Melbourne's Closed St Kilda Railway Line

The St Kilda Railway Line Was An Integral Part Of Melbourne's Growth Opening In 1857, And Closing in 1987, So What Remains Today?
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[@noelroberts8199]

You are a font of knowledge when it comes to Melbourne's train history young fella, with young people like you our country will be in good hands, keep up the good work...........

[@thetrainman548]

Glad you think that Noel, it means a lot. Hopefully I can create a career out something that I am doing now, that would be awesome

[@freeagent8225]

I agree its good to see young people doing good. I hope those rattle cans in the background aren't his? Lol.

[@weldmachine]

@@freeagent8225 He looks a bit to intelligent to be writing tags on walls. Leave that skill to the idiots that don't know any better.

[@Alexander_Dunn]

@@weldmachine yeah

[@Ozvideo1959]

@@thetrainman548 Totally agree with Noel's comments. I'm an old bugger so I still remember the old St Kilda line. We used to take to go to Luna Park. The trains only had 2 or 3 carriages and I remember the doors opened outward, I'd never seen that before on a VicRail train.

[@markgray8491]

I worked in the railways overhead division in the 80’s when they were converting the line to light rail. I recall there was a lot of resistance to the light rail project between the unions and government. Myself & other overhead workers refused to isolate the overhead system at the time. But the government pushed through their agenda! I only found your channel today, watched a few vids already, you’re doing a great job, providing some very good information. Keep up the good work.

[@nancycurtis3230]

I'm 62. As a child, travelled in the old Tait, swing door carriages. I worked for the Victorian Railways from age 16 to 20. North Brighton, Armidale and Bentleigh. I roved from Caulfield to Patterson as a group station assistant as well. Times have certainly changed! Never did lose my love of trains. Thank you, for your videos. 🙂

[@gavanwhatever8196]

Used to take that train to see bands at the Ballroom, POW and Espy.

[@thetrainman548]

That's cool Gavan! Hope you enjoyed the video :)

[@barneyforsdike1427]

I've been on the St Kilda light rail line several times Max, but never knew about that long lost Windsor loop line, so thanks for including that! Another great production and yeh, I liked that little pose at Middle Park too!

[@thetrainman548]

Haha, thanks very much Barney, glad you picked up the pose too :) I will be doing a video on the Windsor Loop line one day, such a little known part of Melbourne's Hstory

[@zaraustra]

I've always wished that they would reintroduce trains again in the ST Kilda line, the loop line which few people know about would be great too! You're putting out some awesome videos mate, Keep up the great work!

[@TazzieTransport]

Yay finally the St Kilda Line

[@thetrainman548]

Haha, happy to get this video out :)

[@anthonyl7444]

Congratulations, loving your work, TTM. I enjoy the presentation - you have a great presence, and really informative content.

[@thetrainman548]

Thanks again Anthony, you have been busy watching my videos, well done!

[@ValeriePallaoro]

Thank you; yesterday while on the Hurstbridge line I wondered at Diamond Creek (and geology) then Emerald. Who thought we would get diamonds and emeralds on sandstone like this? Turns out, as you point out that Emerald was probably named in honour of immigrants from Eire, Ireland, like Emerald Hill in South Melbourne. You're a god send!!

[@adrick6890]

Thanks for a very cool, very niche history lesson. It's fascinating to see how the city has evolved over the last 100 or so years. Keep up the good work man, I look forward to watching more of your content.

[@OPterro9002nintendofan]

What’s with the construction in south Melbourne and Albert park (from the drivers view)

[@georgekailis5411]

wow. some very intresting information. thanks for researching it bud

[@gorgen23]

Macleod station has a branch off that went to Mont Park,could be interesting.

[@thetrainman548]

Very much so! I did a little research on it a few months ago, I have never been but I will definitely do a video on it eventually, hope you enjoyed :)

[@griffinrails]

Hell yeah! I'm working on a school project on this line, and this helped me alot! Also, here's a sugeestion: Do a Secrets Of the Mernda Line video. My uncle helped build the new line.

[@thetrainman548]

Glad I could help you! Mernda Line will be done shortly, awesome to hear your relative helped extend the line!

[@dawnfire1]

@@thetrainman548 If you look carefully you'll see old platforms. Will you go all the way to Whittlesea ? that's where the the line originally terminated.

[@waffleonline]

With the Windsor loop line, there are some parks that follow the route of the old line including Windsor Siding and Gladstone Gardens! It's nice to walk along those and wonder how the area has changed.

[@ianshaw7700]

Realy enjoyed the video - keep up the good work

[@charlespisani5641]

I worked at St Kildare station as a station Assistant watching the Red Rattlers come in the station and waving the Gaurd it's all clear to take the train out he signals the driver to go great memories

[@weldmachine]

Memories of great times from the past. Seems these days that's all we have left ??

[@ObscureMystery]

I guess I’m wrong about the west thing, it’s not Werribee or Williamstown but it’s St Kilda, also you have ad revenue!

[@thetrainman548]

That's correct! Sorry about the ads, but hopefully the money I earn can go back into making bigger and better videos.

[@ObscureMystery]

no, nothing wrong with ads, it helps you get money as you said before. I can see that your channel is growing already over 1.2 K subs, if you put more effort into the videos with the money it will pay off.

[@thetrainman548]

Thanks again, the growth on the channel has been awesome over the past couple of months

[@jaymes61]

My first job in Melbourne was the Victorian Railways and my first station was St Kilda. 13 shifts a fortnight was the norm for a station assistant in those days (1965) and "split shifts" (6am to 10am, then 2pm to 6pm) were common. The flood of passengers morning and afternoon seemed normal in those days, but would be regarded with horror by any present-day traveller undertaking the eleven-minute journey from St KIlda to Flinders St. My boss, stationmaster Cliff Wilson, looked gorgeous in his dark-blue-and-gold uniform, as did his Assistant, Harry Traegar (?) who was also the Communist Party candidate for the St Kilda Council. We were a mixed crew of about thirty permanent staff members, who were a cheerful lot, always alert for the new boy who they could solemnly send across to number three road with a rag and a can of Brasso to polish the rails.

[@sparkssie88]

Annoyed to see so much graffiti! What's wrong with people???!!!

[@thetrainman548]

Agreed! It was such a shame to see it so much of it at Middle Park's new building. Regardless it is an amazing line, so cool to see the train stations surviving today.

[@jadethornton7975]

Its awesome. Melbourne is famous for our graf

[@mvnorsel6354]

Melbourne isn't Singapore, people were free to go out and vandalize public works. Not anymore.

[@jadethornton7975]

@@mvnorsel6354 what do you mean? "not any more"

[@mvnorsel6354]

@@jadethornton7975 People can't leave the home for good or senseless vandalism. The crazy "permanent lockdown".

[@TheFinalMinutes]

Great research! well done mate

[@paulorocky]

Butts lol. Should bring the old name back

[@thetrainman548]

Surely haha, hope you enjoyed

[@johnmcgauran5652]

Fantastic video, great learn about my suburb history

[@thetrainman548]

Glad you liked it John. Thanks for watching :)

[@tubester4567]

We used to catch this train to go to the lake and catch yabbies, and to Stkilda to go to Luna Park or the beach

[@thetrainman548]

That's awesome, hope I did a line that is clearly close to you, justice in the video!

[@torpedodropkick59]

Great work again!

[@jessesands4099]

Friend Of Mine Used To Live In St Kilda And Remembers The Train Very Well! Another Friend Remarked As We Got Off At St Kilda Light Rail Stop Where The Railway Station Once Was That Young People Of Today Would Have No Idea That There Was Once A Railway Station Here! Hoping Your Videos Can Educate Them! 🙂🏚️🛤️🚇🚃🚃🚃🏖️🌅🎢

[@maxt7525]

Fantastic content mate, keep it coming. Love it! 😃❤️🇦🇺👍👏

[@kevinkevin6806]

I enjoyed that! Never really thought of rail in Australia. Thank you

[@jessesands4099]

Went On The St Kilda Railway Line A Few Times In 1986 The Year Before It Closed Usually Got Off At South Melbourne Albert Park And Occasionally St Kilda!🙂🚇🚃🚃🚃🛤️🌉🏖️🌅🎢

[@piercetheflesh9085]

St Kilda station is kinda new. The old one was burnt to the ground somewhere around the early 90s i think. Very cool you mentioned the loop line that linked Windsor Station. The siding is still at Windsor(now a park)and is followable with a little imagination and a satelite map. The tressel bridge over St Kilda Road for it was something else. Nice vid man

[@AdmiringSparks]

there is a lit of grufety in south Melbourne that was not there before 3 months ago

[@thetrainman548]

Wow, such a shame, lots of Graffiti along the line

[@dalecollins-smith3551]

I know this is three years old but it just popped up on my KZbin. I can remember taking the old wooden red train to St Kilda in the 1980's. It was fun

[@dalemcmenamin4864]

On St.Kilda line you could buy a combined train & bus ticket, at least back as far as the 1960's (multi-modal !)

[@weldmachine]

Very surprised to see an actual young person living in 2021 that has so much interest in Melbourne's history. I just learnt something from this video i did not even notice when crossing the bridge at Southbank. The old train bridge with a list of all the countries people who have decided to call Melbourne there new home.

[@AlienCyborg-gs6pw]

Hey there young feller, i just stumbled upon your site and subed immediately. I was looking up old abandoned railway lines in Melbourne cause i have an idea and ive always been a huge fan of trains. I used to catch the St Kilda train quite regularly and it always was a old red rattler in the mid to late1970s as a young teenager with a hip flask of wiskey in my back pocket to go the pinball parlour on Fitzroy st were it bends around the corner, i was a regular there, and also again in the 80s and it was still a red rattler. I recognised the author of the video as being a, how do i say as a part of my brand, so to speak, no what i mean.Lol I had to laugh at the fumbles as i suffer from extreme dislexia, occasional stutter and now recently diagnosed with autism at 58 yrs old. Im sorry though i couldnt pin point out the acompalice, will have to re check the pose. Lol. Cheers from Dave PS. I can see a friend of mine but fairly recently Rob from St Albans and Tony Tripp my X girlfriends father which is kinda wierd, so Stella then, does that mean y

[@EJP286CRSKW]

St Kilda Station had 3 platforms, not just one. Go back and have another look. Platform 1 was outside the booking office and waiting room, which you can still see, then there were two tracks, then an island containing Platforms 2 and 3, then another track. The two-track part has been filled in, but you can still see the bluestone edges at both sides.

[@johnbowler395]

Great work mate, keep it up! Shame to see all the graffiti everywhere though. Isn't there surveillance everywhere these days, so why can't we stamp it out?

[@weldmachine]

I would like to know where they keep getting all the spray paint ??? Seems Every shop that sells Spray Paint these days has got it locked away in cages ?? Each time i need Spray Paint i have to find someone to unlock the cage and let me quickly choose what i want so they can lock it up again ????

[@davidhayter8516]

Really good videos. Informative and well presented. Pity about all that bloody graffiti.

[@kings7man]

I remember riding this train to go to the dentist in Albert park in the 70s

[@MP3424official]

Now the casino and ther light rail took their place after 1987.

[@thetrainman548]

Yes haha, the alignment from Flinders to the Junction is taken up by the casino, hope you enjoyed.

[@MP3424official]

The Train Man yeah thanks, I also subbed to you as well

[@pab1it05]

Far out, how goods that Clío @0:52! Great research little man! Amazing videos!

[@Trikkeeroy]

I love the old footage Train Man. I'm a StK resident and a regular 96 commuter, so I particularly enjoyed this one. I have fond memories of the old run down StK station of the 90s. They've done a great job of revitalising the area since then.

[@thetrainman548]

Agreed, other than some graffiti, the line and surrounding area has transitioned to the light rail amazingly, glad you enjoyed the video, thanks!

[@divarachelenvy]

you could do a special about Flinders street station...

[@thetrainman548]

Hahahaha, first person to mention it, it was meant to be a secret! I hope to have a great video out in next couple of videos!

[@divarachelenvy]

@@thetrainman548 Many memories of Flinders street ..

[@paulstubbs7678]

I used to walk over the old rail bridge to work for a few years, those sculptures used to be animated along a track, unfortunately when the system failed they didn't bother fixing it. I am assuming it's still broke and will never be fixed.

[@MarkHenstridge]

I have travelled on both those lines in the Tait trains in the late '70s and early 80s, I'm from Adelaide and just love the VR history, great video, love your style...cheers

[@thetrainman548]

Thank you Mark, great to hear I did the lines justice, great to hear you enjoy the videos from interstate!

[@markielinhart]

Great video and history. I lived around these parts for over twenty years. At least this line didn’t disappear with its tracks ripped up. Light rail is a magic solution and you have to wonder if some of the other inner Melbourne railway lines could have ended up this way as light rail…

[@NudgeFilms]

Mid video haircut?

[@thetrainman548]

Lol, outro was filmed yesterday, after a cheeky cut😯

[@francesblabey3055]

Watching 2024. Excellent young man.

[@williampledge3704]

Wow! there was a train bridge to Windsor? Been catching the 96 forever and apart from knowing it was once a train line knew nothing of its heritage, thanks train man for making this (and maybe some algorithm because I didn’t know I wanted to see this stuff!) keep it up 👍

[@krisdevalle]

Nice vid mate. The South Melbourne tram line is one of the rare points where a tram bridge crosses over another tram line, just up near MSAC.

[@thetrainman548]

That's very true, never thought of that! I have travelled past that intersection many times, that is cool, wonder how many points in Melbourne have this kind of intersection, glad you enjoyed 🙌

[@movingloz]

Wow. Very informative. Thanks 🙏.

[@johnrogers1423]

Well researched and interesting presentation. Thank-you.

[@pauloconnor2980]

TM, great shot of an Hitachi complete with center doorway @ 0:34!!!!

[@anthonyhindle5762]

That was excellent. Can you link to the original footage you had of the trains eye view of the line?

[@thetrainman548]

I believe it's in the description. Really cool stuff! The same guy has one for the Port Melbourne line too!

[@shanesteadman5928]

You’ve got a natural talent for presenting. Great video!

[@weldmachine]

Yes, he did a Great job. Hope to see him turn his talent to other videos about Melbourne.

[@christopherfrick9556]

Adelaide jumbo train build in Granville New South Wales

[@RiffRaffMama.]

I loved the old footage of the train journey. Your videos are excellent.

[@southboundaustral]

Really interesting. Well researched. Like what you do.

[@Robboxxx123]

I've wondered for so long what the Sandridge Bridge was for. Great Video!!

[@pierremainstone-mitchell8290]

Nice one indeed young fella! When I lived in Melbourne I used to travel over a fair bit of the area you've covered! Well done!

[@tom-vx1lp]

I remember there used to be a terminal next to Elsternwick park

[@jackybeck2479]

I went to the Melbourne grand prix last year, to watch the F1 Race. While it is actually called the, Australian Grand Prix.

[@thetrainman548]

Thanks man for the name information, great to hear you watched the race last year, hope you enjoyed :)

[@NickxCharlie4life]

I used to walk on sandridge bridge when my mum worked in the city, I had no idea it was once used by trains

[@onlysnowarchived8811]

I mainly love British trains but Melbourne trains are also very cool :)

[@dwarfsalad7011]

I remeber getting off that station before lightrail.

[@thetrainman548]

Very jealous, it must have been a cool experience looking back at it now!

[@MH-tb6kx]

The real reason for closing of port Melbourne & st Kilda to build crown casino

[@elaiej]

This was very good. I liked how you overlayed old footage with the new.

[@christrussler4890]

I have just watched several of your videos in succession. I admire your enthusiasm to discover the history of our closed railways. Well done 😊

[@comengsh]

great video as always my dude! keep it up :D

[@thetrainman548]

Great to hear from you again, happy to hear you enjoyed another video😊

[@rachelpettit7610]

Train Man according to google it is flinders street with the oldest station building

[@DiQin-m8u]

Make a Craigieburn line video!

[@gregorygherkins1884]

My grandparents lived along this line in the 80's - 90's, they really welcomed the light-rail because the train would shake the windows, very noticeably at night

[@thetrainman548]

Haha, never thought of that, glad they were happy for the conversion. Even though it was such a historic line, I believe it is more suited to a light rail, tram service. Thanks!

[@gregorygherkins1884]

@@thetrainman548 Not everyone welcomed it since, unlike the trains, the trams they initially used were not wheelchair accessible.

[@thetrainman548]

That's very true, it is good to see wheelchair friendly trams on the St Kilda and Port Melbourne lines nowadays

[@Bkoukier]

Many train lines should have sound barriers like freeways have near residential areas. (Or Well designed Skyrail, cuttings or tunnels.)

[@Bkoukier]

@@thetrainman548 Yes, being such a short line, it had to become a light rail. It's a pity it was never extended under Fitzroy st. or along the tram line, and onto Rowville (I know pipe dreams). It would have been an excellent feed (along with Port Mel-b'n) to a tunnel under Flinders st.

[@davidmackieson4609]

DIDN'T MENTION THAT THE ST KILDA STATION WAS BURNT DOWN IN THE 80'S

[@petergoodvibes]

Hey Max - nice info! Though I think a bit of footage about the VR Antiquities store and further explanation of what VR means would have added variety and interest.

[@thetrainman548]

Thanks for the feedback Peter, for future video, I will make sure all is clear and explained!

[@neilforbes416]

4:20 Good transition there, a wave of the hand and you're in a new location!

[@joshualambourne6162]

Thanks for this man. I didn't know about this

[@Jasonluxford]

You should do a video on Box Hills disused platform

[@thetrainman548]

I might mention it in a Lilydale/ Belgrave video, coming soon!

[@christopherfrick9556]

I hate how they close train lines it would be so much fun to ride them line's

[@cudgee7144]

Good stuff mate, keep up your good work, really enjoying it, and enjoy your school hols.

[@thetrainman548]

Thank you cudgee! Happy to hear you're liking the videos, I hope to relax the next 2 weeks with lots of filming!

[@DiQin-m8u]

Make a Mernda line video please.

[@markwng]

I had a child hood memory from 73 if a dead end single sided station that once I was old enough to visit melbourne from the bush took me some years to find.. It was of course the always wonderful st kilda. I still like to visit st kilda when I get to town and can still picture the station as I roll by in the tram..

[@thetrainman548]

That is really cool Mark, thank you for sharing. Sometimes, I have memories of train journeys that I can't remember, but this one is definitely cooler, seeing the station change over time!

[@dieseldavetrains8988]

A ritual every Saturday morning was a visit to South Melbourne Markets to do the shopping, my aunt and I would travel from Albion to Spencer Street then jump on what was usually a Tait set for the markets, I always got 20 cents to spend on a bag of mixed "gogs" (lollies). Melbourne in the 60's and 70's was great! The graffiti is the worst I have seen for an Australian city, no one seems to care about its removal. Great video Max, well done, very informative.

[@2001cavador]

Thank You -That was really helpful and informative.

[@thetrainman548]

glad you thought so :)

[@kippen64]

Old enough to have used the St Kilda train line.

[@danieleyre8913]

Why is there so much grafitti?

[@thetrainman548]

I don't know :( It is quite sad to see history like that vandalised like that. I respect graffiti as a hobby, and a form of art, but when it is one historic landmarks, especially rail related, it is frustrating.

[@danieleyre8913]

@@thetrainman548 Only my opinion. But I only have respect for about 1% of it as art and see the other 99% as vandalism and an eyesore.

[@havoc9499]

If you walk inside the restaurant and peek through a door you can still see a 'Next train' clock

[@thetrainman548]

Didn't know that, I'll check it out next time I'm there!

[@carolcarol3938]

Really interesting...thanks

[@angelinadenisenko7396]

Great video! Very interesting

[@jaderulz2000]

At least they converted it into a tram line.

[@SBMetro]

Another awesome vid! I love the old bridge, I've been over it a lot and didn't even realise it was a rail bridge until a few months ago. I also wanted to ask if you had discord, and if so what is it?

[@thetrainman548]

I don't actually have discord :( never really used it, sorry haha. Glad you enjoyed the video though.

[@matthewbihet4916]

Cool videos and you sound cheeky

[@thebarkingpig5773]

This is awesome, great video!

[@markwalsh4mtr]

excellent work train man.

[@Alexander_Dunn]

Hi, I’m just wondering who/where you got the photo from the thumbnail from if applicable? I’m doing a project about the first 20 years of Railways in Victoria for school and I’m wondering if I can put the image on there, thanks.

[@thetrainman548]

Search up 'St Kilda Station' and the first image should be the thumbnail photo :) Museum Victoria Collections

[@Alexander_Dunn]

@@thetrainman548 alright thanks!

[@jessesands4099]

Also Thanks For Mentioning The St Kilda To Brighton Tramline Got A Booklet About It There's Also A DVD On It Too!🙂🚊🚋🏖️⛱️🌅

[@allanbradford9813]

Having lived in Melbourne for 10 years, I found your chat regarding the St. Kilda rail line very interesting. Unfortunately, far too many great buildings/institutions have been demolished for the want of progress (?). I worked at the A.W Allen Confectionery Company, and note that this bluestone building, plus the illuminated signs have been demolished. May I congratulate you on your presentation and knowledge of the Melbourne I used to know. Congratulations, look forward to viewing more of your interesting you tube presentations. Al.

[@ianwoff7000]

Another fascinating doco, bloke, and great to see the historical footage incorporated!

[@thetrainman548]

Yes, it was awesome to incorporate the footage, great to hear you enjoyed yet another video, thank you!

[@adrianj9056]

Great vid

[@thetrainman548]

Thank you Adrian, appreciate the support :)

[@divineprosperity8]

Cool video mate well done

[@Comeng401M]

Nice informative video! I might be featured if u do Mernda Line!

[@thetrainman548]

Mernda line might be filmed soon, will let you know