Flemington Racecourse line

The Flemington Racecourse line opened as a branch from Newmarket by the Melbourne and Essendon Railway Company in February 1861.{{Cite book |last=Harrigan |first=Leo J. |title=Victorian Railways to '62 |publisher=Victorian Railways Public Relations and Betterment Board |year=1962 |location=Melbourne |pages=65–67}} The line was constructed to connect the Melbourne rail network with Flemington Racecourse, the main horse racing facility in Melbourne. The racecourse was originally opened in 1840 and received its rail connection 21 years later in 1861. Three years later, in July 1864, the line was closed after the company faced financial difficulties. The line was taken over by the Victorian Railways and reopened in November 1867.{{Cite news |date=23 October 1886 |title=FLEMINGTON RACECOURSE IMPROVEMENTS. |work=Leader |url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article198352465 |access-date=16 April 2023 |archive-date=16 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416045109/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/198352465 |url-status=live }}

The line was electrified in 1918 for the testing of electric trains, and therefore became the first electrified line in Melbourne. The first electric train ran a test trip from Newmarket to Flemington Racecourse station on 6 October 1918.

Automatic signalling, using two-position signals, was provided in September 1919.{{Cite news |date=5 April 1911 |title=SAFER SIGNALLING. |work=Age |url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article196194773 |access-date=16 April 2023 |archive-date=16 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416045114/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/196194773 |url-status=live }} When passenger services were operated on the line, the points were connected to the signal boxes and the signals were brought into use. This arrangement finished in the 1980s or 1990s when the sidings were closed.

During the 2017 Melbourne Cup, a group of activists drove onto and blocked the rail tracks in an effort to protest refugee detention centres on Manus Island.{{Cite web |title=9News – Latest news and headlines from Australia and the world |url=https://www.9news.com.au/videos/major-delays-for-racegoers-after-car-blocks-flemington-racecourse-line-in-protest/cj9p0iarx000u0hqxbagekp2f |access-date=16 April 2023 |website=www.9news.com.au |archive-date=16 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416043412/https://www.9news.com.au/videos/major-delays-for-racegoers-after-car-blocks-flemington-racecourse-line-in-protest/cj9p0iarx000u0hqxbagekp2f |url-status=live }} The disruption caused major delays on the line during its busiest period of the year, causing racegoers to exit the train with assistance from emergency services and walk along the tracks to access the racecourse.{{Cite news |date=7 November 2017 |title=Activists target Melbourne Cup as protest halts train to races |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-11-07/manus-island-protests-scale-crane-flemington/9126172 |access-date=16 April 2023 |archive-date=16 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416043432/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-11-07/manus-island-protests-scale-crane-flemington/9126172 |url-status=live }}

Services on the Flemington Racecourse line operate only during special events, including during the Melbourne Cup, Oaks Day, the Royal Melbourne Show, university exams (at Victoria University located nearby), or any other large events.{{Cite web |title=Getting to Flemington {{!}} Victoria Racing Club |url=https://www.vrc.com.au/visit-us/plan-your-visit/getting-to-flemington/ |access-date=16 April 2023 |website=www.vrc.com.au |language=en |archive-date=16 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416040513/https://www.vrc.com.au/visit-us/plan-your-visit/getting-to-flemington/ |url-status=live }} In general, during special events, train frequency is 4–60 minutes depending on the size of the crowd and the flow of passengers.{{Cite web |date=1 March 2021 |title=New timetable train line information – Public Transport Victoria |url=https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/more/the-new-timetable-for-victorias-train-network/new-timetable-train-line-information/?line=cranbourne-and-pakenham |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301102536/https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/more/the-new-timetable-for-victorias-train-network/new-timetable-train-line-information/?line=cranbourne-and-pakenham |archive-date=1 March 2021 |access-date=18 December 2022 |website=}} As the line only operates during special events, services do not run 24 hours a day on Friday nights and weekends.{{Cite web |date=2022 |title=Melbourne Weekend Night Network Train Map |url=https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/assets/PTV-default-site/Maps-and-Timetables-PDFs/Maps/Night-Network-maps/Night-Train-Map-SEPT-2021.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230112114049/https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/assets/PTV-default-site/Maps-and-Timetables-PDFs/Maps/Night-Network-maps/Night-Train-Map-SEPT-2021.pdf |archive-date=12 January 2023 |access-date=18 December 2022}}

Train services on the Flemington Racecourse line are also subjected to maintenance and renewal works, usually when the line isn't in use for special events. In the event that maintenance does need to occur during a special event, shuttle bus services are provided throughout the duration of works for affected commuters.{{Cite news |date=15 November 2016 |title=Where do train replacement buses come from? |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-11-15/where-do-train-replacement-buses-come-from/8018532 |url-status=live |access-date=18 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221214224815/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-11-15/where-do-train-replacement-buses-come-from/8018532 |archive-date=14 December 2022}}

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
Services do not operate via the City Loop

• ● – All trains stop
• ◐ – Some services do not stop
• | – Trains pass and do not stop{{Table alignment}}

The Flemington Racecourse line has had a total of 7 operators since its opening in 1861. The majority of operations throughout its history have been government run: from the acquisition of the service from private operator Melbourne and Essendon Railway Company in 1867 until the 1998 privatisation of Melbourne's rail network, four different government operators have run the line."Melbourne's Rail Network to be Split" Railway Digest November 1997 page 12 These operators, Victorian Railways, the Metropolitan Transit Authority, the Public Transport Corporation, and Hillside Trains have a combined operational length of 133 years. Hillside Trains was privatised in 1999{{cite web |author1=Richard Allsop |title=Victoria’s public transport – Assessing the results of privatisation |url=https://ipa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/archive/1179188058_document_allsop_transport.pdf |access-date=17 August 2023}} and later rebranded Connex Melbourne. Metro Trains Melbourne, the current private operator, then took over the operations in 2009. Both private operators have had a combined operational period of {{Age|1997|08|28}} years.{{Cite web |last=Cooper |first=Mex |date=25 June 2009 |title=New train, tram operators for Melbourne |url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/new-train-tram-operators-for-melbourne-20090625-cxgx.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230101122206/https://www.theage.com.au/national/new-train-tram-operators-for-melbourne-20090625-cxgx.html |archive-date=1 January 2023 |access-date=1 January 2023 |website=The Age}}

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{{Infobox rail line

| name = Flemington Racecourse (physical track)

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| status = Operational with passenger services from Flinders Street to Flemington Racecourse

| locale = Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

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• Southern Cross to Newmarket on {{Start date|1860|10|21|df=y}}
• Newmarket to Flemington Racecourse on {{Start date|1861|2|28|df=y}}
• Flinders Street to Southern Cross on {{Start date|1891|11|29|df=y}}

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| yearcommenced = {{Start date|1861|2|28|df=y}}

| yearcompleted = {{Start date|1861|2|28|df=y}}

| close = North Melbourne to Flemington Racecourse on {{End date|1864|7|1|df=y}}

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| event1 = North Melbourne to Flemington Racecourse on {{Start date|1867|10|31|df=y}}

| event2label = Electrified

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• Testing – Newmarket to Flemington Racecourse on {{Start date|1918|10|6|df=y}}
• Service – Flinders Street to Flemington Racecourse on {{Start date|1919|5|28|df=y}}

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• M&ER (1860–1864)
• Victorian Railways (VR) (1867–1974)
• VR as VicRail (1974–1983)
• MTA (The Met) (1983–1989)
• PTC (The Met) (1989–1997)
• VicTrack (1997–Current)

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• Six tracks: Flinders Street to North Melbourne
• Four tracks: North Melbourne to Kensington
• Triple track: Showgrounds to Flemington Racecourse
• Double track: Kensington to Showgrounds

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| gauge = {{Track gauge|1600 mm}}

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The Flemington Racecourse line forms a mostly linear route from the Melbourne central business district to its terminus at Flemington Racecourse. The route is {{convert|7.8|km}} long and is fully double tracked. Exiting the city, the line only has minor earthworks, with some sections of the line being elevated or lowered into a cutting to eliminate level crossings.{{Cite journal |last1=Woodcock |first1=Ian |last2=Stone |first2=John |date=2016 |title=The Benefits of Level Crossing Removal: lessons from Melbourne's historical experience |url=https://researchrepository.rmit.edu.au/esploro/outputs/9921860675101341 |url-status=live |journal=University of Melbourne/RMIT University |pages=13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206120308/https://researchrepository.rmit.edu.au/esploro/outputs/9921860675101341 |archive-date=6 December 2022 |access-date=6 December 2022 |via=RMIT Researchbank}} Despite some removals, there are a number of level crossings still present with no current plans to remove them.{{Cite web |title=Managing the Level Crossing Removal Program |url=https://www.audit.vic.gov.au/report/managing-level-crossing-removal-program |access-date=16 August 2023 |website=Victorian Auditor-General's Office |language=en}}

The line follows the same alignment as multiple other lines, with the Flemington Racecourse line splitting off at North Melbourne. The Flemington Racecourse line continues on its western alignment, whereas the other lines continue onto a northern, western, or south-western alignment.{{Cite web |last=Wray |first=Tyson |title=Melbourne's train lines definitively ranked from best to worst |url=https://www.timeout.com/melbourne/blog/melbournes-train-lines-definitively-ranked-from-best-to-worst-011917 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221212120710/https://www.timeout.com/melbourne/blog/melbournes-train-lines-definitively-ranked-from-best-to-worst-011917 |archive-date=12 December 2022 |access-date=12 December 2022 |website=Time Out Melbourne|date=19 January 2017 }} Most of the rail line goes through built-up suburbs and event facilities.

The line serves 5 stations across {{convert|7.8|km}} of track. The stations are a mix of lowered and ground level designs.{{Cite book |last=Lee |first=Robert S. |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/224727085 |title=The railways of Victoria 1854–2004 |date=2007 |publisher=Melbourne University Publishing |others=Rosemary Annable, Donald S. Garden |isbn=978-0-522-85134-2 |location=Carlton, Vic. |oclc=224727085 |access-date=29 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508063019/http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/224727085 |archive-date=8 May 2022 |url-status=live}}

The Flemington Racecourse line uses three different types of electric multiple unit (EMU) trains that are operated in a split six-car configuration, with three doors per side on each carriage. The primary rolling stock featured on the line is the Comeng EMUs, built by Commonwealth Engineering between 1981 and 1988.{{Cite web |title=archive.ph |url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/commuters-take-pole-position/story-fna7dq6e-1111119116347 |access-date=6 February 2023 |website=archive.ph |archive-date=8 September 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120908211425/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/commuters-take-pole-position/story-fna7dq6e-1111119116347 |url-status=bot: unknown }} Siemens Nexas EMUs are also widely featured on the line, originally built between 2002 and 2005. These train sets feature more modern technology than the Comeng trains.{{Cite web |date=22 November 2005 |title=Siemens AG – Siemens Transportation Systems wins major contract in Australia |url=http://www.siemens.com/page/1,3771,226112-1-18_0_0-0,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051122043434/http://www.siemens.com/page/1,3771,226112-1-18_0_0-0,00.html |archive-date=22 November 2005 |access-date=6 February 2023}} The final type of rolling stock featured on the line is the X'Trapolis 100 built by Alstom between 2002 and 2004, and 2009 and 2020.{{Cite web |last=Jacks |first=Timna |date=15 July 2019 |title=New train designs revealed, but contract under threat |url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/new-train-designs-revealed-but-contract-under-threat-20190715-p527eh.html |access-date=16 August 2023 |website=The Age |language=en}} All of these rolling stock models are widely used on other lines across the metropolitan network and work as the backbone of the network.{{cite web |title=Department of Transport: Who's who in Victoria's public transport network |url=http://www.transport.vic.gov.au/DOI/Internet/transport.nsf/AllDocs/B324F53A00F987B9CA2571F50007F1BB?OpenDocument |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090523081606/http://www.transport.vic.gov.au/DOI/Internet/transport.nsf/AllDocs/B324F53A00F987B9CA2571F50007F1BB?OpenDocument |archive-date=23 May 2009 |access-date=14 January 2010 |publisher=Department of Transport, State Government of Victoria, Australia}}

Alongside the passenger trains, Flemington Racecourse line tracks and equipment are maintained by a fleet of engineering trains. The four types of engineering trains are:{{Cite web |date=1 February 2011 |title=NETWORK SERVICE PLAN {{!}} Addenda |url=https://www.vline.com.au/pdf/networkaccess/networkserviceplan/addenda.pdf/addenda |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110307165249/https://www.vline.com.au/pdf/networkaccess/networkserviceplan/addenda.pdf/addenda |archive-date=7 March 2011}}

• The shunting train; designed for moving trains along non-electrified corridors and for transporting other maintenance locomotives
• For track evaluation; designed for evaluating track and its condition
• The overhead inspection train; designed for overhead wiring inspection
• The infrastructure evaluation carriage; designed for general infrastructure evaluation.

Most of these trains are repurposed locomotives previously used by V/Line, Metro Trains, and the Southern Shorthaul Railroad.

{{Main|X'Trapolis 2.0}}

From the middle of 2020s, the next generation of the X'Trapolis family of electric EMUs—the X'Trapolis 2.0—will be introduced. This new model will fully replace the existing fleet of Comeng EMUs currently operating on the line currently with new, modern, and technologically advanced trains. The new trains will include features designed to increase passenger comfort like quicker doors, allowing for reduced boarding times, passenger information systems to display relevant information about the train and its journey, designated bicycle storage areas, and 6 cars that are fully walk through.{{Cite web |last=Jacks |first=Timna |date=15 July 2019 |title=New train designs revealed, but contract under threat |url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/new-train-designs-revealed-but-contract-under-threat-20190715-p527eh.html |access-date=6 February 2023 |website=The Age |language=en}} For reliability, the trains have a higher energy efficiency to work with a lower network voltage. Finally, accessibility is improved through new interior designs featuring fold-up seating to allow additional space for wheelchair users and passenger operated automatic wheelchair ramps (located behind the two driver cabs).

In compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act of 1992, all stations that are new-built or rebuilt are fully accessible and comply with legal guidelines.{{Cite web |title=Accessibility – Public Transport Ombudsman Victoria |url=https://www.ptovic.com.au/improving-pt/accessibility |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103084345/https://www.ptovic.com.au/improving-pt/accessibility |archive-date=3 January 2023 |access-date=3 January 2023 |website=www.ptovic.com.au}} Three of the five stations on the corridor are fully accessible, but the others have not been upgraded to meet these guidelines. These stations feature ramps with gradients greater than 1 in 14, the maximum slope for stations lacking at-grade paths or lifts.{{Cite web |date=2023 |title=Station accessibility features |url=https://www.metrotrains.com.au/station-accessibility-features/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208020143/https://www.metrotrains.com.au/station-accessibility-features/ |archive-date=8 December 2022 |access-date=3 January 2023 |website=Metro Trains Melbourne}} Fully accessible stations typically also feature tactile boarding indicators, independent boarding ramps, wheelchair accessible myki barriers, hearing loops, and widened paths.{{Cite web |date=n.d. |title=Accessing public transport |url=https://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/community/health-support-services/accessing-melbourne/Pages/public-transport.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206144538/https://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/community/health-support-services/accessing-melbourne/Pages/public-transport.aspx |archive-date=6 December 2022 |access-date=3 January 2023 |website=City of Melbourne}}

Projects improving station accessibility have included individual station upgrade projects, which may include station rebuilds or upgrades.{{Cite web |date=12 June 2022 |title=Left behind: the fight for accessible public transport in Victoria |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/jun/13/left-behind-the-fight-for-accessible-public-transport-in-victoria |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103084335/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/jun/13/left-behind-the-fight-for-accessible-public-transport-in-victoria |archive-date=3 January 2023 |access-date=3 January 2023 |website=the Guardian}}{{Cite web |last=Victoria’s Big Build |date=17 October 2022 |title=Urban design framework |url=https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/projects/level-crossing-removal-project/about/urban-design-framework |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103084334/https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/projects/level-crossing-removal-project/about/urban-design-framework |archive-date=3 January 2023 |access-date=3 January 2023 |website=Victoria’s Big Build}} These works have made significant strides in improving network accessibility, with more than 60% of Flemington Racecourse line stations classed as fully accessible. Future station upgrade projects will continue to increase the number of fully accessible stations overtime.

The Flemington Racecourse line uses three-position signalling, which is widely used across the Melbourne train network.{{Cite web |title=A walk around Gunning |url=http://vrhistory.com/walks/Gunning/Gunning.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815134339/http://vrhistory.com/walks/Gunning/Gunning.htm |archive-date=15 August 2022 |access-date=7 February 2023 |website=vrhistory.com}} Three-position signalling was first introduced in 1924, with the final section of the line converted to the new type of signalling 90 years later in 2014.{{Cite web |title=National Code 3-Position Speed Signalling |url=http://www.sa-trackandsignal.net/Pdf%20files/ARTC/ASig%20descr.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207082457/http://www.sa-trackandsignal.net/Pdf%20files/ARTC/ASig%20descr.pdf |archive-date=7 February 2023 |access-date=8 April 2023}} The Flemington Racecourse line had Melbourne's last remaining example of two-position automatic signalling, apart from a section of the Hurstbridge line between Greensborough and Hurstbridge stations.{{Citation |title=Last Semaphore Signal on the Hurstbridge Line – February 2013 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C80ZI_M0nk8 |access-date=21 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321014244/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C80ZI_M0nk8 |url-status=live |language=en |archive-date=21 March 2023}}

{{reflist}}

• [https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/route/1482/showgrounds-flemington-racecourse/ Flemington Racecourse line timetable]
• [https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/assets/PTV-default-site/Maps-and-Timetables-PDFs/Maps/Network-maps/Victorian-train-network-map.pdf Network map]
• {{commons category-inline|Flemington Racecourse railway line}}

{{Victorian Railway Lines|selected=melbourne}}

Category:Railway lines in Melbourne

Category:Railway lines opened in 1861

Category:1861 establishments in Australia

Category:Flemington, Victoria

Category:Public transport routes in the City of Melbourne (LGA)