Yarraville Station and Crossing, c1916 … still waiting at the gates!
A restored postcard of Yarraville Railway Station from the early 1900s shows the original gates and platforms, many of which are still in place today.
The railway line through Yarraville was built in 1859, although the local section initially operated for goods traffic only. Over the following 15 years, Yarraville Village developed organically around the station rather than around the planned hub of Ballarat Street. Passenger services began in 1871, when the station, then known as South Footscray, officially opened its platforms to the public.
The early wooden passenger buildings proved inadequate for a growing community. By the 1890s, they were replaced with the substantial brick station that still stands today.
The goods yard continued operating for many decades before closing in July 1969. It was removed entirely by 1991. The interlocked crossing gates at Anderson Street remained in use until 1995, when they were replaced by boom barriers and fixed in the open position, as seen today.
If you look closely at the historic image, you can spot a set of downward steps on the right. These led to the well-known Yarraville Underpass, which allowed pedestrians to move safely beneath the train and goods lines, even while trains were passing. The underpass was filled in around 1990. Today, subtle traces of the past remain. At the crossing, you can still identify the alignment of the original goods line, and nearby stands the signalling tower close to the blocks play area.
Originally named South Footscray, Yarraville Railway Station marked its 150th anniversary on 20 November 2021.
Yarraville Station and Crossing, c1916 … still waiting at the gates!
A restored postcard of Yarraville Railway Station from the early 1900s shows the original gates and platforms, many of which are still in place today.
The railway line through Yarraville was built in 1859, although the local section initially operated for goods traffic only. Over the following 15 years, Yarraville Village developed organically around the station rather than around the planned hub of Ballarat Street. Passenger services began in 1871, when the station, then known as South Footscray, officially opened its platforms to the public.
The early wooden passenger buildings proved inadequate for a growing community. By the 1890s, they were replaced with the substantial brick station that still stands today.
The goods yard continued operating for many decades before closing in July 1969. It was removed entirely by 1991. The interlocked crossing gates at Anderson Street remained in use until 1995, when they were replaced by boom barriers and fixed in the open position, as seen today.
If you look closely at the historic image, you can spot a set of downward steps on the right. These led to the well-known Yarraville Underpass, which allowed pedestrians to move safely beneath the train and goods lines, even while trains were passing. The underpass was filled in around 1990. Today, subtle traces of the past remain. At the crossing, you can still identify the alignment of the original goods line, and nearby stands the signalling tower close to the blocks play area.
Originally named South Footscray, Yarraville Railway Station marked its 150th anniversary on 20 November 2021.
