Mansfield railway line

The line was opened in 6 stages from November 1883 to October 1891,[1] and closed in November 1978.[1]

The first stage of the line was opened from Tallarook to Yea in 1883, being extended in stages from 1889 though Molesworth, Cathkin, Merton and Maindample to reach Mansfield in 1891.[2] A short 7 kilometre long branch was also opened from Cathkin to Koriella in 1890, being extended another 7 kilometres to Alexandra in 1909.[2]

The line was a result of a decade of local lobbying, and provided improved access for agricultural products from the region to Melbourne markets.[3] The line was quite scenic and included a 200 m tunnel near Cheviot and a viaduct over an arm of the Lake Eildon reservoir in Bonnie Doon, which was rebuilt in 1955 as part of the enlarging of the reservoir.[4]

The last regular passenger service operated to Mansfield on 28 May 1977 by 280hp Walker railmotor 91 RM. It was replaced by a bus service via Yarra Glen, but was rerouted via Whittlesea after road upgrades were carried out. By this point the track had deteriorated beyond Yea, and after March 1977 the majority of services beyond this point were buses.[5]

The line was closed on 8 November 1978 along with the branch line to Alexandra.[2] The line was quickly dismantled following closure, preventing any chance of tourist services from operating along the line despite some interest being shown. Many bridges along the line were also removed with only the uprights remaining.[6] The trackbed has since been re-used for a 134 kilometre bike trail, the Great Victorian Rail Trail.[7] The trail was funded by the Federal Government and local councils.[8]

• Photographs of stations along the Mansfield line
• Goulburn River High Country Rail Trail