Where to start…. I’d not realised how much of a train geek was within me until I happened upon your channel a couple of days ago and am slowly working through the history/travel/learning experience of each and every video. I moved to Melbourne, alone, at 19. and, having come from somewhere without rail, daily train travel was a new and exciting experience. Not surprisingly, 20 odd years since leaving, I’d forgotten how much of a thrill it was in those early years, to explore and learn about the place I lived, sitting in a train and seeing this new world around me, and how people really lived from a completely different perspective - over the back fence, clotheslines, car bodies, and all… Watching The Upfield Line reminded me of the old bloke who’d appear from his little ‘house’ to operate the level crossing gates at Park st Brunswick ( or is it Parkville? ). I dunno if it’s still manned, but this memory of what’s probably a bygone era, makes me want to tell you to get out and experience as much as you can, while you can, because what we take for granted now, will either be changed, be gone, or just be lost from our memories tomorrow. The passion that you’ve chosen to share is precious - and it’s waaay better to have a little of something really precious, than a lot of mediocrity… Keep up the good work!
You're slightly wacky sense of humour and use of "special" transitions are what set your channel apart from the now numerous Melbourne train channels. The original and the best. I note your use of very railway terminology now "up" and "down" only real ferroequinologists use terms like that. Keep up the good work Max, and good luck with VCE exams etc.
I still use "up" and "down" for which direction I'm going (compass wise). When Victorians say they're going down to Queensland, it makes me wanna question them on WTF did they do during Geography class ..lol.
Great Max. Lived near Flemington bridge for 23 years in Parkville. As a kid going to school in Kew waiting at Flinders for the train to Glenferrie the Upfield line train was packed with workers going to the Ford factory.
Brings back memories when l travelled on this line 40 years ago. Even though this was released 2 years ago, l thank you for bringing this to light after all those years.
Fun fact about the Upfield line: There was a lot of cuts planned for the Upfield line.For example,The Lonie report actually suggested closing the Upfield line.Luckily, that didn’t happen.Just a few years later The Met suggested converting the Upfield line to light rail,similar to what happened to the Port Melbourne and St Kilda lines.Again that didn’t happen.The Upfield line is certainly like a working museum.
I’m an Upfield line commuter so loved seeing my line finally featured! Flemington Bridge station is at the intersection of Flemington Road and Moonee Ponds Creek where the bridge over the creek takes you through Flemington along Racecourse Rd to the …. Racecourse!
Brilliant, thanks Mark for that, Ben and I weren't 100% sure and didn't want to make a fool of ourselves, great to hear you enjoyed your home Line video :)
Flemington Bridge used to be my local station. There's actually two bridges across the creek, one near each end of the station, in Racecourse Road and Mt Alexander Road respectively. I think it's called "Flemington Bridge" to distinguish it from "Flemington Racecourse".
8:16 The Colebrook street sidings-and many of them just before Moreland station are still visible because it extended well into the new apartment blocks and they are impossible to remove and you can also mention, Brunswick tram depot is on the right hand side just before Moreland, one of the few places you can see tram depot on the train, the other will be New Preston Workshops just before Bell, but unlike New Preston Workshops, you can easily see trams lined up in the Brunswick depot from Upfield line, whereas New Preston Workshops, there are walls blocking the view
You are still giving us interesting information about our suburban rail network, loads of historical facts, Love it, keep it going. There is a lot we don't know about the rail system and you are slowly teaching us what it is all about. Go Train Man.........
Thanks Train Man, your doing a great job kid. As an old fart going on 64 its awesome to see somebody picking up the pieces of history to hold on to and prevent their loss . Too many people wander along through life forgetting the history that has come before them
Some more interesting trivia about the Upfield Line - did you know that between 1971 and 1997 there were no trains on that line after 7pm Monday to Saturday and all day Sunday? Passengers had to board tram 19 along Sydney Road, and for stations between Merlynston and Upfield there was a bus which operated at those times to replace the train.
Yes. Sundays: No trains on Upfield & Altona lines. Only one carriage red rattler shuttles from Camberwell to Alamein & Eltham to Hurstbridge up to 1990s.
I grew up on this line, my parents still live in Campbellfield about a 10min walk from Upfield station. I can remember travelling down it as a kid in the late 80s, all the way through the 90s as I got older seeing the line change after the attempt to convert it into light rail failed (thankfully, there was a lot of protest against that at the time and rightfully so, it was a shocking idea). Dad was a tram driver all his life (mostly at Moreland station) so we were well across what was happening on that line at that time. I remember when they upgraded the line and removed all of the gates, I never liked that. As a kid I loved seeing the different fire-truck style flashing lights at the gates as they'd close, but obviously understand why they removed them (automation and service reliability). It was also nice to stand at stations like Coburg, Anstey, Moreland etc and look straight down the line waiting for your train. When you saw the gates in the distance start to open up, you knew the train was finally on the way. I also remember the relief when they duplicated the track from Merlynston to Gowrie. That single track for such a distance made waiting for a train agonisingly long. You'd see the train you just missed leaving Upfield and know nothing was coming back the other way until it got to Merlynston. Upfield never had boom gates either, just the two sets of lights and bells. Was lots of fun when Ford would empty out its giant car park of workers for the day at around 4pm or so. It's a shame to see Moreland station gone (that's the first image I've seen of it since the skyrail went in as I no longer live in the area). Dad could give you a million reasons why it was long overdue with the tram depot being right there. It caused tram drivers all sorts of chaos entering and exiting that depot. And yes, my brother and I would ALWAYS loudly sing "nananana nananana batman!" each and every time the train arrived at Batman station. :D
Melbourne is very lucky to have the Upfield rail line. Its existance was threatened on two occasions, first the Loney Report in the 1980s proposed closing the line and then the Kennett Government proposed closing the line. The former rail line from Upfield (which I have walked about 5 years ago) should make a great addition to Melbourne's public transport network with Seymour and possibly Shepparton passenger services running along this line. Hopefully the Upfield line will be extended to Roxburgh Park which will make a useful alternative connection to the former Broadmeadows line. Keep up the good work.
I thought I would add a historical note to this video. On the 4th of September 1943 there was a fatal aircraft crash adjacent to Macaulay station. The aircraft was a Vultee Vengeance dive bomber of the RAAF that had been doing a public demonstration for spectators at Flemington racecourse when it appeared to lose control and crashed into a grain mill next to the station. The two crew members were both killed in the crash. Fortunately no one was in the building at the time owing to it being closed for the weekend. I’ve not seen it but I’m told there is a plaque in Macaulay Rd marking the event. My father who lived in the area at the time witnessed the event.
How amazing mate. So good. What an absolute banger of a day it was (2 million degrees too) and then just a cracking vid you’ve made. Seriously elite stuff 🔥
Nice to see this video after listening to the podcast. It’s great to see the history of the older stations intact, as well as the modern elevated stations on this line. Muchly enjoyable eggsploration of the Upfield line!
Nice video! I spent way too much time at Gowrie station back in the day, usually waiting for trains late at night. I remember noticing the the new platform at Fawkner when it was built. Bringing country trains down the Upfield line makes perfect sense, and I'm glad I wasn't the only person to think of it.
Thank you for bringing us this very interesting and informative video, it is much appreciated by the people. It is always good to see of these developments and let's hope that this extension of the railroad does take place.
I absolutely love these these videos mate. I've traveled on all these lines over the years as a kid and in my older days. I'm 58 now and have traveled in the old red Tait's and blue Harris trains and silver Hitachi. As well as traveling on the A62 locomotive down to Stony point as I live on the Frankston line. Anyway you're contents great mate, all the best and keep up the great work.
Wow, you're back with the old format, Max, and another great production as well! I'd forgotten just how good the old VR architects were at designing well proportioned and attractive buildings, many of which have survived to this day. Keep up the good work with your channel (without neglecting your studies!)
The reason the Upfield line is a museum with all the gates and such was that it was slated for closure in the late ‘70s and there were no trains after 7pm for many years. There was no incentive to eliminate the wooden gates or upgrade anything as it was going to close. I forget when this status ceased, probably after the Kennet years. Not sure why the government didn’t go ahead with the closure, probably sensitive to the public backlash. Seems it was hanging by a thread for decades if stations were closed and reopened around 1915. This would explain why a second platform was not built at Coburg until the ‘90s.
Indeed, I should've mentioned this in the video or emphasised it more. It was amazing to learn how close we were to seeing an Upfield lightrail or equivalent, and Coburg's ridiculously late 2nd platform. Thanks for watching Daryl :)
Great video, thanks for sharing. I have an interest in the Upfield line, mainly because many, many years ago I lived in 2 locations in West Brunswick and used 2 of the stations during that time. 1988/89 Royal Park was my closest station and 1990-1993 Moreland was my closest station. I still remember the level crossing gates at Park St and Brunswick Rd being manually operated by a person. Keep up your great work! 😉👍
Funny thing is in the 1980s I remember old women operating manual gates along the Upfield and Epping lines. A few of them I saw looked Greek or other European nationalities. Not sure how much they were getting paid but they did a great important job.
So happy for another "Secrets of Train Lines" video! Been waiting patiently for months, and now I'm rewarded. Do you think you know when you'll end up posting the next one? Also been loving the podcast with Melbourne's Rail Projects so far. (Also loved the cameo from him in this video.) I look forward to it all week every week, even the weeks when there isn't a new episode. But it only provides more anticipation for next week ;) Keep up the great work!
Thanks for watching Samuel, so happy to see you enjoying my channel. I have Year 12 exams to do now, but after that, full steam ahead with many videos!
Good luck with all your exams and the rest of Year 12. I also did Year 12 last year and it was pretty stressful, especially with all the remote learning. Luckily though my individual learning plan left out exams for specific reasons, so that helped quite a bit. Once again, good luck and I can't wait for more videos after you finish!
Thanks again for your terrific video Max - it's great to see you back. You've certainly given me some incentive to have a ride on the Upfield line when I next get back to Melbourne..... Covid pending :/
Thanks Stephen, great to hear from you after my video hiatus, I'm afraid there'll be one final break for exams, but then it's full steam ahead. Definitely recommend an Upfield train trip, underrated line!
I worked on the LX removals at Coburg and Moreland. I believe there's a heritage semaphore signal on the city-side of Anstey Station we needed to keep there. Also, the signal box at Moreland Station has now been moved back to its original position and refurbished. I'm not sure if the inside is publicly accessible but the old levers are all still inside it.
Having traversed the Upfield line on steam, diesel electric, rail motors and electric traction as a locomotive Fireman and Driver, I found your presentation most interesting and informative. While 2 position signals appear romantic, with poor kerosene lamps, the were particularly hard to see at bnight, and the Upfield track had plrenty of them, making a journey out there quite4 slow. The original name of Upfield was derived from Upper Campbellfield that was shortened to fit on a destination roll of a suburban electric train. There was for a time a standard gauge train of cars out of Upfield - Albury daily. This train usually was hauled by an X class Loco', and I ran this train on a number of occassions. Keepjup the good work and try and incorporate some safeworking information in your great videos. For instance the Upfield line was run by Double Line Blocfk Telagraph from Macauley - Fawkner, Train staff and ticket Fawkner - Gowrie Upfield, with electric staff (large) Upfield - Somerton. The disused empty Electric staqff instrument sat idle in the Upfield office for years
I love all the video's you make man their amazing it helps me with my research on the railways and branchlines etc we had back in the day keep up the amazing content dude!
Another excellent vid about my favourite train network In Australia. Hope putting these vids together does something for your mental Heath mate! can’t imagine how tough it must be with all that has happened in Melbourne/ Victoria in the past few months .
Macaulay - I was waiting for a train at North Melbourne to Craigieburn and accidentally hopped on the upfield train got off at Macaulay and ran to Kensington. Fleming Bridge - It's not Named after a bridge the station itself is the Bridge. Anstey - Was my local station, Moved to Ivanhoe on the Hurstbridge line during the first lockdown in 2020. loving the station tours
@@the_train_man I went to Upfield yesterday (along with Mernda and Hurstbridge) I'm from Iceland and I've made it my quest to go to every Melbourne train line before I leave...
Oh I thought the closest distance was the one between Wilson to Riversdale...? The very same one where you yourself raced the train.... Anyhow I enjoy your videos and this video... Look forward to you doing one on the Craigieburn line! :)
At age 6 I lived with my grandfather at Brunswick. This was 64 years ago. I seem to remember a railway station around the area that you had to climb up to from the lower road. Does it still exist?
Thanks Train Man for finally adding my line. One thing you did miss was the old ticket display at Gowrie Station. You have done a good job with the history of Met trains. So when are you going to do the V/Line trains? Thanks mate.
YES! I know I missed that, I forgot to do a voiceover, I walked right past it and didn't film it, silly me. V-Line will start to receive videos this summer and beyond
15:50 I think Upfield line is no longer quiet !it was quiet until early 2000s when apartment buildings starting to appear along the line , before the pandemic , the station between Coburg and Jewell gets very very busy...even during the pandemic, still many uses Upfield line
It certainly isn't quiet, the passenger numbers are growing at a very rapid rate! The level crossing removals will help further growth and encouragement to use the trains
It would be really cool if they could link it up with the Craigieburn line again - would be a handy back-up for when either line needs to be shut down temporarily.
@@the_train_man yes will do im hoping to hike the entire thing but i need someone to do it with it might be my cousin(doubt it) if your up to it ill gladly do it with you.
Hello, I see you have pinned you need a mic, the other thing is the sound balancing could have a bit of a touch up as I was adjusting the volume especially between what appear to be in studio and on site, even if it's only a transition to try and give the impression that it is close to equal. The Video Quality is really good and you know you have people watching your videos when RU-vid encodes it in AV1 (AV01) :), maybe try and get the sun in a better position but as you do a lot of stations in one hit that may be hard to plan. Cheers, Garth.
I just discovered your channel today and love it. Ill be sitting down to watch all your videos ASAP. I looked through to see if the Mernda line was there. I wait and hope it will be as good as the others in the series. Thanks for some great Melbourne historical videos.
Thank you Matthew, so happy to hear you enjoying my channel so much. I filmed a Mernda video last summer, but it turned out terrible haha. I'm going to re-film it in a couple of weeks, and it should be up soon :)
I noticed in the circa 1920s/30 period photo @0:36 on the right side of the larger building the station name Macaulay they have used the design of the London Underground bullseye and horizontal bar, which later evolved into the familiar London Transport/TfL blue and red roundel.
During the CityLink construction which isolated the North Melbourne to Flemington Bridge section the trains were shuttled out of the isolated Flemington Bridge to Upfield section for servicing and repairs using loco's and the Upfield to Somerton section of the line.
3:57 route 58 was going to be a railway line and branch away from Royal Park , in fact the government of the day were so serious about it , they purchased many land reserved and many reserved still standing today as parklands, example Hudson Reserve on Dawson Street Brunswick West
man i've been waiting for this to come out, very good video! edit: and the cool part is my dad was right next to coburg station and all the time with his friends, he went and messed about at coburg station so it was basically, his playground kind-of
Thanks Train Man, for another great video on the iconic Upfield line. Quite funny you almost lost your camera on one of the last stations due to the wind l think.
Great video! Would have been nice to have mentioned the Ford factory at Upfield and what passenger numbers were like when it was operating. I personally have travelled on the line only a few times, so it is good to see some of the changes. Made a trip to Fawkner to visit some family graves, and also view the mortuary van. "What a Journey" by Thomas E Yates has an amount of information on the Upfield line (plus Somerton) where he worked from 1948 - 1952.
The Upfield line is one of the few lines I may never have travelled on, Train Man. So thank you, even for the joke at Fawkner (a bit dead at the moment....lol).
Are you able to one on the Jolimont workshop as my grandpa was a fiter and turner and foreman there to almost the end. Funny thing is a good friend of mine I meet 8 years ago her grandfather worked at the same place too.
