Rail Geelong - Locations

Altona Junction

• Events
• Photos
• Other Locations
• Sources

The initial junction of the Geelong line with the Williamstown Racecourse / Altona line was at Newport South, with the two separate lines running parallel until they diverged a kilometre to the west.

This was altered in 1967 when the line between Newport South and Rock crossing loop was duplicated. The junction was moved to the point of divergence, and named Altona Junction. It was initially worked from a signal panel at Newport South until that signal box's closure, when control was transferred to Newport. In 1985 the loop on the Altona line was lengthened, and bidirectional signalling provided on each leg.

At the down end of the junction heading for Geelong there is a crossover between the two tracks, facing down trains on the East line or up trains on the West line. By the mid 2000s the crossover was little used, deteriorating in condition until a 50 km/h speed restriction was placed onto it. These restrictions lasted a number of months at a time until bandaid fixes were made, as the suburban rail operator was not affected by them. The last speed restriction was put into place in 2009, the crossover being removed over the weekend of May 15, 2010.

Events

Line Opened

Track Amplified

Safeworking

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Photos

9 images found. Click them to enlarge.

Altona Junction looking down	Looking down the line from Maddox Road	Substation at Altona Junction
Looking towards Melbourne	Looking towards Paisely	Looking towards Paisely
And one of the up end	Another view of the substation for good measure	Relay room and speed restriction on the track towards Paisley

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Other Locations

• Altona Coal Company
• Altona Station
• Altona Beach Station

Sources

• http://www.vrhistory.com/ - Andrew Waugh