Merbein West

Origin of name: Located western edge of Merbein irrigation settlement.

Station opened: 27-6-1925

Station closed: 2-9-1948

Distance from Melbourne (via Castlemaine): 361 miles 27 chains 91 links; 581.534 km

Height above Sea Level: 131 feet

Merbein West was opened with the extension of the line from Merbein to Yelta on 27-6-1925 as the only intermediate station. A 200 feet long passenger platform with a motor ramp at the up end, cart dock 50 feet from the up end and a 12 x 8 feet shelter shed and 12 x 10 feet van goods shed. The 18 chains long loop goods siding had a 50 x 16 feet goods platform and 30 x 25 feet goods shed. Eight graded grain sites were also provided. Merbein West was operated under no one in charge conditions.

Commissioner Clapp inspected the new station on return from Yelta during his inspection trip on 24-8-1925.

Residents of Merbein West were asked by the Railway Commissioners to suggest a name for the station. The name "Wargan" was suggested but rejected owing to possible confusion with Morgan in South Australia. An alternative suggestion was "Kenny" in memory of the late E.J. Kenny, "The Father of Merbein", however a public meeting held on 14-8-1925 at Merbein West State School agreed that the name Merbein West should be retained. This was subsequently confirmed in November 1925. It should also be recorded that "Sunraysia Daily" newspaper staff reporting on the difficulty of naming the station, suggested that it might well be named "Quandry".

The siding, which must have seen very little use, was removed on 29-4-1941. Presumably the goods shed was removed at this time.

Merbein West was closed to all traffic on 2-9-1948. The passenger platform was cut back to provide clearance from the track in 1968.

Merbein West 1968. The platform mound, the only distinctly visible evidence that there was a station at this location, had been recently trimmed back. Photo: Bruce McLean

Merbein West 19-6-1982. Photo: Bruce McLean

T351 nears West Merbein with a loaded grain train from Yelta. 13-12-1980. Photo: Bruce McLean

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