Warrnambool railway line
| Warrnambool | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Overview | |||
| Type | V/Line passenger service | ||
| System | V/Line passenger services, freight traffic | ||
| Connecting lines | Western SG, Geelong–Ballarat | ||
| Former connections | Queenscliff, Geelong Racecourse, Wensleydale, Forrest, Cressy, Beech Forrest, Alvie, Timboon, Mortlake, Port Fairy, Hamilton lines | ||
| Operation | |||
| Opened | 1857 | ||
| Completed | 1890 | ||
| Number of tracks | Double broad gauge track to Geelong, single beyond. Single standard gauge to North Shore | ||
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The Warrnambool railway line (also known as the South West line, formerly known as the Port Fairy railway line) is a railway serving the south west of Victoria, Australia. Running from the state capital Melbourne though the cities of Geelong and Warrnambool, the line once terminating at the coastal town of Port Fairy until being truncated to Dennington (just west of Warrnambool). This closed section of line has been converted into the 37 km long Port Fairy to Warrnambool Rail Trail. The line continues to see both passenger and freight services today.
Metro Trains Melbourne operates suburban passenger services along the inner section of the line as far as Werribee, while V/Line operates the Interurban Geelong Line and the Intercity Warrnambool Line services. For 11 years, from 19 September 1993 until 31 August 2004, the Melbourne to Warrnambool passenger service was run by the private West Coast Railway company. Freight services also run on the line, operated by Pacific National and, for a brief period, El Zorro. El Zorro has resumed freight services to the Westvic container depot.
As of 21 June 2015, the V-Line services no longer stop at Werribee and Newport stations and travel via the Regional Rail Link.
The Geelong line was originally built by the private Geelong and Melbourne Railway Company and opened on 25 June 1857, the line being sold to the Victorian Railways in 1860. The line was designed by English engineer Edward Snell, and built as a single track. The standard of engineering was called into question as the light timber bridges required extra maintenance and had a short life span, while the decision to build only a single track resulted in slow and infrequent trains. Travelers between Melbourne and Geelong continued to prefer the bay steamers across Port Phillip Bay, leading to diminished profits for the company. At a railway commission enquiry, Snell defended his approach as necessary to complete the work in time, with the expectation that the engineering works would be upgraded as traffic and revenue increased. The railway had the misfortune of a fatal accident on its first run. The company's superintendent - and a friend of Snell’s - was struck when leaning out of the train's engine as it approached a tunnel. An inquiry cleared the company of any negligence.
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