Toolamba–Echuca railway line

Toolamba - Echuca
Overview
Type	Branch
System	Freight only line
Stations	8
Operation
Opened	1880
Completed	1887
Technical
Line length	67.178 km (41.742 mi)
Number of tracks	1
Route map Victorian-rail-map-2007.png

The Toolamba–Echuca railway is a cross-country link between the towns of Toolamba and Echuca. As a railway route to and from Echuca, it provides an alternative to the usual route via Bendigo. The line has not been used for passenger services since 1981, and goods movements on the line are intermittent, with it being booked out of service at times. The line was re-opened for goods traffic while there was track work on the line between Seymour and Shepparton.On 3 October 2013 the line was re-opened after an upgrade.

History

The last passenger service from Echuca station along the Toolamba–Echuca line ran on 2 March 1981 with Y class diesel locomotive Y161, an ABE carriage and a C van. This consist had only been introduced a few months prior, with a DERM usually being rostered.^[1] Toolamba finally closed as a station on 20 December 1987.^[2][3]

During the Regional Fast Rail project, the line was used while work was being undertaken on the main line to Echuca via Bendigo. The line was also used by Freight Australia to send rice traffic from north of Echuca into Melbourne. On 3 October 2013 the line was re-instated for use by freight trains after an upgrade.^[4]

There have been plans for the line to be converted to standard gauge to provide standard gauge access to Echuca, but they have not yet eventuated.

• 
  The Toolamba-Echuca line joins the main line at Toolamba
• 
  Lines towards Echuca & Shepparton diverge at Toolamba
• 
  Toolamba-Echuca line heads westward at Toolamba

Line guide

Toolamba – Echuca Railway
Shepparton line at Toolamba station Hendersyde 177.12 km Tatura 182.06 km Byrneside 189.37 km Merrigum 199.57 km Kyabram Ky Valley 210.45 km Tongala RMSP 28 217.31 km Koyuga 224.50 km Kanyapella RMSP 30 228.30 km Echuca Racecourse Deniliquin line at Echuca station

References

1. "Rail Passenger Service Withdrawals Since 1960" Newsrail March 1997 pages 77–82
2. Bob Whitehead (2008). Tocumwal Railway Centenary.
3. Toolamba Echuca Line Vicsig
4. Mulder reopens Edchuca-Toolamba rail line ABC News 3 October 2013