Balmoral Line

The Balmoral line was a north south running cross country line that connected Hamilton with Horsham, via the junction at East Natimuk. By the time Davo got to the area with his Camera*, and although the line to Noradjuha (south of East Natimuk) was nominally open, it had probably not seen a train for a considerable period of time. In fact the line from East Natimuk to Noradjuha officially (and finally) closed in 1986, with the Horsham to East Natimuk closing in October 1988. Noradjuha to Hamilton had been closed since 1979. There was not much left along they line by this time, and there are only four of the twelve stations between Hamilton and East Natimuk captured for this section.

The first part of the line was built from Horsham, reaching Noradjuha in 1887. From there it reached Toolondo in 1912 and Kanagulk in 1917 then Balmoral in 1919. Extending north from Hamilton, the line reached Cavendish in 1915 and joining the line from the north at Balmoral by November 1920.

A passenger service survived between Horsham and Balmoral until 1951, and Hamilton and Balmoral until March 1955.

*Fortunately, Geoff Winkler was on the scene a few years earlier and has contributed some photos of stations on the Balmoral line and these have been added to the galleries. Included is an image of Kanagulk which has been added to the Balmoral Gallery, and Jeffries, which has been added to the Toolondo Gallery.