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Stony Point line

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Stony Point
Railways in Melbourne
Sprinter railcar on the Stony Point railway line, Melbourne.
Sprinter railcar on the Stony Point line, 2024
Overview
Service typeCommuter rail
SystemMelbourne railway network
StatusOperational
LocaleMelbourne, Victoria, Australia
Predecessor
  • Baxter (1888–1889)
  • Stony Point (1889–1981)
  • Tyabb (1981–1984)
First service1 October 1888; 136 years ago (1888-10-01)
Current operator(s)Metro Trains
Former operator(s)
Route
TerminiFrankston
Stony Point
Stops10
Distance travelled31 km (19 mi)
Average journey time36 minutes
Service frequency90–120 minutes
Line(s) usedStony Point
Technical
Rolling stockSprinter DMU
Track gauge1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in)
Track owner(s)VicTrack

The Stony Point line is a commuter railway line in the outer metropolitan area of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.[1] Operated by Metro Trains Melbourne, it is the only diesel service on the metropolitan network and, at 31 kilometres (19 mi), is the tenth-longest line. It is an extension of the Frankston line, with services running from Frankston station to Stony Point, serving 10 stations in all[2] The line is also used for freight services to the Port of Hastings.

The line was opened in three sections during 1888 and 1889. Only two stations have been added since its completion—Leawarra and Morradoo.[3] In recent years, there have been proposals to extend the electrified Frankston line to Baxter.[4]

History

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19th century

[edit]
Stony Point station in 1892

The Stony Point line was initially opened from Frankston to Baxter station, with services commencing in 1888. Extensions to Hastings, Bittern, and Stony Point were completed in the following year.[5] Branch lines were opened from Baxter to Mornington in 1889, and from Bittern to Red Hill in 1921.[5]

20th century

[edit]

In 1959, a new station was opened at Leawarra (originally called Railmotor Stopping Place No. 16),[6]and Morradoo (originally called Railmotor Stopping Place No. 15} was opened a year later.[7][8]

The Red Hill branch was closed in 1953, and the Mornington branch was closed in 1981. A 300-metre (980 ft)-long branch from Long Island Junction to Long Island was opened on 29 April 1969 to serve the adjacent steel mill.[9]

Passenger services on the line were withdrawn on 10 June 1981, and the line from Long Island Junction to Stony Point was closed on 22 June 1981.[10] Services were recommenced on 26 September 1984.[11] After the reopening, DRC railcars were used, with two MTH carriages in between them, making up a four-carriage train. Frequent breakdowns of the railcars led to diesel locomotives often being called in to haul the consist as an alternative.[11]

In August 1994, a T class locomotive hauling two MTH carriages was used but, by November 1995, weekday services were being operated by a P class with two MTH carriages. On weekends, an A class diesel was used, hauling an extra MTH car.[12][13] On one occasion, an X class diesel, in V/Line Freight livery was employed, hauling three MTH carriages. Those configurations were not used after V/Line was separated into passenger and freight divisions.[14]

21st century

[edit]
A V/Line A-class locomotive on a Stony Point train at Frankston station, 2024

Few changes occurred in the 2000s as the service settled down, following the period of frequent changes to the operators, services, and rolling-stock. Sometimes, when train operator V/Line had a locomotive shortage, locomotives leased from Freight Australia and, later, Pacific National appeared, in their green and yellow livery.[15] In 2008, the Stony Point line underwent major re-signalling work, including the introduction of three-position signalling. The new signalling system was controlled remotely from the Frankston Signal Box.[16]

In April 2008, Sprinter units began providing the passenger service.[17][18] Two units usually operated the service, with a single unit returning to Southern Cross for servicing on a regular basis, and another sent in the opposite direction to replace it.

Malfunctions of boom gates forced the closure of the line for three months in 2015.[19]

Future

[edit]

Baxter extension

[edit]
The tired single platform of Baxter station in a rural environment
Baxter station, 2024

In 2013, as part of Public Transport Victoria's Network Development Plan for metropolitan rail, an extension of the Frankston line to Baxter was earmarked to begin in the "long-term" (over the next 20 years).[20] During the 2018 state election, the Liberal Party announced a project to extend electrified services to Baxter.[21] The project would have included the removal of all crossings between Frankston and Baxter, duplication and electrification works, the construction of one (or two) new stations, and the reconstruction of stations along the corridor.[22][23] The Federal Liberals announced $450 million of joint funding for the project promised between the state and federal governments, with the national government promising to provide $225 million of the funding.[22] The incumbent Andrews Labor government argued that the project was not needed, instead prioritising funding to other projects across the state.[22]

A business case commissioned by the government was completed in 2019 with no further progress being made.[4][24]

Again in the lead up to the 2022 state election, the Liberal opposition supported the electrification to Baxter.[25] The second Andrews government made no commitments to the Baxter rail extension, instead continuing construction on level crossing removal works along the Frankston line.[25] The 2022 state election resulted in another Labor victory, with the Andrews government pushing ahead with these works.

In November 2023, a review of infrastructure investment, commissioned by the federal government, found that the Baxter rail extension did not meet the "investment priorities" of the Albanese government and would lose its $225 million in federal funding.[26]

Network and operations

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Services

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The line operates for approximately 13 hours a day, from about 5:30 am to around 10:30 pm from Monday to Friday, and 7:00 am to 8:30 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.[1][27] Train frequency is typically every 90 to 120 minutes throughout the day due to the line being single track with no passing loops.[28] Unlike the rest of Melbourne's rail network, services do not run 24 hours a day on Friday nights and weekends.[29]

Freight movements typically occur twice daily, with Qube Holdings operating trains to the Long Island steel mill and the Port of Hastings. Trains to Melbourne run at approximately 4:00 am and during the mid-afternoon, while trains from Melbourne run at around midnight and noon.[30]

Train services on the Stony Point line are also subjected to maintenance and renewal works, usually on selected Fridays and Saturdays. Shuttle bus services are provided throughout the duration of works for affected commuters.[31]

Stopping patterns

[edit]

Legend — Station status

  • ◼ Premium Station – Station staffed from first to last train
  • ◻ Host Station – Usually staffed during morning peak, however this can vary for different stations on the network.

Legend — Stopping patterns

  • ● – All trains stop
  • ◐ – Some services do not stop
  • | – Trains pass and do not stop
Stony Point Services[32]
Station Zone Stony Point
◼ Frankston 2 ●
◻ Leawarra ●
◻ Baxter ●
◻ Somerville ●
◻ Tyabb ●
◻ Hastings ●
◻ Bittern ●
◻ Morradoo ●
◻ Crib Point ●
◻ Stony Point ●

Operators

[edit]

The Stony Point line has had a number of operators since its opening in 1889. The Victorian Railways, the State Transport Authority, the Public Transport Corporation and V/Line operated the line successively until the privatisation of the Melbourne rail network in 1998.[33] On 1 July 1998, operation of the Stony Point line was transferred from V/Line.[34] V/Line was privatised in 1999 but returned to government ownership in 2003. V/Line has operated the Stony Point service on behalf of three different Melbourne private rail operators in succession: M>Train, Connex, and Metro Trains.[35]

Operators of the Stony Point line:
Operator Commenced operations Ceased operations Length of operations
Victorian Railways 1889 1983 94 years
State Transport Authority 1983 1989 6 years
Public Transport Corporation 1989 1998 9 years
V/Line for Bayside Trains (government operator) 1998 1999 1 years
V/Line for M>Train 1999 2004 5 years
V/Line for Connex Melbourne 2004 2009 5 years
V/Line for Metro Trains Melbourne 2009 incumbent 15 years (ongoing)

Route

[edit]
Map
Stony Point line in south-east Melbourne.

The Stony Point line is predominantly single track, with few curves and minimal earthworks for most of it length.[citation needed] The only duplicated sections are at each end of the line.

Apart from some suburban and light industrial development near Frankston, the line passes through open countryside with occasional small settlements.[36]

Stony Point (physical track)
Overview
StatusOperational with passenger services from Frankston to Stony Point and freight services to the Port of Hastings
Owner
LocaleMelbourne, Victoria, Australia
Termini
Continues fromFrankston line
Connecting lines
Former connections
Stations
  • 10 current stations
  • 2 former stations
  • 1 current siding
  • 1 former siding
Service
ServicesStony Point, Port of Hastings freight trains
History
Commenced1 October 1888 (1888-10-01)
Opened
  • To Baxter on 1 October 1888 (1888-10-01)
  • To Hastings on 10 September 1889 (1889-09-10)
  • To Stony Point on 17 December 1889 (1889-12-17)
Completed17 December 1889 (1889-12-17)
ReopenedPort of Hastings junction to Stony Point on 27 September 1984 (1984-09-27)
ClosedPort of Hastings junction to Stony Point on 22 June 1981 (1981-06-22)
Technical
Line length31 km (19 mi)
Number of tracksSingle track
Track gauge1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in)
Operating speed
  • 95 km/h (59 mph) - DMU
  • 65 km/h (40 mph) - Diesel
SignallingAutomatic and Track Control
Maximum incline1 in 50 (2%)

Stations

[edit]

The line serves 10 stations across 31 kilometres (19 mi) of track. All stations are at ground level.[37]

Station Accessibility Opened Terrain Train connections Other connections
Frankston Yes—step free access 1882[3] Ground level
1 connection
 Buses Buses
Leawarra 1905[3] Buses
Baxter 1888[3]
Somerville 1889[3]
Tyabb
Hastings
Bittern
Morradoo 1960[3]
Crib Point 1889[3]
Stony Point Stony Point railway station#Transport links
Station histories
Station Opened[38] Closed[38] Age Notes[38]
Frankston 1 August 1882 142 years
Leawarra 30 November 1959 65 years
  • Formerly Railmotor Stopping Place No. 16
  • Shortest platform with a regular rail passenger service in Victoria (44 metres (144 ft))
Construction Sand Limited Siding 5 September 1928 11 March 1941 12 years
Langwarrin 1 October 1888 22 June 1981 92 years
Baxter 1 October 1888 136 years
  • Formerly Mornington Junction
Somerville 10 September 1889 135 years
Tyabb 10 September 1889 135 years
BlueScope Steel - Coil Siding 12 September 1972 52 years
  • Part of the Port of Hastings
BlueScope Steel - Slab Siding 4 December 1986 38 years
  • Part of the Port of Hastings
Esso Siding 29 April 1969 56 years
  • Formerly Cresco Siding
  • Part of the Port of Hastings
Hastings 10 September 1889 135 years
Bittern 17 December 1889 135 years
Morradoo 7 November 1960 64 years
  • Formerly Railmotor Stopping Place No. 15
  • Second shortest platform with a regular rail passenger service in Victoria (52 metres (171 ft))
HMAS Cerberus Naval Base 6 July 1914 22 June 1981 66 years
Crib Point 17 December 1889 22 June 1981 91 years
27 September 1984 40 years
Stony Point 17 December 1889 22 June 1981 91 years
27 September 1984 40 years

Infrastructure

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Rolling stock

[edit]
Main article: V/Line Sprinter
A train sitting at a platform at Frankston station.
V/Line Sprinter, which usually operates services on the line, 2019

The Stony Point line uses V/Line Sprinter diesel multiple unit (DMU) trains operating in a one- or two-car configuration, accommodating up to 90 passengers in each car.[39] The trains are refuelled and serviced near Southern Cross station.[37]

Accessibility

[edit]

As required by the Disability Discrimination Act of 1992, all new or re-built stations must comply with accessibility guidelines.[40] All stations on the corridor are fully accessible—a first in Melbourne.[41]

Signalling

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In common with most of the Melbourne train network, the Stony Point line uses three position signalling,[42] which became fully operational on the line in March 2008.[43]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Stony Point Line". Public Transport Victoria. Archived from the original on 7 September 2018. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  2. ^ "Metro's paper timetables mess". Daniel Bowen. 3 September 2017. Archived from the original on 9 December 2022. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "What year did your railway station open?". Public Transport Users Association. Archived from the original on 9 December 2022. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  4. ^ a b "Baxter electrification business case". Transport for Victoria. Archived from the original on 6 January 2019.
  5. ^ a b "The Hastings and Stony Point railway line". The Argus. Melbourne. 18 December 1889. p. 4. Archived from the original on 11 February 2023. Retrieved 11 February 2023 – via Trove.
  6. ^ "Leawarra". Vicsig. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  7. ^ "Morradoo". Vicsig. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  8. ^ "New platform for Stony Point line". The Age. Melbourne. 6 November 1959. p. 11.
  9. ^ Brown, Sid (March 1990). "Tracks across the state". Newsrail. Australian Railway Historical Society (Victorian Division). pp. 71–76.
  10. ^ Banger, Chris (March 1997). "Rail passenger service withdrawals since 1960". Newsrail. Australian Railway Historical Society (Victorian Division). pp. 77–82.
  11. ^ a b "The Stony Point passenger service reopened". Newsrail. Australian Railway Historical Society (Victorian Division). October 1984. p. 309.
  12. ^ "News". Newsrail. Australian Railway Historical Society (Victorian Division). August 1994.
  13. ^ "News". Newsrail. Australian Railway Historical Society (Victorian Division). November 1994.
  14. ^ "News". Newsrail. Australian Railway Historical Society (Victorian Division). November 1994. Back cover.
  15. ^ Carey, Adam (9 February 2016). "V/Line train wheel crisis could have damaged Melbourne's tracks, hearing told". The Age. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
  16. ^ "Stony Point line resignalling". Vicsig. Archived from the original on 27 February 2021. Retrieved 5 October 2008.
  17. ^ Lee, Robert (2007). The Railways of Victoria 1854-2004. Melbourne University Publishing. pp. 255, 257. ISBN 978-0-522-85134-2.
  18. ^ "Sprinter". Vicsig. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  19. ^ "Services back on track on the Stony Point line". Public Transport Victoria. 30 June 2015. Archived from the original on 6 September 2015. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
  20. ^ "Growing our rail network 2018-2025". Public Transport Victoria. Archived from the original on 12 August 2019. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  21. ^ Tatman, Christian (26 January 2018). "State Liberal leader Matthew Guy supports duplication, electrification of rail line to Baxter". Herald Sun. Melbourne. Archived from the original on 16 February 2021. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
  22. ^ a b c Towell, Noel (16 July 2018). "Guy, Turnbull all aboard the $450 million Baxter rail link". The Age. Melbourne. Archived from the original on 6 February 2023. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  23. ^ Walker, Neil (23 July 2018). "Liberals' electric plan ends at Baxter". Mornington News. Mornington Peninsula News Group. Archived from the original on 6 February 2023. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  24. ^ Cowburn, Brodie (4 November 2019). "Rail extension business case complete". The News. Bayside, Victoria: Mornington Peninsula News Group. Archived from the original on 5 November 2019. Retrieved 14 November 2019.
  25. ^ a b Cowburn, Brodie (10 October 2022). "Promise to pay for Baxter extension". Mornington News. Mornington Peninsula News Group. Archived from the original on 6 February 2023. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  26. ^ "Independent Strategic Review of the IIP - Project changes summary" (PDF). Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts. 16 November 2023. Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 November 2023. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  27. ^ Rollason, Bridget (22 August 2022). "More Melburnians could hop on a train or tram every 10 minutes under ambitious Greens proposal". ABC News. Archived from the original on 17 December 2022. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
  28. ^ "New timetable train line information – Public Transport Victoria". 1 March 2021. Archived from the original on 1 March 2021. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
  29. ^ "Melbourne Weekend Night Network Train Map" (PDF). 2022. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 January 2023. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
  30. ^ Cauchi, Stephen (9 September 2013). "Frankston line chaos after freight train derails". The Age. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
  31. ^ Brown, Simon Leo (15 November 2016). "Where do train replacement buses come from?". ABC News. Archived from the original on 14 December 2022. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
  32. ^ "Stony Point Line". Public Transport Victoria. Archived from the original on 11 February 2023. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  33. ^ "Melbourne's rail network to be split". Railway Digest. Sydney: Australian Railways Historical Society (NSW Division). November 1997. p. 12.
  34. ^ "Victorian rail transport business formally established". Railway Digest. Sydney: Australian Railways Historical Society (NSW Division). September 1998. p. 15.
  35. ^ Cooper, Mex (25 June 2009). "New train, tram operators for Melbourne". The Age. Melbourne. Archived from the original on 1 January 2023. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  36. ^ Wray, Tyson. "Melbourne's train lines definitively ranked from best to worst". Time Out Melbourne. Archived from the original on 12 December 2022. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  37. ^ a b Lee, Robert S.; Annable, Rosemary; Garden, Donald S. (2007). The railways of Victoria, 1854–2004. Melbourne University Press. ISBN 978-0-522-85134-2. OCLC 224727085.
  38. ^ a b c "VICSIG". vicsig.net. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  39. ^ Banger, Chris (November 1997). "Sprinters". Newsrail. Australian Railway Historical Society. p. 338.
  40. ^ "Accessibility – Public Transport Ombudsman Victoria". www.ptovic.com.au. Archived from the original on 3 January 2023. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  41. ^ "Station accessibility features". Metro Trains Melbourne. 2023. Archived from the original on 8 December 2022. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  42. ^ "Operational Interface Procedures–November 2009" (PDF). Metro Trains Melbourne Pty Ltd. 1 November 2009.
  43. ^ "National Code 3-Position Speed Signalling" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 7 February 2023. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
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