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Meringur

Origin of name: Aboriginal - Grey kangaroo, the doe

Station opened: 30-10-1925

Station closed: 9-12-1988

Distance from Melbourne: 393 miles 15 chains 2 links: 632.774 km

Height above Sea Level: 279 feet

Meringur was the terminus of the extension from Werrimull until the extension to Morkalla was opened on 18-6-1931 and again after the closure of the Morkalla extension on 19-3-1964. During construction Meringur was known as "The Hut".

Meringur station at the time of the opening of the line in 1925. Engineer/photographer Wilf Henty is sitting on his inspection trolley at the low level platform. Photo: Wilf Henty, courtesy John Kiely

Meringur was provided with a 250 foot low level passenger platform, 10 x 12 foot wooden Type "A" station office, 10 x 12 waiting room and 12 x 10 foot van goods shed. A crossing loop and loop goods siding with a 50 x 16 foot goods platform and sheep loading race were provided. A concrete block employee's residence was located in the station ground.

Meringur station - a Class "A" type building - in 1955. The goods train from Mildura has just arrived and the locomotive will complete its shunting before reversing on the triangle and heading to the end of the line at Morkalla. Photo: Des Jowett

In November 1927, the Victorian Railways notified the Mildura Shire Council that it was proposed to provide a triangle at Meringur for reversing engines and that it would be removed when the line was extended beyond Meringur. The triangle was constructed at the down end of the yard in 1927 for the reversing of steam locomotives. A coal stage 32 feet 6 inches long and 9 feet wide, was placed at the apex of the triangle. It was disliked by crews because of the rough nature of the old sleepers that formed the decking. Crews preferred to have the coal bunker on their locomotives topped to capacity at Mildura so they could do the return journey without having to replenish coal at Meringur. The triangle was made available for traffic from 3-1-1928.

N418 stands at the apex of the reversing triangle at Meringur on 4-1-1960. Photo: Peter Charrett

The driver of N418 eases his way around the up side of the reversing triangle. Meringur 4-1-1960. Photo: Peter Charrett

After doing the required shunting and reversing on the triangle, N418 is ready to return to Mildura. N418 stands with its one truck and guards van 639Z at Meringur. 4-1-1960. Photo: Peter Charrett

The apex of the reversing triangle at Meringur 1967. Dismantling of the triangle commenced just after the photograph was taken as the facility was no longer required for reversing steam locomotives with the introduction of diesel-electric locomotives to the branch line. Photo: Bruce McLean

Construction of the extension to Morkalla commenced on 5-6-1930, the new line being opened for traffic on 18-6-1931, however the triangle and coal stage remained at Meringur. Steam locomotives reversed on the triangle at the discretion of the driver, usually depending on how they were running. If late, they would go straight through to Morkalla and reverse the next morning on the return journey.

Train crews required to rest overnight were accommodated initially in a 20x12 feet unpartitioned rest hut. Four men had to cook and sleep in these cramped conditions which must have been oppressive given the severe summer climate in the district. With the opening of the Morkalla extension, a Workman's Sleeping carriage was used between Meringur and Morkalla. The sleeping carriage was always returned to Meringur on the up trip where it is surmised that a repairer's wife may have had the responsibility of cleaning and attending to linen requirements.

In July 1933 the crews protested through their union at the Meringur accommodation. It consisted of an unpartitioned 20 feet x 12 feet portable building for four men to cook and sleep. They requested separate accommodation be provided for cooking and meals specially having regard to the severe summer climate. Crews booked to rest at Meringur or Morkalla were accommodated in a workmen's sleeper located as required between the two stations. When the Commissioners visited on 26-8-1933, they approved the provision of a 20x12 feet partitioned portable hut (transferred from Natimuk) with a window and fly wire screen added to the north west wall and a 10x8 feet portable hut for the five men required to rest - driver, fireman, guard, van man and Travelling Stationmaster. The Travelling Stationmaster and van man agreed to occupy the small hut leaving the other three men with space for cooking.

The Commissioners were also concerned at the quality of the beds and bedding and agreed to set up a committee to look into a standard issue of equipment for rest huts.

A concrete 65,000 bushel grain elevator was proposed for Meringur in 1937 but was never built. A galvanised iron bulkhead silo was erected in 1951. Two steel grain bins were provided by 1967.

An "H 305" type Horizontal Grain Storage was provided by 17-2-1970.

Meringur station 1967. Note the van goods shed on the platform. Photo: Bruce McLean

Loading wool at Meringur 1967. In this up direction view the stock loading facilities can be seen on the siding. Meringur also featured a No.2 road. Photo: Bruce McLean

T368 prepares to attach to its train at Meringur in February 1969. This was the scheduled fortnightly goods train to Meringur. Photo: Bruce McLean

Down end of Meringur station yard. The ganger was located at Meringur and used the shed to the right of the picture as his base. A stack of steel sleepers can be seen to the left. 1967. Photo: Bruce McLean

In 1956 the Commissioners advised that Meringur would be the only station on the line where stock facilities would be retained, however the facilities were still retained up until 1971.

Down end of Meringur in 1967 showing the down end connection to the reversing triangle. From a point immediately behind the photographer, the line was closed to Karween and Morkalla from 19-2-1964. Photo: Bruce McLean

The Railway Telephone was abolished by 3-6-1969.

The sheep race was abolished by June 1971.

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 next to the existing silos in 1979.

Track repairers trolley storage shed at Meringur. 21-12-1980. Photo: Bruce McLean

Meringur was reduced to "No one in Charge" status from 3-12-1968, supervised from Redcliffs.

The station building was noted on 2-10-1977 as being offered for sale. It was purchased by a local family.

A radio communication repeater tower was installed at the station in early 1984.

Meringur was closed with the line from 9-12-1988.

Meringur station yard after closure. 24-3-1989. Photo: Bruce McLean

The sad sight of Meringur yard being dismantled. Note the gravel that has been placed over the track leading to the silos to enable road transports to access the unloading chutes 27-12-1990. Photo: Russell Savage

Meringur Pioneer Park

The Meringur Pioneer Park was created to preserve the historic links with the pioneering farmers of the Millewa. Part of the historic collection is a small collection of railway rolling stock, a signal, some signage and the Carwarp station building.

Former Electrical Plant wagon HD224 at Meringur Pioneer Park with a signal ex Redcliffs. 21-9-1996. Photo: Bruce McLean

The former Carwarp station building at Meringur Pioneer Park. The building was transferred in 1992. 21-9-1996. Photo: Bruce McLean

Preserved guards van 44C at Meringur Pioneer Park. 21-9-1996. Photo: Bruce McLean

Former guards van 34C preserved at Meringur Pioneer Park. 21-9-1996. Photo: Bruce McLean