Mansfield railway line, Victoria

VictorianRailwayLineInfobox
type = vic
name = Mansfield
yearcommenced =
yearopened = 1883 to Yea, extended from Yea in 1889 reaching Mansfield in 1891.
yearcompleted = 1891 to Mansfield Branch to Alexandra in 1909.
yearclosed = November 18, 1978
fate = Closed
lengthkm =
stations = 16
tracks = Single
users =
servicepattern =
RollingStock =
connections =
formerconnections = Joined North East line at Tallarook, Alexandra line branched off at Cathkin.

The Mansfield railway line was a branchline in the Goulburn Valley of northern Victoria, Australia, branching from from the main North East line at Tallarook station and heading east into mountainous territory.

History

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.cite journal | year = 1990 | month = March | title = Tracks Across the State | author = Sid Brown | journal = Newsrail | publisher = Australian Railway Historical Society (Victorian Division) | pages = pages 71-76 ] 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. [cite web
url=http://home.vicnet.net.au/~manshs/mansfield.htm
title=History of Mansfield
author=Mansfield Historical Society
publisher=home.vicnet.net.au
accessdate=2008-06-04] The line was quite scenic and included a 200m 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. [cite web
url=http://www.railtrails.org.au/news/news.php3?feature_bonnie_doon_052000&/states/vic/northern.htm
title=Rail Trails News - Old Railway at Bonnie Doon
publisher=www.railtrails.org.au
accessdate=2008-06-04]

The last regular passenger service operated to Mansfield on May 28, 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 since March 1977 the majority of services beyond this point were buses.cite journal | year = 1997 | month = March | title = Rail Passenger Service Withdrawals Since 1960 | author = Chris Banger | journal = Newsrail | publisher = Australian Railway Historical Society (Victorian Division) | pages = pages 77 - 82 ]

The line was closed on November 18, 1978 along with the branch line to Alexandra. The line was quickly dismantled following closure, preventing any chance of tourist services from operating along the line despite some interest being shown. Many bridges along the line have also since been removed with only the uprights remaining.cite web
url=http://www.vicrailstations.com/Mansfield/Mansfield.html
title=Mansfield Line
publisher=www.vicrailstations.com
accessdate=2008-06-04] Currently 6 kilometres of the line has been reopened as the Goulburn River High Country rail trail, in three separate sections. [cite web
url=http://www.railtrails.org.au/states/trails.php3?action=trail&trail=27
title=Goulburn River High Country Rail Trails - Trail Description
publisher=www.railtrails.org.au
accessdate=2008-06-04]

References

External links

* [http://www.vicrailstations.com/Mansfield/Mansfield.html Photographs of stations along the Mansfield line]
* [http://www.railtrails.org.au/states/trails.php3?action=trail&trail=27 Goulburn River High Country Rail Trail]