Warrnambool V/Line rail service

The line to Geelong was originally built by the Geelong and Melbourne Railway Company and opened on 25 June 1857, with the line being sold to the Victorian Railways in 1860.[7] The line was designed by English engineer Edward Snell, and built as a single track. The line was later extended south-west, to Winchelsea in 1876, Colac in 1877, Camperdown in 1883, Terang in 1877, and finally Warrnambool, Dennington, and Port Fairy in 1890. The line is now closed beyond Warrnambool, with the last train leaving Port Fairy in September 1977.[8][3]

In the early 20th century, a similar service named "The Flyer" was introduced as an extension of the Geelong Flier to Port Fairy. The service shaved 90 minutes off the whole journey, compared with the schedule of its predecessors. This service was operated by the longer-distance E-class carriages and lasted until about 1967.

Whilst the track beyond Waurn Ponds station is mostly single with some passing loops, many duplication projects have occurred along the Geelong section of the line. The section from North Geelong to Geelong was duplicated late April 1922.[9] 37 years later in 1959, the section of track from Corio to North Geelong was duplicated. In 1979 the track from Werribee to Little River was duplicated and the sections from Little River to Lara and Lara to Corio in 1981.[10] The Regional Rail Revival project will duplicate the track from South Geelong to Waurn Ponds in late 2024.[11]

In September 1977, the line beyond Warrnambool was closed, with the final service to Port Fairy being hauled by a Victorian Railways B75 locomotive on 12 September.[8][3]

In the 1980's the Victorian Railways decided to give names to its flagship services, to follow on from the previously named "Vinelander" & "Gippslander", and "The Westcoaster" was born. It had buffet facilities on board and shaved minutes off the journey time

West Coast Railway was formed in 1993 when the Kennett government privatised long-distance country rail services previously run by the government-owned operator V/Line to private operators. Bids were lodged in February 1993 with West Coast Railway being announced as the successful tender on 30 April of the same year.[12] The initial franchise was for eight years with operations commencing on 19 September 1993.[13] The service continued using the name "The Westcoaster" until services were returned to V/Line operation and the name fell into disuse.

In August 2001, Connex purchased a 50% shareholding of West Coast Railway.[14][15] In 2003, Connex sold its shareholding to Australian Public Trustees.[16] West Coast Railway continued to operate the line until 2004 when the contract was handed back the government with V/Line resuming operation of the line.

Sherwood Park station was one of 2 new stations to open in the early 2000s

Since transfer to V/Line, three new stations have opened on the line: Marshall station in 2004, Sherwood Park station, near Warrnambool, in 2006, Waurn Ponds station in 2014, and Tarneit and Wyndham Vale in 2015.[17][18]

From 29 January 2017, V/Line started running a fourth service return service on weekdays with Sunday road coach services being replaced by trains. This meant that three Sunday train services ran in both directions instead of two.[19] Following the timetable change in late August 2017, weekday Warrnambool trains no longer serve Wyndham Vale or Tarneit stations. In December 2018, due to a lack of available rolling stock, H carriages were used on the line past Geelong for the first time.[20] H carriages are no longer used on the Warrnambool service.

From 31 March 2023, the cost of V/Line rail tickets were capped to the same fare as metropolitan services, with daily fares being capped at $9.20 or $4.60 for concession.[21][22][23] These changes are expected to bring a large rise in patronage, with fears of overcrowding on V/Line services.[24][25]

The Regional Rail Link delivered two new stations, including Wyndham Vale (pictured here).

Due to an increase in congestion on the Werribee line where Metro and V/Line services have to share tracks, a proposal was created to construct a separate line for regional trains called the "Tarneit Link". The project was expanded and re-branded as the Regional Rail Link when announced as part of the Brumby Government's Victorian Transport Plan in December 2008.[4] The project was revised to separating all regional trains between Southern Cross and Geelong, Ballarat, and Bendigo, from suburban rail movements, with the proposed route beginning at Southern Cross, travelling through Sunshine and Tarneit to West Werribee. In May 2009, the project reached full funding, gaining the required allocation of $3.2 billion from the 2009 Federal budget, adding to funds to be provided by the Victorian Government.[26][27] Construction began in June 2011, with the Regional Rail Link consisting of two sections:[28][29][30]

• Section 1 (upgrading the existing rail corridor between Southern Cross and Deer Park)
  • Two new platforms (platforms 15 & 16) at Southern Cross station
  • A new twin track rail bridge and a new bridge deck (total 2 bridges) over Dudley Street in West Melbourne
  • Upgrades to the North Melbourne rail-over-rail flyover
  • A new pair of tracks from Southern Cross station to Sunshine, parallel to the Western line
  • A new rail bridge over the Maribyrnong River
  • Major upgrades to Footscray station including the construction of new platforms and a new footbridge
  • The full reconstruction of West Footscray and Sunshine stations
  • Improvements to the entrance forecourt at Tottenham station
  • The removal of two level crossings in Sunshine
• Section 2 (the new rail corridor between Deer Park and West Werribee)
  • A new, fully grade-separated, double-track rail corridor between Deer Park and West Werribee
  • Two new stations at Tarneit and Wyndham Vale
  • A new rail bridge over the existing broad and standard gauge tracks at the junction with the Port Fairy line

Between 2013 and 2014 section 1 of the upgrade works were completed. Subsequently, the line (still operating via the Port Fairy line) from Southern Cross to South Kensington no longer stopped at North Melbourne station. On 21 June 2015, section 2 from Deer Park to West Werribee opened. Consequently, Warrnambool trains began to run via Wyndham Vale and Tarneit stations, rather than via Werribee and Newport stations on the Werribee Line.[31]

The Level Crossing Removal Project removed 3 level crossings in the area surrounding Deer Park in 2022 and 2023. The crossing at Robinsons Road was removed by constructing a road tunnel underneath the rail line, with the project being completed in September 2022.[32] Another crossing was removed at Mt Derrimut Road via the construction of an elevated rail bridge. This removal also included a newly elevated Deer Park station, car-parking, and public open space.[33] The final crossing that was removed was the one at Fitzgerald Road in neighbouring suburb of Ardeer. This crossing was removed in April 2022 via the construction of a road bridge over the line.[34] Despite a large number of remaining crossings on the line, there are no more scheduled to be removed by the Level Crossing Removal Project.

A sign advising of the major Regional Rail Revival program construction works, 2022.

In 2017, the Regional Rail Revival program was announced which included an upgrade to the Warrnambool service. The first stage was aimed at allowing a fifth return service to be introduced and involved:[35][36]

• Signalling upgrades including the construction of trenches, cabling, and additional infrastructure (complete)
• A new 2.2 km crossing loop at Boorcan (complete)
• 12 level crossing upgrades between Waurn Ponds and Warrnambool with boom gates, flashing lights, bells, and more advanced train detection technology (complete)

Stage 1 of the upgrade was completed in December 2022 with a fifth weekday return service introduced between Melbourne and Warrnambool.[37] In September 2021, a second stage of upgrades aimed at allowing VLocity trains to operate on the line was announced with a targeted completion date of late 2023. This second stage includes:[38]

• Upgrades to train detection technology at more than 50 public level crossings (underway)
  • Installation of boom gates, bells, and flashing lights at 17 of those crossings (underway)
• The upgrade of stabling facilities at Warrnambool Station (underway)
• Track upgrades to replace old wooden sleepers (complete)

Once the project is fully complete, there will be no unprotected public level crossings on the line, with all protected by boom gates and flashing lights. The project is targeted for completion in late 2023 with works progressing.[38]

The Western Rail Plan is a plan that aims to improve the quality of rail services in Melbournes western suburbs through infrastructure upgrades on a range of metropolitan and regional lines.[39] Geelong Fast Rail was one project identified in the Western Rail Plan as a matter of priority, as it would allow for Geelong and Warrnambool services to travel back via the Werribee line, cutting travel time and allowing electrification of other corridors to occur which are currently being served exclusively by V/Line trains.[6] Phase 1 of Geelong Fast Rail will consist of the following projects aimed at cutting travel times by 15 minutes:[6]

• New track between Werribee and Laverton dedicated to regional services
• Upgrades and widening of bridges over main roads, creeks, and rivers
• Upgraded stations at Werribee and Laverton
• Signalling and train control system upgrades

Construction on the project expected to get underway in 2023, with the Australian and Victorian governments committing $2 billion each to the project which is expected to create 2800 new jobs.[40]

On weekdays, there are five express services per day. All Melbourne-bound services operate express between Geelong and Southern Cross, stopping only at Footscray.[41] On weekends and public holidays, there are a total of three services per day—two local and one express service.[41]

Train services on the line are also subjected to maintenance and renewal works, usually on selected Fridays and Saturdays. Shuttle coach services are provided throughout the duration of works for affected commuters.[42]

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

• ● – All trains stop
• ◐ – Some services do not stop
• ▲ – Only inbound trains stop
• ▼ – Only outbound trains stop
• | – Trains pass and do not stop

The interior of a N-type economy carriage in March 2022.

The Warrnambool service is classified by V/Line as a long-distance service, subsequently adding additional amenities to the service. Standard on all V/Line services, toilets and luggage racks are available in addition to other amenities.[44] On locomotive hauled long-distance services (N-class carriages), each train typically has two economy carriages with a total of 176 seats in a 3+2 configuration and one first class carriage with 52 seats in a 2+2 configuration as well as a luggage compartment.[44] Cafe facilities are also available on-board all Warrnambool services serving a range of pre-made warm goods, pre-packaged sandwiches and snacks, as well as drinks.[45] From late 2023, VLocity trains will be introduced on the line replacing outdated N-class carriages. The new trains won't have a first class but will have a cafe facility.[46] Quiet carriages aren't available on locomotive hauled services, but once VLocity's are introduced from late 2023 the feature will be present on-board.[45]

West Coast Railway operated the line for 11 years from 1993 to 2004.

Prior to V/Line taking back operation of the Warrnambool service from West Coast Railway in 2004, there had been 3 previous operators. The majority of operations on the line have been government run, with these operators including the Victorian Railways, the State Transport Authority, and the Public Transport Corporation.[47]

Warrnambool railway line
km Multiple lines to Flinders Street 0.0 Southern Cross ● City Loop Albury, North East SG & Western SG lines to Albury, Sydney & Adelaide 1.7 North Melbourne (not a stop) 1.9 Dynon Road Upfield line to Upfield 2.5 CityLink 2.5 Moonee Ponds Creek Craigieburn, Seymour & Shepparton lines via Essendon Flemington Racecourse line to Flemington Racecourse South Kensington–West Footscray line to West Footscray Metro section (Sunbury Line) 3.5 South Kensington (not a stop) Melbourne Metro Tunnel to Caulfield (under construction) Saltwater River (demolished) 4.2 Maribyrnong River Maribyrnong line to Maribyrnong River Terminal (dismantled) 5.4 Hopkins Street 5.6 Footscray ●●●●●●●●●■ South Kensington–West Footscray, North East SG & Western SG lines to Southern Cross Werribee & Williamstown lines to Newport 6.0 Footscray (Main line) (demolished) 6.6 Middle Footscray (not a stop) 7.0 Geelong Road 7.3 West Footscray (not a stop) 9.1 Tottenham (not a stop) 9.1 Ashley Street 9.8 White City (demolished) Newport–Sunshine & Western SG lines to Newport & Adelaide Maidstone (demolished) 11.0 Stony Creek Newport–Sunshine line to Newport 12.3 Sunshine (not a stop) 12.3 Hampshire Road Multiple lines via Albion 12.8 Andreson Road 13.9 Kororoit Creek 15.1 Ardeer (2nd) (not a stop) 15.7 Ardeer Siding (demolished) 16.0 Western Ring Road 16.1 Ardeer (1st) (demolished) 17.6 Mt Derrimut Road 17.9 Deer Park ●●● Ravenhall Siding (closed) Sandringham Quarry Trust Siding (closed) 19.3 Deer Park West (proposed) Ararat, Ballarat, Maryborough lines to Ballarat Deer Park–West Werribee section 20.1 Western Freeway 26.0 Truganina (proposed) 28.4 Skeleton Waterholes Creek 29.5 Tarneit 29.5 Derrimut Road 32.2 Davies (proposed) 36.0 Sayers Road (proposed) 36.8 Werribee River 40.3 Wyndham Vale 42.7 Wyndham Vale South Sidings Western SG line to Southern Cross & Port Fairy line to Werribee Geelong section 47.7 Manor (demolished) 49.2 Mambourin (demolished) 55.7 Little River 55.9 Little River 65.6 Lara 69.3 Elders IXL Siding (closed) 70.1 Princes Freeway 70.9 Geelong Grammar Siding (demolished) 72.1 Corio 73.4 Distillers Siding (demolished) 75.3 North Shore ● 76.2 Cowies Creek Harbour Trust Sidings Western SG line to Adelaide & Geelong–Ballarat line to Ballarat 77.0 Princes Highway 77.5 North Geelong Yard Geelong–Ballarat line to Ballarat & Fyansford line to APC Fyansford (dismantled) 78.1 North Geelong 79.3 Church Street (Midland Highway) 79.3 Geelong Locomotive Depot 80.1 Latrobe Terrace (Princes Highway) Cunningham Pier (dismantled) 80.7 Geelong ● 81.1 Geelong Tunnel 82.5 South Geelong Queenscliff line to Queenscliff (dismantled) 85.0 Geelong Racecourse (2nd) (demolished) 85.8 Breakwater (demolished) Barwon River 87.7 Marshall Geelong Racecourse (1st) (demolished) 89.9 Grovedale (demolished) 92.6 Duneed (demolished) 93.0 Waurn Ponds ● 96.4 Waurn Ponds Cement Siding (closed) 97.0 Waurn Ponds Stabling Sidings 98.6 Pettavel (demolished) 104.8 Moriac (demolished) Wensleydale line to Wensleydale (dismantled) 111.9 Buckley (demolished) 116.9 Princes Highway Barwon River 121.9 Winchelsea 131.6 Armytage (demolished) 136.7 Princes Highway Forrest line to Forrest (dismantled) 142.4 Birregurra 147.9 Princes Highway 148.0 Warncoort (demolished) Colac–Ballarat line to Ballarat (dismantled) 155.9 Irrewarra (demolished) 158.0 CRB Siding (demolished) 159.0 Shell Oil Company (demolished) 159.6 Princes Highway Crowes line to Crowes (dismantled) 161.5 Colac Alvie line to Alvie (dismantled) 169.3 Larpent (demolished) 176.5 Pirron Yallock (closed) 186.5 Stoneyford (demolished) 191.0 Pomborneit (demolished) Princes Highway 197.6 Weerite (demolished) 206.6 Camperdown Timboon line to Timboon (dismantled) 219.2 Boorcan (demolished) 221.9 Mount Emu Creek 228.9 Terang Mortlake line to Mortlake (dismantled) Princes Highway 240.6 Garvoc (demolished) Mount Emu Creek 250.8 Panmure (demolished) Princes Highway 257.7 Cudgee (demolished) Princes Highway 264.0 Allansford (demolished) Hopkins River 269.5 Sherwood Park 272.9 Warrnambool Caltex Oil Sidings (demolished) Warrnambool Pier (demolished) 275.4 Warrnambool 269.0 Briquette Siding (closed) 270.0 Westvic Siding Port Fairy line to Port Fairy km
broad gauge standard gauge 2 ft 6 in narrow gauge dual gauge

The Port Fairy line forms a somewhat curved route from the Melbourne central business district to its terminus in Warrnambool. The route is 267.3 kilometres (166.1 mi) long and is doubled tracked up until Geelong station where it narrows to one track. Exiting the city, the Port Fairy line traverses somewhat flat country. Past Waurn Ponds the line begins to curve due to the natural terrain. On track constructed as part of the Regional Rail Link, there are numerous cuttings and embankments designed to eliminate new level crossings.[31] After Wyndham Vale, the line has many level crossings especially past Waurn Ponds station.

The line follows the same alignment as the Geelong line with the two services separating after Waurn Ponds. The Port Fairy line continues onto Warrnambool whereas the Geelong line terminates at Waurn Ponds.[48] The track up to Waurn Ponds primarily travels through built-up suburbs, industrial areas, and some farm land.[49] After Waurn Ponds, the line travels through open countryside and through small regional towns. The portion of the line before Waurn Ponds is one of Melbourne and Victoria's main growth corridors, where farmland is being replaced with housing and commercial developments, leading to a rise in patronage.[50]

The line serves 21 stations across 267.3 kilometres (166.1 mi) of track. The stations are a mix of lowered and ground level designs. The only station that isn't at ground level is Wyndham Vale which was constructed in a lowered fashion as part of the Regional Rail Link in 2015.[51]

Station	Accessibility	Opened	Terrain	Train connections	Other connections
Southern Cross	Yes—step free access	1859[52]	Ground level	27 connections  Alamein line   Albury line   Ararat line   Ballarat line   Belgrave line   Bendigo line   Craigieburn line   Cranbourne line   Echuca line   Flemington Racecourse line   Geelong line   Gippsland line   Glen Waverley line   Hurstbridge line   Lilydale line   Maryborough line   Mernda line   NSW TrainLink Southern   Pakenham line   Seymour line   Shepparton line   Sunbury line   Swan Hill line   The Overland   Upfield line   Werribee line   Williamstown line
Footscray		1859[52]		10 connections  Ararat line   Ballarat line   Bendigo line   Echuca line   Geelong line   Maryborough line   Sunbury line   Swan Hill line   Werribee line   Williamstown line
Deer Park		1884[52]	Elevated	4 connections  Ararat line   Ballarat line   Geelong line   Maryborough line
Tarneit		2015[52]	Ground level	1 connection  Geelong line
Wyndham Vale			Lowered
Little River		1857[52]	Ground level
Lara		1856[52]
Corio		1890[52]
North Shore		1895[52]		2 connections  Geelong line   The Overland
North Geelong		1883[52]		1 connection  Geelong line
Geelong		1856[52]
South Geelong
Marshall		2004[52]
Waurn Ponds		2014[52]
Winchelsea	No—steep ramp	1876[52]
Birregurra		1877[52]
Colac	Yes—step free access
Camperdown		1883[52]
Terang		1877[52]
Sherwood Park	No—steep ramp	2006[52]
Warrnambool		1890[52]

The line currently uses N class diesel-electric locomotives with N-class carriages

The Warrnambool service uses N class diesel-electric locomotives with N-class carriages operating in a three five-car set, with two doors per side on each carriage and can accommodate of up to 88 economy passengers or 52 first class passengers in one individual car configuration. The locomotives were originally built between 1985 and 1987 for V/Line by Clyde Engineering with a total of 25 produced. The locomotives are shared with other V/Line long-distance regional services and have been in service since 1985. In addition to locomotives, VicRail N-class carriages are also in use by V/Line. The carriage sets have both first class in a 2+2 seating arrangement and economy seating in a 2+3 arrangement. Snack bar facilities are also provided on board alongside toilets, drinking fountains, and luggage areas. Originally delivered as three-car sets, some sets were extended in length with Z type carriages.

Alongside the passenger trains, Port Fairy line tracks and equipment are maintained by a fleet of engineering trains. The two types of engineering trains are: the shunting train, designed for moving trains along non-electrified corridors and for transporting other maintenance locomotives; and the infrastructure evaluation carriage designed for general infrastructure evaluation including track and electrical infrastructure (if travelling along electrified corridors).[55] Most of these trains are repurposed locomotives previously used by V/Line, Metro Trains, and the Southern Shorthaul Railroad.[55]

Long-distance VLocity's will operate on the line from the end of 2023.

Upon the completion of Stage 2 of the Warrnambool line upgrade as part of the Regional Rail Revival project in late 2023, the Warrnambool service will be able to use long-distance VLocity trains.[35] VLocity trains operate in a three-car configuration (with the ability to be configured up to 6 cars or 9 (on select segments only)) with two doors per side on each carriage and a seating capacity of 222 seats per three car set in a 2+2 configuration.[56] There are two types of interior layouts: commuter (with seating, toilets, and luggage racks) and long distance (with seating, toilets, a kiosk style cafe, and luggage racks).[2] Unlike existing long distance locomotive hauled trains, first class isn't available on-board the long distance VLocity trains.[46] Long distance VLocity's are currently in operation on all other long distance lines to some extent, with more progressively being delivered. The trains have been continuously built at Alstom's Dandenong factory in Melbourne's south-east since 2004.[57]

Marshall station has accessible features including tactile boarding indicators and ramps that have a gradient less than 1 in 14.

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.[58] The majority of stations on the corridor are fully accessible, however, there are some stations that haven't been upgraded to meet these guidelines.[59] These stations do feature ramps, however, they have a gradient greater than 1 in 14.[59] Stations that are fully accessible feature ramps that have a gradient less than 1 in 14, have at-grade paths, or feature lifts.[59] These stations typically also feature tactile boarding indicators, independent boarding ramps, wheelchair accessible myki barriers, hearing loops, and widened paths.[59][60]

Projects improving station accessibility have included the Regional Rail Revival (RRL) program, which involves station rebuilds and upgrades.[61] These works have made significant strides in improving network accessibility, with more than 80% of the stations on the line classed as fully accessible. This number is expected to grow within the coming years as works progress on the RRL.[62]

The Port Fairy line uses a combination of different signalling types due to the length of the line. From the city to North Geelong the line uses Automatic and Track Control, to Geelong Automatic Block Signalling, to Waurn Ponds Track Block, and to Warrnambool Train Order Working.[63]