Essendon railway station facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Essendon
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PTV commuter and regional rail station | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() Southbound view from Platform 2,
September 2018 |
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Location | Russell Street, Essendon, Victoria 3040 City of Moonee Valley Australia |
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Coordinates | 37°45′22″S 144°54′58″E / 37.7560°S 144.9161°E | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Owned by | VicTrack | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operated by | Metro Trains V/Line |
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Line(s) |
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Distance | 8.01 kilometres from Southern Cross |
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Platforms | 3 (1 side, 1 island) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tracks | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Connections |
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Construction | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Structure type | Ground | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Parking | 499 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bicycle facilities | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Status | Operational, premium station | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Station code | ESD | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fare zone | Myki Zone 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Website | Public Transport Victoria | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
History | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Opened | 1 November 1860 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Closed | 1 July 1864 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rebuilt | 9 October 1871 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Electrified | May 1919 (1500 V DC overhead) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Traffic | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Passengers (2018–2019) | 1,480,050 ![]() |
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Passengers (2019–2020) | 1,298,700 ![]() |
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Passengers (2020–2021) | 579,150 ![]() |
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Passengers (2021–2022) | 723,050 ![]() |
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Passengers (2022–2023) | 1,160,200 ![]() |
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Passengers (2023–2024) | 1,312,800 ![]() |
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Services | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Essendon railway station is a busy train station in the northern suburb of Essendon, Melbourne, Australia. It's part of both the local Craigieburn line and the longer-distance Seymour line. This station is a "premium station," which means it offers more services and facilities for passengers.
The station is at ground level and has three platforms. There's one side platform and one island platform with two sides for trains. Essendon station first opened on November 1, 1860. The station you see today was built in 1871.
Contents
History of Essendon Station
Essendon station first opened its doors on November 1, 1860. It was the end of the line for a private railway company called the Melbourne and Essendon Railway Company.
However, the station closed down on July 1, 1864. It reopened a few years later, on October 9, 1871, but this time it was owned by the government. In 1872, the railway line was extended further north. The station, like the suburb, was named after a place called Essendon in England.
Station Upgrades Over Time
In 1878, a brand new station was built. It had a single platform where the current island platform is now. Later, in 1886, underground walkways (subways) and footbridges were added. This was also when the island platform got its current design.
Around the same time, a special bridge was built for the railway over Mount Alexander Road. This was one of the first projects to separate train tracks from roads in Victoria, making it safer. In 1909, the station buildings you see today were constructed. A middle track was also added between Platforms 1 and 2.
Electric Trains Arrive
In May 1919, electric train services started running between the city and Essendon. The electric lines were extended to Broadmeadows in 1921. For many years, most local trains ended their journey at Essendon. A shuttle train then took people further north until 1925. Full-day services to Broadmeadows only began in 1941.
Modern Changes and Safety
In 1969, the station got its current layout. The middle track was removed, and the old signal box (which controlled train movements) was closed. New automatic signals were put in place along the line. The old railway gates at Buckley Street were replaced with modern boom barriers, which are much safer. A control panel for signals was also placed inside the station office that year.
In 1987, trains stopped being stored overnight at Essendon. The overhead electric wires for these storage tracks were removed in 1988. Some old side tracks near Rose Street were also taken away.
On August 16, 1996, Essendon was officially made a "premium station." This means it has more staff and services available for passengers. In June 2014, the signal control panel was removed as train operations became more automated.
Buckley Street Level Crossing Removal
On September 20, 2016, the Victorian State Government announced a big project. They planned to remove the level crossing at Buckley Street. This is where the road crossed the train tracks at the same level. Construction started in 2018. The level crossing was removed, and Buckley Street reopened on September 28, 2018. Now, Buckley Street goes under the railway line in a special trench. This makes the area much safer and helps traffic flow better.
There were plans to upgrade the station for the Melbourne Metro Rail Tunnel project, which opened in 2025. These upgrades would have allowed more trains to start their journeys at Essendon. However, these specific plans were later removed from the project.
Platforms and Train Services
Essendon station has three platforms for trains.
- Platform 1 is a side platform.
- Platforms 2 and 3 are part of an island platform.
Platform 1 is mainly used by V/Line trains to pass local Metro Trains services. It's also used when shorter, three-car trains end their journey here, as it's not long enough for a full six-car train.
The station serves trains on the Craigieburn line and some V/Line Seymour line services.
Train Services from Each Platform
- Platform 1:
- This platform is mostly a Passing loop for V/Line trains. It's also used by shorter passenger trains during big disruptions.
- Platform 2:
- Craigieburn line All local trains heading to Flinders Street in the city.
- <span style="background-color:#Lua error: expandTemplate: template "V/Line color" does not exist.; border:1px solid #Lua error: expandTemplate: template "V/Line color" does not exist.;"> Seymour line Three V/Line services on weekday mornings go to Southern Cross. Passengers can only get off here.
- <span style="background-color:#Lua error: expandTemplate: template "V/Line color" does not exist.; border:1px solid #Lua error: expandTemplate: template "V/Line color" does not exist.;"> Shepparton line One V/Line service on weekday mornings goes to Southern Cross. Passengers can only get off here.
- Platform 3:
- Craigieburn line All local trains heading to Craigieburn.
- <span style="background-color:#Lua error: expandTemplate: template "V/Line color" does not exist.; border:1px solid #Lua error: expandTemplate: template "V/Line color" does not exist.;"> Seymour line Four V/Line services on weekday evenings go to Seymour. Passengers can only get on here.
- <span style="background-color:#Lua error: expandTemplate: template "V/Line color" does not exist.; border:1px solid #Lua error: expandTemplate: template "V/Line color" does not exist.;"> Shepparton line One V/Line service on weekday evenings goes to Shepparton. Passengers can only get on here.
Getting Around: Transport Links
Essendon station is a hub for many different ways to travel.
Bus Routes
Ten different bus routes stop at Essendon station. These buses are run by different companies under contract to Public Transport Victoria.
- 465 : Travels to Keilor Park.
- 468 : Travels to Highpoint Shopping Centre.
- 469 : Travels between Moonee Ponds Junction and Keilor East.
- 476 : Travels between Watergardens station and Moonee Ponds Junction.
- 477 : Travels between Moonee Ponds Junction and Broadmeadows station.
- 483 : Travels between Sunbury station and Moonee Ponds Junction.
- 503 : Travels to Brunswick East.
- 510 : Travels to Ivanhoe station.
- SmartBus 903 : Travels between Altona station and Mordialloc.
- Night Bus 959 : Travels between Queen Street in the city and Broadmeadows station. This bus runs only on Saturday and Sunday mornings.
Tram Route
One tram route also operates via Essendon station:
: This tram travels between Airport West and Flinders Street station (via Elizabeth Street).