Rail Geelong

Maribyrnong River Junction

Maribyrnong River Junction was where the Maribyrnong River freight line left the main line to Footscray and headed southwards. The junction faced down trains, and access was provided from both the up and down main lines. When quadruplication was completed from Footscray to South Kensington the junction was left connected to the original lines, the new pair of tracks being constructed to the north.

From the junction the line turns south and follows the river, passing under the Dynon Road and Footscray Road bridges, as well under the freight line that itself runs under the Bunbury Street. Beyond Lyons Street the line split into two, one siding going off on a angle to the west until it reached Somerville Road, while the other branch continued south to serve the Pivot superphosphate fertiliser depot. The Maribyrnong River Terminal is located at the 6.8 km post, 2.37 km beyond the junction, and was once the destination of briquette trains from the Latrobe Valley.

According to the 1953 Victorian Railways General Appendix the 'Colonial Gas Company also had a siding from the line, which was on such a sharp curve that two or more side buffered wagons were not permitted to traverse it due to the possibility of buffer lock. The Appendix also said that there was an open level crossing for Footscray Road near Sidings 'B".

The 1953 General Appendix also states that the line was controlled from the South Kensington signal box, using Train Staff and Ticket. By 1989 it was devoid of safeworking, and was worked under siding conditions, though no trains use it today. By 2007 the line speed was down to 15 km/h for locomotive up to the G, XR, and BL classes. During inclement weather or darkness the speed was reduced to 10 km/h.

On Thursday August 7, 2008 the line was booked out of use due to track condition, with the points booked out of use, point motor fuses removed, and the points clipped in the normal position.

Events

Line Opened

Track Amplified

Top

Photos

7 images found. These will open in a new window

Looking down the branch from Dynon Road	Looking up the branch from Dynon Road	Looking up the branch from Dynon Road
Maribyrnong River Junction looking down	Maribyrnong River Junction	Maribyrnong River Junction
Maribyrnong River bridge

Top

Sources

• Newsrail - September 2008, page 282
• Newsrail - 'Derms to the Docks'. Roderick B Smith. October 1989. Page 300
• V/Line Network Service Plan - May 2 2007
• VR General Appendix 1953