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Galah

Origin of name: From the well known species of parrot.

Station Opened: 25-6-1912

Distance from Melbourne (via Castlemaine): 297 miles 72 chains 70 links; 479.437 km

Distance from Melbourne (via Ballan): 486.341 km

Height above Sea Level: 165 feet

Galah was opened for goods traffic during construction of the line on 19-12-1910.

When officially opened, a 150 feet passenger platform with a cart dock was provided with a 20 x 12 foot portable office and a 17 foot x 8 foot 6 inches shelter shed with locker. A 400 gallon rainwater tank and stand was located next to the office.

A goods loop siding was provided with a 50 x 16 foot goods platform and a sheep race at the up end. Two departmental residences with 4 and 5 rooms respectively were located in the station ground. A private 12 ton weighbridge was located in the station yard.

A 65,000 bushel concrete grain elevator was provided, most likely in 1939.

Following the Commissioner's inspection tour of the Murrayville line on 14-5-1941, they agreed to provide additional stock trucking facilities at Galah.

The passenger platform was cut back to 60 feet in length, probably after the introduction of Walker rail cars in 1948.

Galah was closed to passenger traffic from 1-11-1968.

An "H" type 220,000 bushels Horizontal Grain Storage was provided by 17-2-1970.

On 6-8-1970, the Staff locking of the main line points was replaced with CCW levers, hand locking bars and padlocks. Scotch Blocks were provided in the Siding.

Galah was deemed a No One in Charge station from 28-2-1972.

The platform was reduced from 60 feet to 40 feet in length by 23-10-1973.

Supervision of Galah was transferred from Murrayville to the Ouyen, by 13-12-1983.

A railway enthusiast special train stops at Galah for an inspection of the facilities. The mallee shelter shed is still standing and the platform facing is still intact. 17-3-1984. Photo: John Page