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{{Short description|Passenger rail service in Victoria, Australia}}
{{Short description|Passenger rail service in Victoria, Australia}}
{{about|the [[V/Line]] service|the physical railway itself|Serviceton railway line}}
{{about|the [[V/Line]] services operated to Ballarat, Ararat, and Maryborough|the physical railway Ballarat and Ararat services operate on|Serviceton railway line|the physical railway Maryborough services operate on|Mildura railway line}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Use Australian English|date=May 2015}}
{{Use Australian English|date=May 2015}}
Line 24: Line 24:
| ridership2 =
| ridership2 =
| website = {{twitter|vline_ballarat|V/Line Ballarat}}
| website = {{twitter|vline_ballarat|V/Line Ballarat}}
| start = [[Southern Cross railway station]], Melbourne
| start = [[Southern Cross railway station|Southern Cross]]
| stops = 13
| stops = 13
| end = [[Wendouree railway station]]
| end = {{Plainlist|
* [[Melton railway station, Victoria|Melton]]
* [[Bacchus Marsh railway station|Bacchus Marsh]]
* [[Wendouree railway station|Wendouree]]
}}<ref>https://www.vline.com.au/getattachment/8b367055-20b3-4d52-bb9e-2f8fd14474a7/Ballarat-timetable</ref>
| distance = {{cvt|123|km|mi}}<ref name="TOD p4">{{cite web|title=Train Operating Data: Deer Park Junction to Ararat|url=https://corporate.vline.com.au/CMSModules/SharePoint/CMSPages/GetSharePointFile.ashx?connectionname=VNAP&fileref=%2fNetworkServicesPlan%2fTrain+Operating+Data+-+List+of+all+V-Line+Lines%2f04+-+Deer+Park+Junction+to+Ararat+R02-2017+-+NA_NSP_02-04.pdf&cacheminutes=5&cachefilesize=1024&hash=422cf20ba84834c8c5a4a7d3485be0c199aa0f4f870cef585ba4e8d1d8f0ef02|website=Network service plan|publisher=V/Line Corporation|access-date=1 February 2018|page=4|date=25 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203005730/https://corporate.vline.com.au/CMSModules/SharePoint/CMSPages/GetSharePointFile.ashx?connectionname=VNAP&fileref=%2fNetworkServicesPlan%2fTrain+Operating+Data+-+List+of+all+V-Line+Lines%2f04+-+Deer+Park+Junction+to+Ararat+R02-2017+-+NA_NSP_02-04.pdf&cacheminutes=5&cachefilesize=1024&hash=422cf20ba84834c8c5a4a7d3485be0c199aa0f4f870cef585ba4e8d1d8f0ef02|archive-date=3 February 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| distance = {{cvt|123|km|mi}}<ref name="TOD p4">{{cite web|title=Train Operating Data: Deer Park Junction to Ararat|url=https://corporate.vline.com.au/CMSModules/SharePoint/CMSPages/GetSharePointFile.ashx?connectionname=VNAP&fileref=%2fNetworkServicesPlan%2fTrain+Operating+Data+-+List+of+all+V-Line+Lines%2f04+-+Deer+Park+Junction+to+Ararat+R02-2017+-+NA_NSP_02-04.pdf&cacheminutes=5&cachefilesize=1024&hash=422cf20ba84834c8c5a4a7d3485be0c199aa0f4f870cef585ba4e8d1d8f0ef02|website=Network service plan|publisher=V/Line Corporation|access-date=1 February 2018|page=4|date=25 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203005730/https://corporate.vline.com.au/CMSModules/SharePoint/CMSPages/GetSharePointFile.ashx?connectionname=VNAP&fileref=%2fNetworkServicesPlan%2fTrain+Operating+Data+-+List+of+all+V-Line+Lines%2f04+-+Deer+Park+Junction+to+Ararat+R02-2017+-+NA_NSP_02-04.pdf&cacheminutes=5&cachefilesize=1024&hash=422cf20ba84834c8c5a4a7d3485be0c199aa0f4f870cef585ba4e8d1d8f0ef02|archive-date=3 February 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| journeytime =
| journeytime =
| frequency =
| frequency ={{Plainlist|
* Weekday services between Southern Cross and Melton run approx. every 20 minutes
* Weekday services between Southern Cross and Wendouree run approx. every 40 minutes
* Extra services to Southern Cross originate from Bacchus Marsh during the weekday morning peak
* Weekend services run approx. once an hour between Southern Cross and Wendouree
}}<ref>https://www.vline.com.au/getattachment/8b367055-20b3-4d52-bb9e-2f8fd14474a7/Ballarat-timetable</ref>
| trainnumber =
| trainnumber =
| line_used =
| line_used =
Line 42: Line 51:
| baggage =
| baggage =
| otherfacilities =
| otherfacilities =
⚫
| stock = [[V/Line VLocity|VLocity]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Passenger Schedules: South Western Down|url=https://corporate.vline.com.au/CMSModules/SharePoint/CMSPages/GetSharePointFile.ashx?connectionname=VNAP&fileref=%2fNetworkServicesPlan%2fPassenger+Schedules%2fSouth+Western+Weekday+from+28.01.2018.pdf&cacheminutes=5&cachefilesize=1024&hash=82e156de3c8c2cd976743913426fc84fba0961e976bca085eae878e55f4b81d1|website=Network service plan|publisher=V/Line Corporation|access-date=1 February 2018|date=10 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203005812/https://corporate.vline.com.au/CMSModules/SharePoint/CMSPages/GetSharePointFile.ashx?connectionname=VNAP&fileref=%2fNetworkServicesPlan%2fPassenger+Schedules%2fSouth+Western+Weekday+from+28.01.2018.pdf&cacheminutes=5&cachefilesize=1024&hash=82e156de3c8c2cd976743913426fc84fba0961e976bca085eae878e55f4b81d1|archive-date=3 February 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| stock = {{plainlist|
*[[V/Line VLocity|VLocity]]
*[[V/Line Sprinter|Sprinter]]
⚫
*[[V/Line N class|N class]] and [[V/Line H type carriage|H set]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Passenger Schedules: Western Up|url=https://corporate.vline.com.au/CMSModules/SharePoint/CMSPages/GetSharePointFile.ashx?connectionname=VNAP&fileref=%2fNetworkServicesPlan%2fPassenger+Schedules%2fWestern+Weekday.pdf&cacheminutes=5&cachefilesize=1024&hash=56c8ed565cc49a1fbf4e28a704fa4d95a7b6268f7ec94b09b5a10e127c285394|website=Network service plan|publisher=V/Line Corporation|access-date=1 February 2018|date=10 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203005757/https://corporate.vline.com.au/CMSModules/SharePoint/CMSPages/GetSharePointFile.ashx?connectionname=VNAP&fileref=%2fNetworkServicesPlan%2fPassenger+Schedules%2fWestern+Weekday.pdf&cacheminutes=5&cachefilesize=1024&hash=56c8ed565cc49a1fbf4e28a704fa4d95a7b6268f7ec94b09b5a10e127c285394|archive-date=3 February 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
}}
| gauge = {{track gauge|victorian}}
| gauge = {{track gauge|victorian}}
| el =
| el =
Line 57: Line 62:
{{Infobox rail service
{{Infobox rail service
| box_width = 250px
| box_width = 250px
| name = Ararat Line
| name = Ararat
| color = AB53AC
|logo=Victoria train logo.svg| color = AB53AC
| image = VL80 Ararat.jpg
|logo_width=100px| image = VL80 Ararat.jpg
| image_width = 200px
| image_width = 200px
| caption = V/Line Victoria VL80 arriving into Ararat
| caption = VLocity VL80 arriving into Ararat
| type = Long-distance (paper ticket) service
| type = Long-distance (paper ticket) service
| status = Operating
| status = Operating
Line 71: Line 76:
| ridership =
| ridership =
| ridership2 =
| ridership2 =
| start = [[Southern Cross railway station]], Melbourne
| start = [[Southern Cross railway station|Southern Cross]]
| stops = 15
| stops = 15
| end = [[Ararat railway station]]
| end = [[Ararat railway station|Ararat]]
| distance = {{cvt|211|km|mi}}<ref name="TOD p5">{{cite web|title=Train Operating Data: Deer Park Junction to Ararat|url=https://corporate.vline.com.au/CMSModules/SharePoint/CMSPages/GetSharePointFile.ashx?connectionname=VNAP&fileref=%2fNetworkServicesPlan%2fTrain+Operating+Data+-+List+of+all+V-Line+Lines%2f04+-+Deer+Park+Junction+to+Ararat+R02-2017+-+NA_NSP_02-04.pdf&cacheminutes=5&cachefilesize=1024&hash=422cf20ba84834c8c5a4a7d3485be0c199aa0f4f870cef585ba4e8d1d8f0ef02|website=Network service plan|publisher=V/Line Corporation|access-date=1 February 2018|page=5|date=25 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203005730/https://corporate.vline.com.au/CMSModules/SharePoint/CMSPages/GetSharePointFile.ashx?connectionname=VNAP&fileref=%2fNetworkServicesPlan%2fTrain+Operating+Data+-+List+of+all+V-Line+Lines%2f04+-+Deer+Park+Junction+to+Ararat+R02-2017+-+NA_NSP_02-04.pdf&cacheminutes=5&cachefilesize=1024&hash=422cf20ba84834c8c5a4a7d3485be0c199aa0f4f870cef585ba4e8d1d8f0ef02|archive-date=3 February 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| distance = {{cvt|211|km|mi}}<ref name="TOD p5">{{cite web|title=Train Operating Data: Deer Park Junction to Ararat|url=https://corporate.vline.com.au/CMSModules/SharePoint/CMSPages/GetSharePointFile.ashx?connectionname=VNAP&fileref=%2fNetworkServicesPlan%2fTrain+Operating+Data+-+List+of+all+V-Line+Lines%2f04+-+Deer+Park+Junction+to+Ararat+R02-2017+-+NA_NSP_02-04.pdf&cacheminutes=5&cachefilesize=1024&hash=422cf20ba84834c8c5a4a7d3485be0c199aa0f4f870cef585ba4e8d1d8f0ef02|website=Network service plan|publisher=V/Line Corporation|access-date=1 February 2018|page=5|date=25 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203005730/https://corporate.vline.com.au/CMSModules/SharePoint/CMSPages/GetSharePointFile.ashx?connectionname=VNAP&fileref=%2fNetworkServicesPlan%2fTrain+Operating+Data+-+List+of+all+V-Line+Lines%2f04+-+Deer+Park+Junction+to+Ararat+R02-2017+-+NA_NSP_02-04.pdf&cacheminutes=5&cachefilesize=1024&hash=422cf20ba84834c8c5a4a7d3485be0c199aa0f4f870cef585ba4e8d1d8f0ef02|archive-date=3 February 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| journeytime = 2h 20min (approx)
| journeytime = 2h 30min (approx)<ref>https://www.vline.com.au/getattachment/47b8738a-1891-47a9-8fae-c64b6e66c2f4/Ararat-Melbourne-</ref>
| frequency = 4 weekday return services
| frequency = 4 weekday return services, 2 weekend return services<ref>https://www.vline.com.au/getattachment/47b8738a-1891-47a9-8fae-c64b6e66c2f4/Ararat-Melbourne-</ref>
| trainnumber =
| trainnumber =
| line_used =
| line_used =
Line 92: Line 97:
|map={{Ararat V/Line Service|inline=yes}}
|map={{Ararat V/Line Service|inline=yes}}
|map_state=collapsed
|map_state=collapsed
}}{{Infobox rail service|box_width=250px|color=AB53AC|name=Maryborough|logo=Victoria train logo.svg|logo_width=100px|image=VLine train at Maryborough.jpg|image_width=|caption=VLocity VL38 at Maryborough|type=Long-distance (paper ticket) service|status=Operational|locale=[[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]], [[Australia]]|predecessor=|first={{Start date and age|2010|07|24|df=y}}<ref>https://railgallery.wongm.com/vline-maryborough-launch/page/1</ref>|last=|successor=|operator=[[V/Line]]|formeroperator=[[Victorian Railways]] (to [[Mildura railway station|Mildura]])|ridership=|ridership2=|website=|start=[[Ballarat railway station|Ballarat]]|stops=5|end=[[Maryborough railway station, Victoria|Maryborough]]|distance={{Convert|68.7|km|abbr=on}}|journeytime=52 minutes|frequency=Two return services per day|trainnumber=|line_used=[[Mildura railway line|Mildura]]|class=Economy|access=Yes|seating=|sleeping=|autorack=|catering=|observation=|entertainment=|baggage=|otherfacilities=|stock=|gauge={{Track gauge|1600 mm}}|el=|speed=|owners=[[VicTrack]]|routenumber=|map={{Maryborough V/Line Service|inline=yes}}|map_state=collapsed}}
}}


The '''Ballarat V/Line rail service''' is a regional passenger rail service operated by [[V/Line]] in [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]], Australia. It serves passengers between state capital [[Melbourne]] and the regional city of [[Ballarat]]. Beyond [[Wendouree railway station|Wendouree]], it becomes the '''Ararat line''' and the '''Maryborough line'''.
The '''Ballarat V/Line rail service''' is a regional passenger rail service operated by [[V/Line]] in [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]], Australia. It runs between [[Southern Cross railway station|Southern Cross]] in [[Melbourne]] to [[Wendouree railway station|Wendouree]] in Ballarat's [[Wendouree, Victoria|suburb of the same name]]. The '''Ararat V/Line rail service''' extends further west from [[Wendouree railway station|Wendouree]] to [[Ararat railway station|Ararat]], while the '''Maryborough V/Line rail service''' is operated as a shuttle from [[Ballarat railway station|Ballarat]] along the [[Mildura line]] to [[Maryborough railway station, Victoria|Maryborough]].


It is the second most-used regional rail service in Victoria (behind the [[Geelong V/Line rail service|Geelong]] service), carrying 4.68 million passengers in the 2022-23 [[financial year]].<ref name="V/Line Corporation Annual Report 2022-23"></ref>
It is the second most-used regional rail service in Victoria (behind the [[Geelong V/Line rail service|Geelong]] service), carrying 4.68 million passengers in the 2022-23 [[financial year]].<ref name="V/Line Corporation Annual Report 2022-23"></ref>
Line 102: Line 107:
[[File:VLine VLocity Warrenheip.jpg|thumb|[[V/Line VLocity]] train at the junction with the Melbourne-Ballarat line at [[Warrenheip railway station|Warrenheip station]]]]
[[File:VLine VLocity Warrenheip.jpg|thumb|[[V/Line VLocity]] train at the junction with the Melbourne-Ballarat line at [[Warrenheip railway station|Warrenheip station]]]]
[[File:Vlocity railcars ballarat.jpg|thumb|[[V/Line VLocity]] railcars inside the [[train shed]] of [[Ballarat railway station|Ballarat station]]]]
[[File:Vlocity railcars ballarat.jpg|thumb|[[V/Line VLocity]] railcars inside the [[train shed]] of [[Ballarat railway station|Ballarat station]]]]
{{main article|Serviceton railway line}}
{{main article|Serviceton railway line#History}}
[[V/Line]] once operated services to [[Horsham railway station, Victoria|Horsham]] and [[Dimboola railway station|Dimboola]]. Several rail stations such as [[Gordon railway station, Victoria|Gordon]] and [[Warrenheip railway station|Warrenheip]] were closed in October 1981 as part of the [[New Deal (railway)|New Deal]] timetable. All services beyond [[Ballarat railway station|Ballarat]] were withdrawn on 27 May 1994,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.victorianrailways.net/vr%20history/history.html |title=VictorianRailways.net – VR Timeline |access-date=28 February 2017 |archive-date=30 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080530050949/http://www.victorianrailways.net/vr%20history/history.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and in 1995 the [[One Nation (Infrastructure)|One Nation Program]] regauged the line beyond Ararat. The broad-gauge line between Ballarat and Ararat was closed to all traffic, with the broad-gauge passenger service from Ballarat to Ararat not reinstated until 2004 under the [[Linking Victoria]] program.


=== 20th century ===
⚫
In November 2004, [[Premier of Victoria]] [[Steve Bracks]] announced that the line would be renamed the ''Eureka Line'' to mark the 150th anniversary of the [[Eureka Stockade|Eureka uprising]]. Due to take effect from late 2005 at the same time as the renaming of Spencer Street station to [[Southern Cross railway station|Southern Cross]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20050724130253/http://www.dpc.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/newmedia.nsf/0/1439B82149192718CA256F57007F0D2B?Open Eureka Rail Line to Open Exciting new era for Regional Rail] Premier of Victoria 25 November 2004</ref> The renaming was criticised by groups such as the [[Public Transport Users Association]],<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080721060143/http://www.ptua.org.au/files/newsletters/2004/200412.pdf More name changes:Ballarat this time] PTUA News Volume 28 Issue 6 December 2004</ref> and was never carried out.
[[V/Line]] operated services along the original [[Serviceton railway line]] as far as [[Horsham railway station, Victoria|Horsham]] and [[Dimboola railway station|Dimboola]]. Several stations, including [[Gordon railway station, Victoria|Gordon]] and [[Warrenheip railway station|Warrenheip]], were closed in 1981 as part of the [[New Deal (railway)|New Deal]] reforms to Victoria's country rail services. Services to [[Mildura railway station|Mildura]], which ran via Ballarat, ended in 1993.


In 1994, all services beyond [[Ballarat railway station|Ballarat]] were withdrawn to allow for conversion of the line between [[Ararat railway station|Ararat]] and [[Serviceton railway station|Serviceton]] from [[Victorian broad gauge|broad gauge]] to [[Standard-gauge railway|standard gauge]]. The now-standard gauge track was connected to other former-broad gauge to form the [[Western standard gauge railway line]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.victorianrailways.net/vr%20history/history.html |title=VictorianRailways.net – VR Timeline |access-date=28 February 2017 |archive-date=30 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080530050949/http://www.victorianrailways.net/vr%20history/history.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
⚫
On 9 May 2009, [[Wendouree railway station|Wendouree station]] to the west of [[Ballarat railway station|Ballarat station]] opened.<ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-06-12/ballarats-new-train-station-to-officially-open/1711464 Ballarat's new train station to officially open] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402231326/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-06-12/ballarats-new-train-station-to-officially-open/1711464 |date=2 April 2015 }} ''ABC News'' 12 June 2009</ref>


=== 21st century ===
⚫
In December 2008, as part of the [[Victorian Transport Plan]], the [[Government of Victoria|State Government]] announced passenger rail services to [[Maryborough railway station, Victoria|Maryborough]] would resume with services commencing on 25 July 2010.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20100107061134/http://www.transport.vic.gov.au/web23/Home.nsf/AllDocs/2E119EEBF81209D2CA257625001AE39C?OpenDocument Maryborough Rail Services] Victorian Transport Plan</ref><ref>[http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/547816/passenger-trains-return-to-maryborough/ Passenger trains return to Maryborough] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402093027/http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/547816/passenger-trains-return-to-maryborough/ |date=2 April 2015 }} ''The Courier'' 25 July 2010</ref>
⚫
In 2004, services to Ararat were reintroduced under then-[[Premier of Victoria|Premier]] [[Steve Bracks]]' [[Linking Victoria]] program. Bracks' government additionally announced its intention to rename the line to ''"''Eureka" in commemoration of the [[Eureka Stockade|Eureka uprising]]'s 150th anniversary. This renaming was to take effect at the same time as the renaming of Spencer Street Station to [[Southern Cross railway station|Southern Cross Station]] in 2005,<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20050724130253/http://www.dpc.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/newmedia.nsf/0/1439B82149192718CA256F57007F0D2B?Open Eureka Rail Line to Open Exciting new era for Regional Rail] Premier of Victoria 25 November 2004</ref> however this move was never carried out.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080721060143/http://www.ptua.org.au/files/newsletters/2004/200412.pdf More name changes:Ballarat this time] PTUA News Volume 28 Issue 6 December 2004</ref>


==== Regional Fast Rail ====
By 2009, a total of 48,000 passengers or an average of 1,000 per week were using the line between Ballarat and Ararat.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.araratadvertiser.com.au/news/local/news/general/tribute-paid-to-rail-supporters/1567331.aspx |title=Tribute paid to rail supporters – Local News – News – General – Ararat Advertiser |access-date=24 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706101120/http://www.araratadvertiser.com.au/news/local/news/general/tribute-paid-to-rail-supporters/1567331.aspx |archive-date=6 July 2011 }}</ref>
{{Main|Regional Fast Rail project}}
The line saw a significant package of upgrades during the Regional Fast Rail project. Several parts of the line were rerailed, and new deviations and bridges were built to ease grades, enable trains to run at speeds up to 160 km/h. [[V/Line VLocity]] [[diesel multiple unit]] trains, built as part of the project, started running to Ballarat in 2005.


⚫
In 2008, [[Wendouree railway station|Wendouree Station]] was built to relieve overcrowding after passenger numbers grew significantly following the completion of the project. The station opened in 2009.<ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-06-12/ballarats-new-train-station-to-officially-open/1711464 Ballarat's new train station to officially open] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402231326/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-06-12/ballarats-new-train-station-to-officially-open/1711464 |date=2 April 2015 }} ''ABC News'' 12 June 2009</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-04-03 |title=Media Release: BALLARAT TO GET A SECOND TRAIN STATION |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110403003811/http://www.dpc.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/newmedia.nsf/bc348d5912436a9cca256cfc0082d800/42daf50e900501b2ca2571e60002305d!OpenDocument |access-date=2024-06-28 |website=web.archive.org}}</ref>
The [[Victorian Transport Plan]] released in December 2008 proposed the progressive upgrade of the Melton line to support future urban development in the corridor. The [[Regional Fast Rail project]] to Ballarat has been completed. The construction of the new [[Caroline Springs railway station]] (Ravenhall) commenced in August 2015, and has now been completed with the first trains running on 29 January 2017. Another new station was constructed for the new outer suburb of [[Cobblebank railway station|Cobblebank]], between the existing [[Rockbank railway station|Rockbank]] and [[Melton railway station, Melbourne|Melton station]] stations, services having commenced on 2 December 2019.<ref>{{cite web |title=Victoria's Newest Station Opens at Cobblebank |url=https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/victorias-newest-station-opens-at-cobblebank/ |access-date=8 January 2020 |website=premier.vic.gov.au |archive-date=8 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200408061759/https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/victorias-newest-station-opens-at-cobblebank/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[PTV Network Development Plan]] published in 2013 advocates for the electrification of the line and duplication between [[Sunshine railway station, Melbourne|Sunshine]] and [[Deer Park railway station|Deer Park]] in order to incorporate it into the electrified metropolitan network, joining the [[Sunbury railway line|Sunbury line]] and running via the [[Metro Tunnel]].


==== Introduction of Maryborough services ====
The line was formerly constrained by a single bi-directional track section between [[Caroline Springs railway station]] and [[Melton railway station, Melbourne|Melton station]], having only a small stretch of double track close to [[Rockbank railway station]] to facilitate the passing of trains. As part of Ballarat Line Upgrade, the {{Convert|17|km}} of single track were duplicated with stabling facilities provided at Melton, as well as Rockbank Station being rebuilt and the construction of a new station at Cobblebank.<ref name="BALLARAT LINE UPGRADE">[http://regionalrailrevival.vic.gov.au/ballarat/ Ballarat Line Upgrade] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726014904/https://regionalrailrevival.vic.gov.au/ballarat |date=26 July 2021 }} Regional Rail Revival</ref> This was designed to increase reliability and capacity on the line, as well as facilitate electrification.
⚫
As part of the [[Victorian Transport Plan]], the [[Government of Victoria|State Government]] announced passenger rail services on the [[Mildura railway line|Mildura line]] would be reintroduced up to [[Maryborough railway station, Victoria|Maryborough]], with services beginning in 2010.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20100107061134/http://www.transport.vic.gov.au/web23/Home.nsf/AllDocs/2E119EEBF81209D2CA257625001AE39C?OpenDocument Maryborough Rail Services] Victorian Transport Plan</ref><ref>[http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/547816/passenger-trains-return-to-maryborough/ Passenger trains return to Maryborough] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402093027/http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/547816/passenger-trains-return-to-maryborough/ |date=2 April 2015 }} ''The Courier'' 25 July 2010</ref> The service is timetabled to operate as a [[Shuttle train|shuttle]] between Ballarat Station and Maryborough Station. Currently, two return services are operated every day.


==== Regional Rail Link ====
Construction of the [[Caroline Springs railway station|Caroline Springs station]], between Deer Park and Rockbank stations, commenced in August 2015 and the station opened on 28 January 2017.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/melbournes-newest-station-ready-for-passengers/ |title=Melbourne's Newest Station Ready For Passengers {{!}} Premier of Victoria |website=www.premier.vic.gov.au |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202034516/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/melbournes-newest-station-ready-for-passengers/ |archive-date=2 February 2017}}</ref>
{{Main|Regional Rail Link project}}
In 2008, the Regional Rail Link was announced, consisting of a [[Deer Park–West Werribee railway line|new pair of tracks]] exclusively for V/Line services, avoiding them having to share tracks with [[Metro Trains Melbourne|Metro]]'s electrified suburban services. The tracks begin west of [[Werribee railway station|Werribee]], following an alignment up to [[Deer Park railway station|Deer Park]], then running into two new platforms at [[Southern Cross railway station|Southern Cross]], completely bypassing [[Tottenham railway station|Tottenham]], [[West Footscray railway station|West Footscray]], [[Middle Footscray railway station|Middle Footscray]], [[South Kensington railway station|South Kensington,]] and [[North Melbourne railway station|North Melbourne]]; but still stopping at [[Sunshine railway station, Melbourne|Sunshine]] and [[Footscray railway station|Footscray]] at two platforms dedicated to V/Line services.


The main benefit of the project was for the [[Geelong V/Line rail service|Geelong line]] service, which used to run along the same tracks as Metro's [[Werribee line]], resulting in significant congestion. Ballarat and especially [[Bendigo V/Line rail service|Bendigo]] services benefited less, only being separated from [[Metro Trains Melbourne|Metro]]'s [[Sunbury line]] service between Sunshine and Southern Cross. While the project was overall well-received for increasing service reliability, the choice to bypass [[North Melbourne railway station|North Melbourne]] was especially criticised.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Planning |date=2023-06-09 |title=Regional Rail Link |url=https://www.planning.vic.gov.au/environmental-assessments/major-transport-project-facilitation-in-victoria/regional-rail-link |access-date=2024-06-28 |website=Planning |language=en}}</ref>
⚫
The railway line was upgraded under the [[Regional Rail Revival]] project, beginning in early 2018 with major construction completed in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ballaratlineupgrade.vic.gov.au/|title=Ballarat Line Upgrade website|date=24 July 2017|website=Ballarat Line Upgrade|access-date=1 August 2017|archive-date=1 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801162245/http://ballaratlineupgrade.vic.gov.au/|url-status=live}}</ref> The project, with a budget of $518 million, saw the duplication of {{Convert|17|km}} of track between Deer Park West and Melton, upgrade stations at Rockbank, Bacchus Marsh and Ballan, and added a new station at [[Cobblebank railway station|Cobblebank]], also adding passing loops at Ballan and Millbrook.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/3873949/half-billion-dollar-boost-for-ballarat-rail-line/|title="$518m commitment to Ballarat rail line"|last=Pollock|first=Michael|date=27 April 2016|work=The Ballarat Courier|access-date=1 August 2017|archive-date=1 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801171818/http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/3873949/half-billion-dollar-boost-for-ballarat-rail-line/|url-status=live}}</ref> It paves the way for the future electrification of the line to Melton. The upgrade has enabled extra services in the morning and afternoon peaks between Melbourne and Ballarat.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/3873949/half-billion-dollar-boost-for-ballarat-rail-line/|title=$518m commitment to Ballarat rail line|last=Pollock|first=Michael|date=27 April 2016|work=The Ballarat Courier|access-date=1 August 2017|archive-date=1 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801171818/http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/3873949/half-billion-dollar-boost-for-ballarat-rail-line/|url-status=live}}</ref> The new passing loop at Millbrook also allowed the closure of the Bungaree loop to V/line trains.<ref name=bungaree>{{cite web|url=https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/news/regional-rail-revival/ballarat/last-train-travel-over-the-bungaree-loop|title=Last train travels over the Bungaree loop|publisher=Victoria's Big Build|date=27 December 2020|access-date=20 September 2022|archive-date=20 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920181247/https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/news/regional-rail-revival/ballarat/last-train-travel-over-the-bungaree-loop|url-status=live}}</ref>


==== Caroline Springs Station ====
⚫
==Services==
⚫
Construction of [[Caroline Springs railway station|Caroline Springs Station]], between Deer Park and Rockbank, commenced in 2015. The station opened in 2017 to serve new [[housing developments]] in the area.<ref>[http://www.melton.vic.gov.au/News-Media/New-train-station-announced-in-Toolern-precinct New train station announced in Toolern precinct] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180112214742/http://www.melton.vic.gov.au/News-Media/New-train-station-announced-in-Toolern-precinct|date=12 January 2018}} City of Melton 3 November 2017</ref><ref>[https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/171103-New-Train-Station-For-Melbourne’s-Growing-West-1.pdf New Train Station for Melbourne's Growing West] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171221193247/https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/171103-New-Train-Station-For-Melbourne%E2%80%99s-Growing-West-1.pdf|date=21 December 2017}} Minister for Public Transport 3 November 2017</ref><ref>[https://www.railexpress.com.au/another-station-coming-to-melbournes-west/ Another station coming to Melbourne's west] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180112161457/https://www.railexpress.com.au/another-station-coming-to-melbournes-west/|date=12 January 2018}} ''Rail Express'' 6 November 2017</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=22 October 2019 |title=Cobblebank Station To Open In Early December |url=https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/cobblebank-station-to-open-in-early-december/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191022100046/https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/cobblebank-station-to-open-in-early-december/ |archive-date=22 October 2019 |access-date=28 October 2019 |website=Premier of Victoria |language=en-US}}</ref>
[[File:VLine-Ararart-Station-0629.jpg|thumb|Ararat station – the end of the line]]
V/Line operates services every 20 minutes from Southern Cross. Half of these terminate at [[Melton_railway_station,_Melbourne|Melton]] with every second one continuing through to [[Wendouree railway station|Wendouree]] (four of these also extending to [[Ararat railway station|Ararat station]] and two to [[Maryborough railway station, Victoria|Maryborough]]). On weekends services only operate every hour along all the line.<ref name=Timetable>{{cite web |url=https://www.vline.com.au/getattachment/603b4970-ff40-4c7c-a242-9c9838eba08b/Ballarat-Timetable |title=Ballarat Line}} {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624203729/https://www.vline.com.au/getattachment/603b4970-ff40-4c7c-a242-9c9838eba08b/Ballarat-Timetable |date=24 June 2021 }}</ref>


==== Regional Rail Revival ====
Peak services originating or terminating at [[Wendouree railway station|Wendouree]] run express between Bacchus Marsh and Rockbank, Rockbank and Deer Park, Deer Park and Sunshine.
{{Main|Regional Rail Revival}}
Peak services originating or terminating at [[Melton railway station, Melbourne|Melton]] run express between Cobblebank and Caroline Springs, Caroline Springs and Ardeer.
⚫
The line received another significant package of works as part of the [[Regional Rail Revival]] project, beginning in early 2018 with major construction completed in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ballaratlineupgrade.vic.gov.au/|title=Ballarat Line Upgrade website|date=24 July 2017|website=Ballarat Line Upgrade|access-date=1 August 2017|archive-date=1 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801162245/http://ballaratlineupgrade.vic.gov.au/|url-status=live}}</ref> The project, with a budget of $518 million, saw the duplication of {{Convert|17|km}} of track between Deer Park and Melton; a new station constructed at [[Cobblebank railway station|Cobblebank]]; upgrades to Rockbank, Bacchus Marsh and Ballan stations; a new stabling facility built in [[Maddingley]], and a new crossing loop at Millbrook.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ray |first=Gary L. |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.5962/bhl.title.46635 |title=Ecological monitoring of a constructed intertidal flat at Jonesport, Me |date=1999 |publisher=U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District |location=Concord, MA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/3873949/half-billion-dollar-boost-for-ballarat-rail-line/|title="$518m commitment to Ballarat rail line"|last=Pollock|first=Michael|date=27 April 2016|work=The Ballarat Courier|access-date=1 August 2017|archive-date=1 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801171818/http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/3873949/half-billion-dollar-boost-for-ballarat-rail-line/|url-status=live}}</ref> These works enabled substantially more services to run, particularly in the duplicated section up to Melton.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Build |first=Victoria’s Big |date=2023-09-18 |title=Ballarat Line Upgrade |url=https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/projects/ballarat-line-upgrade |access-date=2024-06-28 |website=Victoria’s Big Build |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/3873949/half-billion-dollar-boost-for-ballarat-rail-line/|title=$518m commitment to Ballarat rail line|last=Pollock|first=Michael|date=27 April 2016|work=The Ballarat Courier|access-date=1 August 2017|archive-date=1 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801171818/http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/3873949/half-billion-dollar-boost-for-ballarat-rail-line/|url-status=live}}</ref> The new loop at Millbrook allowed for the closure of the Bungaree loop, originally a part of the main line before a deviation was built away from it as part of the previous Regional Fast Rail project.<ref name="bungaree">{{cite web|url=https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/news/regional-rail-revival/ballarat/last-train-travel-over-the-bungaree-loop|title=Last train travels over the Bungaree loop|publisher=Victoria's Big Build|date=27 December 2020|access-date=20 September 2022|archive-date=20 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920181247/https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/news/regional-rail-revival/ballarat/last-train-travel-over-the-bungaree-loop|url-status=live}}</ref>


⚫
==Services==
[[File:VL80 Ararat.jpg|thumb|V/Line Victoria VL80 arriving into Ararat]]
[[File:VLine-Ararart-Station-0629.jpg|thumb|Ararat station – the end of the line]]The current V/Line timetable has weekday services operating approximately every 20 minutes between Melton and Southern Cross; and every 40 minutes between Wendouree and Southern Cross.<ref>https://www.vline.com.au/getattachment/8b367055-20b3-4d52-bb9e-2f8fd14474a7/Ballarat-timetable</ref>

Services are operated primarily by [[V/Line VLocity]] DMUs, while some peak-hour trains to Bacchus Marsh are operated by [[V/Line Sprinter|Sprinter]] DMUs and [[H type carriage]]s hauled by [[V/Line N class|N class]] locomotives. However, these services are fewer and fewer with more V/locity trains entering service.


Per the current timetable, the first service on the line to Southern Cross is timetabled for 04:13, and it is the only train to originate from Ballarat rather than Wendouree, Bacchus Marsh or Melton. The second train each morning originates from Wendouree at 05:18 and runs express from Melton to Sunshine, the only other service to also run express from Melton to Sunshine is another Wendouree-originated service at 15:44. The third train each weekday morning originates from Bacchus Marsh at 05:28 and stops all stations; the fourth service is a Melton-originated service at 06:16 service, which also stops all stations.
[[V/Line]] operates passenger trains on the Ararat line to and from [[Southern Cross railway station|Southern Cross station]] in [[Melbourne]], as well as three road coach services connecting with buses at [[Ballarat railway station|Ballarat]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.vline.com.au/getattachment/469db9b4-2924-4aed-8795-6ceb8866d2fd/Ararat-Melbourne-(via-Ballarat) |title=Melbourne to Ararat via Ballarat |access-date=22 June 2021 |archive-date=24 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624203752/https://www.vline.com.au/getattachment/469db9b4-2924-4aed-8795-6ceb8866d2fd/Ararat-Melbourne-(via-Ballarat) |url-status=dead }}</ref> Roughly half the number of services run towards Maryborough.


Each weekday morning, five additional services to Southern Cross are timetabled to originate from Bacchus Marsh, at 06:19, 06:47, 07:18, 07:26, and 08:08; these services run express through Rockbank and Deer Park, as do the Melton-originated services at 07:20 and 08:03. Trains originating from Wendouree timetabled between 05:56 to 07:39 inclusive run express through Melton, Cobblebank, Caroline Springs, and Ardeer. Trains stop all stations the rest of the day, except the aforementioned 15:44 service originating from Wendouree which runs express from Melton to Sunshine.
Beyond Ballarat the line is classified by V/Line as an [[Inter-city rail|Intercity service]], so seat reservations are no longer required. Many services run as limited expresses between Ballarat and Melbourne.


Approximately half of all services running from Southern Cross terminate at Melton. Trains running from Southern Cross to Melton, Bacchus Marsh, and Wendouree typically stop all stations, except during the afternoon and evening peak. To Wendouree, the 15:58 service runs express from Sunshine to Melton, while services timetabled between 16:17 and 18:18 inclusive run express through Ardeer, Caroline Springs, Cobblebank, and Melton. Only one service, at 16:19, is timetabled to terminate directly at Bacchus Marsh, however, the 16:41, 17:21, and 18:04 services timetabled to terminate at Melton wait there for approximately 9 minutes before continuing to Bacchus Marsh and terminating. The four Bacchus Marsh-bound services run express through Deer Park and Rockbank. All services terminating at Melton, other than the aformentioned three which continue to Bacchus Marsh, stop all stations.
[[File:V-Line Ararat to Melbourne Economy Single Edmondson Ticket.jpg|thumb|Ararat-Melbourne rail ticket, 1986]]


On weekends, service frequency between Southern Cross and Wendouree is reduced to approximately one train per hour, with all trains running the full route to Wendouree and stopping all stations.
On 16 July 2014, V/Line trains between Melbourne and Ararat ceased stopping at [[North Melbourne railway station|North Melbourne]] as part of the [[Regional Rail Link]] project.


Five return services per weekday, and three per weekend, extend from Wendouree to Ararat.<ref>https://www.vline.com.au/getattachment/47b8738a-1891-47a9-8fae-c64b6e66c2f4/Ararat-Melbourne-</ref> Two return services are operated as a shuttle from Ballarat to Maryborough every day.<ref>https://www.vline.com.au/getattachment/208ac9f8-4c82-4d2f-80af-6e0739ede11b/Maryborough-Melbourne-(via-Ballarat-and-Castlemain</ref>
⚫
In November 2017, the [[Government of Victoria|state government]] announced [[Cobblebank railway station|Cobblebank station]] would be built between [[Rockbank railway station|Rockbank]] and [[Melton railway station, Melbourne|Melton]], with a scheduled 2 December 2019 completion date.<ref>[http://www.melton.vic.gov.au/News-Media/New-train-station-announced-in-Toolern-precinct New train station announced in Toolern precinct] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180112214742/http://www.melton.vic.gov.au/News-Media/New-train-station-announced-in-Toolern-precinct |date=12 January 2018 }} City of Melton 3 November 2017</ref><ref>[https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/171103-New-Train-Station-For-Melbourne’s-Growing-West-1.pdf New Train Station for Melbourne's Growing West] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171221193247/https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/171103-New-Train-Station-For-Melbourne%E2%80%99s-Growing-West-1.pdf |date=21 December 2017 }} Minister for Public Transport 3 November 2017</ref><ref>[https://www.railexpress.com.au/another-station-coming-to-melbournes-west/ Another station coming to Melbourne's west] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180112161457/https://www.railexpress.com.au/another-station-coming-to-melbournes-west/ |date=12 January 2018 }} ''Rail Express'' 6 November 2017</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/cobblebank-station-to-open-in-early-december/|title=Cobblebank Station To Open In Early December|date=22 October 2019|website=Premier of Victoria|language=en-US|access-date=28 October 2019|archive-date=22 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191022100046/https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/cobblebank-station-to-open-in-early-december/|url-status=live}}</ref>


==Infrastructure==
==Infrastructure==
The majority of the line used by the V/Line services is [[single track (rail)|single track]], with the exception of:
The rail line is [[Double-track railway|double track]] between Southern Cross and Melton. The rest of the line is [[single track (rail)|single track]], with the following [[Passing loop|crossing loops]] presently in use:
⚫
*[[Parwan railway station|Parwan]] loop, between Melton and [[Bacchus Marsh railway station|Bacchus Marsh]]
*double track between Melbourne, [[Sunshine railway station, Melbourne|Sunshine]] and [[Melton railway station, Melbourne|Melton]] – the North line is restricted to {{Cvt|130|km/h}} and the South line to {{Cvt|160|km/h}} between Sunshine and Caroline Springs, a remnant of Regional Fast Rail's bidirectional, different-speed signalling;
⚫
*[[Rowsley, Victoria|Rowsley]] loop, between Bacchus Marsh and the Bank Box loop<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://ptv.vic.gov.au/projects/rail-projects/rowsley-crossing-loop/ |title=''Rowsley Crossing Loop – Public Transport Victoria'' |access-date=12 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160213085355/http://ptv.vic.gov.au/projects/rail-projects/rowsley-crossing-loop |archive-date=13 February 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
⚫
*[[Parwan railway station|Parwan Loop]], between Melton and [[Bacchus Marsh railway station|Bacchus Marsh]] stations, located before the descent into Bacchus Marsh
*Bank Box loop, between the Rowsley loop and [[Ballan railway station|Ballan]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=VICSIG |url=https://vicsig.net/infrastructure/location/Bank-Box-Loop |access-date=2024-06-28 |website=vicsig.net}}</ref>
⚫
*a short crossing loop at [[Rowsley, Victoria|Rowsley]] (completed mid 2016)<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://ptv.vic.gov.au/projects/rail-projects/rowsley-crossing-loop/ |title=''Rowsley Crossing Loop – Public Transport Victoria'' |access-date=12 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160213085355/http://ptv.vic.gov.au/projects/rail-projects/rowsley-crossing-loop |archive-date=13 February 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*Millbrook loop, between Ballan and Ballarat
*[https://www.railpage.com.au:80/locations/au/vic/bank-box-loop Bank Box Loop], between Bacchus Marsh and [[Ballan railway station|Ballan]] stations, located atop the Werribee Gorge
The line is able to run up to 160 km/h between Southern Cross and Wendouree, with speeds reduced to 115 km/h on some sections towards Ararat. The section of the Mildura line used by the Maryborough service is between 80 - 100 km/h.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Simbera |date=2020-07-27 |title=The Iron Road: Ten years of the Maryborough line |url=https://the-iron-road.blogspot.com/2020/07/ten-years-of-maryborough-line.html |access-date=2024-06-28 |website=The Iron Road}}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable ([[WP:NOTRS]]).|date=June 2024}}
*Passing loops at Ballan and Millbrook (built between 2018 and 2021 as part [[Regional Rail Revival]])


The V/Line service also previously used the original line via [[Bungaree railway station|Bungaree]] as a long crossing loop between Ballan and Ballarat until December 2020. The loop was used in conjunction with the new deviation built in 2005 as part of the [[Regional Fast Rail project]], until the Millbrook passing loop along the deviation was completed as part of Regional Rail Revival.<ref>[http://www.vline.com.au/pdf/networkaccess/trainoperatingdata/Deer_Park_Junction_to_Ararat.pdf Train Operating Data: Deer Park to Ararat] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150327215936/http://www.vline.com.au/pdf/networkaccess/trainoperatingdata/Deer_Park_Junction_to_Ararat.pdf |date=27 March 2015 }} V/Line 21 October 2014</ref><ref name=bungaree/>
The V/Line service previously used the original line via [[Bungaree railway station|Bungaree]] as a long crossing loop between Ballan and Ballarat until December 2020. The loop was used in conjunction with the new deviation built in 2005 as part of the [[Regional Fast Rail project]].<ref>[http://www.vline.com.au/pdf/networkaccess/trainoperatingdata/Deer_Park_Junction_to_Ararat.pdf Train Operating Data: Deer Park to Ararat] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150327215936/http://www.vline.com.au/pdf/networkaccess/trainoperatingdata/Deer_Park_Junction_to_Ararat.pdf |date=27 March 2015 }} V/Line 21 October 2014</ref><ref name="bungaree" />


==Line guide==
==Line guide==

Revision as of 19:42, 28 June 2024

This article is about the V/Line services operated to Ballarat, Ararat, and Maryborough. For the physical railway Ballarat and Ararat services operate on, see Serviceton railway line. For the physical railway Maryborough services operate on, see Mildura railway line.

Ballarat
VLocity VL81 arriving into Ballarat
Overview
Service typePassenger service
StatusOperating
LocaleVictoria, Australia
Current operator(s)V/Line
Former operator(s)Victorian Railways
Ridership4.68 million (2022–23)[1]
WebsiteV/Line Ballarat on Twitter
Route
TerminiSouthern Cross
[2]
Stops13
Distance travelled123 km (76 mi)[3]
Service frequency
  • Weekday services between Southern Cross and Melton run approx. every 20 minutes
  • Weekday services between Southern Cross and Wendouree run approx. every 40 minutes
  • Extra services to Southern Cross originate from Bacchus Marsh during the weekday morning peak
  • Weekend services run approx. once an hour between Southern Cross and Wendouree
[4]
On-board services
Class(es)Economy
Technical
Rolling stockVLocity[5]
Track gauge1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in)
Operating speed160 km/h (99 mph) maximum[6]
Track owner(s)VicTrack
Ararat
VLocity VL80 arriving into Ararat
Overview
Service typeLong-distance (paper ticket) service
StatusOperating
LocaleVictoria, Australia
Route
TerminiSouthern Cross
Ararat
Stops15
Distance travelled211 km (131 mi)[7]
Average journey time2h 30min (approx)[8]
Service frequency4 weekday return services, 2 weekend return services[9]
On-board services
Class(es)Economy
Technical
Rolling stockVLocity[10]
Maryborough
VLocity VL38 at Maryborough
Overview
Service typeLong-distance (paper ticket) service
StatusOperational
LocaleVictoria, Australia
First service24 July 2010; 14 years ago (2010-07-24)[11]
Current operator(s)V/Line
Former operator(s)Victorian Railways (to Mildura)
Route
TerminiBallarat
Maryborough
Stops5
Distance travelled68.7 km (42.7 mi)
Average journey time52 minutes
Service frequencyTwo return services per day
Line(s) usedMildura
On-board services
Class(es)Economy
Disabled accessYes
Technical
Track gauge1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in)
Track owner(s)VicTrack

The Ballarat V/Line rail service is a regional passenger rail service operated by V/Line in Victoria, Australia. It runs between Southern Cross in Melbourne to Wendouree in Ballarat's suburb of the same name. The Ararat V/Line rail service extends further west from Wendouree to Ararat, while the Maryborough V/Line rail service is operated as a shuttle from Ballarat along the Mildura line to Maryborough.

It is the second most-used regional rail service in Victoria (behind the Geelong service), carrying 4.68 million passengers in the 2022-23 financial year.[1]

History

Ardeer station, with a train stopped at the platform
V/Line VLocity train at the junction with the Melbourne-Ballarat line at Warrenheip station
V/Line VLocity railcars inside the train shed of Ballarat station
Main article: Serviceton railway line § History

20th century

V/Line operated services along the original Serviceton railway line as far as Horsham and Dimboola. Several stations, including Gordon and Warrenheip, were closed in 1981 as part of the New Deal reforms to Victoria's country rail services. Services to Mildura, which ran via Ballarat, ended in 1993.

In 1994, all services beyond Ballarat were withdrawn to allow for conversion of the line between Ararat and Serviceton from broad gauge to standard gauge. The now-standard gauge track was connected to other former-broad gauge to form the Western standard gauge railway line.[12]

21st century

In 2004, services to Ararat were reintroduced under then-Premier Steve Bracks' Linking Victoria program. Bracks' government additionally announced its intention to rename the line to "Eureka" in commemoration of the Eureka uprising's 150th anniversary. This renaming was to take effect at the same time as the renaming of Spencer Street Station to Southern Cross Station in 2005,[13] however this move was never carried out.[14]

Regional Fast Rail

Main article: Regional Fast Rail project

The line saw a significant package of upgrades during the Regional Fast Rail project. Several parts of the line were rerailed, and new deviations and bridges were built to ease grades, enable trains to run at speeds up to 160 km/h. V/Line VLocity diesel multiple unit trains, built as part of the project, started running to Ballarat in 2005.

In 2008, Wendouree Station was built to relieve overcrowding after passenger numbers grew significantly following the completion of the project. The station opened in 2009.[15][16]

Introduction of Maryborough services

As part of the Victorian Transport Plan, the State Government announced passenger rail services on the Mildura line would be reintroduced up to Maryborough, with services beginning in 2010.[17][18] The service is timetabled to operate as a shuttle between Ballarat Station and Maryborough Station. Currently, two return services are operated every day.

Main article: Regional Rail Link project

In 2008, the Regional Rail Link was announced, consisting of a new pair of tracks exclusively for V/Line services, avoiding them having to share tracks with Metro's electrified suburban services. The tracks begin west of Werribee, following an alignment up to Deer Park, then running into two new platforms at Southern Cross, completely bypassing Tottenham, West Footscray, Middle Footscray, South Kensington, and North Melbourne; but still stopping at Sunshine and Footscray at two platforms dedicated to V/Line services.

The main benefit of the project was for the Geelong line service, which used to run along the same tracks as Metro's Werribee line, resulting in significant congestion. Ballarat and especially Bendigo services benefited less, only being separated from Metro's Sunbury line service between Sunshine and Southern Cross. While the project was overall well-received for increasing service reliability, the choice to bypass North Melbourne was especially criticised.[19]

Caroline Springs Station

Construction of Caroline Springs Station, between Deer Park and Rockbank, commenced in 2015. The station opened in 2017 to serve new housing developments in the area.[20][21][22][23]

Regional Rail Revival

Main article: Regional Rail Revival

The line received another significant package of works as part of the Regional Rail Revival project, beginning in early 2018 with major construction completed in 2021.[24] The project, with a budget of $518 million, saw the duplication of 17 kilometres (11 mi) of track between Deer Park and Melton; a new station constructed at Cobblebank; upgrades to Rockbank, Bacchus Marsh and Ballan stations; a new stabling facility built in Maddingley, and a new crossing loop at Millbrook.[25][26] These works enabled substantially more services to run, particularly in the duplicated section up to Melton.[27][28] The new loop at Millbrook allowed for the closure of the Bungaree loop, originally a part of the main line before a deviation was built away from it as part of the previous Regional Fast Rail project.[29]

Services

Ararat station – the end of the line

The current V/Line timetable has weekday services operating approximately every 20 minutes between Melton and Southern Cross; and every 40 minutes between Wendouree and Southern Cross.[30]

Per the current timetable, the first service on the line to Southern Cross is timetabled for 04:13, and it is the only train to originate from Ballarat rather than Wendouree, Bacchus Marsh or Melton. The second train each morning originates from Wendouree at 05:18 and runs express from Melton to Sunshine, the only other service to also run express from Melton to Sunshine is another Wendouree-originated service at 15:44. The third train each weekday morning originates from Bacchus Marsh at 05:28 and stops all stations; the fourth service is a Melton-originated service at 06:16 service, which also stops all stations.

Each weekday morning, five additional services to Southern Cross are timetabled to originate from Bacchus Marsh, at 06:19, 06:47, 07:18, 07:26, and 08:08; these services run express through Rockbank and Deer Park, as do the Melton-originated services at 07:20 and 08:03. Trains originating from Wendouree timetabled between 05:56 to 07:39 inclusive run express through Melton, Cobblebank, Caroline Springs, and Ardeer. Trains stop all stations the rest of the day, except the aforementioned 15:44 service originating from Wendouree which runs express from Melton to Sunshine.

Approximately half of all services running from Southern Cross terminate at Melton. Trains running from Southern Cross to Melton, Bacchus Marsh, and Wendouree typically stop all stations, except during the afternoon and evening peak. To Wendouree, the 15:58 service runs express from Sunshine to Melton, while services timetabled between 16:17 and 18:18 inclusive run express through Ardeer, Caroline Springs, Cobblebank, and Melton. Only one service, at 16:19, is timetabled to terminate directly at Bacchus Marsh, however, the 16:41, 17:21, and 18:04 services timetabled to terminate at Melton wait there for approximately 9 minutes before continuing to Bacchus Marsh and terminating. The four Bacchus Marsh-bound services run express through Deer Park and Rockbank. All services terminating at Melton, other than the aformentioned three which continue to Bacchus Marsh, stop all stations.

On weekends, service frequency between Southern Cross and Wendouree is reduced to approximately one train per hour, with all trains running the full route to Wendouree and stopping all stations.

Five return services per weekday, and three per weekend, extend from Wendouree to Ararat.[31] Two return services are operated as a shuttle from Ballarat to Maryborough every day.[32]

Infrastructure

The rail line is double track between Southern Cross and Melton. The rest of the line is single track, with the following crossing loops presently in use:

  • Parwan loop, between Melton and Bacchus Marsh
  • Rowsley loop, between Bacchus Marsh and the Bank Box loop[33]
  • Bank Box loop, between the Rowsley loop and Ballan[34]
  • Millbrook loop, between Ballan and Ballarat

The line is able to run up to 160 km/h between Southern Cross and Wendouree, with speeds reduced to 115 km/h on some sections towards Ararat. The section of the Mildura line used by the Maryborough service is between 80 - 100 km/h.[35][better source needed]

The V/Line service previously used the original line via Bungaree as a long crossing loop between Ballan and Ballarat until December 2020. The loop was used in conjunction with the new deviation built in 2005 as part of the Regional Fast Rail project.[36][29]

Line guide

References

  1. ^ a b V/Line Corporation (25 September 2023). Annual Report 2022-23 (Report). Archived from the original on 5 March 2024.
  2. ^ https://www.vline.com.au/getattachment/8b367055-20b3-4d52-bb9e-2f8fd14474a7/Ballarat-timetable
  3. ^ "Train Operating Data: Deer Park Junction to Ararat". Network service plan. V/Line Corporation. 25 October 2017. p. 4. Archived from the original on 3 February 2018. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  4. ^ https://www.vline.com.au/getattachment/8b367055-20b3-4d52-bb9e-2f8fd14474a7/Ballarat-timetable
  5. ^ "Passenger Schedules: South Western Down". Network service plan. V/Line Corporation. 10 December 2017. Archived from the original on 3 February 2018. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  6. ^ "Train Operating Data: Deer Park Junction to Ararat". Network service plan. V/Line Corporation. 25 October 2017. p. 1. Archived from the original on 3 February 2018. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  7. ^ "Train Operating Data: Deer Park Junction to Ararat". Network service plan. V/Line Corporation. 25 October 2017. p. 5. Archived from the original on 3 February 2018. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  8. ^ https://www.vline.com.au/getattachment/47b8738a-1891-47a9-8fae-c64b6e66c2f4/Ararat-Melbourne-
  9. ^ https://www.vline.com.au/getattachment/47b8738a-1891-47a9-8fae-c64b6e66c2f4/Ararat-Melbourne-
  10. ^ "Passenger Schedules: South Western Down". Network service plan. V/Line Corporation. 10 December 2017. Archived from the original on 3 February 2018. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  11. ^ https://railgallery.wongm.com/vline-maryborough-launch/page/1
  12. ^ "VictorianRailways.net – VR Timeline". Archived from the original on 30 May 2008. Retrieved 28 February 2017.
  13. ^ Eureka Rail Line to Open Exciting new era for Regional Rail Premier of Victoria 25 November 2004
  14. ^ More name changes:Ballarat this time PTUA News Volume 28 Issue 6 December 2004
  15. ^ Ballarat's new train station to officially open Archived 2 April 2015 at the Wayback Machine ABC News 12 June 2009
  16. ^ "Media Release: BALLARAT TO GET A SECOND TRAIN STATION". web.archive.org. 3 April 2011. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  17. ^ Maryborough Rail Services Victorian Transport Plan
  18. ^ Passenger trains return to Maryborough Archived 2 April 2015 at the Wayback Machine The Courier 25 July 2010
  19. ^ Planning (9 June 2023). "Regional Rail Link". Planning. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  20. ^ New train station announced in Toolern precinct Archived 12 January 2018 at the Wayback Machine City of Melton 3 November 2017
  21. ^ New Train Station for Melbourne's Growing West Archived 21 December 2017 at the Wayback Machine Minister for Public Transport 3 November 2017
  22. ^ Another station coming to Melbourne's west Archived 12 January 2018 at the Wayback Machine Rail Express 6 November 2017
  23. ^ "Cobblebank Station To Open In Early December". Premier of Victoria. 22 October 2019. Archived from the original on 22 October 2019. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  24. ^ "Ballarat Line Upgrade website". Ballarat Line Upgrade. 24 July 2017. Archived from the original on 1 August 2017. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  25. ^ Ray, Gary L. (1999). Ecological monitoring of a constructed intertidal flat at Jonesport, Me. Concord, MA: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District.
  26. ^ Pollock, Michael (27 April 2016). ""$518m commitment to Ballarat rail line"". The Ballarat Courier. Archived from the original on 1 August 2017. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  27. ^ Build, Victoria’s Big (18 September 2023). "Ballarat Line Upgrade". Victoria’s Big Build. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  28. ^ Pollock, Michael (27 April 2016). "$518m commitment to Ballarat rail line". The Ballarat Courier. Archived from the original on 1 August 2017. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  29. ^ a b "Last train travels over the Bungaree loop". Victoria's Big Build. 27 December 2020. Archived from the original on 20 September 2022. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  30. ^ https://www.vline.com.au/getattachment/8b367055-20b3-4d52-bb9e-2f8fd14474a7/Ballarat-timetable
  31. ^ https://www.vline.com.au/getattachment/47b8738a-1891-47a9-8fae-c64b6e66c2f4/Ararat-Melbourne-
  32. ^ https://www.vline.com.au/getattachment/208ac9f8-4c82-4d2f-80af-6e0739ede11b/Maryborough-Melbourne-(via-Ballarat-and-Castlemain
  33. ^ "Rowsley Crossing Loop – Public Transport Victoria". Archived from the original on 13 February 2016. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
  34. ^ "VICSIG". vicsig.net. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  35. ^ Simbera (27 July 2020). "The Iron Road: Ten years of the Maryborough line". The Iron Road. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  36. ^ Train Operating Data: Deer Park to Ararat Archived 27 March 2015 at the Wayback Machine V/Line 21 October 2014
  37. ^ Waugh, Andrew (2005) [1995-06-26]. "Victorian Signalling Histories: Bacchus Marsh" (PDF).
  38. ^ "VLine Bungee Signalling Diagram No: 18/13" (PDF). VLine. 26 July 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 July 2016.
  39. ^ Waugh, Andrew (24 September 1992). "Sunshine Ballarat Station Notes: SRS Tour" (PDF). p. 21.
  40. ^ The Golden Steam of Ballarat, King, D & Dooley, N, 1973
  41. ^ Maryborough-Avoca-Ararat railway: a brief history, Turton, K W, McLean, D C
  42. ^ Maryborough-Avoca-Ararat railway: a brief history, Turton, K W, McLean, D C
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