Mansfield railway line
| Mansfield | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Type | V/Line passenger service |
| Status | Rail trail |
| Former connections | Joined North East line at Tallarook, Alexandra line branched off at Cathkin. |
| Stations | 16 |
| Operation | |
| Opened | 1883 to Yea, extended from Yea in 1889 reaching Mansfield in 1891. |
| Completed |
1891 to Mansfield |
| Closed | 8 November 1978 |
| Number of tracks | Single |
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1891 to Mansfield
The Mansfield railway line was a branch line in the Goulburn Valley of northern Victoria, Australia, branching from the main North East line at Tallarook station and heading east into mountainous territory.
The first stage of the line was opened from Tallarook to Yea in 1883, being extended in stages from 1889 though Molesworth, Cathkin, Merton and Maindample to reach Mansfield in 1891, located 117 kilometres from the junction. A short 7 kilometre long branch was also opened from Cathkin to Koriella in 1890, being extended another 7 kilometres to Alexandra in 1909.
The line was a result of a decade of local lobbying, and provided improved access for agricultural products from the region to Melbourne markets. The line was quite scenic and included a 200 m tunnel near Cheviot and a viaduct over an arm of the Lake Eildon reservoir near Bonnie Doon, which was rebuilt in 1955 as part of the enlarging of the reservoir.
The last regular passenger service operated to Mansfield on 28 May 1977 by 280hp Walker railmotor 91 RM. It was replaced by a bus service via Yarra Glen, but was rerouted via Whittlesea after road upgrades were carried out. By this point the track had deteriorated beyond Yea, and after March 1977 the majority of services beyond this point were buses.
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Wikipedia