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Mildura Station Construction

Photo Gallery

The Minister for Transport announced on 11-10-1974 that a new station building with air conditioning and large passenger reception area would be constructed at Mildura. In addition, the station platform would be lengthened at the up end by 250 feet (76.2m) to make a total length of 228.6m or 250 yards. The plans also provided for lengthening the goods yard at the up end.

The successful tender was let to the Mildura firm S.J. Weir Pty. Ltd. and work commenced in December 1976.

The following gallery was photographed between December 1976 and April 1978. All photos are by Bruce McLean.

15-12-1976: Workmen have just erected a safety fence on the platform of Mildura station in preparation for the commencement of the construction of a new station building.

15-12-1976: S.J. Weir workmen are setting up operations ready to start site works for the new station.

15-12-1976: Demolition of the lamp room was one of the first tasks associated with the rebuilding project.

11-4-1977: Work on the building was well advanced. This section was for the air-conditioning plant room and toilets.

19-4-1977: The old and the new. Construction of the new terminal building was starting to take shape.

4-5-1977: The original station entrance was still in use by passengers at this stage of the construction project.

4-5-1977: The appearance of two large letter "M's" was a surprise to observers of the station construction project.

15-5-1977: In association with the station construction project, the platform was lengthened another 250 feet. Work on the extension was underway in this view. Extension of the yards at the up end and rehabilitation of the whole of the railway yard was also undertaken at the same time.

29-5-1977: Work was well advanced by May 1977. The letter "M" on each end of the roof attracted a lot of attention and to some, gave the appearance of a famous fast food outlet.

29-5-1977: Dismantling of the verandah on the old station building. Rehabilitation of the railway yard was well advanced also, with new ballast spread under the tracks.

5-6-1977: The station entrance and ladies waiting room have been demolished.

26-6-1977: By the end of June the first section of the platform extension was available for use. This view also shows the extended tracks in the yard and the transformation of the whole scene at the up end of the railway reserve.

26-6-1977: The new and the old stations are contrasted in this view of construction progress.

18-7-1977: With the entrance lobby now a prominent landmark, work proceeded with the administration offices for the new station building.

4-8-1977: Work was well advanced on the administration offices of the new building, now linked to the old station building. The blackboard sign directs passengers to the temporary entrance and booking office.

21-8-1977: The Mildura Stationmaster, Mr. K. Bailey, and his staff, valiantly managed to keep the operation of the station going despite the difficult working conditions. At this stage the new building was fast encroaching on the remaining section of the old station office.

1-9-1977: Station staff occupied their new offices on 1-9-1977 and this enabled the contractor to rapidly proceed with dismantling the old building.

1-9-1977: Part of the spacious air-conditioned waiting room with some of the first customers. Photo: Victorian Railways

9-9-1977: The original 1910 station building was now but a memory following its complete demolition. During the building and demolition stages of the project, passenger traffic for "The Vinelander" was maintained with minimal disruption.

11-9-1977: The "M" symbols were still in position when this view of the new station was taken from the railway gardens. The symbols were removed by 12-10-1977.

17-10-1977: The final stage of the new station involved construction of the parcels and storage areas on the site of the 1926 extension.

6-11-1977: The new station was starting to take its final shape with the addition of the verandah. Note the reconditioned tracks in the foreground.

19-3-1978: The completed station ready for the official opening. Note the fitting on the roof that held one of the "M" symbols. The plain lines of the station building are in sharp contrast to the 1910 design that it replaced.

30-4-1978: Work resumed on the extension of the station platform at the up end in April 1978. Concrete blocks salvaged from the removal of the station platform at Nowingi were used in construction of the last stage of the extension.

27-8-1978: The completed extension to the up end of Mildura platform.

A similar Photo Gallery can be found under Mildura Railway Station Yard Extension and Rehabilitation Photo Gallery.