Bayswater in the sixties was a briquette distribution siding with a single station and single line to Ringwood with the double line commencing to Boronia. just past the then Scoresby Road level crossing.. As a boy I remember watching the unloading and bagging of the briquettes there I left Bayswater in 1975 so I do not know when the cement industry started there. Also my great uncles first job was to go to the upper Ferntree Gully station every morning and start the fires in the Station and the narrow-Gauge Puffing Billy trains for the days service.... That was back in the late forties. He ended his VR service as Station Master at Glen Waverley.
The little wooden shed at Ferntree Gully station looks like a lamp room where kerosene was stored separately. I remember in 1977 that Mordialloc still used kerosene lamps in signals and I watched this railway official on the signal gantry topping up the lamps.
Lol, train main. Love your work. I grew up with Belgrave my closet station after a bus trip from Cockatoo back in the seventies. Years later lived in Warburton with a bus trip to Lilydale to catch the train. Now living in the suburbs where I had to start commuting to work so I drove to Riversdale on the where the heck is Alamein line… I gotta say it’s the prettiest station ever. Rainbow lorikeets nest in the big eucalyptus at the Prospect Road (Camberwell) end of Platform 1. It’s also got a great little cafe called Platform 1 as well. Anyway, as I said earlier, love your work. Thanks 😊
You are correct that trains running through the intersection of Dorset and Boronia roads would have been dangerous. In fact, the intersection was responsible for countless deaths including 9 people killed there on 2 June 1952. What's most amazing is that trains were still passing through the centre of that same intersection nearly 50 years later.
Glenferrie, my Dad and his Father had a cafe there at the down ramp north side early 50s. Discovered Glenferrie Oval and Hawthorn FC. Then met Mum at the Hawthorn Town Hall dances. Mum and her parents also frequented Glenferrie and are from the Hawthorn area. I love the area, it is a great line. Great work as usual. 🇦🇺
I did work experience at the old Boronia station around 1995 when it was the met. I also have fond memories of travelling on Puffing Billy sitting on the window sill and soot in my eyes! I also was a trainee conductor for Puffing Billy. Upper Fern Tree Gully is also know by the locals as Upper Gully.
When you decide to do a vid on puffing billy make sure you reference a book by Nick Anchen titled "The narrow guage " It will give you a great start on historical info.
In what feels like not that long ago, as a child I traveled on one of the dozens of "Young Sun" "Farewell Puffing Billy" specials from Upper Ferntree Gully to Belgrave. This campaign in the late 1950s by journalists in the Sun News Pictorial (Now the Herald Sun newspaper) was the spark that led to the Puffing Billy line to be preserved as an operating line. The Victorian Railways at the time were surprised that the money from ticket sales very much exceeded the costs of operating the trains. All the trains were packed with passengers. They only stopped running them so they could get on with converting the line to a broad gauge electric suburban service as noted in your vid. I remember my excitement in getting out of a Tait at Upper Gully to walk across the platform to a train that was much more my size, being Puffing Billy. My first trip on Puffing Billy. Some UA-cam fil clips covering some of these early very popular specials of Puffing Billy running out of Upper Gully. Became even more popular by the time of the last one. Possibly one of the dirt platform stops is Tecoma. ua-cam.com/video/wh_kLwyf3EA/v-deo.html ua-cam.com/video/PCCGvlhkB-Q/v-deo.html ua-cam.com/video/9JiD08llDas/v-deo.html ua-cam.com/video/Y6nOgESwy5M/v-deo.html ua-cam.com/video/Nvjt_9yCeVs/v-deo.html I think the last runs were in 1958. At the 1962 reopening from Belgrave they only could travel to Menzies creek until about 1969 or so.
What a great side to Puffing Billy, thank you for sharing this great story! That is amazing to hear that the future of the line relied upon a campaign, and that is was still ever so popular 70 years ago, but how cool and different of an experience it would have been in comparison to today. I find it very hard to imagine Puffing Billy starting at UFG today, must've looked very different! Thanks again :)
@@the_train_man 62 years ago the last narrow gauge trains ran from Upper Ferntree Gully to Belgrave on 23rd February 1958 (so 62 years ago) when seven special trains were run on that day. A useful timeline from Puffing Billy is available here : puffingbilly.com.au/about/history-heritage/ The later 1950s preservation era is when most of the changes happened. Yes, different as recorded in the films from the time on UA-cam.
Both Glenferrie and Auburn stations were originally at street level, with level crossings at Glenferrie and Auburn Roads. Over 30 years later the lines were raised and two new stations built, c. 1915, both to the same design (as you mentioned, both are heritage listed now). Auburn Rd (which gave its name to the station) is said to have been named after Rev Liddiard's nearby home, Auburn Lodge. (Not sure why the good reverend chose that name, but there are Auburns in NSW and SA, as well as in the USA.)
Yep, Belgrave was never intended to be the end of the line. IIRC, it was a push from the Puffing Billy group that got the break of gauge set where it now is.
@@LordPhobos6502 up until the late ‘70s the VR would load an NA onto a flat truck with NG rails on it and send it to Ballarat workshops. You can still see the ramp going up to the end of BG track. I remember a photo of this in the Melbourne Sun in the early ‘70s. In a similar exercise, the Victor Harbour horse drawn trams could be taken away by the SAR for maintenance.
Last time I went to Belgrave was on a Harris set, guess things have changed a lot since then. One of the best scenic train rides in Melbourne was a trip to Lilydale and Belgrave. I still remember my up front cab ride in a Tait set to Lilydale when I was around 10 years old, it was very rural out there back then. Thanks Max, great video and good information.
I lived in Tecoma for a few years, the line between Tecoma and Upwey was sometimes closed because of storms that brought down big trees across the wires and tracks. In 1990 members of the Royal Australian Engineers in the Army Reserve spent their Annual Camp doing Construction work on the Puffing Billy Line, including a new platform at Menzies Creek Go Sappers!
Great work Max. The bike ride between UFTG and Belgrave is awesome. Not sure if you noticed but the current broad gauge track cuts some corners of the original narrow gauge track. Between Upwey and Tecoma you can clearly see where bike track follows the original embankment in two places where it swings away from the current track. It does the same just north of the bridge over Burwood highway closer to UFTG but it's not as clear.
Many memories of the Belgrave line as a kid ! Taking my b.m.x. on the train and getting out at fern tree Gully and riding the bike path to Knox shopping centre ! Not so good memories ? Plain clothes transit police ( vicpol ) and transit patrol ( railways ) giving me a hard time for no reason ! 😨😡😀🇦🇺
I moved from ashburton to Bayswater around 1990. I have a memory that the Camberwell and Bayswater sidings were there. It was the Bayswater maintenance shed that was constructed around mid 1990s
I have travelled on this line a lot over the past 40 years. These days our travels are mostly about this time of the year (MIFF, which isn't on this year). I'm glad you enjoy Tecoma station, it's our local and it does have a magical feel to it. It's coming up to its centenary in a couple of years. I hope it gets a bit of attention around that time. We are very lucky to have this station and it took a lot of work from the folks 'back then' to get it established. There was a timber mill close by so I suppose that helped. I learned a lot about our line from your video. Well done and thank you. Terry and Dianne.
Thank you Terry and Dianne, great to hear you enjoyed! Shame to hear about the Film Festival, I would love to go one day. Interesting to hear about the work needed to have an incredible Tecoma station today, I am very, very grateful for those folks. Thanks again :)
@@the_train_man I'm sure i will enjoy many more in the future max. You do a TOP job young man i thoroughly enjoy them. If i didn't find your channel i wouldn't know the info about vic railways that you share with us.. Thank you Max.. 👍🏻
You do a great job and have great content! Could you please do something on Sydney like a comparison between Melbourne Metro and the Sydney rail network.
Belgrave line was my fav, bayswater was my base station in 70’s and 80’s, theres nothing resembling and history now. The dodgy boronia rd / dorset rd at boronia crossing has claimed many lives over the decades, the underpass was talked about for decades to before they made it happen, the old intersection was dreadful for traffic , one could celebrate 2 birthdays waiting go thru.
Hey mate, a little bit late into the video this time, but loved it as usual! It’s a pretty interesting one the Belgrave line. As you think too, Tecoma is an awesome station. Single platform, and I’d say almost definitely, as you said, the most beautiful on the network! Another ripper vid mate!
Thank you Ben, glad you loved another video! I definitely think Tecoma is the most beautiful station, so picturesque and relaxing whilst you are there! Loving the insta content btw, might 'borrow' some of your fantasy lines for a video!
We are soon to lose both Surry Hills and Mont Albert Stations. It would be awesome to see you look into the history of both stations and your thoughts on the proposed upgrade.
Cracking video Train Man! I'm a regular visitor to Tecoma, and agree that it is one of Melbourne's most picturesque and peaceful stations. My brother helped construct the Puffing Billy extension between Cockatoo and Gembrook in '98. During that time we lived in Monbulk, which is another magical part of the outer east. I'm sure you may already be aware of this and will probably plug it in another video, but at Mont Albert station there is a store called the "Train Fan Shop". Be sure to check it out if you haven't already. Cheers. Love your work.
Thanks again! Grear to hear of your close connection to Puffing Billy's rejuvenation, can't wait to visit all of those stations and suburbs on the line (I have visited Monbulk a few time for walks, gorgeous place). I must mention the Rail Fan shop in next week's Lilydale video, I can't believe I forgot to film it when I was there :(, it stand out at the station as well! Thanks for the reminder!
@@the_train_man - Yes, "Rail" Fan shop. My apologies. It's run by volunteers so it's likely shut right now. But hopefully it can keep operating in the future. That whole stretch from East Camberwell to Mont Albert is by far my favourite stretch of Melbourne suburbia. Especially the throw back artwork around Surrey Hills and Canterbury stations.
The narrow gauge line used to run right up to the broad gauge line on the south side of the platform where there was a loading dock for NA locos to be loaded onto wagons for transfer to Newport workshops.
During the 1997 bushfire, the paint on the Melbourne end and Burwood Highway side of Tecoma Station was badly scorched and blistered, showing just how close that it was to getting lost in that blaze.
Don't know why or how people can give you a thumbs down, don't get put off by them they just can't appreciate I guess. Another great video, must be nearly running out of suburban lines
Nearly half of the suburban lines done, nearly time to move to V-Line! Not too sure why there was 7 dislikes before, but seems to be fixed now, thank for your concern :)
Thank you, glad you liked it. I love adding historic photos, hopefully I will add more on the future! I do research my videos for a very long time, but that makes content better!
My grand father once drove Puffing Billy because the driver got drunk at the top of the line while waiting between up and back trips. My grandfather had held an engine drivers ticket in new zealand and was the only sort of qualified person in the area. He was driven by car up to the top station which was a notable event at the time and successfully got the train back down the hill and saved the day for all..
how long ago was that? years ago, our dad took us there. he knew the driver.(my dad drove steam and electric trains too). we were sitting in the carriages and dad said the driver wasn't very good. "you have to be smooth or things break". anyway, a couple of kilometres from belgrave the carriages stopped after running over the coupling knuckle. he'd pulled the knuckle out of the first car and we had to walk back to belgrave.
@@markwng ,i'd believe it! my dad was proof that working on steam engines leads to big thirsts. back in the 30's my dad lived in newport. he was at the footy and there weren't enough players for willy firsts so a bloke came over to the crowd and asked if anyone was willing to put a jersey on. so dad played a match for willy. that is another example of do what you have to to get the job done.
Ah the time I've spent on that line over the years. Memories of Box Hill at ground level and Blackburn with hand operated gates. The old red rattlers I used to take to school (Blackburn to Glenferrie) in the early sixties. Just one thing though - why do you sometimes mirror your footage (left to right)? Inquiring minds need to know!
Years ago it was possible to push a NG vehicle onto a BG transfer flat top with NG rails on it. Thus the VR could convey the NA locos to Ballarat workshops for maintenance. You can see where the NG tracks went to the end of the BG line.
5:14 A Siamese train! A swing door train and a Tait train are connected together in one train. First time I have ever seen it. And it helps you tell the difference between them.
A video to the Max in entertainment. He He. Just one point about Upper Gully where the narrow gauge began. The Gembrook line was on the other side of the single Upper Gully platform to the broad gauge such that the apple and potato cargoes could be easily transferred from one train to another. Cheers, Dean
Thanks again Dean, I did like your play on words, very nice ha! I have seen photos of the old UFG where the narrow and broad gauges meet, fascinating how they unloaded produce from train to train.
Good vid! your going strong and it has history with it! You asked about Auburn! It was originally called Red Gum Flat. If you look at Victorian Places website and put in Auburn it will give you the info you want and for most place names in Vic. Keep safe!
Thanks Graeme, happy to hear you continue to like the videos! I had a look after the upload, and did see the Victorian Places website, iy is very handy! Thanks again :)
Loved the video mate, had no idea that the official name of Ferntree was Fern Tree, that's disgusting 🤮 Belgrave station is hands down my favourite station in Melbourne. There's just something very retro about it, like it's from a previous era, and I love the idea of going from the modern, 21st century Southern Cross, down to Belgrave which looks like it belongs to the 70s or 80s, and then onto Puffing Billy which takes us right back to the beginning of Melbourne. It's almost like a journey back in time.
Railways had been established in Melbourne for 46 years before Puffing Billy. Starting with The Port Melbourne line the suburban network had grown so much before Puffing Billy that virtually every current line existed before Puffing Billy. Run with much older designs of trains.
I lived right between upwey and Tecoma station ! Never did work out which was closer ! When I left the area the average four bedroom brick house on a good size of land was worth $140,000.
Great video. Looking forward to the lilydale line video next week. After the Melbourne lockdown what train line are hoping to do a video on? Keep up the good work! 😊
At UFTGully station the narrow gauge buffer stop could be seen, it looked like a small triangle. Not sure if it's still there or built over with the BG sidings.
@@the_train_man Well I went there when my parents lived in Cheltenham, but they've since passed away and i'm now in the UK. Maybe one day I will get back :) Yeah it was amazing :)
As I breifly mentioned at the end, I had some help from Michael Sainsbery, visit the links in the description and type in the key words! Glad you like another video :)
Great vid, many things i didnt know, may I ask how old you are you look around 15 or 16 im around that age if you dont feel like saying i completly understand lol, anyways thats not the point. Thanks for going out of your way to make this great content and physicaly going to these stations in person, again stay safe man
Great to hear from you again, if you check out my Q and A, I say that I am 16 years old! I appreciate the kind words, I love going out and filming videos, but when the audience loves it too, it drives me, thanks!
If the landslide never happened, apparently the broad guage electrification would have went all the way to Emerald and there would be no Puffing Billy.
For real? That would be amazing, thank you for such a kind offer. After Lock Downs, I would love that! How should I message you? Also, would I be able to film, or not (if not, that's fine)? Thanks so much!
8:55 This might be random unrelated trivia about Ferntree Gully station, there is an animation movie that bears a similar name called “FernGully - The last rainforest”. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FernGully:_The_Last_Rainforest
It may be too small for a video, but this link is a great representation of the crossing's story dvn61.blogspot.com/2013/07/crossing-line-boronias-forgotten-killer.html thanks!
The House Train channel has a great vid of the drivers view of this line from Belgrave to Ringwood. Recorded just a few years ago fro driver training puposes : ua-cam.com/video/LH0LzZ34zwE/v-deo.html Lots of other lines covered too. A further addition to your good overview here for those wanting more on this line.
Some of the stations have 3 platforms, but after a certain point, the lines can hold the patronage with only two platforms. The Frankston, Pakenham etc. Lines need them because of their big patronage!
Please excuse the outro, made a little mistake, hope you enjoyed!
Next week, watch out next Sunday at 5pm!
Good stuff, another interesting video about our beautiful city... cheers!
@@the_train_man Cant wait! if have mernda clips plz upload it?
@@thiessgarbo2006 I don't I'm afraid, hopefully I can get out in a month though!
Have you done a Hurstbridge one yet????
It's a good show young fulla. Keep it up. Maitland, N.S.W.
Good stuff train man!
Bayswater in the sixties was a briquette distribution siding with a single station and single line to Ringwood with the double line commencing to Boronia. just past the then Scoresby Road level crossing.. As a boy I remember watching the unloading and bagging of the briquettes there I left Bayswater in 1975 so I do not know when the cement industry started there. Also my great uncles first job was to go to the upper Ferntree Gully station every morning and start the fires in the Station and the narrow-Gauge Puffing Billy trains for the days service.... That was back in the late forties. He ended his VR service as Station Master at Glen Waverley.
Everyone is a winner! Well done fellas!!
The little wooden shed at Ferntree Gully station looks like a lamp room where kerosene was stored separately. I remember in 1977 that Mordialloc still used kerosene lamps in signals and I watched this railway official on the signal gantry topping up the lamps.
Lol, train main. Love your work. I grew up with Belgrave my closet station after a bus trip from Cockatoo back in the seventies. Years later lived in Warburton with a bus trip to Lilydale to catch the train. Now living in the suburbs where I had to start commuting to work so I drove to Riversdale on the where the heck is Alamein line… I gotta say it’s the prettiest station ever. Rainbow lorikeets nest in the big eucalyptus at the Prospect Road (Camberwell) end of Platform 1. It’s also got a great little cafe called Platform 1 as well. Anyway, as I said earlier, love your work. Thanks 😊
I love your passion mate - come back and make some more vids - I've only recently caught up with them all.
You are correct that trains running through the intersection of Dorset and Boronia roads would have been dangerous. In fact, the intersection was responsible for countless deaths including 9 people killed there on 2 June 1952. What's most amazing is that trains were still passing through the centre of that same intersection nearly 50 years later.
Should see what you can research and do a video on the old bellarine peninsula line From Geelong to Queenscliffe
So much information, excellent. Another fantastic video. Thank you.
Glenferrie, my Dad and his Father had a cafe there at the down ramp north side early 50s. Discovered Glenferrie Oval and Hawthorn FC. Then met Mum at the Hawthorn Town Hall dances. Mum and her parents also frequented Glenferrie and are from the Hawthorn area. I love the area, it is a great line. Great work as usual. 🇦🇺
I did work experience at the old Boronia station around 1995 when it was the met. I also have fond memories of travelling on Puffing Billy sitting on the window sill and soot in my eyes!
I also was a trainee conductor for Puffing Billy.
Upper Fern Tree Gully is also know by the locals as Upper Gully.
When you decide to do a vid on puffing billy make sure you reference a book by Nick Anchen titled "The narrow guage " It will give you a great start on historical info.
Great Information On The Belgrave Railway Line Fascinating Information On The Stations And Origin Of The Names!😀🚇🛤️
Not for Bayswater.
In what feels like not that long ago, as a child I traveled on one of the dozens of "Young Sun" "Farewell Puffing Billy" specials from Upper Ferntree Gully to Belgrave. This campaign in the late 1950s by journalists in the Sun News Pictorial (Now the Herald Sun newspaper) was the spark that led to the Puffing Billy line to be preserved as an operating line. The Victorian Railways at the time were surprised that the money from ticket sales very much exceeded the costs of operating the trains. All the trains were packed with passengers. They only stopped running them so they could get on with converting the line to a broad gauge electric suburban service as noted in your vid.
I remember my excitement in getting out of a Tait at Upper Gully to walk across the platform to a train that was much more my size, being Puffing Billy. My first trip on Puffing Billy.
Some UA-cam fil clips covering some of these early very popular specials of Puffing Billy running out of Upper Gully. Became even more popular by the time of the last one.
Possibly one of the dirt platform stops is Tecoma.
ua-cam.com/video/wh_kLwyf3EA/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/PCCGvlhkB-Q/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/9JiD08llDas/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/Y6nOgESwy5M/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/Nvjt_9yCeVs/v-deo.html
I think the last runs were in 1958. At the 1962 reopening from Belgrave they only could travel to Menzies creek until about 1969 or so.
What a great side to Puffing Billy, thank you for sharing this great story!
That is amazing to hear that the future of the line relied upon a campaign, and that is was still ever so popular 70 years ago, but how cool and different of an experience it would have been in comparison to today. I find it very hard to imagine Puffing Billy starting at UFG today, must've looked very different! Thanks again :)
@@the_train_man 62 years ago the last narrow gauge trains ran from Upper Ferntree Gully to Belgrave on 23rd February 1958 (so 62 years ago) when seven special trains were run on that day. A useful timeline from Puffing Billy is available here :
puffingbilly.com.au/about/history-heritage/
The later 1950s preservation era is when most of the changes happened.
Yes, different as recorded in the films from the time on UA-cam.
Splendid work as usual TrainMan !
Keen as for the Puffing Billy Vid !
Thank you again Mick, I am keen to visit it again, and make a good video, hopefully!
Both Glenferrie and Auburn stations were originally at street level, with level crossings at Glenferrie and Auburn Roads. Over 30 years later the lines were raised and two new stations built, c. 1915, both to the same design (as you mentioned, both are heritage listed now). Auburn Rd (which gave its name to the station) is said to have been named after Rev Liddiard's nearby home, Auburn Lodge. (Not sure why the good reverend chose that name, but there are Auburns in NSW and SA, as well as in the USA.)
Awesome video mate I always enjoy watching your content as it is interesting and informative so thanks.
Thank you for the kind words, I am very happy to hear you find the content interesting and informative, that is my goal!
Great work again Train Man, I always look forward to Sunday
Glad to hear that Adam, hopefully I can premiere the videos earlier for more people!
Belgrave station is an island platform, unusual for a terminal station. The plan was to extend the BG to Emerald.
Yep, Belgrave was never intended to be the end of the line.
IIRC, it was a push from the Puffing Billy group that got the break of gauge set where it now is.
@@LordPhobos6502 up until the late ‘70s the VR would load an NA onto a flat truck with NG rails on it and send it to Ballarat workshops. You can still see the ramp going up to the end of BG track. I remember a photo of this in the Melbourne Sun in the early ‘70s.
In a similar exercise, the Victor Harbour horse drawn trams could be taken away by the SAR for maintenance.
Great video, I enjoyed watching it....the history of the Melbourne railway is amazing...keep up the good work....
Thank you Robert, I appreciate the support, glad you liked it :)
Last time I went to Belgrave was on a Harris set, guess things have changed a lot since then. One of the best scenic train rides in Melbourne was a trip to Lilydale and Belgrave. I still remember my up front cab ride in a Tait set to Lilydale when I was around 10 years old, it was very rural out there back then. Thanks Max, great video and good information.
I lived in Tecoma for a few years, the line between Tecoma and Upwey was sometimes closed because of storms that brought down big trees across the wires and tracks. In 1990 members of the Royal Australian Engineers in the Army Reserve spent their Annual Camp doing Construction work on the Puffing Billy Line, including a new platform at Menzies Creek
Go Sappers!
Great, entertaining production, Max!
Train Man does it again! Thanks Train Man that was a really good watch. I'm gonna eat my lunch at Tacoma station.
Yet another great video from you, thanks.
Stay safe during this time of health crisis.
Thank you for your concern Stephen, I am staying at home other than school, all videos upcoming have been filmed before Lock downs!
The Train Man , good to hear.
Great work Max. The bike ride between UFTG and Belgrave is awesome. Not sure if you noticed but the current broad gauge track cuts some corners of the original narrow gauge track. Between Upwey and Tecoma you can clearly see where bike track follows the original embankment in two places where it swings away from the current track. It does the same just north of the bridge over Burwood highway closer to UFTG but it's not as clear.
Great job as always. Thoroughly enjoyed
Interesting and informative as always! I worked in the railways a number of years ago, and first started at Hawthorn!
That is really cool Peter, very jealous! P.S I have seen your email, will respond soon!
Another great video, Max! From first-hand experience I can say that the Puffing Billy silver service evening train is something worth experiencing.
Glad you liked another video Ian, hopefully I can experience the silver service for my Puffing Billy video!
WOO HOO !!!!!!!!!!! I grew up and went to school in Auburn .......................................................................... NSW :P
haha neet
Nice one haha, glad you enjoyed!
Many memories of the Belgrave line as a kid ! Taking my b.m.x. on the train and getting out at fern tree Gully and riding the bike path to Knox shopping centre ! Not so good memories ? Plain clothes transit police ( vicpol ) and transit patrol ( railways ) giving me a hard time for no reason ! 😨😡😀🇦🇺
I moved from ashburton to Bayswater around 1990. I have a memory that the Camberwell and Bayswater sidings were there. It was the Bayswater maintenance shed that was constructed around mid 1990s
I have travelled on this line a lot over the past 40 years. These days our travels are mostly about this time of the year (MIFF, which isn't on this year). I'm glad you enjoy Tecoma station, it's our local and it does have a magical feel to it. It's coming up to its centenary in a couple of years. I hope it gets a bit of attention around that time. We are very lucky to have this station and it took a lot of work from the folks 'back then' to get it established. There was a timber mill close by so I suppose that helped. I learned a lot about our line from your video. Well done and thank you. Terry and Dianne.
Thank you Terry and Dianne, great to hear you enjoyed! Shame to hear about the Film Festival, I would love to go one day.
Interesting to hear about the work needed to have an incredible Tecoma station today, I am very, very grateful for those folks. Thanks again :)
Good stuff Max plenty of information, well put together another gem..
Thank you John, glad you think that! Hopefully you enjoy many more videos in the future :)
@@the_train_man I'm sure i will enjoy many more in the future max. You do a TOP job young man i thoroughly enjoy them. If i didn't find your channel i wouldn't know the info about vic railways that you share with us..
Thank you Max.. 👍🏻
You do a great job and have great content! Could you please do something on Sydney like a comparison between Melbourne Metro and the Sydney rail network.
Good suggestion! One day, I hope to travel to Sydney and visit all of it's lines! Maybe a comparison is a good Quarantine Video!
Belgrave line was my fav, bayswater was my base station in 70’s and 80’s, theres nothing resembling and history now.
The dodgy boronia rd / dorset rd at boronia crossing has claimed many lives over the decades, the underpass was talked about for decades to before they made it happen, the old intersection was dreadful for traffic , one could celebrate 2 birthdays waiting go thru.
Hey mate, a little bit late into the video this time, but loved it as usual! It’s a pretty interesting one the Belgrave line. As you think too, Tecoma is an awesome station. Single platform, and I’d say almost definitely, as you said, the most beautiful on the network! Another ripper vid mate!
Thank you Ben, glad you loved another video!
I definitely think Tecoma is the most beautiful station, so picturesque and relaxing whilst you are there!
Loving the insta content btw, might 'borrow' some of your fantasy lines for a video!
We are soon to lose both Surry Hills and Mont Albert Stations. It would be awesome to see you look into the history of both stations and your thoughts on the proposed upgrade.
Its a nessesary upgrade, but yes, it will particulary by said to see the Mont Albert station go.
Surrey Hills 🙂
Well done, your videos are very informative.
quick one, Upfield only has one platform, along with Altona, Seaholme, some on the Stony Point line , Williamstown and Alamein iirc.
Cracking video Train Man! I'm a regular visitor to Tecoma, and agree that it is one of Melbourne's most picturesque and peaceful stations. My brother helped construct the Puffing Billy extension between Cockatoo and Gembrook in '98. During that time we lived in Monbulk, which is another magical part of the outer east.
I'm sure you may already be aware of this and will probably plug it in another video, but at Mont Albert station there is a store called the "Train Fan Shop". Be sure to check it out if you haven't already.
Cheers. Love your work.
Thanks again! Grear to hear of your close connection to Puffing Billy's rejuvenation, can't wait to visit all of those stations and suburbs on the line (I have visited Monbulk a few time for walks, gorgeous place).
I must mention the Rail Fan shop in next week's Lilydale video, I can't believe I forgot to film it when I was there :(, it stand out at the station as well! Thanks for the reminder!
@@the_train_man - Yes, "Rail" Fan shop. My apologies. It's run by volunteers so it's likely shut right now. But hopefully it can keep operating in the future.
That whole stretch from East Camberwell to Mont Albert is by far my favourite stretch of Melbourne suburbia. Especially the throw back artwork around Surrey Hills and Canterbury stations.
The narrow gauge line used to run right up to the broad gauge line on the south side of the platform where there was a loading dock for NA locos to be loaded onto wagons for transfer to Newport workshops.
Good job. Still a few stumbles but nothing to panic about.
Thanks John, sometimes I keep the stumbles in because it's funny, or I'm just a little tired from all day film sessions haha
During the 1997 bushfire, the paint on the Melbourne end and Burwood Highway side of Tecoma Station was badly scorched and blistered, showing just how close that it was to getting lost in that blaze.
Wow, that is scary close, I am very happy to hear it survived though!
Don't know why or how people can give you a thumbs down, don't get put off by them they just can't appreciate I guess. Another great video, must be nearly running out of suburban lines
Nearly half of the suburban lines done, nearly time to move to V-Line! Not too sure why there was 7 dislikes before, but seems to be fixed now, thank for your concern :)
Well done on your videos
Amazing vid, this is one of the two local lines to me. My local station is Blackburn
Great to hear you enjoyed :)
love your videos, thanks for the content!
No problem, great to hear you are enjoying :)
Great video! Enjoyed it and learned a lot!👍👍
Thanks a lot! Great to hear you enjoyed again!
Quite a good video. Seemed a lot of research must’ve gone into making this video. And some good old photos were included :)
Thank you, glad you liked it. I love adding historic photos, hopefully I will add more on the future! I do research my videos for a very long time, but that makes content better!
My grand father once drove Puffing Billy because the driver got drunk at the top of the line while waiting between up and back trips. My grandfather had held an engine drivers ticket in new zealand and was the only sort of qualified person in the area. He was driven by car up to the top station which was a notable event at the time and successfully got the train back down the hill and saved the day for all..
how long ago was that? years ago, our dad took us there. he knew the driver.(my dad drove steam and electric trains too). we were sitting in the carriages and dad said the driver wasn't very good. "you have to be smooth or things break". anyway, a couple of kilometres from belgrave the carriages stopped after running over the coupling knuckle. he'd pulled the knuckle out of the first car and we had to walk back to belgrave.
@@vsvnrg3263 It all gets a bit sketchy with the age of mother but the 30s would be the general time frame.
@@markwng ,i'd believe it! my dad was proof that working on steam engines leads to big thirsts. back in the 30's my dad lived in newport. he was at the footy and there weren't enough players for willy firsts so a bloke came over to the crowd and asked if anyone was willing to put a jersey on. so dad played a match for willy. that is another example of do what you have to to get the job done.
What a great story Mark, not sure how a driver got drunk on the job, that's pretty impressive! Thank you for sharing
@@vsvnrg3263 Just one more silly connection, I lived in River st Newport in 1989
Another very interesting video. My uncle Sandy Rocket drove the first blue Harris train to Belgrave.
Thank you Graeme, that must have been a pretty cool experience for your uncle, I am extremely jealous! P.S I will reply to your email soon!
Ah the time I've spent on that line over the years. Memories of Box Hill at ground level and Blackburn with hand operated gates. The old red rattlers I used to take to school (Blackburn to Glenferrie) in the early sixties. Just one thing though - why do you sometimes mirror your footage (left to right)? Inquiring minds need to know!
Rafters had the fuel and farm store. The GY goods wagons in Blackburn yard with briquettes and Mallee roots for home heating.
Years ago it was possible to push a NG vehicle onto a BG transfer flat top with NG rails on it. Thus the VR could convey the NA locos to Ballarat workshops for maintenance. You can see where the NG tracks went to the end of the BG line.
5:14 A Siamese train! A swing door train and a Tait train are connected together in one train. First time I have ever seen it. And it helps you tell the difference between them.
Was common on Altona to Newport shuttles into the early seventies. Glad I experienced the doggies when I had the choice.
A video to the Max in entertainment. He He. Just one point about Upper Gully where the narrow gauge began. The Gembrook line was on the other side of the single Upper Gully platform to the broad gauge such that the apple and potato cargoes could be easily transferred from one train to another. Cheers, Dean
Thanks again Dean, I did like your play on words, very nice ha! I have seen photos of the old UFG where the narrow and broad gauges meet, fascinating how they unloaded produce from train to train.
Good vid! your going strong and it has history with it!
You asked about Auburn! It was originally called Red Gum Flat.
If you look at Victorian Places website and put in Auburn it will give you the info
you want and for most place names in Vic. Keep safe!
Thanks Graeme, happy to hear you continue to like the videos!
I had a look after the upload, and did see the Victorian Places website, iy is very handy! Thanks again :)
The VicRoads building on the Kew station site is derelict, I suggested that a new station be built rather than “luxury appartments”.
Loved the video mate, had no idea that the official name of Ferntree was Fern Tree, that's disgusting 🤮
Belgrave station is hands down my favourite station in Melbourne. There's just something very retro about it, like it's from a previous era, and I love the idea of going from the modern, 21st century Southern Cross, down to Belgrave which looks like it belongs to the 70s or 80s, and then onto Puffing Billy which takes us right back to the beginning of Melbourne. It's almost like a journey back in time.
I was appalled to see old maps saying Fern Tree as well
Railways had been established in Melbourne for 46 years before Puffing Billy. Starting with The Port Melbourne line the suburban network had grown so much before Puffing Billy that virtually every current line existed before Puffing Billy. Run with much older designs of trains.
Interesting. Thanks. Used to live near Tecoma station.
Glad you liked it! Tecoma is very pretty, and so quiet!
I lived right between upwey and Tecoma station ! Never did work out which was closer ! When I left the area the average four bedroom brick house on a good size of land was worth $140,000.
Great video. Looking forward to the lilydale line video next week. After the Melbourne lockdown what train line are hoping to do a video on? Keep up the good work! 😊
Thanks again Tahlia, after Lock downs, I think I will head to Werribee and Sunbury, not sure after that though! Look out next Sunday for Lilydale!
@@the_train_man I am really looking forward to that!!
Oh dam I missed the premiere.
Anyways great video as always
Sorry, the premiere was short notice, and quite late!
Next time, I will premiere with lots of notice!
The Train Man ok
Love the video mate 👍
Thank you! Happy to hear that!
Nice one again I enjoyed this a lot! What video will you do next?
Lilydale Line next, which will complete the stations I missed in this video.
Great to hear you enjoyed, thanks for the support :)
It’s ok I enjoyed all of your videos that you have made
Hi just found your channel that was really interesting i have subbed.
Thank you very much! Glad you found the channel interesting :)
Cool video train man
Thanks again Jake, great to hear from you again!
At UFTGully station the narrow gauge buffer stop could be seen, it looked like a small triangle. Not sure if it's still there or built over with the BG sidings.
Great video
Thanks! Glad to hear that :)
Can’t wait for the puffing billy vid! Once lockdown is over 🙄
Me too, I'm excited thinking about it now!
The Train Man I used to live in emerald right next to the line and now in Belgrave at the end of the line, it’s just spectacular
eyy hometown menzies creeks cops a mention. sweet video
Thank you! Had to add good old Menzies Creek, it will feature more when I do Puffing Billy!
If you do the Lilydale line next I might be able to see you as you haven’t done Blackburn station yet
Ah, I would love to, but I have already filmed the station, I filmed before quarantine :(. Definitely another time
Nice job Train Man
Thanks again Alex, you've been here since the start!
The NG buffer stop at UFT Gully is still there.
Great video, Train Man! Lots of really interesting detail.
You could become the iMinister for Transport.
Why not haha, I might one day, would love to
Belgrave station is a great place to wake up still drunk wondering where the fuck am I.
Last time I went on Puffing Billy was back in 1995! :)
Wow, why haven't you been back?! Haha, hope you enjoyed :)
@@the_train_man Well I went there when my parents lived in Cheltenham, but they've since passed away and i'm now in the UK. Maybe one day I will get back :) Yeah it was amazing :)
Wow, sorry to hear about your parents, and I can now understand why you haven't been on it, hopefully you get to experience it one more time, one day!
Its so damn overpriced now and not by a little but way over priced.
well done :)
Thank you Rachel!
Awesome video, I also love Tecoma! Also I was wondering, where do you get all your historic photos from?
As I breifly mentioned at the end, I had some help from Michael Sainsbery, visit the links in the description and type in the key words! Glad you like another video :)
@@the_train_man I'll check them out!
Upwey and Tecoma 🙂
Great vid, many things i didnt know, may I ask how old you are you look around 15 or 16 im around that age if you dont feel like saying i completly understand lol, anyways thats not the point. Thanks for going out of your way to make this great content and physicaly going to these stations in person, again stay safe man
Great to hear from you again, if you check out my Q and A, I say that I am 16 years old!
I appreciate the kind words, I love going out and filming videos, but when the audience loves it too, it drives me, thanks!
The Train Man alright i had a feeling you have said before but didnt really know for sure thanks again
If the landslide never happened, apparently the broad guage electrification would have went all the way to Emerald and there would be no Puffing Billy.
Wow, that is an interesting though, Imagine!
Maybe the landslide was staged🤔
Wrong Lower Ferntree Gully first named Cementry and had the possibility of originaly been named Scorsby.
Apologies for the lack of information there, didn't know about that 😯
Love the video. Message me and I can give you a tour of steamrail.
For real? That would be amazing, thank you for such a kind offer. After Lock Downs, I would love that!
How should I message you? Also, would I be able to film, or not (if not, that's fine)? Thanks so much!
its pronounced boznia by the locals lmao, argh but my home, great video
Nice Video!
Thank you! Glad you liked it :)
8:55 This might be random unrelated trivia about Ferntree Gully station, there is an animation movie that bears a similar name called “FernGully - The last rainforest”. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FernGully:_The_Last_Rainforest
Very interesting, I has no idea, there may a connection between them, not too sure though, good pickup!
i love your video and can you stop ricking your live and i live in Hume and Whittlesea city's and yay i an in covid19 hot spots
the station is mount waverley in the outro
Correct! Well done haha
There is a big gap at auburn between the train and the platform
Is that little building a disused crossing master's hut?
Well i would like to know more about the boronia-dorset road level crossing
It may be too small for a video, but this link is a great representation of the crossing's story dvn61.blogspot.com/2013/07/crossing-line-boronias-forgotten-killer.html thanks!
Did you know Upper Fentree Gully opened in 16000 years from now?
That seems a long time ago, I would be quite surprised if that was the case haha
Yyyyyeeeeeeeeee boi
Hi max’s it’s been awhile since I met you
The House Train channel has a great vid of the drivers view of this line from Belgrave to Ringwood. Recorded just a few years ago fro driver training puposes :
ua-cam.com/video/LH0LzZ34zwE/v-deo.html
Lots of other lines covered too. A further addition to your good overview here for those wanting more on this line.
I do watch many of The House Train's videos, they are great! This one came up last week, such a cool perspective!
i have notist most of the station have 3 platform but why not for Warburton and belgrave and Lilydale and alime
Some of the stations have 3 platforms, but after a certain point, the lines can hold the patronage with only two platforms. The Frankston, Pakenham etc. Lines need them because of their big patronage!
Me like Ballarat line and Geelong line and bendingo line tram vline and Echuca line
Those are some great lines, hopefully you see me do videos on them in the future!
4:05 Auburn Rd?