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Glen Waverley line

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Glen Waverley
Railways in Melbourne
Xtrapolis train arrived at Darling railway station, Melbourne.
City-bound X'Trapolis trains at Darling station.
Overview
Service typeCommuter rail
SystemMelbourne railway network
StatusOperational
LocaleMelbourne, Victoria, Australia
First service24 March 1890; 134 years ago (1890-03-24)
Current operator(s)Metro Trains
Former operator(s)
Route
TerminiFlinders Street
Glen Waverley
Stops20 (including City Loop stations)
Distance travelled20.993 km (13.044 mi)
Average journey time36 minutes (not via City Loop)
Service frequency
  • 10–15 minutes weekdays peak
  • 10–20 minutes weekdays off-peak
  • 20 minutes weekend daytime
  • 30 minutes nights
  • 60 minutes early weekend mornings
  • a small amount of services run express from Richmond to Darling
On-board services
Disabled accessYes
Technical
Rolling stockX'Trapolis 100
Track gauge1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in)
Electrification1500 V DC overhead
Track owner(s)VicTrack

The Glen Waverley railway line is a suburban electric railway in Melbourne, Australia, operated by Metro Trains Melbourne. It branches from the Lilydale, Belgrave and Alamein lines at Burnley station. It has 12 stations in PTV ticketing zones 1 and 2.

History

19th century

A rail connection from Princes Bridge station to Punt Road (Richmond) was made over a line built by the Melbourne and Suburban Railway Company in 1859, and their branch line from Richmond to Burnley opened in 1861.

In 1890, what would become the Glen Waverley line, opened from Burnley to Darling. The Burnley – Darling line was electrified in 1920 with a one station extension to East Malvern in 1929. In 1930, the line was extended to Glen Waverley and became the Glen Waverley railway line.

At the same time in 1890, a line known as the Outer Circle line opened, running from Oakleigh (on the Dandenong line) to Darling, continuing to Burnley (a further line of the Outer Circle junctioned north to Riversdale at Waverley Road, near to where East Malvern now is). The Outer Circle was closed in sections between 1893 and 1897, and the Burnley – Waverley Road line section was cut back to Darling in 1895.

20th century

In 1929, when the Glen Waverley line construction began its first extension from Darling to East Malvern, it was on the track of the Outer Circle line up to a short distance nigh of the new East Malvern station. The Outer Circle line would have begun its curve south towards Waverley Road and Oakleigh. The Glen Waverley line was to continue straight east and curve towards Holmesglen.

The 1950s saw the line undergo major upgrades, including the first centralised traffic control installation in Australia. Commissioned in September 1957 and 6 miles (9.7 km) in length, the Victorian Railways installed it as a prototype for the North East standard project.[1] On 6 February 1956, the Toorak Road level crossing, between Kooyong and Tooronga stations, was the first in Victoria to receive boom barriers, replacing hand operated gates.[2]

The Comeng trains were introduced to the Melbourne railway system in 1981. Initially, along with the Glen Waverley line, they were only allowed to operate on the Alamein, Belgrave, Dandenong and Lilydale lines, due to the width of the trains (10 feet (3.05 m)).[3]

On 20 November 1989, a train collision occurred at Syndal station, when a passenger train collided with a stationary train.

21st century

Two level crossings were removed in the 2010s by the Level Crossing Removal Project.

Network and operations

Services

Services on the Glen Waverley line operates from approximately 5:15 am to around 12:00 am daily.[4] In general, during peak hours, train frequency is 5-10 minutes while services during non-peak hours drops to 10–30 minutes throughout the entire route.[5] Some express services do occur during peak hour by skipping unpopular stations. On Friday nights and weekends, services run 24 hours a day, with 60 minute frequencies available outside of normal operating hours.[6]

Train services on the Sandringham 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.[7]

Stopping patterns

Legend — Station status

  • ◼ Premium Station – Station staffed from first to last train
  • ◻ Host Station – Usually staffed during morning peak, however this can vary for different stations on the network.

Legend — Stopping patterns
Some services do not operate via the City Loop

  • ● – All trains stop
  • ◐ – Some services do not stop
  • | – Trains pass and do not stop
Glen Waverley Services[8]
Station Zone Local Ltd Express
◼ Flinders Street 1 ● ●
◼ Southern Cross ◐ ◐
◼ Flagstaff ◐ ◐
◼ Melbourne Central ◐ ◐
◼ Parliament ◐ ◐
◼ Richmond ● ●
◻ East Richmond ◐ |
◼ Burnley ● |
◻ Heyington ● |
◻ Kooyong ● |
◻ Tooronga ● |
◻ Gardiner ● |
◻ Glen Iris ● |
◼ Darling 1/2 ● ●
◼ East Malvern ● ●
◻ Holmesglen ● ●
◻ Jordanville 2 ● ●
◼ Mount Waverley ● ●
◻ Syndal ● ●
◼ Glen Waverley ● ●

Operators

The Glen Waverley line has had a total of 6 operators since its opening in 1888. The majority of operations throughout its history have been government run: from its first service in 1888 until the 1997 privatisation of Melbourne's rail network, three different government operators have run the line.[9] These operators, Victorian Railways, the Metropolitan Transit Authority, and the Public Transport Corporation have a combined operational length of 109 years.[10] In comparison, the three private operators, Hillside Trains, Connex Melbourne, and Metro Trains Melbourne have had a combined operational period of 27 years.[11]

Past and present operators of the Glen Waverley line:
Operator Assumed operations Ceased operations Length of operations
Victorian Railways 1888 1983 95 years
Metropolitan Transit Authority 1983 1989 6 years
Public Transport Corporation 1989 1997 8 years
Hillside Trains 1997 2000 3 years
Connex Melbourne 2000 2009 9 years
Metro Trains Melbourne 2009 incumbent 15 years (ongoing)

Route

Map
Interactive map of Glen Waverley line in eastern Melbourne.
Glen Waverley (physical track)
Overview
StatusOperational with passenger services from Flinders Street to Glen Waverley
Owner
LocaleMelbourne, Victoria, Australia
Termini
Connecting linesAll metropolitan, regional, and interstate
Former connectionsOuter Circle
Stations
  • 20 current stations
  • 3 former stations
Service
ServicesGlen Waverley
History
Commenced24 March 1890 (1890-03-24)
Opened
  • Princes Bridge to Richmond on 8 February 1859 (1859-02-08)
  • Richmond to Burnley on 24 September 1860 (1860-09-24)
  • Burnley to Darling on 24 March 1890 (1890-03-24)
  • Darling to East Malvern on 3 February 1929 (1929-02-03)
  • East Malvern to Glen Waverley on 5 May 1930 (1930-05-05)
Completed5 May 1930 (1930-05-05)
Electrified
  • Flinders Street to Darling on 19 December 1922 (1922-12-19)
  • To East Malvern on 3 February 1929 (1929-02-03)
  • To Glen Waverley on 5 May 1930 (1930-05-05)
Technical
Line length20.993 km (13.044 mi)
Number of tracksDouble track
Track gauge1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in)
Electrification1500 V DC overhead
Operating speed
  • 95 km/h (59 mph) - Electric
  • 50 km/h (31 mph) - Diesel
SignallingAutomatic block signaling
Maximum incline1 in 30 (3.33%)

The Glen Waverley line forms a mostly curved route from the Melbourne central business district to its terminus in Glen Waverley. The route is 21.3 kilometres (13.2 mi) long and is predominantly doubled tracked, however between Flinders Street station and Richmond, the track is widened to 12 tracks, narrowing to 4 tracks between Richmond and Burnley before again narrowing to 2 tracks between Burnley and Glen Waverley.[12] After departing from its terminus at Flinders Street, the Glen Waverley line traverses both flat and hilly country with few curves and fairly minimal earthworks for most of the line. The journey from Holmesglen to the terminus involves some of the steepest grades in Melbourne (1 in 30).[13] However, sections of the line have been elevated or lowered into a cutting to eliminate level crossings.[14] Despite some removals, there are a small number of level crossings still present with no current plans to remove them.[15]

The line follows the same alignment as the Alamein, Belgrave, and Lilydale lines with the four services splitting onto different routes at Burnley. The Glen Waverley line continues on its south eastern alignment, whereas the Alamein, Belgrave, and Lilydale lines takes an eastern alignment towards their final destinations.[16] All of the rail line goes through built-up suburbs towards its terminus in Glen Waverley.[16]

Stations

The line serves 20 stations across 21 kilometres (13 mi) of track. 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.[17][18]

Station Accessibility Opened Terrain Train connections Other connections
Flinders Street Yes—step free access 1854[19] Lowered
16 connections
 Trams Buses
Southern Cross 1859[19] Ground level
26 connections
 Trams Buses Coaches
Flagstaff 1985[19] Underground
10 connections
 Trams
Melbourne Central 1981[19] Trams Buses
Parliament 1983[19] Trams
Richmond No—steep ramp 1859[20] Elevated
8 connections
 Trams Buses
East Richmond Yes—step free access 1860[20] Ground level
3 connections
 Trams
Burnley No—steep ramp 1880[20]
Heyington No—stairs required 1890[20]
Kooyong Yes—step free access Trams
Tooronga Buses
Gardiner Lowered Trams
Glen Iris No—steep ramp Ground level Buses
Darling Yes—step free access
East Malvern No—steep ramp 1929[20]
Holmesglen 1930[20]
Jordanville
Mount Waverley
Syndal
Glen Waverley
Station Histories
Station Opened[21] Closed[21] Age Notes
Parliament 22 January 1983 41 years
Melbourne Central 26 January 1981 43 years Formerly Museum[21]
Flagstaff 27 May 1985 39 years
Southern Cross 17 January 1859 165 years Formerly Batman's Hill / Spencer Street[21]
Flinders Street 12 September 1854 170 years Formerly Melbourne Terminus[21]
Princes Bridge 8 February 1859 1 October 1866 7 years
2 April 1879 30 June 1980 101 years
Botanic Gardens 2 March 1859 c. April 1862 Approx. 3 years
Punt Road 8 February 1859 12 December 1859 10 months Replaced by Swan Street (200m further along line)
Richmond 12 December 1859 165 years Formerly Swan Street[21]
East Richmond 24 September 1860 164 years Formerly Church Street[21]
Burnley 1 May 1880 144 years Formerly Burnley Street[21]
Richmond Park - - - Built 24 March 1890 but never opened[21]
Heyington 24 March 1890 134 years
Kooyong 24 March 1890 134 years
Tooronga 24 March 1890 134 years
Gardiner 24 March 1890 134 years
Glen Iris 24 March 1890 134 years
Darling 24 March 1890 134 years
East Malvern 3 February 1929 95 years Formerly Eastmalvern[21]
Holmesglen 5 May 1930 94 years
Jordanville 5 May 1930 94 years
Mount Waverley 5 May 1930 94 years
Syndal 5 May 1930 94 years
Glen Waverley 5 May 1930 94 years

Infrastructure

Rolling stock

The Glen Waverley line uses X'Trapolis 100 electric multiple unit (EMU) trains operating in a two three-car configuration, with three doors per side on each carriage and can accommodate of up to 432 seated passengers in each six car configuration.[22] The trains were originally built between 2002 and 2004 as well as between 2009 and 2020 with a total of 212 three-car sets constructed. The trains are shared with 7 other metropolitan train lines and have been in service since 2003.[22]

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.[23] Most of these trains are repurposed locomotives previously used by V/Line, Metro Trains, and the Southern Shorthaul Railroad.[23]

Accessibility

A modern train arriving at a platform.
Darling station features tactile boarding indicators and other accessible features.

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.[24] Half of stations on the corridor are fully accessible, however, there are some stations that haven't been upgraded to meet these guidelines.[25] These stations do feature ramps, however, they have a gradient greater than 1 in 14.[25] Stations that are fully accessible feature ramps that have a gradient less than 1 in 14, have at-grade paths, or feature lifts.[25] These stations typically also feature tactile boarding indicators, independent boarding ramps, wheelchair accessible myki barriers, hearing loops, and widened paths.[25][26]

Projects improving station accessibility have included the Level Crossing Removal Project, which involves station rebuilds and upgrades, and individual station upgrade projects.[27][28] These works have made significant strides in improving network accessibility, with more than 50% of Glen Waverley line stations classed as fully accessible. Future station upgrade projects will continue to increase the number of fully accessible stations overtime.

Signalling

The Glen Waverley line uses three position signalling which is widely used across the Melbourne train network.[29] Three position signalling was first introduced on the line in 1919, with the final section of the line converted to the new type of signalling in 1964.[30]

References

  1. ^ Leo J. Harrigan (1962). Victorian Railways to '62. Public Relations and Betterment Board. p. 176.
  2. ^ "Boom Barriers Operate Today". The Age. 6 February 1956. p. 3.
  3. ^ "Traffic". Newsrail. Australian Railway Historical Society. August 1981. p. 185.
  4. ^ "More Melburnians could hop on a train or tram every 10 minutes under ambitious Greens proposal". ABC News. 22 August 2022. Archived from the original on 17 December 2022. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
  5. ^ "New timetable train line information – Public Transport Victoria". 1 March 2021. Archived from the original on 1 March 2021. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
  6. ^ "Melbourne Weekend Night Network Train Map" (PDF). 2022. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 January 2023. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
  7. ^ "Where do train replacement buses come from?". ABC News. 15 November 2016. Archived from the original on 14 December 2022. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
  8. ^ Victoria, Public Transport. "Glen Waverley Line". Public Transport Victoria. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
  9. ^ "Melbourne's Rail Network to be Split" Railway Digest November 1997 page 12
  10. ^ "Melbourne's Rail Network to be Split" Railway Digest November 1997 page 12
  11. ^ Cooper, Mex (25 June 2009). "New train, tram operators for Melbourne". The Age. Archived from the original on 1 January 2023. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  12. ^ Carey, Adam (4 June 2015). "Multimillion-dollar Richmond railway station revamp in limbo". The Age. Archived from the original on 12 December 2022. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  13. ^ "Metropolitan Grade Diagrams". www.victorianrailways.net. Archived from the original on 12 February 2023. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  14. ^ Wong, Marcus (10 May 2021). "Level crossing removals in 1920s Melbourne". Waking up in Geelong. Archived from the original on 12 December 2022. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  15. ^ Anderton, Gary (20 November 2020). "Key level crossing removals must feature in this year's State Budget - Michael O'Brien MP, Member for Malvern". Michael O'Brien MP. Archived from the original on 15 February 2023. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  16. ^ a b Wray, Tyson. "Melbourne's train lines definitively ranked from best to worst". Time Out Melbourne. Archived from the original on 12 December 2022. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  17. ^ Lee, Robert S. (2007). The railways of Victoria 1854–2004. Rosemary Annable, Donald S. Garden. Carlton, Vic.: Melbourne University Publishing. ISBN 978-0-522-85134-2. OCLC 224727085. Archived from the original on 8 May 2022. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
  18. ^ "Major Construction Begins On First Level Crossing Removal | Premier of Victoria". www.premier.vic.gov.au. Archived from the original on 6 January 2023. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
  19. ^ a b c d e "What year did your railway station open? | Public Transport Users Association (Victoria, Australia)". Archived from the original on 9 December 2022. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  20. ^ a b c d e f "What year did your railway station open? | Public Transport Users Association (Victoria, Australia)". Archived from the original on 9 December 2022. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  21. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Anderson, Rick (2010). Stopping All Stations. Clunes, Victoria: Full Parallel Productions. ISBN 978-0646543635. OCLC 671303814.
  22. ^ a b "Wayback Machine" (PDF). web.archive.org. 1 March 2014. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
  23. ^ a b "NETWORK SERVICE PLAN | Addenda". 1 February 2011. Archived from the original on 7 March 2011.
  24. ^ "Accessibility – Public Transport Ombudsman Victoria". www.ptovic.com.au. Archived from the original on 3 January 2023. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  25. ^ a b c d "Station accessibility features". Metro Trains Melbourne. 2023. Archived from the original on 8 December 2022. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  26. ^ "Accessing public transport". City of Melbourne. n.d. Archived from the original on 6 December 2022. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  27. ^ "Left behind: the fight for accessible public transport in Victoria". the Guardian. 12 June 2022. Archived from the original on 3 January 2023. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  28. ^ Victoria’s Big Build (17 October 2022). "Urban design framework". Victoria’s Big Build. Archived from the original on 3 January 2023. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  29. ^ "A walk around Gunning". vrhistory.com. Archived from the original on 15 August 2022. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  30. ^ "National Code 3-Position Speed Signalling" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 7 February 2023. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
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