railtrails.org.au/news/news.php3?feature_bonnie_doon_052000&/states/vic/northern.htm. Retrieved 2008-06-04.
- ^ Chris Banger (March 1997). "Rail Passenger Service Withdrawals Since 1960". Newsrail (Australian Railway Historical Society (Victorian Division)): pages 77–82.
- ^ "Mansfield Line". www.vicrailstations.com. http://www.vicrailstations.com/Mansfield/Mansfield.html. Retrieved 2008-06-04.
- ^ "Goulburn River High Country Rail Trails - Trail Description". www.railtrails.org.au. http://www.railtrails.org.au/states/trails.php3?action=trail&trail=27. Retrieved 2008-06-04.
- ^ "$14 million Project Announced to Complete Goulburn River High Country Rail Trail (Vic)". Railtrails Australia. 29 April 2009. http://www.railtrails.org.au/news/news.php3?news&261&%2Fnews.
External links
Railway Lines in Victoria Main lines
Bendigo Line · Mildura line · North East Line · (Melbourne-Sydney) · Orbost Line · Port Fairy Line · Portland line · Serviceton Line · South Gippsland Line · Tocumwal line · Western SG line (Melbourne-Adelaide)Branch linesAlexandra line · Alvie line · Balranald line · Bolangum line · Briagolong line · Bright line · Buninyong line · Carpolac line · Casterton line · Cobram line · Cohuna line · Coleraine line · Cudgewa line · Daylesford line · Deniliquin line · Forrest line · Grampians line · Heathcote line · Kulwin line · Lancefield line · Maffra line · Mansfield line · Mortlake line · Mirboo North line · Navarre line · Noojee line · Oaklands line · Outtrim line · Patchewollock line · Peechelba East line · Picola line · Portland line · Redesdale line · Red Hill line · Robinvale line · Skipton line · Strzelecki line · Stony Crossing line · Tatong line · Thorpdale line · Timboon line · Wahgunyah line · Waubra line · Wedderburn line · Wonthaggi line · Woodside line · Yackandandah line · Yanac line · Yaapeet line ·
Cross Country linesAvoca line · Geelong-Ballarat line · Eaglehawk–Inglewood line · Moolort Line · Toolamba–Echuca line
V/Line servicesGeelong Line · Warrnambool Line · Ballarat Line · Maryborough Line · Ararat Line · Bendigo Line · Swan Hill Line · Echuca Line · Seymour Line · Shepparton Line · Albury-Wodonga Line · Traralgon Line · Bairnsdale Line
Melbourne suburban servicesCity Loop · Werribee line · Williamstown line · Sydenham line · Craigieburn line · Flemington Racecourse line · Upfield line · Epping line · Hurstbridge line · Lilydale line · Belgrave line · Alamein line · Glen Waverley line · Pakenham line · Cranbourne line · Frankston line · Stony Point line (unelectrified) · Sandringham line
Inner Circle line · Outer Circle line · Rosstown Railway · St Kilda - Windsor line · Spring Vale Cemetery line · Mont Park line · Kew line · Red Hill line · Whittlesea line · Warburton line · Mornington line · Healesville line · St Kilda line · Port Melbourne line Tourist railwaysNarrow gauge branch linesWhitfield line · Gembrook line · Crowes line · Walhalla line
Melbourne goods linesNewport-Sunshine line · Albion-Jacana line · South Kensington-West Footscray line
Categories:- Closed regional railway lines in Victoria (Australia)
- Railway lines opened in 1883
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