Mordialloc railway station

Mordialloc railway station is a commuter railway station on the Frankston line, which is part of the Melbourne railway network. It serves the south-eastern suburb of Mordialloc, in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Mordialloc station is a ground level premium station, featuring two side platforms. It opened on 19 December 1881.<ref name="vicsigmordialloc">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Establishing a Railway Line to Mordialloc Template:Webarchive City of Kingston</ref>

Stabling facilities are located at the Frankston (down) end of the station, whilst a third track is located through the middle of station, normally only used by Qube's Long Island steel freight train, and trains shunting into the yard.<ref name="signalbox">Template:Cite web</ref> A pedestrian underpass is located at the up end of the station.

The station precinct itself has a number of heritage buildings and elements, including the cottage style historic station buildings (1882 and 1887), and the last remaining example of an Edwardian–style railway water tower (1910) in Victoria, also known as a "Type H" water tower.<ref name="newsrailnov86">Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Mordialloc Railway Station City of Kingston</ref>

History

Mordialloc station was officially opened on 19 December 1881 by Sir Thomas Bent,<ref name="somersaultjul10">Template:Cite magazine</ref> who was the Minister of Railways, and later becoming the Premier of Victoria between 1904 and 1909.<ref name="thomas">Template:Cite web</ref> The station was provided when the railway line from Caulfield was extended.<ref name=vicsigmordialloc/> It remained a terminus until 1 August 1882, when the line was extended to Frankston.<ref name=vicsigmordialloc/> Like the suburb itself, the station gets its name from an Indigenous word meaning 'near little sea', or from either a creek named Moodi or Marida.<ref name="vpmordialloc">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="heraldsun">Template:Cite web</ref>

The first train to arrive at Mordialloc was a special service from Princes Bridge, which collected school children from the Brighton area. Further specials occurred during the day, with proper timetabled services commencing the following day. Six services were provided upon opening and, apart from two services, all were shuttle services operating between Caulfield and Mordialloc.<ref name=somersaultjul10/>

When the line opened, none of the stations between Caulfield and Mordialloc had station buildings, as noted by a reporter for The Argus newspaper. However, it was also noted that the stations had sidings and platforms, with Mordialloc having a 'particularly fine and spacious platform'. In February 1882, a contract was let for the construction of station buildings, for a price of £749-15-0.<ref name=somersaultjul10/>

On 31 July of that year, the line was extended to Frankston, and again was opened by Sir Thomas Bent. Timetabled services commenced the following day, and were initially two daily services and three services on Saturday, connecting with city-bound trains at Mordialloc. By December of that year, through services were operating between the city and Mordialloc/Frankston, with the station itself open for goods traffic.<ref name=somersaultjul10/>

At the start of March 1885, a turntable and a coal stage and ash pit were provided. The turntable was relocated from Berwick, with the coal stage being a new construction. In December of that year, the Locomotive Branch of the Victorian Railways recommended the construction of an engine shed, at an estimated cost of £200. However, this did not eventuate.<ref name=somersaultjul10/>

In 1887, an additional siding was provided, and occurring in that year, a contract was let for extensions to the station building. By May of that year, the coal stage was relocated to Flinders Street and, by March 1889, a carriage dock was abolished, to allow an extension of the platform.<ref name=somersaultjul10/>

In 1888, duplication of the line was provided between Caulfield and Mordialloc.<ref name=vicsigmordialloc/> The Staff and Ticket, which worked between Mentone and Mordialloc, was abolished, and the Winters Block system was provided, with the section remaining Mentone–Mordialloc. By August 1890, there were seventeen services to Mordialloc, nine of which continued through to Frankston, and two goods trains. In March 1895, Mordialloc was interlocked, with a thirty lever frame provided.<ref name=somersaultjul10/>

On 22 March 1896, a new lattice girder bridge was provided over the Mordialloc Creek, which is located nearby in the down direction of the station, replacing the original timber bridge, which was to the east of the new bridge. Regrading occurred at the Up end of the station, with a railway overpass built over Nepean Road. That bridge was brought into use on 16 August of that year.<ref name=somersaultjul10/>

In December that year, the Commissioners of the Victorian Railways inspected the station, and announced a proposal to replace the existing frame with a signal box at the McDonald Street level crossing. This did not occur, however, alterations to the tracks and interlocking did occur in February 1898, and included two additional working levers for the frame. By 1901, there were six through services (five of which were services bound for Mornington or Stony Point), and ten services terminating. This gave Mordialloc a service roughly every hour throughout the day.<ref name=somersaultjul10/>

In 1907, a new engine shed was provided. It was originally erected at Traralgon in 1884, and was relocated to Briagolong in 1902, when a new shed at Traralgon was provided. The following year, a new signalbay and interlocking was provided. By that date, two dead–end sidings were in service at the Down end of the station.<ref name=somersaultjul10/>

In 1910, duplication of the line between Mordialloc and Frankston occurred,<ref name=vicsigmordialloc/> resulting in a rebuilt and enlarged yard and a complete overhaul to the station layout: a portion of a floating goods platform from Williamstown was erected by August 1 of that year, with instructions to reduce the length of the platform to Template:Convert also occurring. By December 1, a second platform (current day Platform 2) was provided. The signalling was also altered, allowing Down trains to use all three running tracks if necessary. A new goods road (No.4 road) was provided behind Platform 2 to the enlarged goods yard, which was now extended to Mordialloc Creek. A new engine shed and turntable were provided, as well as the current pedestrian underpass.<ref name=somersaultjul10/>

On 5 January 1911, a new, elevated signal box was provided adjacent to the Bear Street level crossing, complete with a fifty lever frame. By 1 March of that year, the Edwardian–style water tower was completed. By December 1913, there were seventeen through services and fourteen terminating services, with a number of goods trains to and from Frankston, Mornington Junction and Carrum (an as–required service only) also shunting in the yard at various hours of the day.<ref name=somersaultjul10/>

Electrification arrived at the station in May 1922,<ref name=vicsigmordialloc/><ref name="somersaultsep10">Template:Cite magazine</ref> and was extended to Frankston in August of that year.<ref name=vicsigmordialloc/><ref name=somersaultsep10/> The first trial run of an electric train to Mordialloc occurred on 19 May of that year, with electric services beginning three days later, on 22 May. A trial run to Frankston occurred on 21 August, with services commencing on 24 August. Electrification, however, brought little alterations to the station, apart from some minor signalling changes. By December 1924, there was thirty through services, twenty–four terminating services and three goods services. Two train sets also stabled overnight.<ref name=somersaultsep10/>

Sometime around 1924, the engine shed was abolished. The Victorian Railways' Chief Engineer of the Way & Works branch recommended it be relocated to Colac, but it is unsure if this happened. In February of the following year, the platforms were extended in the Up direction, to allow the operation of 7–car trains. In 1927, the former signalbay was removed, to allow improvements to the width of the platform. During November 1929, a number of roads in the yard were wired, allowing the use of electric locomotives on goods services.<ref name=somersaultsep10/>

On 28 December 1938, the grandstand of the nearby Epsom Racecourse was destroyed by fire,<ref name="theage">Template:Cite news</ref> bringing an end to race traffic to Mordialloc.<ref name=somersaultsep10/> Prior to this, race specials were generally formed by 7–car Tait sets. Racehorses themselves were carried by train, with special services originating from Flemington Racecourse and the loading of the horses carried out at the Newmarket Stock Siding, Flinders Street and other stations as required. In early 1942, the water supply for steam locomotives was decommissioned, along with the water tower.<ref name=somersaultsep10/>

Post–World War II, suburbia was being extensively developed towards Mordialloc and beyond.<ref name=somersaultsep10/> By February 1950, there was fifty–one through services (a number of these services terminated at Aspendale), twenty–eight terminating services (with two sets stabling overnight) and a Monday–Wednesday–Friday goods service to and from Seaford, which shunted at Mordialloc twice on the days it operated.<ref name=somersaultsep10/>

Sometime between 1954 and 1956, the turntable in the yard was abolished. On 21 December 1955, a substation was provided near the Station Street level crossing, located in the Down direction of the station. It was provided to improve the power supply at the outer ends of suburban railway lines, allowing improved services.<ref name=somersaultsep10/>

Around 1961, the goods shed and platform were abolished. By May 1963, the station was serviced by sixty–three through services, with ten services that terminated, with five train sets stabling overnight. It was still served by the goods service to and from Seaford, however, this now only operated on Wednesdays.<ref name=somersaultsep10/>

Between 1964 and 1966, the current railway overpass crossing the Nepean Highway was provided, replacing the original 1896–built overpass. During 1967, there was consideration to extending Platform 2 to allow 8–car trains, which would've forced the relocation of a number of signal posts. However, a number of signal renewals did occur during this time. By November 1973, planning was underway for the extension of the third track from Caulfield to Mordialloc. This, however, has not eventuated: the third track was only extended to Moorabbin in 1987.<ref name=somersaultsep10/>

Automatic signalling between Mordialloc and Chelsea was provided in 1977. Between 1979 and 1982, a new concrete bridge was provided over the Mordialloc Creek, replacing the lattice girder bridge from 1896.<ref name=vicsigmordialloc/><ref name=somersaultsep10/> By 1981, the goods yard was closed to traffic, and No.4 road was abolished and baulked on the Up side of the Bear Street level crossing,<ref name=vicsigmordialloc/><ref name=somersaultsep10/> with the last recorded use of the road occurring when an Albury–bound passenger set was held during a shunters strike.<ref name=somersaultsep10/> By 1984, the overhead lines for No.4 road and the goods sidings were removed.<ref name=vicsigmordialloc/><ref name=somersaultsep10/>

Three-position signalling replaced double line block signalling between Mordialloc and Parkdale in April 1986,<ref name=vicsigmordialloc/><ref name=somersaultsep10/> this being the last section of double line block working on the Frankston line.<ref name=somersaultsep10/> Mordialloc, however, remained mechanically interlocked.<ref name=vicsigmordialloc/><ref name=somersaultsep10/> This all changed in the following year, 1987: the elevated signal box was abolished, and was replaced with a signal panel that was located in the main station building on Platform 1.<ref name=vicsigmordialloc/><ref name=somersaultsep10/> Boom barriers were provided at both the McDonald Street and Bear Street level crossings, located in the up and down directions of the station respectively,<ref name="newsrailjul86">Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref name="somersaultjan90">Template:Cite magazine</ref> and all semaphore signals were replaced with three position signals. In June 1988, the elevated signal box was demolished.<ref name=somersaultsep10/><ref name="newsrailaug88">Template:Cite magazine</ref>

In 1990, security fencing was provided for the stabling yard.<ref name=somersaultsep10/> On 5 December 1995, Mordialloc was upgraded to a premium station.<ref name="newsrailoct97">Template:Cite magazine</ref>

In early 2011, the stabling yard was upgraded.<ref name="somersaultmar11">Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref name="somersaultmay11">Template:Cite magazine</ref> On 9 September 2013, whilst travelling through the McDonald Street level crossing, a wagon on the Long Island steel train derailed, causing lengthy delays.<ref>"Frankston line chaos after freight train derails" Template:Webarchive - The Age</ref><ref>Long delays expected as freight train is derailed on Frankston line - Herald Sun</ref> In October 2015, new accessible toilets were provided at the station.<ref name="newsrailjan16">Template:Cite magazine</ref>

On 7 October 2021, the signal panel was abolished,<ref name=signalbox/> with control transferred to the Kananook Signal Control Centre.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On 9 October 2022, the Andrews government announced that the McDonald Street and Bear Street level crossings would be removed by 2028, along with five other level crossings on the Frankston line,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> it was fast tracked for removal in June 2023 projected for 2026.<ref name="lxrp1">Template:Cite web</ref> The designs for the new station was announced in June 2024 and will be elevated and the station to feature an island platform, the plans also show that the heritage building on Platform 2 to be kept and Bear Street to be closed off as part of the level crossing removal and McDonald Street to remain open.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On the 4th of August 2025, the Bear Street level crossing was permanently closed to road traffic.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On the 18th of August 2025, Platform 2 was closed and subsequently demolished to allow for the construction of the new elevated station with the stabling sidings being disconnected from the mainline, this will be in affect until the railway line reopens on the elevated viaduct. Until the 18th of August 2025, select trains during the weekday peak hour would terminate and originate from the station.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Platforms and services

Mordialloc has one side platform. It is serviced by Metro Trains' Frankston line services.<ref>Template:Cite PTV route</ref>

Current (since 29 August 2025)

colspan="5" style="background:#Template:Rcr;background-image: linear-gradient(to right, #Template:Rcr); " |Mordialloc platform arrangement
Platform	Line	Destination	Via	Service Type
1	Template:RouteBox	Flinders Street, Werribee, Williamstown, Frankston	Flinders Street	All stations and limited express services

From 1 February 2026 to Mid-2026

colspan="5" style="background:#Template:Rcr;background-image: linear-gradient(to right, #Template:Rcr); " |Mordialloc platform arrangement
Platform	Line	Destination	Via	Service Type
1	Template:RouteBox	Flinders Street, Frankston	City Loop	All stations and limited express services

After Mid-2026

colspan="5" style="background:#Template:Rcr;background-image: linear-gradient(to right, #Template:Rcr); " |Mordialloc platform arrangement
Platform	Line	Destination	Via	Service Type
1	Template:RouteBox	Flinders Street	City Loop	All stations and limited express services
2	Template:RouteBox	Frankston		All stations

Transport links

Kinetic Melbourne operates one SmartBus route via Mordialloc station, under contract to Public Transport Victoria:

• SmartBus Template:Color box: Altona station – Mordialloc<ref name="ptv903">Template:Cite web</ref>

Ventura Bus Lines operates four routes via Mordialloc station, under contract to Public Transport Victoria:

• Template:Color box: to Springvale station (peak-hour only)<ref name="ptv705">Template:Cite web</ref>
• Template:Color box: Mordialloc – Chelsea station (off-peak only)<ref name="ptv706">Template:Cite web</ref>
• Template:Color box: Hampton station – Carrum station<ref>Template:Cite PTV route</ref>
• Template:Color box: to Noble Park station<ref>Template:Cite PTV route</ref>

SkyBus also operates a service to Melbourne Airport via Mordialloc station.<ref name="skybus">Template:Cite web</ref>

Gallery

• 
  Station building and entrance to Platform 1, September 2021
• 
  Old Southbound view from Platform 1, October 2021
• 
  Old Station building and entrance to Platform 2,
  May 2022
• Error creating thumbnail:
  Northbound view from the former Platform 2, October 2021
• Error creating thumbnail:
  Southbound view of the single platform from the McDonald Street level crossing, August 2025

External links

• Melway map at street-directory.com.au