Toolamba-Echuca railway line, Victoria
Encyclopedia
The Toolamba-Echuca railway is a cross country links between the towns of the same name in Victoria
, Australia
. It provides an alternative route through to Echuca without travelling through Bendigo
. The line has not been used for passenger services for some time and even freight movements on this line are non-existent with the line booked out of service.
along the Toolamba-Echuca line ran on 2 March 1981 with Y class
diesel locomotive Y161 an ABE carriage
and a C van. This consist had only been introduced a few months prior, with a DERM
usually being rostered. Toolamba finally closed as a station on 20 December 1987.
In most recent times the line has received use when there has been a blockage on the main line to Echuca via Bendigo such as when works have been undertaken. The line has also been used by Freight Australia
to send rice traffic from north of Echuca
into Melbourne
.
There has been recent plans for this line to be converted
to standard gauge
to provide standard gauge access to Echuca, but these plans have now been put on hold. There are no longer any regular train movements on this line and it is only maintained to a minimum standard.
The line is being reopened as a freight line while there is track work on the line between Seymour and Shepparton.
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Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. It provides an alternative route through to Echuca without travelling through Bendigo
Bendigo, Victoria
Bendigo is a major regional city in the state of Victoria, Australia, located very close to the geographical centre of the state and approximately north west of the state capital Melbourne. It is the second largest inland city and fourth most populous city in the state. The estimated urban...
. The line has not been used for passenger services for some time and even freight movements on this line are non-existent with the line booked out of service.
History
The last passenger service from Echuca stationEchuca railway station, Victoria
Echuca is a railway station on the Bendigo - Echuca - Deniliquin railway, located in the town of Echuca, Victoria, Australia. It is the terminus of the V/Line Echuca line passenger service, and is 249km from Southern Cross Station in Melbourne...
along the Toolamba-Echuca line ran on 2 March 1981 with Y class
Victorian Railways Y class (diesel)
The Victorian Railways Y class diesel electric locomotive is a small branch line and shunting unit built by Clyde Engineering . Three separate orders were delivered...
diesel locomotive Y161 an ABE carriage
E type carriage
The E type carriages were wooden express passenger carriage used on the railways of Victoria, Australia. Introduced by Victorian Railways Chairman of Commissioners Thomas James Tait and based on Canadian carriage design, the class remained in regular service for 85 years.-Design:Carriages on...
and a C van. This consist had only been introduced a few months prior, with a DERM
Diesel Electric railmotor (VR)
The Diesel Electric Rail Motor was a railmotor operated by the Victorian Railways of Australia.-History:...
usually being rostered. Toolamba finally closed as a station on 20 December 1987.
In most recent times the line has received use when there has been a blockage on the main line to Echuca via Bendigo such as when works have been undertaken. The line has also been used by Freight Australia
Freight Australia
Freight Australia was a railway company in Australia. Initially known as Freight Victoria, it operated rail freight services and controlled non-urban rail track in the state of Victoria, later expanding into freight haulage in other states. Freight Australia was taken over by Pacific National in...
to send rice traffic from north of Echuca
Echuca, Victoria
Echuca is a town located on the banks of the Murray River and Campaspe river in Victoria, Australia. The Border town Moama is on the northern side of the Murray river in New South Wales. It is the administrative centre and largest settlement in the Shire of Campaspe...
into Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
.
There has been recent plans for this line to be converted
Gauge conversion
In rail transport, gauge conversion is the process of converting a railway from one rail gauge to another, through the alteration of the railway tracks...
to standard gauge
Standard gauge
The standard gauge is a widely-used track gauge . Approximately 60% of the world's existing railway lines are built to this gauge...
to provide standard gauge access to Echuca, but these plans have now been put on hold. There are no longer any regular train movements on this line and it is only maintained to a minimum standard.
The line is being reopened as a freight line while there is track work on the line between Seymour and Shepparton.
Line guide
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