Rail Geelong

Lara Station

• Location Events
• Diagrams
• Photos
• Sources

Lara Station opened with the Geelong - Melbourne railway line in 1856 as Duck Ponds. It was the first terminus of the line out of Geelong while construction pressed onwards, both goods and passenger facilities were provided, as was a crossing loop.

By 1899 the station was interlocked, and a substantial three road yard existed. In 1912 the sidings were extended in length. In 1926 a new signal frame was provided due he the previous one being destroyed by fire. It is believed the current station building was built at this time. (an alternative date is 1948 when a Station Master was assigned to Lara.)

Little change occurred at Lara until 1973 when all two position mechanical signalling was replaced with three position colour light signals, and a new control panel provided. At the same time No 2 Road was extended to form a 640 meter (2100 ft) long crossing loop.

In 1981 further change occurred at Lara with duplication of the line between Little River and Corio. A new back platform was provided to serve the East (Geelong bound) line, giving Lara an island layout. One of the yard sidings was also removed by this time. The final layout changes occurred in 1993 when another siding was removed from the yard, leaving only the long loop. The space occupied by the removed siding was used by the Standard Gauge line that opened in 1995.

In 2006 the signalling at Lara was replaced as part of the Regional Fast Rail project, with control being transferred to the Geelong Signal Control Centre. This allows the greatest advantage to be gained from the bi-directional lines, allowing slower trains to be passed by faster ones.

In 2007 the 'Parkway' (park and ride) facility was completed, which extended the carpark, upgraded the bus shelter (with a roof so high it is useless if it rains) and put additional signage on the Princes Freeway. Other parkways are at Drouin, Ballan, Garfield, Gisborne, Bacchus Marsh and Wallan with a total cost of $5 million.

In June 2007 work started on a upgrade of the station building, with the construction of a temporary platform extension at the Melbourne end of platform 1. Work did not actually start until March 2008 when hoardings were erected around the station building, and temporary facilities provided by portable buildings in the carpark. A 25 km/h speed restriction was place on the east line though the station, most likely due to the effect on visibility to the pedestrian crossing accessing the platform. The current building was then gutted, and extended to the south, and verandahs built all around. The new building will feature a bigger waiting room and ticket office, a small kiosk, and upgraded toilets. Purple Viclink signage was erected in August, along with the finishing touches on the new building. Costing $700,000 the work is due due to be completed in mid 2008.

Today Lara station serves a large number of Melbourne commuters who live in the town, as well as locals who wish to travel into Geelong. Lara also sees heavy use during the bi-annual Avalon Airshow. The station is staffed during the morning peak up until lunchtime.

Events

Line Opened

Track Amplified

Safeworking

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Diagrams

NOTE: Diagrams are not to scale.

• 1899
• 1912
• 1973
• 1981
• 1993

1899

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1912

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1973

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1981

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1993

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Photos

9 of 62 images found displayed. These will open in a new window

Banked curves near Canterbury Road, Lara	Lara station looking down	Lara station building from the south east
Lara station carpark	Construction works	Lara station building
Extensions to the station building	Looks to be the ticket office	Up end with platform extension

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Sources

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