Rail Geelong - Locations

Newport South

• Signal box
• Events
• Photos
• Sources

Newport South was opened to serve the Newport Freezing Works in 1883. It grew in importance in 18885 when it was made the junction of the Geelong line and the new Williamstown Racecourse line, which was later extended to become the Altona line. Newport South was also known as 'Newport B' box or Newport South Junction.

The short section of track from Newport was duplicated in 1885, with a skewed delta crossover provided between the three routes. The down line ran into the single track Geelong line via a crossover, with up trains running straight through but with a slew to the left. The Altona line ran to the east of the main line, via a slew to the left. The delta crossover was replaced by a pair of normal crossovers in 1937.

On the up side of the signal box was a number of loop sidings, which rejoined the mainline at Newport. In 1966 the sidings on the western (up) side were rationalised, with a third main line constructed that ran behind Newport platform 1, so that freight trains accessing the Newport - Sunshine line could bypass the passenger platforms. Newport South ceased to be a junction when the line was duplicated through to Laverton, with the Altona Junction opened at the actual divergence of the lines.

Today Newport South is where the broad gauge track leading to the Newport-Sunshine Line diverges from the Geelong line, as well as being where bidirectional running commences towards Geelong.

The track arrangement at Newport South dates back to before the duplication of the line towards Laverton, with both up and down trains required to diverge through a 65 km/h set of turnouts in order to follow the normal up and down running directions, causing unnecessary wear to the track and rough riding to passengers. Only down trains from Newport heading onto the East Line towards Laverton do not need to change tracks, but this is not a normal mode of operation of the line.

Signal box

The signal box at Newport South opened in 1886 when the line was duplicated from Newport to the Newport Meat Siding. A 24 lever frame was provided. In 1910 a new 31 lever frame was provided. This frame was replaced by one the same size in 1946.

The signal box also controlled the adjacent Champion Road level crossing gates. In 1931 remote control of Rock Loop was provided, this being the first panel in Victoria.

1967 saw the duplication of the line towards Laverton, and control of lines in that direction was transferred to Newport 'A' box. The box at Newport South remained to control the interlocked gates at Champion Road until 1977, when they were converted to boom barriers, the box abolished, and control of points and signals moved to Newport 'A'.

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Events

Line Opened

Track Amplified

Safeworking

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Photos

2 images found. Click them to enlarge.

Champion Road

Newport South

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Sources

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