Footscray railway station
Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use Australian English Template:Infobox station
Footscray railway station is a commuter and regional railway station and the junction point for the Sunbury, Werribee and Williamstown lines and V/Line services to Ballarat, Bendigo and Geelong, part of the Metropolitan and Regional railway networks. It serves the western Melbourne suburb of Footscray in Victoria, Australia.<ref name="VicsigFootscray">Template:Cite web</ref> Footscray is a ground level premium station, featuring six platforms, two island platform with two faces and two side platform, connected by an accessible overground concourse. It opened on 17 January 1859, with the current location provided in 1900 and station provided in 2014.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="independent">Template:Cite news</ref>
A disused signal box is located on the island platform at the up end of Platform 5. A pair of dual gauge tracks for the South Kensington–West Footscray line run in a cutting under the station before entering the Bunbury Street tunnel,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> providing a rail link to the Port of Melbourne and other freight terminals, as well as access to Southern Cross station for the NSW TrainLink XPT, The Overland, and V/Line Albury passenger services.
History
On 17 January 1859, the railway arrived in Footscray, when the Williamstown line opened, with trains operating from Spencer Street in Melbourne to the important port of Williamstown. The line between Melbourne and Williamstown, via the North Melbourne and Footscray, had been made possible by the construction of the Saltwater River Rail Bridge over the Maribyrnong River.
Not long after, that line was connected to the 18-month-old Geelong line at a junction near the current Newport station.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The original Footscray station opened on the first day of service. It was not where the current Footscray station is but was located at Napier Street.
Less than a month later, on 10 February 1859, Footscray became a junction when a line, branching at Footscray, was opened to Sunbury, extended to Sandhurst (later renamed Bendigo) in 1862. On 1 March 1859, Footscray's second station, on the Sunbury line, opened at Nicholson Street, not far from the Napier Street location.<ref name=VicsigFootscray/> In 1879, a signal box was provided at the junction.
On 16 September 1900, a new station was opened at the present location, the junction of the two lines.<ref name=independent/> The two other stations were then closed.<ref name=VicsigFootscray/>
A number of sidings once existed at the station, but that site, on the eastern side of the Newport-bound lines, is now used for car parking. In 1972, the last siding at Footscray (siding "B") was abolished.<ref name=VicsigFootscray/>
On 21 October 1928, the two tracks under the station were opened, as part of the South Kensington–West Footscray line. They were dual-gauged in the early 1960s, as part of the construction of the Melbourne–Albury standard gauge line. Quadruplication of the tracks towards Melbourne in November 1976 eliminated the switched junction and so the signal box was closed, although the building is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.
On 31 May 1996, Footscray was upgraded to a premium station, although the enclosed waiting area and ticket facilities were built in 1993, as part of the "Travel Safe" program of the early 1990s.<ref name="newsrailoct97">Template:Cite magazine</ref>
At around 08:30 on 5 June 2001, on Platform 4, an out-of-service train heading to Newport collided with a Williamstown-bound train carrying about 20 passengers. Three injuries were reported.<ref name="newsrailjul2001">Template:Cite magazine</ref>
In 2010, as a part of the Brumby State Government's Footscray renewal program,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> the footbridge over the platforms, which was accessed by ramps, was replaced with a new $15 million footbridge. The bridge, named after Indigenous activist William Cooper,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> had stairs and associated lifts. There were complaints that the new footbridge was less usable than the one it replaced. The roof was not weatherproof, and the lifts were prone to breakdown.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
During the 2017/2018 financial year, Footscray was the sixth-busiest station on the Melbourne metropolitan network, with 5.26 million passenger movements recorded.<ref name="patronage2013-2018">Template:Cite web</ref>
Regional Rail Link upgrade
From 2012 to 2014, Footscray station underwent a major upgrade and conservation works as part of the Regional Rail Link project. An additional two platforms were provided to the north of the existing ones, to allow the separation of Sunbury Metro train services and V/Line train services to Ballarat, Bendigo and Geelong. On 20 January 2014, coinciding with the opening of the new platforms, ticket office and a waiting area adjacent to Platform 1 on Irving Street, Platforms 1 to 4 were renumbered 3 to 6, with the new platforms becoming Platforms 1 and 2.<ref>Major access changes V/Line January 2014Template:Dead link</ref> At the same time, Platforms 3 and 4 were temporarily closed, so that they could be rebuilt as platforms for V/Line services. They reopened when the new Regional Rail Link tracks between Sunshine and Southern Cross were brought into service on 16 July 2014. A new waiting area and toilet facilities for regional services was provided between Platforms 4 and 5.
The $15 million footbridge, erected in 2010, was partially demolished in 2013 to accommodate the works.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> New canopies, stairs and escalators were installed at the Irving and Hyde Street ends of the footbridge, and wider ramps were built from the footbridge to the platforms and the street level, to allow easier access to the platforms. New lifts were also added to the structure.
The car-park on Irving Street was relocated to McNab Avenue, and a new forecourt, with greenery and seating areas was opened, along with two new kiosks, close to the Irving Street station entrance.
By November 2014, all works at the station had been completed.<ref>Template:Cite tweet</ref>
Usage
Footscray is the fifth-busiest station on Melbourne's metropolitan rail network with 4.37 million passengers in 2023-24.<ref name=patronage2008-2021/>
Platforms and services
Footscray has two island platforms with four faces, and two side platforms. It is served by Sunbury, Werribee and Williamstown line trains,<ref>Template:Cite PTV route</ref><ref>Template:Cite PTV route</ref><ref>Template:Cite PTV route</ref> and V/Line Ballarat, Bendigo and Geelong line trains.<ref>Ballarat – Melbourne timetable Public Transport Victoria</ref><ref>Bendigo – Melbourne timetable Public Transport Victoria</ref><ref>Geelong – Melbourne timetable Public Transport Victoria</ref>
Current (Metropolitan)
| colspan="6" style="background:#Template:Rcr;background-image: linear-gradient(to right, #Template:Rcr, #Template:Rcr); " |Footscray platform arrangement | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Platform | Line | Destination | Via | Service Pattern | Notes |
| 1 | Template:RouteBox | Flinders Street | City Loop | Limited express | |
| 2 | Template:RouteBox | Sunbury, Watergardens | All stations | ||
| 3 | V/Line services | Set-down only | |||
| 4 | Pick-up only | ||||
| 5 | Template:RouteBox Template:RouteBox |
Flinders Street, Frankston | Flinders Street | All stations and limited express services | |
| 6 | Template:RouteBox Template:RouteBox |
Werribee, Williamstown | All stations and limited express services | ||
Current (Regional)
| colspan="6" style="background:#Template:Rcr;background-image: linear-gradient(to right, #Template:Rcr); " |Footscray platform arrangement | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Platform | Line | Destination | Via | Service Pattern | Notes |
| 3 | Template:RouteBox Template:RouteBox Template:RouteBox Template:RouteBox Template:RouteBox Template:RouteBox Template:RouteBox Template:RouteBox Template:RouteBox |
Southern Cross | Maryborough line: One daily V/Line service | Set-down only | |
| 4 | Template:RouteBox Template:RouteBox Template:RouteBox Template:RouteBox Template:RouteBox Template:RouteBox Template:RouteBox Template:RouteBox |
Melton, Bacchus Marsh, Wendouree, Ararat, Bendigo, Epsom, Eaglehawk, Echuca, Swan Hill, Wyndham Vale, Geelong, Waurn Ponds, Warrnambool | Maryborough line: One daily V/Line service | Pick-up only |
From 30 November 2025 to 1 February 2026
| colspan="6" style="background:#Template:Rcr;background-image: linear-gradient(to right, #Template:Rcr, #Template:Rcr, #Template:Rcr); " |Footscray platform arrangement | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Platform | Line | Destination | Via | Service Pattern | Notes |
| 1 | Template:RouteBox | Flinders Street | City Loop | Limited express | |
| Template:RouteBox | East Pakenham (weekends only), Westall | Town Hall | Between 10:00am and 3:00pm on weekdays, and between 10:00am and 7:00pm on weekends | ||
| 2 | Template:RouteBox | Sunbury, Watergardens | All stations | ||
| Template:RouteBox | Sunbury (weekends only), West Footscray | Between 10:00am and 3:00pm on weekdays, and between 10:00am and 7:00pm on weekends | |||
| 3 | V/Line services | Set-down only | |||
| 4 | Pick-up only | ||||
| 5 | Template:RouteBox Template:RouteBox |
Flinders Street, Frankston | Flinders Street | All stations and limited express services | |
| 6 | Template:RouteBox Template:RouteBox |
Werribee, Williamstown | All stations and limited express services | ||
From 1 February 2026 to 29 April 2026
| colspan="6" style="background:#Template:Rcr;background-image: linear-gradient(to right, #Template:Rcr, #Template:Rcr); " |Footscray platform arrangement | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Platform | Line | Destination | Via | Service Pattern | Notes |
| 1 | Template:RouteBox | East Pakenham, Cranbourne | Town Hall | Limited express | |
| 2 | Template:RouteBox | Sunbury, Watergardens, West Footscray | All stations | ||
| 3 | V/Line services | Set-down only | |||
| 4 | Pick-up only | ||||
| 5 | Template:RouteBox Template:RouteBox |
Flinders Street | All stations and limited express services | ||
| 6 | Template:RouteBox Template:RouteBox |
Werribee, Williamstown | All stations and limited express services | ||
After 29 April 2026
| colspan="6" style="background:#Template:Rcr;background-image: linear-gradient(to right, #Template:Rcr, #Template:Rcr); " |Footscray platform arrangement | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Platform | Line | Destination | Via | Service Pattern | Notes |
| 1 | Template:RouteBox | East Pakenham, Cranbourne | Town Hall | Limited express | |
| 2 | Template:RouteBox | Sunbury, Watergardens, West Footscray | All stations | ||
| 3 | V/Line services | Set-down only | |||
| 4 | Pick-up only | ||||
| 5 | Template:RouteBox Template:RouteBox |
Flinders Street, Sandringham | Flinders Street | All stations and limited express services | |
| 6 | Template:RouteBox Template:RouteBox |
Werribee, Williamstown, Laverton | All stations and limited express services | ||
Transport links
CDC Melbourne operates six bus routes via Footscray station, under contract to Public Transport Victoria:
- Template:Color box: to Keilor East<ref>Template:Cite PTV route</ref>
- Template:Color box: Yarraville station – Highpoint Shopping Centre<ref>Template:Cite PTV route</ref>
- Template:Color box: Sunshine station – Footscray<ref>Template:Cite PTV route</ref>
- Template:Color box: Laverton station – Footscray<ref>Template:Cite PTV route</ref>
- Template:Color box: Laverton station – Footscray<ref>Template:Cite PTV route</ref>
- Template:Color box: to Laverton station<ref>Template:Cite PTV route</ref>
Kinetic Melbourne operates three bus routes via Footscray station, under contract to Public Transport Victoria:
- Template:Color box: Sunshine station – Melbourne CBD (Queen Street)<ref>Template:Cite PTV route</ref>
- Template:Color box: Sunshine station – Melbourne CBD (Queen Street)<ref>Template:Cite PTV route</ref>
- Template:Color box: Yarraville – Highpoint Shopping Centre<ref>Template:Cite PTV route</ref>
Transit Systems Victoria operates five bus routes via Footscray station, under contract to Public Transport Victoria:
- Template:Color box: to East Melbourne<ref>Template:Cite PTV route</ref>
- Template:Color box: to University of Melbourne Parkville Campus<ref>Template:Cite PTV route</ref>
- Template:Color box: to Moonee Ponds Junction<ref>404 Footscray – Moonee Ponds via Newmarket Public Transport Victoria</ref>
- Template:Color box: Williamstown – Moonee Ponds Junction<ref>Template:Cite PTV route</ref>
- Night Bus Template:Color box: Footscray – Newport station (Saturday and Sunday mornings only)<ref name="ptv947">Template:Cite web</ref>
Yarra Trams operate one route to and from Footscray station:
- File:Melbourne tram route 82 icon.svg: to Moonee Ponds Junction<ref>Template:Cite PTV route</ref>
Gallery
-
Southbound view from Platform 6, with the disused signal box on Platform 5 in the foreground,
April 2010 -
The South Kensington - West Footscray railway line cutting runs beneath the south-western end of what is now Platforms 5 and 6, September 2008
-
Footbridge that links all platforms, from Irving Street, December 2011
-
The same view from Irving Street, May 2014
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References
External links
Template:Commons category-inline
- Melway map at street-directory.com.au