Industry Infrastructure, Level Crossing Removal, Rail industry news (Australia, New Zealand), State

Trains returned to the Mernda Line this week

Trains are back on the Mernda Line, with the city-bound rail bridge now taking trains over Keon Parade.

A construction crew of around 200 worked 24/7 for 10 days to demolish the old Keon Park Station building and platforms and remove old track and railway infrastructure.

The rail team laid out one kilometre of rail track, installing 2000 sleepers and 3200 tonnes of ballast over the 10 days.

The team said farewell to the 40-year-old station building as excavators took it to pieces, and rail workers connected the new elevated rail bridge with the existing tracks on the Mernda Line, running test trains over the weekend.

While Mernda Line passengers were on the bus, they were offered treats from local suppliers All Heart Cafe, Bean and Gone and Johnson Street Cafe, handing out 7000 chocolate cakes, mini pastries, cookies and banana bread.

Trains will not stop at Keon Park Station until the new station opens later this year.

A shuttle bus is in place between Thomastown and Ruthven stations for passengers who need to get on and off at Keon Park Station.

Boom gates will be gone for good in Keon Parade, and the new, state of the art Keon Park Station open to the community by spring this year.