Talbot was built in 1875, in the same style as Clunes and Creswick. Passenger trains passed here until September1993, when the overnight “Vinelander” service was cancelled, and the only remaining daylight service along the Mildura line, that ran several times a week, the “Sunraysia” had already succumbed at the end of May, 1990. The station was attended until 1994, and closed for all purposes the same year. There were plans to demolish it, like so many other places, however the fine buildings remained to be trashed by the usual human vermin who undertake such activities. Thankfully, it has been turned into a railway museum and nursery, and recent pictures show that it is well maintained, and the platforms are covered in plants. This is shown over at Vicrail Stations. It is a reminder of the days when staff were able to take real pride in their job by keeping everything to a standard of immaculate perfection. In these troubled times we are told plants, and other such flora, are a safety hazard here in Australia, so we cover platforms all in asphalt, and concrete, and let no living thing remain. The goods shed has also survived, and has been repainted, along with the crane. For further information on Talbot station, and it’s history, please visit Ralph Durr’s Full Steam Ahead Site. Now with passenger trains running again to Maryborough, perhaps soon Talbot may be connected again to the network for people wishing to take a train.
VIC 3371, Australia
That shot of the day train at Talbot is “The Sunraysia” not the “The Vinelander”. The Vinelander only ran at night. A bit of potted history here – the overnight train has run for many many years northbound in fact all its life, the southbound ran during the day for many years but became an overnight train during the 1930s. The overnight train was named The Vinelander 8/8/1972 and the train ceased to run 12/9/1993. Twice in recent times some of the mid week trips have been run during the daylight and the two periods were – The Sunlight 16/2/1957-27/4/1967 and then The Sunraysia 16/2/1987-30/5/1990. Do you know about the Mildura line CD. Bruce McLean produced a CD on the history of the Mildura line but only the mallee portion i.e. Woomelang to Yelta and branches. Well worth looking out for it and a steal at the price, if it was hard copy would be worth close to $100.
Oops should have called it The Mildura Sunlight.
Hi David,
Thanks for that again, Ive gone and updated and changed the relevant details on the photos just now. The passenger train information is very good to know, and I will work some of this in along the way, however some appears now in the Talbot history.
I will see if I can find a copy of this CD, especially as photos along the line Ouyen to Murrayville of the old stations seem to be hard to come by. Most vanished around 1987 to 1988.
Anyway thanks for the help again,
David.