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Pirlta

Origin of name: Aboriginal - Possum

Station opened: 11-4-1924

Station closed: 9-12-1988

Distance from Melbourne (via Castlemaine): 360 miles 40 chains 2 links; 580.169 km

Height above Sea Level: 186 feet

Pirlta was opened for goods traffic during construction of the line on 2-1-1924 as Taparoo.

When officially opened for traffic it had been renamed Pirlta and was provided with a 200 foot low level passenger platform, 17 x 8 foot 6 inches shelter shed with locker and loop goods siding with a 25 x 16 foot goods platform with ramp. A Class 4 residence was also provided for an employee. A gang shed for storage of equipment was located at the up end of the yard. A 10 x 8 foot portable hut was also located in the yard.

The mallee type shelter shed and high level platform trolley at Pirlta. 4-1-1960. Photo: Peter Charrett

Stock loading facilities were provided about 1938 after the Commissioners agreed to local farmers building the yards and the VR supplying the race.

A caretaker was appointed with records showing Mrs. Holmes 1933, Mrs. Harrington 1937.

An 8 ton private weighbridge was provided by 10-1-1935.

In 1967 a steel silo and elevator was constructed by the Grain Elevators Board.

Pirlta station 1967. The Grain Elevators Board has just built a new steel silo. Final fitting out and painting the bin silver has yet to be completed. Photo: Bruce McLean

The Railway Telephone was abolished by 3-6-1969 and replaced by a telephone connected to the Public Telephone network.

A mild demonstration by wheat growers at Pirlta in 1973 protesting about a shortage of rail trucks after the silo had filled to capacity was probably responsible for the construction of an additional silo in June 1975.

Pirlta mallee shed station building with tank stand and visiting tractor. 2-12-1973. Photo: Bruce McLean

The ramped goods platform was abolished from 18-3-1975.

On 19-7-1977, a deputation from the Pirlta Silo Committee met with the General Manager of the Victorian Railways, Mr. I. Hodges, during his inspection of the Redcliffs station. The deputation was formed to ask the General Manager to agree to the railway yard at Pirlta being regraded to assist with the hand movement of rail wagons. Mr. Hodges told the deputation he would have to refer the matter to the Grain Elevators Board.

T370 shunting GY grain wagons at Pirlta. 9-4-1988. Photo: Chris. Wurr

Pirlta was closed with the line on 9-12-1988.

Pirlta station on 9-4-1989 - following closure of the Redcliffs to Meringur line on 9-12-1988. Photo: Bruce McLean

On 27-7-1999, Vicgrain Limited announced that 71 under utilised sites throughout the State would no longer form part of its core grain storage system. Pirlta silo was included as a site that no longer met Vicgrain's operational requirements.

Up end safety catch points connected to the main line at Pirlta. 1967. All sidings from Redcliffs to Meringur were protected with this system. Photo: Bruce McLean