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Carwarp

Origin of name: Aboriginal - crow

Station opened: 6-5-1913 as CARWARP SIDING; 1919 renamed CARWARP

Distance from Melbourne (via Castlemaine): 331 miles 75 chains 12 links; 534.204 km

Distance from Melbourne (via Ballan): 541.108 km

Height above Sea Level: 189 feet

Prior to the opening of Carwarp station, settlers asked on 18-3-1913 for arrangements to be made to stop trains when "passengers gave intention to alight there". A lamp and notice board was provided on 15-4-1913.

Carwarp was opened on 6-5-1913 for passengers although at that time the passenger platform was not available until 15-5-1913 when a shelter and 50 foot goods platform was provided on the goods loop siding. There was a short extension at the up end of the goods siding. Construction of the sidings was completed on 29-4-1913.

An additional level crossing was provided for landholders in 1915. A 10 ton private weighbridge was installed in 1917. Two departmental residences and sheep and cattle yards were provided.

On 15-7-1924, Carwarp was opened as a staff and ticket station for safeworking purposes, replacing Yatpool which closed as a staff and ticket station on the same day. Two home signals were provided. Construction of a crossing loop with dead end sidings at each end was commenced in February 1924 to enable opposing trains to pass. A Stationmaster was appointed and the 20x12 foot portable station office was most likely provided for him.

Carwarp station on 31-1-1987. Note the addition of a reverse cycle air-conditioner for the comfort of station staff. Photo: Bruce McLean

Van goods shed on Carwarp station platform. 31-1-1987. Photo: Bruce McLean

Relaying of the mainline with 80 pound rails had reached Carwarp by January 1930. After a long delay, relaying had commenced towards Yatpool by October 1930. The 60 pounds rails released from relaying were used for the extension from Meringur to Morkalla then under construction.

In August 1931 the stationmaster at Carwarp was replaced and the station worked under caretaker conditions supervised by Ouyen. Records show that Mrs. R. Stanistreet, wife of the signal porter at Carwarp, was appointed caretaker in 1937.

A 20x12 foot portable used as general and ladies waiting rooms was considered to be no longer required and was removed to Seymour in 1957 in association with the standard gauge construction project.

Two Assistant Stationmasters were appointed from 13-10-1958 for safeworking purposes following the introduction of the "Fruit Flier" fast goods service between Mildura and Melbourne. The caretaker position was abolished.

An "H 100" type Horizontal Grain Storage was provided by 17-2-1970.

"The Vinelander" arriving at Carwarp on New Year's Day 1974 with a T Class locomotive. Photo: Bruce McLean

Mr. Milton Whiting M.L.A. sought $3,000 in drought relief funds to raise the track in the grain silo loop to enable trucks to be moved by gravity instead of using some form of motive power (such as a tractor).

The Carwarp branch of the Victorian Farmers' and Graziers' Association expressed concern to Mildura Shire Council in November 1975, about Carwarp station being closed on Sundays. The branch was concerned that train travellers would buy their tickets in Red Cliffs. It was also closed without any consultation and might end up being closed altogether.

It was announced on 8-7-1977 that livestock facilities would be removed with their use unavailable from 31-8-1977. Use had declined to the point where it was uneconomic to retain them.

To meet the problems being experienced with the storage of grain crops following an exceptional season and faster harvesting techniques being employed by grain farmers the Grain Elevators Board constructed a ground bunker 60 feet long and 100 feet wide. It was placed into operation on 17-12-1979 and took only eleven days to completely fill with 10,500 tonnes of grain. At the end of the harvest Carwarp had received 21,300 tonnes compared with the estimate of only 12,000 tonnes.

An overall view of Carwarp station. 11-10-1982. Photo: Bruce McLean

No. 2 and No.3 roads and the dead end extension of No.2 road at the up end were relaid with 120kg rail in May 1985.

No. 2 and No.3 roads and the dead end extension (excluding the compound points) at Carwarp were relaid with 120kg rails in May 1985. 21-5-1985. Photo: Bruce McLean

The dead-end extension of No.2 road at the up end of Carwarp after relaying with 120kg rails. 21-5-1985. Photo: Bruce McLean

The down end of Carwarp showing the compound points which were not relayed with the other siding rails. 21-5-1985. Photo: Bruce McLean

Following recommendations made by the consulting firm CANAC, V/Line invested $125 million in the grain network between 1983 and 1986 and the agenda in 1987 added to that investment with a major upgrading of the Mildura line with more crossing loops and longer loops for crossing trains. Alterations to the Carwarp sidings commenced in April/May 1987.

New points for the main line at the up end of Carwarp were fabricated on site before being placed into position. The upgrading of the siding was part of a plan to upgrade grain handling facilities on the Mildura line. 23-4-1987. Photo: Bruce McLean

Points were also fabricated for the down end of the main line and the additional length of the loop can be noted from the position of the existing points near the yellow grain wagon. 23-4-1987. Photo: Bruce McLean

The completed installation of the new down end points and lengthened crossing loop at Carwarp on a day when thunderstorms had just cleared the area. 20-6-1987. Photo: Bruce McLean

A long extension of the silo siding at the down end was under construction on 20-6-1987. Photo: Bruce McLean

The sun has shone through an amazing sky top reveal the changes made at Carwarp for improved grain handling. The crossing loop and siding have been renewed and new track arrangements designed to expedite block train loading. In the process the loading bank was removed. The stockyards had been removed at an earlier time. 20-6-1987. Photo: Bruce McLean

The new trackwork at the up end of Carwarp. Note the elevated track for assisting with the movement of empty grain wagons to the silo filling point. 20-6-1987. Photo: Bruce McLean

Loaded grain wagons on the down end extension of the silo road. Note the gradient in favour of loaded wagons to assist with wagon manoeuvres. 8-11-1987. Photo: Bruce McLean

In June 1988 Mildura Shire Council was advised that Carwarp would not be open for passenger traffic from December. Passenger figures in 1985/86 were 31 and 1986/87 only 18. No passengers had booked from Carwarp so far in 1987/88.

X39 waits in No.2 road at Carwarp on the 4 p.m. Up Mildura express goods "Sunraysia Fresh" as N457 runs through with the Down "The Sunraysia" passenger. 4-1-1988. Photo: Gavin McLaughlan

Carwarp was a designated Central Receival Point (C.R.P.) under the CANAC plan for the redevelopment of rail grain handling in Victoria. A fast fill system that enabled four rail wagons to be filled simultaneously was completed for the 1988 grain harvest. The facility was described as one of the most ambitious projects undertaken by the Grain Elevators Board and its biggest investment for 1988. It was designed to accept the large volume of grain that was expected to flow through Carwarp after the proposed closure of the Red Cliffs to Meringur branch line. V/Line introduced an on the farm pick up service promoted as "from the paddock to the port" for the 1988/89 wheat harvest. It was aimed at arresting the flow of wheat to South Australia and appeared to be successful in its first trial year.

The first of four large grain hoppers were lifted into place at Carwarp on 24-10-1988. The fast fill hoppers were part of the development of Carwarp as a Central Receival Point (C.R.P.) for grain from the Millewa area. This view of the loading side was taken on 30-5-1993. Photo: Bruce McLean

The official opening of the new rapid road to rail receival facility was conducted on 9-3-1989 by the GEB Chairman, Mr. C. Semmler. Surplus grain storage bins were recovered from several localities in Victoria for use in the construction and it was capable of filling two bogie grain wagons at the same time in four minutes. Up to 30,000 tonnes of local grain was expected to be handled each year with an additional 70,000 tonnes from the area. The new installation cost $900,000.

Advertisement inserted into "Sunraysia Daily" by the Grain Elevators Board for the opening of the new rapid road to rail facility at Carwarp. Note that the official opening was not conducted by the Minister for Transport who was detained in Melbourne because of industrial problems. l4-3-1989. Source: Bruce McLean Collection

The up end gravitation siding completed in 1987 as part of the extensive alterations to the yard, was considered unsatisfactory and it was reconstructed in April 1989. The soil making up the gravitation embankment was completely removed and replaced by new fill on an alignment that was more parallel with the main line.

Earth-moving machinery has just completed the removal of the embankment supporting the up end gravitation extension of the silo road at Carwarp. 16-4-1989. Photo: Bruce McLean

The gravitation embankment was rebuilt on a more parallel alignment and was completed by 14-5-1989. Photo: Bruce McLean

G541 departs from Carwarp with another load of grain during the 1989/90 mallee grain harvest. 4-12-1989. Photo: Bruce McLean

The station office was removed in 1992 and re-erected at the Pioneer Settlement at Meringur where it has been preserved with rolling stock and railway memorabilia. The donation of the station by V/Line was arranged with the assistance of Redcliffs Stationmaster, Mr. D. Martin, who was invited to officially open the station at its new location.

The station platform was removed with the development by the GEB of ground bunkers to enhance the conventional silo storage method and provided grain storage capacity all year round.

The station platform was removed in early 1993. Photo: Bruce McLean

Grain bunker located opposite the silos and located on the site of the former station entrance. 30-5-1993. Photo: Bruce McLean

An additional storage bunker was constructed at Carwarp by Vicgrain following the excellent seasonal conditions experienced in the Mallee grain growing areas.

Grain wagons waiting to be loaded at the Carwarp C.R.P. 30-5-1993. Photo: Bruce McLean