Ballarat railway station

{{Infobox station

| name = Ballarat

| type = PTV regional rail station

| style = V/Line

| image = Ballarat_Railway_Station_2011_001.JPG

| caption = Eastbound view from the Lydiard Street level crossing, December 2011

| address = Lydiard Street North,
Ballarat Central, Victoria 3350

| borough = City of Ballarat

| country = Australia

| coordinates = {{Coord|display=inline,title|-37.5587|143.8594|format=dms|type:railwaystation_region:AU-VIC}}

| map_type = Australia Victoria

| map_overlay =

| AlternativeMap =

| map_alt =

| map_caption =

| map_size =

| map_dot_label =

| map_label_position =

| owned = VicTrack

| operator = V/Line

| line = {{plain list|

{{rcb|V/Line|Ballarat|croute}} {{rcb|V/Line|Ararat|croute}} (Ararat)
{{rcb|V/Line|Maryborough|croute}} (Mildura)

}}

| distance = 118.80 kilometres from
Southern Cross

| platforms = 2 side

| tracks = 3

| train_operators =

| connections = {{plainlist|

{{rint|victoria|regional bus}} Bus
{{rint|victoria|coach}} Coach

}}

| structure = At-grade

| depth =

| levels =

| parking = Yes

| bicycle = Yes

| accessible = Yes

| electrified =

| status = Operational, staffed

| code = BAL

| zone = Myki Zone 8

| website = {{URL|https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/stop/1506|Public Transport Victoria}}

| opened = {{start date and age|1862|04|11|df=y}}

| closed =

| former = Ballarat West (1862-1865)

| mpassengers = {{Rail pass box|passengers = 528,334[https://philipmallis.com/blog/2022/03/09/railway-station-and-tram-stop-patronage-in-victoria-for-2008-2021/ Railway station and tram stop patronage in Victoria for 2008-2021] Philip Mallis|pass_year = 2013–2014}}

{{Rail pass box|passengers = 558,837|pass_year = 2014–2015|pass_percent = 5.77}}

{{Rail pass box|passengers = 586,859|pass_year = 2015–2016|pass_percent = 5.01}}

{{Rail pass box|passengers = 604,115|pass_year = 2016–2017|pass_percent = 2.94}}

{{Rail pass box|passengers = Not measured|pass_year = 2017–2018}}

{{Rail pass box|passengers = 624,050|pass_year = 2018–2019|pass_percent = 3.29}}

{{Rail pass box|passengers = 459,700|pass_year = 2019–2020|pass_percent = -26.33}}

{{Rail pass box|passengers = 179,500|pass_year = 2020–2021|pass_percent = -60.95}}

| services = {{Adjacent stations|system1=V/Line

|line1=Ballarat|left1=Ballan|right1=Wendouree

|line2=Ararat|left2=Ballan|right2=Wendouree

|line3=Ararat|right3=Wendouree|oneway-right3=yes|note-mid3=One daily shuttle service

|line4=Maryborough|right4=Creswick

}}

| services_collapsible =

| services_state =

| other_services_header = Former service

| other_services = {{s-rail|title=Disused}}

{{rail line|col={{rcr|Australian closed station}}|route=Geelong–Ballarat line|previous=|next={{stnlnk|Warrenheip}}}}

| other_services_collapsible = yes

| other_services_state =

| embedded =

}}

Ballarat railway station is a regional railway station located on the Ararat and Mildura railway lines. It serves the city of Ballarat, Victoria, Australia, and opened on 11 April 1862 as Ballarat West. It gained its current name in 1865.{{cite web|title=Ballarat|website=vicsig.net |url=http://www.vicsig.net/infrastructure/location/Ballarat |access-date=24 February 2023}}

The extensive building complex is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register as being of "historical, architectural, social and technological significance" to the State of Victoria. Significant 19th-century heritage features listed on the Register include the station's signal boxes; the goods shed, being the only one in Victoria built of bluestone; the clock tower, with Ballarat being one of only four 19th-century railway station in Australia to prominently feature one, although the clock itself was not installed until almost a century later in 1984;{{Cite web |date=2024-11-18 |title=From the Curator {{!}} Ballarat Railway Station - Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute |url=https://ballaratmi.org.au/ballarat-railway-station/ |access-date=2024-11-19 |website=ballaratmi.org.au/ |language=en-AU}} and the train shed, with Ballarat being one of only three 19th-century railway stations in Australia retaining their original train shed.{{cite web |title=Ballarat Railway Complex |url=https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/68 |accessdate=11 October 2019 |work=Victorian Heritage Database |publisher=Heritage Council of Victoria}} The replica interlocked mechanical gates were damaged in a 2020 train collision.{{Cite web |date=28 October 2022 |title=Collision of passenger train 8185 with level crossing gates, Lydiard Street North, Ballarat, Victoria, on 30 May 2020 |url=https://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2020/rair/ro-2020-007 |access-date=2024-11-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231214191219/https://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2020/rair/ro-2020-007 |archive-date=2023-12-14 |url-status=live |publisher=Australian Government - Australian Transport Safety Bureau}}{{Cite web |title=Lydiard Street Level Crossing |website=Engage Victoria |url=https://engage.vic.gov.au/lydiard-street-level-crossing |access-date=2024-11-19 |language=en}}

Disused stations Ballarat East, Warrenheip, Bungaree and Gordon are located between Ballarat and Ballan.

History

=19th century=

Ballarat West railway station, as it was then known, was constructed at a cost of almost £22,000, as part of the original railway line to Melbourne via Geelong, built to serve the booming Ballarat goldfields. A bluestone engine shed was built to the south, and a goods shed to the north was added in 1863.{{cite web|url=http://www.ballarathistory.org/transrlh.html|title=Ballarat Australia History – Rail Heritage}} In 1877, the footbridge and waiting rooms on the south side were added. In 1885, hand-operated railway gates were provided at the level crossing at Lydiard Street, together with the "B" signal box to operate it on the western side.

Following the opening of the direct line from Ballarat to Melbourne in December 1889, the increase in patronage led to an upgrade of the station. A grand portico, stationmaster's office and clock tower were designed in 1888 and added in 1891, although no clock was installed in the tower.

=20th century=

With the amalgamation of the Ballarat East and West Town Councils in 1921 to form the City of Ballaarat, and the closure of Ballarat East station, the station gradually dropped the name Ballarat West.

On 13 December 1981, fire badly damaged the interior of the 1888 section of the station building, including the station-master's office, waiting room, booking office, dining room and clock tower.{{cite news |title=Ballarat Railway Station relives glory days in gallery |url=http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/562971/ballarat-railway-station-relives-glory-days-in-gallery/ |access-date=2023-04-12 |work=The Courier |date=2012-11-02 |url-access=subscription}} All of these areas were later repaired and retained. Many of the original features were restored, but some interiors, including the booking office, were subsequently modernised. A clock was added to the tower in 1984.

In 1983, the State Transport Authority proposed to demolish the interlocking gates at Lydiard Street.The Lydiard St. Railway Gates Ballarat - the Drama of Their Preservation Martin, Ray; Hood, Graeme The City of Ballaarat, the National Trust and the Historic Buildings Council responded with a successful campaign to save the gates.

In 1990, conservationists succeeded in their lobbying to preserve the historic railway gates. An automated mechanical system was built to enable their continued use. Additional restoration was carried out in 2005, and the station roof was renovated with Welsh slate to match the original southern roof.Commemorative plaque in station hall

In 1994, the bus interchange near the station entrance was upgraded.{{cite magazine|date=August 1994|title=Works|magazine=Newsrail|publisher=Australian Railway Historical Society|page=250}}

=21st century=

Following the 2006 Regional Fast Rail project, and the introduction of V/Line's VLocity trains, as well as the reintroduction of services to Ararat in 2004, passenger numbers at Ballarat increased by as much as 40% a year.{{cite web |url=http://www.vline.com.au/media/news/MediaReleases/1789595823/Article.aspx |title=Media releases |publisher=Vline.com.au |accessdate=19 May 2012 |archive-date=31 December 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121231045119/http://www.vline.com.au/media/news/MediaReleases/1789595823/Article.aspx |url-status=dead }} A call for a second station ensued, which resulted in Wendouree being opened in June 2009 to alleviate congestion at Ballarat, mainly caused by park and ride passengers from Ballarat's outer western suburbs. A further increase in trains followed the resumption of passenger services to Maryborough in 2010.

On 30 May 2020, a VLocity passenger train, operated by V/Line, failed to stop at Ballarat, and crashed into the interlocked gates protecting the Lydiard Street North level crossing. Four men were on board the Ballarat-bound service and were injured in the collision, including the driver and conductor.{{cite news |last1=Miles |first1=Daniel |title=Man hospitalised, historic Ballarat boom-gates destroyed as late-night V-Line service fails to stop |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-05-31/ballarat-train-crash/12305232 |access-date=6 December 2020 |work=ABC South West Victoria |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=31 May 2020}} The Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigated the incident, and issued a preliminary reportATSB preliminary reports contain factual information established in the investigation's early evidence collection phase but no analysis or findings, which are detailed in the final report. in September 2020. It established that the train had travelled through the station at 23:35 at about {{convert|100|km/h|mph|abbr=off}}, passed a departure signal at stop, and struck the gates at the level crossing, before coming to rest {{convert|600|m|yd|sigfig=2|abbr=off}} west of the station.{{cite report |date=6 September 2020 |title=Collision of passenger train 8185 with level crossing gates, Lydiard Street North, Ballarat, Victoria, on 30 May 2020 |url=https://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2020/rair/ro-2020-007/ |publisher=Australian Transport Safety Bureau |location=Canberra |id=RO-2020-007}}

On 16 November 2021, the level crossing reopened with temporary boom barriers installed,{{cite news|title=Ballarat's Lydiard Street rail crossing reopens after 18 months, permanent gate solution still in works|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-11-16/ballarat-lydiard-street-rail-crossing-reopens-after-train-crash/100618188|website=ABC News|date=15 November 2021 |language=english}}{{cite web|title=Lydiard Street reopening|url=https://corporate.vline.com.au/V-Line-Projects/Lydiard-Street-reopening|website=V/Line Corporate Site|language=english}} with the remains of the interlocked gates placed in storage in nearby Wendouree. The reopening was part of a $10.5 million program to replace the signalling system around the station.

On 19 December 2021, a new bus interchange opened at the north side of the station, at the former location of the sidings to the historic Goods Shed.{{cite web|url=https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/footer/about-ptv/improvements-and-projects/bus-and-coach/new-bus-interchange-and-better-bus-services-for-ballarat/|title=New bus interchange and better bus services for Ballarat|website=Public Transport Victoria|access-date=28 January 2024}}

Platforms and services

Ballarat has two side platforms. It is served by V/Line Ballarat, Ararat and Maryborough line trains.[https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/route/1728 Ballarat - Melbourne timetable] Public Transport Victoria[https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/route/1837 Ararat - Melbourne] Public Transport Victoria[https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/route/4871 Maryborough - Melbourne via Ballarat] Public Transport Victoria

Platform 1:

{{RouteBox|Ballarat line|Ballarat V/Line rail service|#{{rcr|V/Line}}|white}} services to Wendouree and Southern Cross
{{RouteBox|Ararat line|Ballarat V/Line rail service|#{{rcr|V/Line}}|white}} one daily terminating service; services to Ararat and Southern Cross
{{RouteBox|Maryborough line|Mildura railway line|#{{rcr|V/Line}}|white}} services to Maryborough, one daily service to Southern Cross

Platform 2:

{{RouteBox|Ballarat line|Ballarat V/Line rail service|#{{rcr|V/Line}}|white}} services to Wendouree
{{RouteBox|Ararat line|Ballarat V/Line rail service|#{{rcr|V/Line}}|white}} one daily terminating service; services to Ararat
{{RouteBox|Maryborough line|Mildura railway line|#{{rcr|V/Line}}|white}} services to Maryborough

Transport links

=Bus services=

CDC Ballarat operates fourteen bus routes to and from Ballarat station, under contract to Public Transport Victoria:{{Cite web|title=Ballarat bus timetables & maps|url=https://cdcvictoria.com.au/travel-information/timetables-and-maps/ballarat/|access-date=2021-02-09|website=CDC Victoria|language=en-AU}}

{{color box|e7b222|10|white}}: to Alfredton[https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/route/15162/10-ballarat-station-alfredton-via-wendouree/ 10 Ballarat Station - Alfredton via Wendouree] Public Transport Victoria
{{color box|8c62aa|11|white}}: to Wendouree station[https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/route/15163/11-ballarat-station-wendouree-station-via-howitt-st/ 11 Ballarat Station - Wendouree Station via Howitt St] Public Transport Victoria
{{color box|00a54f|12|white}}: to Wendouree station[https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/route/15164/12-ballarat-station-wendouree-station-via-forest-st/ 12 Ballarat Station - Wendouree Station via Forest St] Public Transport Victoria
{{color box|9c9726|13|white}}: to Invermay Park[https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/route/15165/13-ballarat-station-invermay-park/ 13 Ballarat Station - Invermay Park] Public Transport Victoria
{{color box|8c62aa|14|white}}: to Black Hill[https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/route/15166/14-ballarat-station-black-hill/ 14 Ballarat Station - Black Hill] Public Transport Victoria
{{color box|a62772|15|white}}: to Brown Hill[https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/route/15167/15-ballarat-station-brown-hill/ 15 Ballarat Station - Brown Hill] Public Transport Victoria
{{color box|f68b1f|20|white}}: to Canadian[https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/route/15168/20-ballarat-station-canadian/ 20 Ballarat Station - Canadian] Public Transport Victoria
{{color box|015aaa|21|white}}: to Buninyong[https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/route/15169/21-ballarat-station-buninyong-via-federation-university/ 21 Ballarat Station - Buninyong via Federation University] Public Transport Victoria
{{color box|d7171f|22|white}}: to Federation University Ballarat Campus[https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/route/15170/22-ballarat-station-federation-university-via-sebastopol/ 22 Ballarat Station - Federation University via Sebastopol] Public Transport Victoria
{{color box|71bf44|23|white}}: to Mount Pleasant[https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/route/15171/23-ballarat-station-mount-pleasant/ 23 Ballarat Station - Mount Pleasant] Public Transport Victoria
{{color box|00a54f|24|white}}: to Sebastopol[https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/route/15172/24-ballarat-station-sepastopol/ 24 Ballarat Station - Sepastopol] Public Transport Victoria
{{color box|015aaa|25|white}}: to Delacombe[https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/route/15173/25-ballarat-station-delacombe/ 25 Ballarat Station - Delacombe] Public Transport Victoria
{{color box|00acdd|26|white}}: to Alfredton[https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/route/15174/26-ballarat-station-alfredton/ 26 Ballarat Station - Alfredton] Public Transport Victoria
{{color box|71bf44|30|white}}: to Creswick[https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/route/15175/30-ballarat-station-creswick/ 30 Ballarat Station - Creswick] Public Transport Victoria

=Road coaches=

V/Line operates road coach services from Ballarat station to:

Bendigo via Maryborough and Castlemaine[https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/route/1493 Ballarat - Bendigo] Public Transport Victoria
Halls Gap and the Grampians National Park via Ararat and Stawell[https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/route/1575 Ballarat - Stawell] Public Transport Victoria[https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/route/1731 Halls Gap - Bendigo] Public Transport Victoria
Horsham, Dimboola, Nhill and Adelaide[https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/route/1755 Adelaide - Melbourne] Public Transport Victoria
Geelong[https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/route/1751 Geelong - Bendigo] Public Transport Victoria
Hamilton and Mount Gambier[https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/route/1732 Mount Gambier - Ballarat] Public Transport Victoria
Ouyen, Donald and Mildura[https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/route/1733 Ouyen - Ballarat] Public Transport Victoria
Warrnambool

=Trails=

The station is the official starting point of two multi-use trails:

The Wallaby Track, part of the Great Dividing Trail, which goes to Daylesford and Buninyong
The Ballarat-Skipton Rail Trail, which uses the route of the former branch line to Skipton

Gallery

File:Ballarat railway station train hall.jpg|Eastbound view from Platform 1, December 2007

File:Ballarat railway station clocktower.jpg|View of the station clock tower, December 2007

File:Ballarat Railway Station 2011 002.JPG|Station front and entrance to Platform 1,
December 2011

File:BallaratRailwayStationPlatformTwo.jpg|Westbound view of Platform 2, May 2017

File:A2 986 Ballarat Railway Station.jpg|Preserved A2 class locomotive 986 sits at Platform 2 during the Ballarat Heritage Weekend, May 2017

File:Ballarat Station Bus Interchange Bay 2 December 2021 2.jpg|Newly opened bus interchange, December 2021

Notes

References

External links

{{commons category|Ballarat railway station, Victoria|Ballarat railway station}}

[http://www.railgeelong.com/gallery/melbourne-ballarat/ballarat/ Rail Geelong gallery]
[http://www.vicrailstations.com/Serviceton/Ballarat/Ballarat.html Victorian Railway Stations gallery]
[http://www.street-directory.com.au/sd3/map.php?x=143.85948108988117&y=-37.55861955307239&l=14&mt=4 Melway map] at street-directory.com.au

{{Public Transport Victoria railway stations|Western=y|state=collapsed}}

Category:Buildings and structures in Ballarat

Category:Listed railway stations in Australia

Category:Railway stations in Australia opened in 1862

Category:Regional railway stations in Victoria (state)

Category:Transport in Ballarat

Category:Victorian Free Classical architecture in Australia

Category:Victorian Heritage Register Grampians (region)