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Murrayville

Origin of name: After John Murray, Premier of Victoria 1909-12

Station opened: 25-6-1912

Distance from Melbourne (via Castlemaine): 356 miles 51 chains 25 links; 573.957 km

Distance from Melbourne (via Ballan): 580.861 km

Height above Sea Level: 191 feet

Murrayville was first settled about 1910 with farm blocks consisting of 640 acres surveyed. The quality of the land, with the added advantage of good underground water, attracted settlers to the area and when the railway was opened Murrayville was provided with substantial facilities.

Murrayville was opened for goods traffic during construction of the line on 8-1-1912. When officially opened, it was established with a crossing loop and loop goods siding with a dead end siding at the down end. Two 20 feet x 12 feet portable buildings separated by a semi enclosed area of the same dimensions were provided for staff and passenger accommodation. A van goods shed and lamp room were also on the platform.

Murrayville station, 1966. The refreshment room was on the right of the station office. Note the canvas awning to provide protection from the sun. Photo: Unknown - Bruce McLean Collection

A goods platform with a 30 x 20 foot goods shed was located on the siding and sheep and cattle yards were situated on the dead end extension. A six ton crane was also provided in the yard and a private 12 ton weighbridge.

A 53 foot turntable with a fuel stage and temporary timber ash pit were located at the up end off the main line. This turntable was originally 50 foot long and in use at Woomelang. Instructions were issued for it to be lengthened to 53 foot and sent to Murrayville when it was made surplus at Woomelang by provision of a 53 foot turntable at that location. A water tank and column provided water for steam locomotives. Four residences were constructed for the Stationmaster and employees.

Murrayville was also provided with a track gang tool shed for a track gang based there to attend to the track between Murrayville and the border.

A home signal was added on 11-3-1915 on the up side in preparation for the extension of the line to Pinnaroo which opened on 29-7-1915.

Murrayville station in 1925. Photo: C.C. Thurlow Collection

The pivot on the 53 foot turntable broke under the weight of locomotive D1 541 whilst it was being turned at 12.30 p.m. on 26-5-1932, presenting a difficult problem to get the locomotive off. A locomotive was sent from Ouyen and used to force the turntable round to almost the correct position. A temporary track was then built to get the locomotive off the turntable. A reconditioned 70 foot turntable formerly used at North Melbourne was installed in place of the damaged structure and this task was completed on 7-2-1933.

The 53 foot turntable at Murrayville following its transfer from Woomelang. 1925. Photo: From an old Post Card, John Thompson Collection

On 24-4-1936 the Engineer of Water Supply reported that water supplies were from a departmental pump on a State Rivers and Water Supply Commission bore. The department pumped its own requirements and in addition maintained water in the SR&WSC tanks on the adjacent roadway. An annual amount of £25 was charged for use of the bore.

The equipment consisted of a 6 h.p. McDonald engine with a five inch well pump and geared head. A 4 inch galvanised iron pipe supplied the station yard where there was a 10,000 gallon combined tank and spout at the down end on the main line. A 3 inch pipe went to the ash pit on the turntable road. The report also made mention of problems with sand entering the bore and choking the pump.

The Grain Elevators Board opened a concrete 110,000 bushel grain elevator in November 1939. This was the first concrete silo in Victoria and was officially opened by Cr. E.D. Lackmann of the Murrayville Riding of the Shire of Walpeup on 21-11-1939. The first wheat to be delivered to the silos was grown by Mr. G.J. Cassens. The elevator was positioned on the dead end extension at the down end and three sheds were required to be removed to allow the site to be used. These sheds were privately owned by farmers for transferring bags of superphosphate from rail trucks to wagons thus avoiding extra lifting and lumping of heavy bags.

The Walker rail car service from Pinnaroo approaches the down end of Murrayville in this view taken from the footplate of J505, 1966. Photo: Unknown - Bruce McLean Collection

Passenger services were withdrawn on 1-11-1968.

The turntable was removed by 9-9-1969.

An "H" type 230,000 bushels Horizontal Grain Storage was provided by 17-2-1970.

From 14-3-1972, Guard's were responsible for the Staff and Ticket working of certain trains at Murrayville.

The cattle race was abolished by the end of October 1974.

Supervision of Murrayville was transferred to Ouyen by 13-12-1983.

The water tank was removed in July 1994.

T346 has arrived at Murrayville from Pinnaroo on its return to Ouyen with a group of railway enthusiasts on 19-11-1977. A South Australian Railways M van is standing at the goods shed. Photo: Bruce McLean

A transport driver was burned to death when his semi-trailer collided with a goods train on the Ouyen Highway level crossing about 2 miles east of Murrayville on 24-11-1969. Flashing light signals were provided by 25-11-1982.

A railway enthusiast special train for Pinnaroo draws to a stand at Murrayville platform on 17-3-1984. Photo: Bruce McLean

On 21-10-1986 Murrayville was disestablished as a Train Staff and Ticket station and the new section Cowangie - Pinnaroo opened. No.2 road was possibly removed shortly after this event.

Murrayville station and yard. Note No.2 road has been removed following the closure of Murrayville as a Train Staff and Ticket station. 6-9-1992. Photo: Bruce McLean

Another view of Murrayville station. 4-5-1998. Photo: Bruce McLean

Murrayville goods shed. 4-5-1998. Photo: Bruce McLean