Engineering, Passenger Rail, Rolling stock & Rail Vehicle Design

Test trains to run on Mernda extension in July

The first test train will arrive in Mernda next month, following the installation of the final section of track in the Plenty Road area.

The train’s arrival in July will mark the first time a train has run to Mernda in sixty years. Trains used to run to the old Mernda station on the Whittlesea line from 1889 to 1959, when the line closed beyond Lalor station.

Work has been underway on the new rail line over a year, having got underway in late April 2017. The project includes the construction of three new stations, three rail bridges and two underpasses, as well as a train stabling yard at the end of the line.

“Reaching this landmark moment is testament to the hard work of our engineers and construction workers. Being 6 months ahead of schedule will delight Mernda and Doreen locals,” Member for Yan Yean Danielle Green said.

Eight thousand commuters a day are expected to use the new stations every day, easing traffic congestion along Plenty Road.

Construction crews are now installing final section of track for the 8-kilometre rail line from South Morang Station to the Mernda Station. Two other new stations are included in the project: Hawkstowe Station and Middle Gorge Station. Two-thousand car parking spaces, along with bicycle storage and bus facilities will be provided across the three stations.

An additional 40 car spaces are currently being built at the new Hawkstowe Station, increasing the number of car parks at this station to 397, while an extra walking and cycling path connection has also been confirmed.

State transport minister Jacinta Allan said that the new line would deliver better transport and facilities and connections for locals.

“This is one of the biggest infrastructure projects ever undertaken here in South Morang and Mernda and we’re getting it done, months ahead of schedule,” Allan said.

“Mernda Rail has created thousands of local jobs and will give people in Melbourne’s north the world-class transport they deserve.”

Over 700 workers are currently working on the line ahead of testing and commissioning the new line.

In preparation for train testing on the line, buses will replace trains between Clifton Hill and South Morang from Friday 29 June to the last service on Sunday 1 July.

1 Comment

  1. What a fantastic achievement. Congratulations to all involved in construction of this very much needed infrastructure. What a great boost to the livability of the City of Whittlesea. It has come at just the right time as Plenty Road has definitely reached it’s maximum capacity. I suppose the logical next step will be to extend the line to it’s original terminus in Whittlesea township.