Glenrowan railway station

Glenrowan is a closed station located in the town of Glenrowan, on the North East line, in Victoria, Australia. The station is located at the highest point of the line north of Seymour, with grades of 1 in 75 in both directions.[1] In June 1880, the station was the site of what became the last stand of Ned Kelly and his gang, with a monument located at the station today.[2]

Glenrowan
Reconstructed station building on the platform
Line(s)North East
Platforms1
Tracks3
Other information
StatusClosed
History
Opened2 November 1874
Closed4 October 1981

History

The station site was initially a ballast siding, but there were no plans to build a station at the site. However, an earth platform was provided for construction workers, and when this was removed by the contractors, several protest meetings were held by local residents. The petition was successful, and a station was opened on 2 November 1874, with a platform located on the western side of the line. A temporary station building was provided, with the sidings extended in 1901.[1]

Permanent station buildings were provided in 1911, of Edwardian style, along with relocation of the signalling frame, and the platform was extended to 350 feet (110 m).[1] In 1961, the yard was altered to permit the parallel standard gauge line to run through, with the broad gauge main line altered to run through number 2 road, with the platform on a loop siding. The goods siding was relocated to the western side of the line, and a quarry siding running east from the station was converted to standard gauge.[1]

The station was one of 35 closed to passenger traffic on 4 October 1981, as part of the New Deal timetable for country passengers.[3] In 1986, the station was provided with switching facilities. When switched out, the through section would be Benalla "B" box - Wangaratta.[4]

During August 1991, the electric staff sections Benalla - Glenrowan - Wangaratta were abolished, and was replaced with electric staff section Benalla 'B' Box - Wangaratta, with Glenrowan dis-established as an electric staff station.[5] Also in 1991, all signals on the broad gauge line were abolished, along with the electric staff instruments and the platform loop siding. The sidings at the rear of the station were also disconnected from the main line around this time.[6]

In 2001, the Edwardian station building was demolished, and a replica of the original 1874 structure, based on original drawings, was constructed.[7]

On 14 June 2008, over 100 local residents held a protest at the station, on the same day a special steam train operated along the line.[8] A few weeks before, it had been announced that Chiltern, Springhurst, Violet Town, Euroa and Avenel would receive second platforms, as part of the gauge conversion of the North East line, with Glenrowan residents wanting the current platform reopened, and a second platform built, so that Ned Kelly tourist trains could visit Glenrowan.[9]

On 12 February 2009, at a community meeting in Glenrowan, the Department of Transport (Vic) announced it was not viable to re-open the station to passenger traffic. Local efforts to reopen the station for improved tourism continue.

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References
  1. Turton, Keith W. (1973). Six And A Half Inches From Destiny. Australian Railway Historical Society (Victorian Division). p. 102. ISBN 0-85849-012-9.
  2. "Capture of the Kelly Gang". State Library of Victoria. Retrieved 25 December 2008.
  3. Scott Martin and Chris Banger (October 2006). "'New Deal' for County Passengers - 25 years on". Newsrail. Australian Railway Historical Society (Victorian Division): 319.
  4. "Works". Newsrail. Australian Railway Historical Society. March 1987. p. 89.
  5. "Works". Newsrail. Australian Railway Historical Society. October 1991. p. 338.
  6. "Works". Newsrail. Australian Railway Historical Society. December 1991. p. 402.
  7. "Glenrowan Masterplan - Part 1 and 2" (PDF). Prepared for Rural City of Wangaratta. 18 April 2002. p. 46. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 July 2008. Retrieved 25 December 2008.
  8. "'Ned Kelly' rides again to halt train". The Daily Telegraph. www.news.com.au. 14 June 2008. Retrieved 14 July 2008.
  9. "All aboard anniversary train". ABC Goulburn Murray. www.abc.net.au. 16 June 2008. Retrieved 14 July 2008.
Preceding station   Disused railways   Following station
Winton   North East line   Wangaratta
  List of closed railway stations in Victoria  

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