source/credit: Marcus Wong
by Justin Di Giulio
August 11 2024
On 7th August 2024, community groups gathered at Upfield Station to rally for significant improvements to the infrastructure and services on Melbourne’s Upfield rail line. This demonstration highlighted a growing frustration with the State Government's lack of progress on long-overdue enhancements to one of Melbourne’s most critical transport corridors.
A Historical Perspective
The Upfield rail line has a rich yet challenging history. Opened in stages starting in 1884, the line saw electric trains reach Fawkner in 1920, and its current terminus at Upfield was established in 1959, primarily to serve workers at the adjacent Ford car factory. Over the years, the line has faced numerous threats, including proposals in the 1980s and 1990s to convert it to light rail or even close it altogether. However, the line was preserved thanks to the unwavering resistance of local communities, councils, unions, and the public.
Following this period of uncertainty, the government finally committed to upgrading the line. These upgrades included new signalling systems, the closure of some level crossings, and the replacement of manual gates with modern boom barriers and flashing lights. More recently, level crossings were removed at Camp Road in Campbellfield and at four locations in Coburg, accompanied by the reconstruction of Moreland and Coburg stations.
Current Challenges and Delays
Despite these improvements, the Upfield line continues to face significant challenges. Eight additional level crossings between Royal Park and Moreland are slated for removal, but the work has been delayed by several years. More concerning, however, is the stagnation in the quality of train services. The line still operates at 20-minute intervals, with 30-minute gaps during evening services, a frequency that fails to meet the growing demand of the surrounding communities.
The government has long promised upgrades and extensions to the Upfield line, yet progress has been minimal. With the upcoming opening of the Metro 1 Tunnel in mid-2025, there will be capacity to run trains every 10 minutes on both the Craigieburn and Upfield lines. However, due to the single-track section between Gowrie and Upfield, this will not be possible on the Upfield line without significant infrastructure changes.
Proposed Solutions
To address these issues, a few options have been proposed:
Interim Solutions: Installing a "turn back" facility at Gowrie could allow trains to run every 10 minutes to Gowrie, though service to Upfield would still only be every 20 minutes. Alternatively, a second platform at Upfield could enable trains to run every 12 minutes along the entire line.
Long-Term Solutions: The full duplication of the line from Gowrie to Upfield is necessary to support more frequent services. This project would also involve removing the Barry Road level crossing, either by lowering the railway into a trench or elevating it above the road, and constructing a new two-platform station at Upfield, along with a new station at Campbellfield.
Future Expansion: Beyond duplication, reopening the former broad gauge freight line between Upfield and Roxburgh Park, along with duplicating and extending electrification, is crucial. This would require a major rail/rail grade-separated junction at Somerton and two additional electrified tracks between Somerton and Craigieburn, ultimately extending the Upfield line north to two new platforms at Craigieburn. These steps are essential prerequisites before extending electrified Metro services to Wallan, a necessary project to support the rapid housing developments in Kalkallo, Donnybrook, Cloverton, Beveridge, and Wallan.
A Call to Action
It is clear that these projects must be prioritised to meet the growing needs of Melbourne's northern suburbs. The rally at Upfield Station is a testament to the community’s commitment to achieving these necessary improvements. The time for talk has passed; it is now time for action. The future of Melbourne's transport network, and the communities it serves, depends on it.
This post underscores the importance of progressing these essential infrastructure projects to ensure that Melbourne’s Upfield line can meet the demands of a rapidly growing population. As we look toward the future, it is imperative that these improvements are not only considered but implemented without further delay.
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