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Siding opened: 25-1-1957
Siding spiked out of use: 26-11-1999
Distance from Melbourne: 350 miles 25 chains 79 links
Sarnia Packing Co, siding was opened in 1957 with the establishment of a new privately-owned packing shed located alongside the main line a short distance past the 350 mile post.
This siding is a dead end with the points facing Up trains and is secured by a Staff Lock. Flashing Light Signals were installed at the Etiwanda Avenue level crossing on 29-1-1976, close to the siding's point of divergence. An Annett Lock replaced the Staff Lock at the time of this installation.
Sarnia Packing Company siding. Note the position of the Annett Lock and the close proximity of Etiwanda Avenue level crossing. January 1981. Photo: Bruce McLean
The siding was extended in 1971 following an extension to the packing shed building.
On 4-11-1986 instructions were issued to enable up to 10 vehicles to be pushed from Mildura to Sarnia siding during clear daylight.
In 1990 the siding was extended a short distance to facilitate longer container wagons.
Container wagons standing on the Sarnia Siding 1990 extension. 2-3-1991. Photo: Bruce McLean
Y174 shunting Sarnia Siding on 7-3-1991. Photo: Bruce McLean
Y174 is in the shadows of the packing shed as it traverses the Sarnia Siding picking up loaded containers on 7-3-1991. Photo: Bruce McLean
After placing a rake of empty container wagons, Y174 has completed its work and heads back on to the main line. Riding on the step is Shunter T. Gottsutzke. 7-3-1991. Photo: Bruce McLean
The contracting of V/line freight to Wakefield's Transport at Merbein in 1993 resulted in all dried fruit (dispatched in shipping containers) from sidings serving district packing sheds being transported by road transport to Wakefield's new terminal at Merbein where it was transferred to rail wagons for movement to Melbourne.
On 26-11-1999, the Annett locked points leading to the Sarnia Packing Co. siding were spiked out of use.
Sarnia Packing shed siding points spiked out. Note the points lever has been painted yellow. 26-11-1999. Photo: Bruce McLean
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