Melbourne’s Forgotten Outer Circle Line

[@garynewton1263]

There was a book titled "The outer circle line" released in the early 1980s, it was a smallish sized brown hard cover book with an illustrated dust jacket. I had a copy but lost it some years ago. I recommend reading it if you can find a copy somewhere. It has detailed diagrams of tracks, platforms and infrastructure and really nice photos.

[@allthingstechandgadgets657]

Really great video. It is so great to see a young man with such an interest in railways and the history surrounding it. I found your video very informative and as a local resident living here most of my life it is really interesting to see the history behind this. I go regularly to Alamein and walk down and near the Anniversary trail in Alamein and also go for my morning power walks in Markham reserve too. One of my main interests is trains and I play Train Sim World on PS4 which is a really great game. Once again fantastic work and keep up the great work in this 👍👍.

[@Wally1967]

If you a good PC get Transport Fever 2.

[@Wally1967]

This www.transportfever2.com/

[@stephenyoung6121]

Passing East Camberwell,the railway passes what was the Shenley substation,the grey building near the rail line.

[@erichough7080]

It is refreshing to see a young man so interested in the history of Melbourne. You have produced a good clip. I had heard of the outer circle but knew not much of it. I did not realise that I had often driven past sections of it. I, in fact gone past the northern end just this last week. I commend you for doing what you do. My daughter started doing little clips while at school and now movie making is part of her work life with her husband being full time in the industry. You never know where your hobby might take you.

[@Melripley48]

I have watched a few of these recently and I am very impressed with your research skills, determination & communication skills. This one in particular opened my eyes after 50+ years in Melbourne. Great work.

[@tcpnetworks]

"It's just trains" says my wife. Ahh. but there's so much detail in history if you look just a little deeper. Forgotten history is remembered here... Good, solid work.

[@getadogster]

Came to Melbourne in 1958 from country Victoria. Lived for a few months at my grandparents' house on Heidelberg Road Fairfield. To get to school we walked up Perry Street, a pot-holed gravel lane back then, and along the section of line from the APM to Fairfield Station. Well done, mate.

[@euromania9373]

What a great video. You know your stuff, and it's great to see a young person take such an interest in history.

[@Leopold5100]

thanks for the information on the history of the outer line; I regularly walk from East Camberwell railway station car park and along the picturesque and serene trail up to Kew for a spot of lunch at the couple of cafes and bakeries, and then return

[@longflare]

I've been away from Melbourne for a few years, and had no idea the Chandler bridge had been closed. The view is quite different now, your post is making me feel old. I used to frequent the area as I grew up as a cyclist and car driver, and then as a truck driver, so I've enjoyed the view from several different heights. Thank you for your presentation, keep up the good work.

[@DandamanV]

Well researched and narrated! Great job dude!

[@the_train_man]

Thank you, glad you liked it, appreciate it!

[@petervincent4002]

You missed the main point of the line. It was originally planned to route government trains from flinders street to oakleigh to bypass the then private railway Hobson's bay united railway co. However by the time construction was underway the Hobson's bay railway was absorbed into the VR.

[@dalybaz]

Thanks, Train Man for a great vid. I lived in Burwood for a couple of years and the closest station was Hartwell. The building there was once the Walhalla station and moved to Hartwell in 1938 as they were moving everything that wasn't screwed down out of Walhalla when the gold dried up or became too hard to get to due to groundwater invasion in the mines.

[@andreww1928]

I remember that bridge at 2:10 being built in the mid 1970’s when I used to catch the train from East Malvern to Syndal. We used cross the rail lines at the city end, no gates just walk across. No freeway then either. Awesome video. Oh and now I design bridges.

[@lanceadams9291]

Another good presentation. Just some information that you might not be aware of in that the Burwood station, down side building was destroyed by an accidental fire, started by the workmen building the present Up side structure during track duplication in the late 1950's. The building that is currently there, is a combination of the former Bayles station & the Catani stations on the former Strezleki line.

[@the_train_man]

That is cool Lance, I knew a tiny bit about the accidental fire, however I had no idea about the station building being a combination of former Strezleki building! I will ensure to include this information when I travel down to South Gippsland in the future, thanks!

[@stevepemberton3651]

Great work! Really interesting integration of what it looks like now with historic photos and information!

[@robertwhite1046]

Used to ride my bike from East Kew more or less following the line to Camberwell High School near Riversdale Station..congratulations on your most interesting historical visits to the old rail lines

[@simonbergagna]

I remember when I was a kid some 30 years ago, cargo trains being diverted from Fairfield station to the paper mills (the new housing development) on the corner of Grange and Heidelberg rd. Your vid' has brought back a lot of nostalgia of my childhood. Thanks.

[@amity1967]

Again , I loved watching this and learning about this line. Having a husband that has worked for railways for many years , we did not know about this until you bought it to our attention. Thank you for taking time to study and for sharing this information. It would be great if you could cover both the crib point / stony point line that includes Cerberus and the Mornington line. Look forward to seeing more of you.

[@jeffeasdale8254]

Awesome work fella, im 50 years old lived in melb all my life and never knew it was there . your a legend .

[@the_train_man]

Thanks for watching Jeff, glad ya enjoyed :)

[@paulvirgona4901]

Really enjoying your fun and educational videos. Any chance of doing other forgotten lines. The inner circle line, Kew spur line comes to mind. I also know there was a railway between Oakleigh and Elstenwick. Great job Train Man.

[@the_train_man]

Thanks very much Paul! I have already done videos on the Inner Circle Line, the Kew Line which you can check out, and the 'Rosstown Railway' beyween Oakleigh and Elsternwick is a line I will certainly do a video on in the future!

[@GlennSyndallius]

Awesome vid mate! I've been curious about the history of the two Melbourne circle lines, love your work! You might be interested to know that Daniel Andrews has proposed a new Ring Rail line, to begin planning work in the next few years!

[@the_train_man]

Thank you Glenn! Great to hear that you enjoyed the video. I do know about the Suburban Rail Loop, very exciting, but won't be finished for a long time. Thanks again!

[@jamesharris2788]

Amazing video. Spent so much time as a kid riding this trail. Thanks for putting this together.

[@matthewparker4101]

well done thanks. I grew up in south caulfield between kooyong and hawthorn roads, i belive there may have been an old line near by. looking forward to more vids

[@johnd8892]

Sounds like the Rosstown Railway disaster. Luckily the millionaire behind it put his money where his mouth was and turned himself into a virtual pauper building the sub standard line. Only one train ran on it. No taxpayers money involved.

[@gregthompson3274]

Often walk this trail from Fairfield to Hughes dale,terrific rail trail well done video. A interesting thing as there is virtually no remnants of the line left,in 2020 while installing new pipes near Gordon reserve Hughsdale they unearthed 3 railway sleepers,l don't know what happened to them but they should have put them on display with a information board explaining the lines history.

[@michaelvrigby]

Top work mate, you're obviously enjoying yourself whilst giving a very informative and intriguing glimpse at our rail history. Its so good to see such enthusiasm from you, keep up the good work. Liked and Subscribed. Mick MTM👍

[@deborahstead231]

Well done totally enjoyed listening, taking us back on that journey. Can't wait to here more tales of our past.

[@the_train_man]

Thank you Deborah, I'm so happy to hear you enjoyed the video 😊

[@troysartori5397]

Grew up in the area around Alamein, great research, very interesting

[@benwhite6261]

Mate just found your videos! Love your stuff! Instant subscribe. So great to have a channel about some of these awesome, little known Melbourne Railway facts. I’ll definitely be riding the outer circle just like you did. Keep up the good work 👍

[@the_train_man]

Cheers Ben! Glad you subscribed and enjoyed the vid, definately recommend riding the line, very pretty!

[@mickandmj]

Loved this video. I am a huge fan of the outer circle line...especially following the old routes. I even learnt stuff.

[@davidrushton3122]

Hey awesome video and great to pay tribute to Melbourne train history. 🎉 thanks for taking the time to post this

[@Wog68]

Good presentation. Didn’t know such a history is so close.

[@letsseeif]

Thanks for you insightful research into The Outer Circle Railway. You have filled in a significant part of this mysterious line.

[@barneyforsdike1427]

I learned a load more about Melbourne's rail system from this, Max. You found some cool surviving remains, several nice old photos and got to ride on a great looking cycle path. I would be tempted to use my bike more if we had those green ways where I live, but sadly a bike ride on the road to town for me what probably mean certain death! Keep up the good work mate, and looking forward to your next vid.

[@tabbytomcat3693]

Great work! I lived in Kew near the reservation and in Hartwell opposite the station.

[@ayebee3356]

Awesome work mate, really well put together and well spoken! Stumbled across your videos and got the answers of what I used to think about as I rode down those trails/lines as a kid under the old structures. Well done and keep it up!

[@shannonpincombe8485]

Nice video. I have lived in a few different places along this now defunct railway over many years. I've always enjoyed walking the line and looking about to see the remnants of how 'the old line' must have appeared when in its full glory. The underpass in East Kew is fascinating and I can never understand why there isn't an organised 'Outer Circle Line Walk' which takes folks on an historical lesson and adventure including exercise and some mild refreshments. Also...I don't get why we're not using this important rail corridor. It's a great avenue. The walking is nice now though.

[@rtaj247]

Wow! I grew up in Kew and sometimes walked part or that track in Deepdene. The Outer Circle was something I’d always heard about and part of me wished it would magically return ! Used to look at the old Melways and you can trace the path of the former railway.

[@russellbedggood4955]

Just finished reading "The Outer Circle Line' (again)...Well done reproduction.VERY enjoyable.

[@the_train_man]

Cheers Russell! Happy to hear you enjoyed the video 😁

[@russellbedggood4955]

@@the_train_man Hi & thanks for your reply...a long gone line from Koowerup to Strzlecki in south Gippsland may be worth a look...(spelling may not be too good ) Cheers

[@railtrolley]

@@russellbedggood4955 In the area too, the short-lived line from Korumburra to Outtrim.

[@Murrangurk2]

You make great content! Well done!

[@allangibson2408]

A lot of the Fairfield paper mill’s equipment was moved to the APM Maryvale mill north of Morwell. The outer circle also had a line through Preston / Northcote.

[@ianwoff7000]

Another fascinating doco with the benefit of live travel - love your work!

[@the_train_man]

Thanks Ian, glad you found the video, and enjoyed it!

[@cobra2]

Great job mate just fantastic. you do excellent work. I hope one day you'll get to North Carlton Station on the Inner Circle line. It's a community building these days

[@canismajoris738]

Well Done! 100/100 you know your rail history....

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Very interesting! Nice work! 👌

[@johntaylor8822]

As a kid, I am now 84, I lived in East Kew. At the time there were still train lines in the East Kew station area complete with a few railway trucks. I think the rails even extended to Deepened. There was also an air raid shelter on the station site that "Werner's gang" had adopted as their headquarters. Werner was to be avoided.

[@patrickwatson740]

Hey that's an impressive piece of documentary making and research. Love your work!

[@nkelly.9]

Great effort. Thanks for posting this.

[@alibostanmusic1964]

Great video. Thanks man now I know what was old stuff that was left behind. Thanks for this video man. It’s great.

[@jameshedding8754]

What a fun video. My Dad grew up in Canterbury ( The Ridge ) I remember Dad telling me how he and his two brothers would go down the the Circle line and place penny coins on the tracks so the trains would squash them as they went by. This would have been during the 1930's.

[@the_train_man]

How very cool James, thank you for sharing your stories, and happy to hear you enjoyed it :)

[@SharkytheGunzel]

Great video! We researched and informative

[@steveweatherly1965]

Another great video of history

[@the_train_man]

Thanks Steve!

[@familyhistory4U]

Excellent work most informative

[@mariango1260]

Thanks for a great trip along the Outer Circle Lane! Enjoyed your engaging presentation interspersed with historical research. Well done.

[@the_train_man]

Thanks heaps Maria! Hopefully I can redo it someday to make it even better :)

[@wazowski6709]

Stumbled on your channel the other day. Keep up the great work champ. You've earned a sub 👍

[@the_train_man]

Thanks very much Mike, I appreciate the sub, glad you enjoyed the video ::)

[@MrAustruck]

great stuff mate, I am 50, but as a young teen in the early 80's I lived in Fitzroy north, i am sure there was an old railway station with an overhead walkover for pedestrians on the edge of the fitzroy football oval,

[@wezza60]

Great video and research, love your videos. The overhead staunchions between Alamein and East Malvern never existed in the time of the Outer Circle Railway, these were added much later to feed power from the East Malvern substation to the Alamein line. The overhead staunchions are 1950s era style, the same style that were used on the Traralgon line. The Traralgon line which was electrified in 1954 exclusively had these structures from Dandenong, but now all have gone from beyond Pakenham and the rest replaced by modern staunchions. I should do a video on the different Staunchions throughout the Melbourne metro area, there is quite a lot of different structures ranging from the early 1920s up to the current ones. If you are travelling between Malvern and South Yarra, keep your eye for the few 1920s era staunchions still in existence and the weirdest ones I've seen anywhere are the 3 between Malvern and Hawksburn that look like a corkscrew.

[@Dico6]

Great video, well done.

[@jackryan4364]

Thanks so much for your extensive research and bringing back to life the Outer Circle. I remember the Australian Paper Mills having a line and the electric locomotive (not sure if I have the right term or not so apologies if I'm wrong) that would take wagons to and from - this was in the 1960s. I also remember going on the old Victorian Railway buses that were set up to replace the trains - this was partly along Burke Rd Deepdene. Well done

[@railtrolley]

You have the right term. The VR E Class electric locomotives were used for most goods trains over the Melbourne suburban electrified network. APM was coal-fired, and had it's own dedicated fleet of wagons to bring coal into the site. The later conversion to natural gas ended this traffic. Also, the plant's main works moved gradually away from the rail siding - making it uneconomical to use it.

[@karmicselling4252]

An interesting fact about the Outer Circle Railway - The entire line connecting Fairfield Park and Oakleigh was only open for just over two years. However, passengers could not travel the entire line on a single train. The line was split into three sections, each one serviced by a different passenger service.

[@jonathankeren-black2983]

Loved it - and we benefit from the Willesmere Community Gardens - many thanks

[@the_train_man]

Cheers Jonathon, glad you benefit from the repurposed areas!

[@ReddThreee]

Willesmere was originally the site of Kew Lunatic Asylum built in 1870's and was later named Kew Mental Hospital and then Willesmere Hospital till it closed 1988.

[@timothyscully5887]

I love your videos young man.

[@darylcheshire1618]

I travelled on an RTA special train (I think it was a DERM) from Fairfield to the Chandler Rd intersection where there was a crossing loop. Alas we didn’t go into the APM siding. I was told a story by a second person (fireman) of an E class electric loco which was pulling a string of GYs across Chandler Hwy when the E class caught fire and blocked the intersection. The train set back into the siding which was on a downhill grade where the fire was extinguished.

[@dtrezy5223]

Great channel and a great insight into Melbourne's train history. A while back I went to nearly all of Melbourne's train stations and put it up on a Melbourne train station Instagram account. I haven't posted there for a while.

[@the_train_man]

Glad you like the channel! Very interesting to see you have been to nearly all the stations, thats a goal/ video I want to complete this year!

[@multiranger748]

Maybe make a video on the old Doncaster tram route

[@simon_patterson]

Top video! Well done; I enjoyed that.

[@the_train_man]

Cheers Simon, glad you enjoyed it!

[@OPterro9002nintendofan]

3:22 I missed the old please insert your miky machine

[@penmanovicxxxxxx2694]

Great stuff and really well presented. I grew up on the Hurstbridge line and always wondered what that strange rail line was that never quite joined up with the tracks at Fairfield ... now I know! Sad to see that it's all been flattened there, though!

[@the_train_man]

Agreed! I wish that it was still around today, it would have been incredible for the city. Glad you liked the video, thanks!

[@johncourtneidge]

Lovely! Well done!

[@irenentontis9396]

Well done. Enjoyed it

[@tiddlesmusic]

Fascinating! Thanks for your post. I imagine you're aware of the 1945 melbourne online map, but your viewers might like to know about it too. Among other things, it's a great way to trace your trips and see what was extant at the end of the war.

[@the_train_man]

Indeed, thanks for watching! I only discovered the incredible 1945 map about 2 months ago, and wow it is amazing, the detail on it! I use it in my videos nowadays, and I'm sure it will get a proper shout out soon!

[@daveweston2692]

A great effort you are doing with your channel. Great to see a young bloke getting out there and giving it a go. Would love to see a bit of history on the now closed Healesville and Warburton lines. Cheers mate

[@the_train_man]

Thanks Dave, appreciate the support! Both a Healesville video and a Warburton video will be on the way hopefully soon! Thanks again!

[@anthonymcdibble9496]

Thanks dude. Keep up the good work.

[@simoneputnam8337]

Brilliant ! Thank you! I find this so interesting. We live in Fitzroy North and I really want to trace the line around here. There are some rails still in place near the City Circle bike track!

[@the_train_man]

Thank you very much Simone, if you haven't seen it already make sure to check out my Inner Circle Line video, the line around Fitzroy ( kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqPSaIqgn91of5Y&t= ) it isn't great, my skills are awful haha, but quite interesting. I also hope to look at the Fitzroy Train Line after Lockdowns, but until then, thanks for the support!

[@simoneputnam8337]

Thank you! I will watch this and be out tracking it tomorrow! We live by Rushall Station and can see so much of the train line from our apartment window. We love this line so much and hence we love living here. Rushall Station is a true gem!

[@comengsh]

Amazing video awesome information Happy New Year mate 👍

[@bradleytrevaskis7744]

Thanks for the mention

[@the_train_man]

You too, glad you enjoyed!

[@jessesands4099]

3.55 Shenley Railway Station! I Remember A Few Years Ago Being In The Railfan Shop In Mont Albert Looking At A Book Of Old Victorian Edmondson Tickets And Seeing One Of Shenley Railway Station So I Asked The Guy Working In The Shop And He Showed Me A Guide To The Outer Circle Line Think There's A Tennis Club Near The Sight These Days!🙂🏚️🛤️🚂🎾

[@retabera]

APM siding wasn't actually part of the Outer Circle line, in fact the Outer Circle line was closed before APM even existed. APM siding branched directly from Fairfield station. There is a Wikipedia article on it. Maybe you could cover it? I think most of the alignment is still there.

[@BigDog.1979]

Hey great vid mate I grew up in hughesdale and know the start of the outer circle line

[@scottgreen9977]

Good work young man!

[@johndelaney2957]

That was great enjoyed it very much well done my friend. Something i wouldn't have known about if i didn't see your video. Been from NSW.

[@the_train_man]

Thank you John, glad I could teach you something!

[@Wally1967]

Excellent video mate.

[@the_train_man]

Thank you, glad you liked it!

[@torpedodropkick59]

Great job!

[@shaunnolan6042]

Awesome video

[@charleslee5541]

love your videos.

[@DeMews]

So when was Glen Waverley line built from East Malvern onwards? I used to live in GW from 60's to 90's. and used to drive along Waverley rd to work in the city. Whilst I sort of knew there was once an outer-circle railway in East Malvern vicinity, I never thought much about it. Until I saw this video. Now all my memories come flooding back of driving past near where Waverley rd Station once was. And that I probably drove across where the OCL tracks once was....every time I went to work. Was it a level crossing there?

[@scana1979]

The line was extended from Darling to East Malvern (then Eastmalvern) in 1929 before being completed to Glen Waverley in 1930. The Outer Circle line remained abandoned until around WW2 with the Glen Waverley line cut through the embankment of the Outer Circle approach to the Black bridge. The site of Waverley Road station was south of Waverley Road itself, near current day Bruce Street. The inner bit of the Glen Waverley line was built with the Outer Circle with Waverley Road station the junction.

[@jaycartwright7205]

Great videos and channel, keep up the good work !

[@the_train_man]

Thank you Jay, glad you think so!

[@higherperspectivephotography]

Nice work! Very informative piece

[@the_train_man]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@andrewgalloway1272]

Excellent video to start off 2020. Well done

[@the_train_man]

Appreciate it Andrew

[@felab5313]

Use to play on the old steam train parking at Windsor station Melbourne peace Flexi Dee future 4.What happened to that train?

[@PeterShieldsukcatstripey]

Good research!

[@darrenbethell5893]

Great video train man I must tell you though with all due respect that the Stauntions beyond Alamein were erected a lot later than when the line was in operation

[@karmicselling4252]

Indeed. They were erected well after the line was truncated and electrified to Alamein Station. The stauntions south of Alamein were erected to carry electricity from an Electrical Substation located down at East Malvern up to where the railway line ended just south of Alamein Station. Afaik, the stauntions never carried an electric catenary wire that could be used to power the trains directly.

[@joeandjan]

Well done and loved this video even though it's not withing my area I found it fascinating and for all the info and the research you have done to put this together. Thanks

[@the_train_man]

Thank you for such kind words Joe, I am happy to hear you enjoyed it so much!

[@torpedodropkick59]

Inner circle line still visible, Princes park area and south of the Brunswick station. Upfield line you will see old tunnel turning east when going north to Brunswickand coburg

[@chrispetritsch1291]

Yes,great work mate. Maybe just throw in a little more info regarding street names and which direction you're heading. Sometimes it's hard to work out where you are or which way you've gone until you stop at another station.

[@Kevin-go2dw]

Good brief history of the Outer Circle. You could have also mentioned Walhalla; the station building is at Hartwell!

[@the_train_man]

That is mentioned in the upcoming Alamein video!

[@darylcheshire1618]

I think the Willison station buildings came from Orbost, I remember at Orbost the SM ran things from the goods shed, they still got promotional posters for Mildura which I think was funny for a goods only station although I had arrived by travelling in the van of the timber train. (I was in posession of the economy fare and a signed TR88 which indemified VR from injuries sustained from travelling on freight trains).

[@anthonyl7444]

Another terrific video, very informative, thanks TTM!

[@the_train_man]

Happy to hear you enjoyed an older video, thank you for more support :)

[@jamescain662]

Nice video again mate! As a young fella I drove my car down the right of way from Alamein station to the end where the bridge would have started over the golf course. Back then in the 80s is was just gravel with the rails and sleepers removed, nothing like it looks now. I thought I read somewhere that the Outer Circle line was also part of a plan to have secondary access to Flinders st and the City in case any of the inner part of the line beyond Caulfield was blocked for any reason, as it is without tunnels there is only one line to the city from the South East?

[@the_train_man]

Thanks for your great story on your Alamein experiences, sounds like fun. I am not 100% sure about the double acess plan you've mentioned, but I know the lines main purpose was to bring trains to the city, before the Oakleigh to Flinders Street Line was built, so I am sure there may have been plans for it to be a secondary route. Thanks!

[@stevenkhoshaba4034]

Good work

[@mickman3582]

Good video. Just letting you know those stanchions after alamein station look like ones installed during the 1950s. I think at that time Victoria railways was embarking on a massive upgrade of the network named project Phoenix? You'll find plenty of stanchions on Melbourne's train network that are of similar design to these ones. I have no idea why they choose to continue the stanchions after the terminus at alamein. It is possible that they may have had plans to reconnect the alamein and Waverly lines...

[@the_train_man]

Interesting information Mick, thank you! That does make sense why the stanctions look (relatively) new for a line closed for over 100 years! Would have been interesting if it was rebuilt like the plans, especially as someone who has used the Glen Waverley Line. Thanks again

[@johnd8892]

I recall that the stanchions without overhead or even tracks were built by the railways to reliably distribute the 1500 volt DC supply to those lines needing power. An elaborate map in a VR Newsletter staff magazine around fifty or more years ago explained this aspect.

[@karmicselling4252]

@@johnd8892 That's exactly right. The stanchions never carried catenary wires to power trains directly. The were build to distribute DC supply to lines needing power. The ones south of Alamein carried electricity from a substation at East Malvern north to the Alamein line.

[@shaggyirl]

I’d love to see what you could find out about the trains that ran through Broadmeadows where the tracks ran passed my old high school the tracks that I’ve seen are gone now that were by the school but I haven’t been able to find much out about it

[@TheGribblesnitch]

They hey big man, you wanna come check out the geelong railways? Yeah they sketchy buts it's interesting seeing all the stops along the way, hope to see you!

[@the_train_man]

Definately will at some time for sure!