History of Upper Ferntree Gully to Gembrook
Puffing Billy Railway

by Kevin D. Stanes

EARLY HISTORY

RINGWOOD TO UPPER FERNTREE GULLY BROAD GAUGE RAILWAY:

The broad gauge railway from Ringwood to Upper Ferntree Gully was authorised by an Act of Parliament on Friday, 12^th December 1884, at a cost of £79,715-00-00 ($159,430.00). By the time of the official opening on Wednesday, 04^th December 1889 the town had received the official name of Upper Ferntree Gully.

The line was electrified during 1925 and electric trains commenced operation from Monday, 30^th November 1925, although the first electric train is believed to have arrived on Monday, 12^th October 1925.

FORMER PUFFING BILLY STATIONS (NOW PART OF THE BROAD GAUGE SYSTEM):

The Upper Ferntree Gully to Gembrook railway was authorised by an Act of Parliament on Monday, 15^th August 1898 at a cost of £54,000-00-00 ($108,000.00).

Construction of the 2ft 6in (762mm) narrow gauge was commenced from Upper Ferntree Gully on Tuesday, 01^st August 1899 and by Friday, 27^th April 1900 only 1.5 miles (2.5 kilometres) of track had been laid. One hundred and eighty men were employed in the line’s construction, many being local identities who owned farms used this work to supplement their income.

Initially there was only one station after the train left Upper Ferntree Gully, that being Monbulk (Belgrave). During the next 25 years, as a result of the increased population two additional stations were constructed, although one “Tecoma” was a stopping place for many years.

STATION STATISTICS (ORIGINAL SECTION OF THE LINE)

STATION	DISTANCE FROM MELBOURNE		ALTITUDE ABOVE SEA LEVEL
	Miles	Kilometres	Feet	Metres
UPPER FERNTREE GULLY	22.75	36.60	414	126

The station was given a name descriptive of the location where ferns and eucalyptus trees grew in a beautiful gully. Work commenced on the construction of the narrow gauge railway to Gembrook on Tuesday, 01^st August 1899 with the official opening being on Tuesday, 18^th December 1900. The narrow gauge station was closed along with the line on Friday, 30^th April 1954. Re-opened on Saturday, 11^th December 1954 for the “Say Good Bye to Puffing Billy” trips and subsequent services operated by the Puffing Billy Preservation Society which was formed on Wednesday, 08^th June 1955. The narrow gauge station and line were closed on Sunday, 23^rd February 1958 to allow the construction of the broad gauge electric railway to Belgrave. The present “Down” Broad Gauge platform occupies part of the site of the former Narrow Gauge platform, and was re-opened for the running of electric trains on Sunday, 18^th February 1962.

STATION	DISTANCE FROM MELBOURNE		ALTITUDE ABOVE SEA LEVEL
	Miles	Kilometres	Feet	Metres
UPWEY	24.25	39.00	674	205

Opened on Tuesday, 03^rd June 1902 and named at the suggestion of Miss Tullidge, a local land owner, after her estate which was located in the vicinity. The name had been given to the estate because Miss Tullidge’s forefathers had lived at “Upwey”, an old English village on the “River Wey”. The station was closed along with the line on Friday, 30^th April 1954. Although the line was re-opened on Saturday, 11^th December 1954, the station was never officially re-commissioned. During this period of operation, until the closure of the line on Sunday, 23^rd February 1958, trains did not stopped here. The station was re-opened on Sunday, 18^th February 1962 for the operation of the broad gauge electric services.

STATION	DISTANCE FROM MELBOURNE		ALTITUDE ABOVE SEA LEVEL
	Miles	Kilometres	Feet	Metres
TECOMA	25.00	40.20	674	205

A stopping place known as “McNicol Road Crossing” was observed from about the time “Upwey” was opened, later a station was constructed and opened on Monday, 01^st December 1924 and named after the flowering creeper known as “Tecoma”, which grew prolifically in the area. The station was closed along with the line on Friday, 30^th April 1954. Although the line was re-opened on Saturday, 11^th December 1954, this station like Upwey was never officially re-commissioned. During this period of operation, until the closure of the line on Sunday, 23^rd February 1958, trains did not stopped here. The station was re-opened on Sunday, 18^th February 1962 for the operation of the broad gauge electric services.

STATION	DISTANCE FROM MELBOURNE		ALTITUDE ABOVE SEA LEVEL
	Miles	Kilometres	Feet	Metres
BELGRAVE (ORIGINAL)	25.75	41.40	747	228

The original Belgrave Station was opened as “Monbulk” with the opening of the line on Tuesday, 18^th December 1900. The station was renamed “Belgrave” on Tuesday, 05^th April 1904. The name “Belgrave” was the name of an estate in Leicestershire, England. This estate was in some way connected with local Councillor E. W. Benson, in whose honour the name was chosen. The station was closed on Friday, 30^th April 1954, re-opened Saturday, 11^th December 1954 for the “Say Good Bye to Puffing Billy” trips and subsequently became the terminus for Puffing Billy trips until closed on Sunday, 23^rd February 1958. The station was re-opened on Sunday, 18^th February 1962 for the operation of the broad gauge electric services.

TRANSFER RAMP:

Built during 1961/62 this ramp at the eastern end of the Belgrave broad gauge station was constructed for the purposes of transferring Puffing Billy rolling stock to and from the Victorian Railways piggy back broad gauge wagons. The ramp was first used on Sunday, 06^th May 1962 for the delivery of locomotives and carriages to the new narrow gauge Belgrave station. The last time the ramp was used was on Tuesday, 14^th October 1975 when 6A was returned from Ballarat Workshops after an overhaul.

On Wednesday, 21^st October 1981 a broad gauge suburban electric ‘Hatachi’ train with 136M as the leading carriage skidded into the ‘Transfer Ramp’ destroying the timber work and bending the narrow gauge rails connected to it. The next day the bent track was removed, shortening the narrow gauge track by about 20 feet and removing the narrow gauge connection to the broad gauge line.

PRESENT RAILWAY STATIONS AND LINE SIDE FEATURES:

The headquarters of the Railway is Belgrave Station. The present building was completed in 1990 and houses the operating and administrative facilities, as well as an extensive retail shop where customers can purchase a wide variety of souvenirs, drinks and snacks. The complex replaced earlier buildings which can still be seen further along the platform.

Between 1958 and 1962 a new station and yard were constructed by Society volunteers using parts of the old Belgrave station which was located approximately where the Melbourne end of the broad gauge platform now is.

Over the years an engine shed and stabling yards has been constructed adjacent to the railway station along with an extensive locomotive maintenance facility.

As the train departs Belgrave it crosses the Old Monbulk Road and travels through the beautiful Sherbrooke Forest before coming to the Trestle Bridge.

(Kilometres shown beside the following railway stations are from the Belgrave terminus).

CURRENT STATION STATISTICS

STATION	DISTANCE FROM MELBOURNE		ALTITUDE ABOVE SEA LEVEL
	Miles	Kilometres	Feet	Metres
BELGRAVE	26.00	41.80	725	221

The original Belgrave Station was opened as “Monbulk”, the name being taken from the nearby Monbulk Reservoir, with the opening of the line on Tuesday, 18^th December 1900. The station was renamed “Belgrave” on Tuesday, 05^th April 1904. The name “Belgrave” was the name of an estate in Leicestershire, England. This estate was in some way connected with local Councillor E. W. Benson, in whose honour the name was chosen. The present Puffing Billy Station was opened on Saturday, 28^th July 1962.

TRESTLE BRIDGE - The Monbulk Trestle Bridge is 85.5 metres long (276.3 feet) with 14 spans of 6.1 metres (20 feet), with the highest point being 13.5 metres (42.3 feet). The bridge spans the Monbulk Creek and the main Belgrave - Gembrook Road. It is the lowest point on the line and has not only a horizontal curve but a vertical one as well. In the early 1900’s the single piles were reinforced with an extra row and, more recently, concrete pads were constructed beneath. All bolts on the bridge are now galvanised, not only for rust protection, but to prevent the surrounding timbers from rotting.

The decking is covered with cement sheeting and a heavy plastic sheet to allow water run off. In 1989 the road beneath the bridge was lowered to create a 4.5 metre (14.5 feet) clearance enabling large tourist coaches to pass beneath. For safety the maximum speed over the bridge is 16 kph (10 mph). The bridge is one of the most popularly photographed scenes in Victoria, and could be one of the most photographed bridges in the world along with the Sydney Harbour and the San Francisco Golden Gate.

As the train passes over the bridge the engine begins to labour under the strain of the steep uphill climb towards Selby and if you listen carefully you can hear the engine talking; “I think I can, I know I can, I think I can, I know I can, I think I can, I know I can and as it nears the top it can be heard to say; I done it, I did it, I done it, I did it”.

STATION	DISTANCE FROM MELBOURNE		ALTITUDE ABOVE SEA LEVEL
	Miles	Kilometres	Feet	Metres
SELBY (2.0 kms)	27.25	43.80	753	230

A stopping place known as “McMahon’s” was located close to the site of where the station was built during 1904, four years after the opening of the line. The station was named “Selby” after an early land owner and Shire President, George Selby, the district taking its name from the station. Despite the long, slow climb from the trestle bridge, this station is only twenty five feet (a little under 8 metres) higher than Belgrave. The steep grade makes starting difficult, so trains do not normally stop here.

LANDSIDE - It was at this location that a landslide closed the railway on Monday, 3^rd of August 1953. The original alignment was the tightest curve on the line and on the whole of the Victorian Railways system, having a radius of two chains. A bypass line was constructed around the landslide as a training exercise by the Citizens’ Military Forces in the early 1960’s. Near this location was the section known as “The Tanks” and in days gone by, passengers alighted while the engine was serviced. They socialised and bought strawberries, when in season, from a local identity.

The water tanks were located just before the “Landslide” on a steep rise and to the east of what is called “Muddy Creek”. Water was draw up from the creek and pumped into the tanks for use by the locomotive at the first watering stop after leaving Upper Ferntree Gully. As the train passes where the tanks were, a pair of rails can be seen on the left side (the left side is as if the train is travelling away from Belgrave). Then the land slip can be seen, this is about 105 metres long, once passed the Landslide a single rail can be seen again on the left side of the carriage.

No trees grew in this area at the time, all have grown since. At the time, the lack of trees would have been a contributing factor, as water coming down from the fields made the land unstable causing erosion.

The third rail, seen on sharp curves along the line, is the check rail. Check rails are placed adjacent to the inside rail to guide the trains wheels around curves. Examples can be seen at the site of the Landslide and on the Trestle Bridge. Check rails are not to be confused with a rail to prevent ballast from sliding down the side of an incline.

Other rails seen running at an angle to the line are for the works trolleys, so they can be parked for lengthy periods without disrupting train schedules.

STATION	DISTANCE FROM MELBOURNE		ALTITUDE ABOVE SEA LEVEL
	Miles	Kilometres	Feet	Metres
MENZIES CREEK (6.1 kms)	29.75	47.90	996	304

Originally opened as “Menzies Creek” on Tuesday, 18^th December 1900, with the opening of the line. It was named after John Menzies, an earlier settler in the district, however, the station was renamed “Aura” after the estate of the then Shire President, Mr. R. Kerr on Monday, 05^th December 1904. It is believed that the estate was named after a mountain in Ireland, the name meaning beautiful. The Post Office was never renamed and the station name was changed back to “Menzies Creek” on Tuesday, 01^st July 1947.

This station was a single platform with a passing loop from the original opening of the line. In 1990 it was converted to an island platform by the Citizens Military Forces and Puffing Billy Preservation Society volunteers. This is a major passing point for trains and is the halfway point between Belgrave and Lakeside. The station is also a popular transfer point for those passengers who only want to take a short trip or who may want to break their journey to look over the Steam Museum.

On the platform are the “Aura Heritage Tea Rooms” where passengers can refresh themselves with hot tea, coffee, scones, meat pies, sausage roll and vegetable pasties or enjoy sweets and a scrumptious ice cream.

STEAM MUSEUM - Located immediately behind Menzies Creek Station is the steam museum which houses a unique collection of locomotives, rolling stock and steam machinery from Australia and overseas.

The museum was established in 1963 and was first opened to the public in March 1973. It is open every weekend and on public holidays from 11:00am to 05:00pm. The standard Puffing Billy fare allows passengers who want to break their journey to look over the exhibits and continue on a later train. Teenage volunteers usually begin their duties with the railway here before moving to other areas.

CARDINIA RESERVOIR - After Puffing Billy leaves Menzies Creek Station passengers can see a panorama to the south. From the carriage looking to the right is Cardinia Reservoir, a major water storage for Melbourne’s south eastern suburbs. The perimeter of the reservoirs waterline is approximately 60 kilometres, and at full capacity holds 160 thousand million litres of water. On a clear day one can see Westernport Bay and the deep water port of Hastings to the left, and to the right can be seen Arthur’s Seat, Frankston and Port Phillip Bay.

STATION	DISTANCE FROM MELBOURNE		ALTITUDE ABOVE SEA LEVEL
	Miles	Kilometres	Feet	Metres
CLEMATIS (7.7 kms)	30.75	49.50	906	276

An unnamed “Stopping Place” was opened near the site of the current station, believed to be about 1 mile (.8 of a kilometre) to the east, on Monday, 10^th March 1902. Some years later a new platform was constructed at the present site and named “Paradise Valley” on Tuesday, 05^th December 1905. The station had been named after the property of a local landowner, Mr. O’Connor, who had named his farm “Paradise” and his home “Eden”. It was renamed “Paradise” from Saturday, 01^st May 1909 and further renamed “Clematis” from Thursday, 01^st December 1921.

The name “Clematis” was derived from the climbing plant so prolific in the area. The station building has been fully restored as a typical country wayside station. Trains do not normally stop here except on special occasions when parties want to dine at the adjacent Paradise Hotel.

EMERALD BANK - This is the steepest grade on the line raising 1 metres in every 30 metres. Locomotives can be heard working hard as the train climb towards Emerald. As the line levels out, before the main road crossing, houses and gardens reach to the edge of the line. Smaller farms and orchards can be seen on the nearby hills and closer to the track can be seen daffodils and kiwi fruit vines.

STATION	DISTANCE FROM MELBOURNE		ALTITUDE ABOVE SEA LEVEL
	Miles	Kilometres	Feet	Metres
EMERALD (9.7 kms)	32.00	51.50	1045	319

Opened on Tuesday, 18^th December 1900, this is one of the only stations along the line that retains its original name, and is the highest point on the railway. The town was named by the Reverend Doctor Bleasdale who found precious stones in a nearby creek. There is also the story of its being named after an early prospector, Jack Emerald, who was murdered in the vicinity. Gold was discovered here in 1858 and the township grew adjacent to the diggings. When the gold petered out the township remained as an agriculture centre. The station buildings retain a rustic old world charm.

A station building was in existence with the opening of the line, refreshment services were available from Tuesday, 01^st January 1901. A fruit and confectionery stall was open until Friday, 01^st April 1921 and a tea stall with light refreshments opened late that year, closing towards the end of 1941.

With the reintroduction of trains to “Lakeside” from Saturday, 18^th October 1975 patronage declined, however, in recent times and with busy schedules passengers are taking a single journey, alighting here to enjoy Devonshire Tea and Scones, before venturing into the nearby hills for an afternoon of wine tasting and exotic cheeses. The station is still important however, as all the carriage maintenance and rebuilding work is done in the adjacent workshops.

When the station re-opened on Saturday, 31^st July 1965 it became the temporary terminus for ten years. During this time passengers wanting to visit the Emerald Lake had just over a 3 kilometres walk. For those passengers wanting to break the journey and continue on a later trip there is grassed area behind the platform to enjoy a picnic, or across the other side of the railway yards off the main road is the newly constructed “Children’s Play Ground”. A pleasant walk through the shopping centre will find cafes, coffee shops and restaurants, as well as a few nurseries.

As the train enters the station after crossing the main road can be seen a turntable. This is used to turn locomotives and carriages to correct uneven wheel wear. The turntable was purchased in 1987 from the Victorian Railways and began operating at Emerald in 1990. It measures 16 metres in length and has both 762mm (2ft 6in) and 1600mm (5ft 3in) tracks incorporated in the structure. Also included is a broad gauge flat wagon with a set of narrow gauge tracks laid upon it, this was used to transport the narrow gauge locomotives and wagons to the various workshops for maintenance. It is intended at some future date to recreate an example of the duel gauge locomotive handling and general transhipment facilities which would have existed at a narrow gauge terminus.

STATION	DISTANCE FROM MELBOURNE		ALTITUDE ABOVE SEA LEVEL
	Miles	Kilometres	Feet	Metres
NOBELIUS SIDING (10.5 kms)	32.50	52.30	994	303

Opened as a freight siding on Sunday, 11^th December 1904, it was generally known as the “Packing Shed”. This building overlooks the once extensive nursery of the former C. A. Nobelius & Co. From here, plants and seedlings were despatched by rail to all parts of Australia and the world. The 182 hectare property produced a significant amount of raspberries and strawberries as well as many varieties of fruit trees such as, apple, apricot, cherry, plum, quince, peach, orange and lemon.

The “Packing Shed” is now the venue for the “The Dinner Train” and a variety of functions such as weddings, birthdays and anniversaries.

SUPERMAN CORNER - The property adjoining the line about halfway between the “Packing Shed” and “Nobelius” is the real home of the ‘man of steel’ when Downunder, a Red Telephone Box and personal name plate signifies where he transforms from Clark Kent to Superman.

STATION	DISTANCE FROM MELBOURNE		ALTITUDE ABOVE SEA LEVEL
	Miles	Kilometres	Feet	Metres
NOBELIUS (11.7 kms)	33.25	53.50	924	282

Also named after the Nobelius Estate, this station was originally opened on Monday, 07^th March 1927 and situated in a magnificent garden setting. It was intended that the station would be much larger but plans were never developed. The present platform was re-built by the Citizens Military Forces in 1990. Train do not normally stop here.

STATION	DISTANCE FROM MELBOURNE		ALTITUDE ABOVE SEA LEVEL
	Miles	Kilometres	Feet	Metres
LAKESIDE (13.3 kms)	34.25	55.10	812	247

From the re-opening this was the terminus with a single platform and a loop for engines to shunt around the train. The present island platform was built for the re-opening of the line to Gembrook on Sunday, 18^th October 1998. Water replenishing facilities are located at both ends of the platform for re-filling the engines water tanks and when necessary, clean the smoke box.

The original station was opened on Tuesday, 18^th January 1944 at the request of the Shire of Ferntree Gully and was located east of the present station, about where the water tank is. With the re-opening of the line on Saturday, 18^th October 1975 a new station and building complex was constructed by Society volunteers, which featured a Booking Office and Kiosk, further along the platform is a first aide room, store room and toilet. Like Belgrave the toilet facilities include a special change room for parents with children. A passing loop was included to shunt the locomotive around the train and in later years a siding was constructed east of the road crossing to stable trains on very busy days during holiday periods.

The park features picnic and barbecue areas, water slides and paddle boats, a kiosk and tea rooms as well as a large model railway. The park is a very popular venue, especially during summer for family groups and for those celebrating birthdays and anniversaries. During the busy Christmas Holiday Period, over the Labour Day weekend and Easter additional trains operate with the last service departing for Belgrave around 06:00pm.

The are many walking tracks around the park, or for those more energetic there are walks back to Emerald via a track beside the railway line to Nobelius then along the main Belgrave - Gembrook Road, or via the Lakeside Road and Belgrave - Gembrook Road to Emerald Township where the train can be re-boarded for the journey back to Belgrave.

In the park and on one of the many walks can be seen eucalypts and pines. The main varieties of gum trees are manna, messmate, peppermint, stringy bark and mountain ash. In the moist, lower areas are a variety of ferns, Victoria Christmas bush, Sassafras shrub and black wattle. In the park many imported trees have been introduced, such as conifers, maples, elms, poplars, oaks, chestnuts, hawthorns, wattles and camellias.

Wildlife such as koalas, kangaroo, wallabies, and deer, are thought to have existed in this area once, but have moved into the forest east of the park due the expanding urban population. Smaller animals such as wombats and echidnas still exist and usually appear in late afternoon when the most people have left the park.

STATION	DISTANCE FROM MELBOURNE		ALTITUDE ABOVE SEA LEVEL
	Miles	Kilometres	Feet	Metres
WRIGHT (14.5 kms)	35.00	56.30	713	217

Originally opened as a small halt with a metal waiting shed on Monday, 24^th October 1904, this station situated in the Wright Forest was named after an early landowner, Mr. J. W. Wright, who owned a guest house at the junction of the Emerald, Macclesfield and Cockatoo Roads, now known as Avonsleigh. It is believed relatives of the original family still live nearby. With the closure of the line on the Friday, 30^th April 1954 the line and station became over grown and was eventually swallowed up as part of the forest. Several years later the building and tracks were removed, and during the 1983 bush fires what remained of the station was destroyed. The station and building were rebuilt, along with the re-laying of the track for the opening of the line to Gembrook. Trains do not normally stop here.

WRIGHT - COCKATOO BRIDGES - Between Wright and Cockatoo are three bridges. The first bridge spans a tributary off the Wattle Creek and is the smallest being 24.4 metres (79.5 feet) with 4 spans of 6.1 metres (20 feet) and a high point of 7.7 metres (25.7 feet). This bridge was destroyed by fire in the mid 1950’s.

The second bridge also spans a tributary off the Wattle Creek, the original bridge being demolished during the 1960’s. The bridge has a curve to the left when travelling towards Gembrook and has a length of 61 metres (198.1feet), a radius of 20.1 metres (65.3 feet), 10 spans of 6.1 metres (20 feet) and a high point of 14.4 metres (45.11 feet).

The third bridge spans the Cockatoo Creek, again the original bridge was demolished during the 1960’s. This bridge is straight and has a length of 46 metres (149.6 feet), 10 spans of 4.5 metres (14.9 feet). All three bridges were re-constructed by volunteer Society Members as part of the Gembrook Line re-opening.

In 1993 the Victorian Government looking for cost cutting measurers decided to close several regional railway lines. Two that were operated by V/Line under an agreement with the New South Wales Government were from Echuca to Balranald, and Echuca to Deniliquin, across the Victorian border into the lush grazing and wheat lands of the Riverina.

During 1994 the Society successfully tendered for, and demolished, a large bridge over the Yanga Creek in Southern New South Wales. The materials retrieved provided much of what was needed to re-build these three bridges.

As part of its policy in the 1999 elections, the Labour Party promised, if elected, to re-open several of these closed railway lines and during 2000 trains again began to operate as far as Deniliquin, but could only operate as far as Moulamain 60 kilometres from Balranald because of the sale of the Yanga Creek Bridge.

JERRY, THE RAILWAY DOG - Just after Cockatoo Creek, on the right hand side going towards Gembrook, is the site on “Jerry, The Railway Dog”.

In 1929, a stray dog adopted one of the engine drivers and became well known along the railway and loved by all. For years he would travel in the loco or run uphill ahead of the train, taking shortcuts as the train went around the ‘horseshoe curves’. Unfortunately on Sunday, 29^th April 1934, Jerry became confused by a sudden burst of steam when the engine’s cylinder cocks opened and he crossed too close to the front of the engine, resulting in his unfortunate death. A suitable grave and marker were made but this was partly destroyed when railway gangers burnt the grass off surrounding the site. Today there is little evidence of the grave site.

STATION	DISTANCE FROM MELBOURNE		ALTITUDE ABOVE SEA LEVEL
	Miles	Kilometres	Feet	Metres
COCKATOO (17.3 kms)	36.75	59.10	619	189

This station was originally known as “Devon” when opened on Tuesday, 18^th December 1900, but the name was changed to “Cockatoo Creek” on Monday, 29^th July 1901, from Monday, 02^nd May 1904 the name as shortened to “Cockatoo”.

A horse tramway operated by a Mr. J. Bell began operation during 1906 and ran from the right hand side of the railway yard, along the right side of the line following the Cockatoo Creek for about three miles (five kilometres) to a terminus near Parternoster Road. The exact date of closure is unknown, although it was still in operation in 1914.

From Wednesday, 07^th May 1913 a Caretaker was placed in charge of the station and was replaced by a Station Master from Tuesday, 15^th August 1922. The station returned to Caretaker statue from Sunday, 01^st August 1926. A fruit stall was opened from Saturday, 01^st November 1919 and operated until closed on Tuesday, 31^st January 1922.

While the line was closed on the Friday, 30^th April 1954, the newly formed Puffing Billy Preservation Society had always intended that the line eventually be re-opened. It is therefore a attribute to the early fore-thought by Puffing Billy management that saw tracks re-laid over the main road crossing in 1984 when the road re-alignment was being constructed.

The station was re-opened on the Sunday, 18^th October 1998 with a temporary building being located on the platform. It is planned in the near future that a permanent structure be constructed.

STATION	DISTANCE FROM MELBOURNE		ALTITUDE ABOVE SEA LEVEL
	Miles	Kilometres	Feet	Metres
FIELDER (19.2 kms)	38.00	61.00	795	242

This station was opened on Monday, 10^th September 1928 and was a wayside stop for passengers only. Early in 1929 a Mallee type waiting shed was erected by a local resident Mr. Harry Watson, who unofficially named the station “Alcaster”, after his home town in Lincolnshire, England, but this was quickly changed by local children to “Laura” after a local school friend. The Victorian Railways officially named it “Fielder” from Tuesday, 05^th February 1929 after a nearby resident.

With the closure of the line on the Friday, 30^th April 1954 the station and the line fell into disrepair with the Mallee shed sold to U.S Buslines in Belgrave. With the announcement that the line was to be rebuilt in the mid 1990’s descendants of the Fielder family, who still live in the area, rebuilt the platform and station building during 1994. The first official passenger train since 1953 ran from Gembrook to Fielder on Saturday, 29^th April 1995 to the newly completed platform, and from that date trains ran along this section of the line on Gembrook Market Weekends. During 1996 a Mallee type station building was constructed and the station officially re-opened on Saturday, 19^th April 1997.

The station is situated in light forest, on the longest grade on the line, with magnificent views of the potato growing country as the train approaches Gembrook. Look closely across the rolling fields on the right side of the carriages as it approaches Gembrook and you will see large Wombat holes on the edge of the creek.

Trains do not normally stop here. From here the line climbs to its highest point 322 metres (1064 feet) above Sea Level.

STATION	DISTANCE FROM MELBOURNE		ALTITUDE ABOVE SEA LEVEL
	Miles	Kilometres	Feet	Metres
GEMBROOK (23.8 kms)	40.75	65.60	1020	311

Survey plans for the line show the station as “Bromby’s Hill” but the station was opened as “Gembrook” with the beginning of services on the Tuesday, 18^th December 1900. It was so named after finds of precious stones in the nearby creek by Dr Bleasdale and Mr. A. A. LeSouef. The site had originally been pegged out for a settlement on the Tuesday, 14^th April 1874 by a Mr. J. E. Bromby, hence the earlier location name.

A travelling Station Master was placed in charge of the station from Monday, 26^th February 1912, and was replaced by a “Man in Charge” from Thursday, 01^st May 1913. A “Caretaker” took over the duties during November 1915. The line was supervised by a travelling Station Master until Monday, 07^th June 1920 when a Station Master took charge until Tuesday, 01^st November 1921. A Station Master again took charge between Thursday, 17^th April 1930 and Thursday, 30^th October 1930.

In the early days the railway was the town. After the establishment of the railway the town began to develop. The station and the town grew both in appearance and economically due solely to the railway, both were dependant on eachother. Thousand of tonnes of timber were transported from this growing village. Several timber tramways operated from the surrounding hills on gauges of 917mm (3ft 0ins) and 1067mm (3ft 6ins) transferring timber to Puffing Billy for transportation to Upper Ferntree Gully then to Melbourne on the broad gauge, between 1920 and 1953.

Along the way the train would pick up potatoes, general produce and flowers for the markets of Melbourne. As the township and area developed Gembrook became popular with holiday makers who arrived in their thousands from Melbourne and surrounding areas.

With the closure of the line on the Friday, 30^th April 1954 the area slowly fell into disrepair and Gembrook suffered as a whole. With the announcement that trains were to return before the end of the twentieth century, new life began to be injected into this once proud village, deserted shops were repaired and new owners with all types of innovative ideas began to take up residence. From Saturday, 29^th April 1995 services were operated by the Peckett each month on “Gembrook Market Weekends”.

The line between Lakeside and Gembrook along with a new “Town Station” were officially opened by the Minister of Transport (of the day) the Honourable Robin Cooper MP on the Sunday, 18^th October 1998. On this day Gembrook saw the biggest crowd and more trains it will see for many years to come.

Today the guest houses have been remodelled as bed and breakfast accommodation units and are still as popular as ever, except that with modern roads and faster traffic tourists and holiday makers come in their cars or by tour buses. People come for the days outing by train or car to enjoy a scrumptious meal at the Ranges Hotel, delicious fish and chip or hamburger at the Chip Shop, fine home made pies, pasties and sausages rolls at the Garage or just a cup of Devonshire Tea and hot scones at Mrs. Mac’s. Pottery, hand made jumpers, scarves, woollen hats, berets and sandals can be found at the many craft shops along the main street.

Since the re-opening of the line the original station is known as “Gembrook Heritage Station”.

STATION	DISTANCE FROM MELBOURNE		ALTITUDE ABOVE SEA LEVEL
	Miles	Kilometres	Feet	Metres
GEMBROOK TOWN STATION (24.2 kms)	41.00	66.00	1020	311

Locomotive servicing facilities were provided as part of the opening of the line on the 18^th December 1900 where the building now stands. Additional facilities were probably added as the area grew to accommodate a number of timber tramways and freight handling facilities.

The “Town Station” was built during 1998 as part of a grant by the State Government and officially opened on Sunday, 18^th October 1998 for the Gembrook line re-opening. It occupies the site of the former locomotive servicing facilities and transfer yards of the timber tramways. The extensive building is used as a kiosk and waiting area for passengers returning to Belgrave and doubles as a meeting hall for local activities.

Future plans are for an engine shed and a refuge to stable carriages with the idea of operating an early service in the direction of Belgrave.

TABLE OF STATION OPENING AND CLOSING DATES:

UPPER FERNTREE GULLY (Narrow Gauge) - Opened Tuesday, 18^th December 1900; closed Friday, 30^th April 1954; re-opened Saturday, 11^th December 1954; closed on Sunday, 23^rd February 1958. Re-opened Sunday, 18^th February 1962 as a broad gauge station.

UPWEY - Opened Tuesday, 03^rd June 1902; closed Friday, 30^th April 1954; re-opened Saturday, 11^th December 1954; closed Sunday, 23^rd February 1958. Re-opened Sunday, 18^th February 1962 as a broad gauge station.

TECOMA - Opened Monday, 01^st December 1924; closed Friday, 30^th April 1954; re-opened on the Saturday, 11^th December 1954; closed Sunday, 23^rd February 1958. Re-opened Sunday, 18^th February 1962 as a broad gauge station.

BELGRAVE (Narrow & Broad Gauge) - Opened on Tuesday, 18^th December 1900; closed Friday, 30^th April 1954; re-opened Saturday, 11^th December 1954; closed Sunday, 23^rd February 1958. The station was re-opened on Sunday, 18^th February 1962 as a broad gauge station. A new narrow gauge station was opened on Saturday, 28^th July 1962 further east on the other side of Narre Warren - Belgrave Road bridge.

SELBY - Opened during 1904 (probably during April); Closed Friday, 30^th April 1954; Re-opened Saturday, 28^th July 1962.

MENZIES CREEK - Opened Tuesday, 18^th December 1900; Closed Friday, 30^th April 1954; Saturday, Re-opened 28^th July 1962.

CLEMATIS - Opened Monday, 10^th March 1902; Closed Friday, 30^th April 1954; Re-opened Saturday, 31^st July 1965.

EMERALD - Opened Tuesday, 18^th December 1900; Friday, Closed Friday, 30^th April 1954; Re-opened Saturday, 31^st July 1965.

NOBILIUS SIDING - Opened Sunday, 11^th December 1904; Closed Friday, 30^th April 1954; Re-opened Saturday, 18^th October 1975.

NOBILIUS - Opened Monday, 07^th March 1927; Closed Friday, 30^th April 1954; Re-opened Saturday, 18^th October 1975.

LAKESIDE - Opened Tuesday, 18^th January 1944; Closed Friday, 30^th April 1954; Re-opened Saturday, 18^th October 1975.

WRIGHT - Opened Monday, 24^th October 1904; Closed Friday, 30^th April 1954; Re-opened Sunday, 18^th October 1998.

COCKATOO - Opened Tuesday, 18^th December 1900; Closed Friday, 30^th April 1954; Re-opened Sunday, 18^th October 1998.

FIELDER - Opened Monday, 10^th September 1928; Closed Friday, 30^th April 1954; Re-opened Saturday, 19^th April 1997.

GEMBROOK (HERITAGE) - Opened Tuesday, 18^th December 1900; Closed Friday, 30^th April 1954; Re-opened Saturday, 19^th April 1997.

GEMBROOK (TOWN) - Opened Sunday, 18^th October 1998.