Bellarine Line

The Bellarine Peninsular line opened in 1879, although it was known that it would not generate a great deal of Traffic. However it was considered that Military traffic for the key defence installation of Fort Queenscliff would justify line.  Traffic on the line peaked in about 1885, then began to decline until revitalised for a short period during World War 2 but returned to previous low levels after the war.

Regular passenger services ceased in 1931, with only occasional excursion services using the line.  In 1958 the only goods service on the line ceased, but the line remained available for two excursion trains per year, until May 1959, when it was closed beyond Cheetham’s Siding.  In November 1959, the line reopened for shell grit traffic from Lakers Siding, which lasted until 1973. The line was again only used by occasional passenger trains until final closure in 1976.

The section between Drysdale and Queenscliff is now operated as a tourist railway by the Bellarine Peninsular Railway. The line has been re-gauged to 3’6″ as the original rolling stock came from the Fyansford Cement Works Railway. Queensland, South Australian and Tasmanian rolling stock can now be viewed using the line.

There is a far better line history at the Bellarine Peninsular railway’s site.

This section is made possible, and with thanks to Geoff Winkler who has provided the original sets of photos for this line, at the time of publishing.

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VIC 3225, Australia

Australia

VIC 3222, Australia

Australia