Flinders Street Station facts for kids
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| Station information | |
|---|---|
| Code | FSS |
| Line | All suburban trains terminate here |
| # Platforms | 14 (13 in use) |
| # Tracks | 13 |
| Status | Premium station |
| Metlink profile | Link |
| Melway map | Link |
| Google map | Link |
| Zone | 1 |
Flinders Street Station is a very important train station in Melbourne, Australia. It is right in the middle of the city. You can find it where Flinders and Swanston Streets meet. The station is also next to the Yarra River. It stretches across two city blocks. Every weekday, about 105,000 people use the station. About 1,500 trains also pass through it.
This station is used by Metro's local train services. It also serves regional trains run by V/Line.
Contents
History of Flinders Street Station
The first train station on the Flinders Street site was built in 1854. It was called Melbourne or City Terminus. This first station was just a group of sheds. It officially opened on 12 September by Sir Charles Hotham. This was Australia's very first city train station. On opening day, the first steam train trip in the country happened. It went to Sandridge, which is now Port Melbourne. The train crossed the Sandridge Bridge. This bridge is now a path for people and bikes.
Melbourne got two more main city stations in 1859. These were Spencer Street Station (now Southern Cross Station) and Princes Bridge. Princes Bridge was first separate from Flinders Street. It was just across Swanston Street. Later, the train line was extended under the street. This connected the two stations. Over time, Princes Bridge became part of Flinders Street Station. Today, Federation Square is where Princes Bridge station used to be.
In 1882, the government decided to build a new main station. They wanted to replace the old one. A worldwide design competition was held in 1899. Seventeen different designs were entered. The top prize of £500 went to two railway workers. Their names were J. W. Fawcett and H. P. C. Ashworth. Their winning design included a huge dome and a clock tower. Building work started in 1901 and finished in 1910.
Train Platforms at Flinders Street
Flinders Street Station has many platforms. They are numbered from north to south. Platform No. 1 is the furthest north. Each platform usually serves specific train lines.
- Platform 1: For trains on the South Morang and Hurstbridge lines.
- Platforms 2 & 3: For trains on the Belgrave, Glen Waverley, and Lilydale lines.
- Platforms 4 & 5: For trains on the Alamein, Cragieburn, Sydenham, Upfield, and Werribee lines. Some Blackburn trains also use Platform 4.
- Platforms 6 & 7: For trains on the Cranbourne, Frankston, and Pakenham lines.
- Platforms 8 & 9: For trains on the Sandringham and Williamstown lines (during busy times only).
- Platforms 10 & 12–14: These platforms are used for different services. It depends on the day and time.
The eastern end of Platform No. 1 is also called Platform No. 14. Platform 11 is not used and has no train track.
Station Upgrades
Flinders Street Station is currently being upgraded. This work includes cleaning and repairs. It also aims to make the station easier for people with disabilities to use.
Some of the work being done includes:
- New ground covering on Platform 10.
- New escalators to help people reach Platforms 10, 12, and 13.
- An extra lift on Platform 10. This means two lifts for Platforms 10, 12, and 13.
- New lighting to make the station brighter.
- Moving the V/Line ticket office to the main ticket office.
- Creating a new shopping area where the V/Line office used to be.
- Making the underground path better. This path goes from Elizabeth Street to Southbank and Degraves Street to Flinders Street.
- Making the roof waterproof.
- Looking into ways to use empty spaces, like the old ballroom.
- Cleaning the outside of the building with steam.
- Installing new digital screens. These screens show train information on platforms and in subways.
Cool Facts About the Station
- The main steps have special electric circuits. These circuits keep the steps dry. They were put in during June 1985.
- Platform No. 1 is the longest railway platform in Australia. It is also the fourth longest in the world. It measures 708 metres long.
- The building has a ballroom inside. It is not used anymore. A day care centre was once inside the main dome. It even had an outdoor playground on a nearby roof.
- One of the old platform verandas from the first station was moved. It was put back up at Hawthorn station. This station is in the inner-eastern suburbs.
- Flinders Street Station became a sister station to Mojiko Station in Japan. This happened on November 14, 1993.
Images for kids
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View of the platforms looking west, 1895
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1883 design competition winner
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1900 design by Fawcett & Ashworth
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During construction, 1908
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Flinders Street Station illuminated for the 1954 Royal Visit
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View showing the repainted facade of Flinders Street in softer colours, including expanded forecourt with new security bollards in May 2019
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View of the station from the west
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Main concourse
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The station at night
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Clocks at the main entrance
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An X'Trapolis 100 on Platform 1 below the Elizabeth St clock tower
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Flinders Street "A" signal box, c. 1913
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Steps from platforms 12 & 13
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View along Platform 2
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Ticket barriers at eastern entrance, retail stores in the background
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Western approach to Flinders Street station
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W-class Melbourne tram on the City Circle in August 2008
See also
In Spanish: Flinders Street Station para niños
