Railways and Tramways of Australia

V/Line

www.vline.com.au

V/Line operates various long-distance train services in Victoria. In addition to train services, V/Line also operates long-distance coach services within Victoria and interstate. The Regional Rail Link services between Melbourne and Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Seymour and Traralgon are described on the Suburban and Interurban Trains pages. Long-distance train services in Victoria operate from Melbourne to Warrnambool, Ararat, Maryborough, Swan Hill, Echuca, Shepparton, Albury (located across the New South Wales border) and Bairnsdale. In Melbourne long-distance originate and terminate at Southern Cross station. There are no scheduled overnight train services, with the exception of the XPT that operates overnight between Melbourne and Sydney. Long-distance trains operate on broad gauge railway lines, with the exception of the XPT and Albury services.

 

Warrnambool Line

Construction of the railway line from Geelong was extended to Colac in 1877, Camperdown in 1883 and Warrnambool in 1890. Five train services run between Melbourne and Warrnambool in each direction on weekdays, and three services run each direction on weekends. Trains on the Warrnambool line typically consist of passenger carriages hauled by an N Class locomotive. The total distance of the rail journey between Melbourne and Warrnambool is 267 km.

 

Ararat Line

The railway line was completed between Ballarat and Ararat in 1875. Five train services run between Melbourne and Ararat in each direction on weekdays, and three services run each direction on Saturdays and Sundays. Trains on the Ararat line typically consist of three VLocity Diesel Multiple Unit railcars or two sets of three VLocity cars forming a six-car train. The total distance of the rail journey between Melbourne and Ararat is 211 km.

 

Maryborough Line

The railway line was completed between Ballarat and Maryborough in 1875. Two train services run between Melbourne and Maryborough in each direction on weekdays and one on weekends. Trains on the Maryborough line typically consist of three VLocity Diesel Multiple Unit railcars. The total distance of the rail journey between Melbourne and Maryborough is 224 km.

 

Swan Hill Line

Construction of the railway line from Bendigo was extended to Kerang in 1884 and Swan Hill in 1890. Two train services run between Melbourne and Swan Hill in each direction daily. Trains on the Swan Hill line typically consist of passenger carriages hauled by an N Class locomotive. The total distance of the rail journey between Melbourne and Swan Hill is 345 km.

 

Echuca Line

The railway line was completed between Bendigo and Echuca in 1864. Three train services run between Melbourne and Echuca in each direction on weekdays, and two services run in each direction on weekends. Trains on the Echuca line typically consist of three VLocity Diesel Multiple Unit railcars or two sets of three VLocity cars forming a six-car train. The total distance of the rail journey between Melbourne and Echuca is 250 km.

 

Shepparton Line

The railway line was completed between Seymour and Shepparton in 1880. Five train services run between Melbourne and Shepparton in each direction on weekdays, and three services run in each direction on weekends, with an additional daily service in each direction between Melbourne and Murchison East. Trains on the Shepparton line typically consist of passenger carriages hauled by an N Class locomotive. The total distance of the rail journey between Melbourne and Shepparton is 182 km.

 

Albury Line

The railway line was completed between Seymour and Longwood in 1872, and then reached Wodonga in 1883. The bridge across the Murray River between Wodonga and Albury (located across the New South Wales border) was completed in 1883. Three V/Line train services run between Melbourne and Albury in each direction daily. Trains on the Albury line typically consist of passenger carriages hauled by an N Class locomotive. In the Melbourne suburban area Albury line trains operate along the standard gauge Albion–Jacana line. The total distance of the rail journey between Melbourne and Albury is 316 km.

 

Bairnsdale Line

The railway line beyond Traralgon was completed to Bairnsdale in 1888. Three train services run between Melbourne and Bairnsdale in each direction on weekdays and Saturdays, and two services run in each direction on Sundays, with an additional train in each direction between Melbourne and Sale and Sundays. Trains on the Bairnsdale line typically consist of passenger carriages hauled by an N Class locomotive. The total distance of the rail journey between Melbourne and Bairnsdale is 275 km.

 

 

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