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Underbool

Origin of name: Aboriginal - "Bool" means water.

Station opened: 25-6-1912

Distance from Melbourne (via Castlemaine): 319 miles 66 chains 9 links; 524.710 km

Distance from Melbourne (via Ballan): 522.614 km

Height above Sea Level: 173 feet

Underbool was opened for goods traffic during construction of the line from 5-12-1910.

Underbool was the first settlement of any size along the line and when officially opened was provided with a crossing loop with a dead end extension at the down end and a goods loop siding with a 50 x 16 foot goods platform and goods shed.

A 150 feet passenger platform and cart dock, 20 feet x 12 feet booking office with a false roof, 20 feet x 12 feet ladies and general waiting room, 17 feet x 8 feet 6 inches shelter shed and locker, 12 feet x 10 feet ladies yard, closets and urinals were provided.

A 3 ton crane, private 12 ton weighbridge, and sheep and cattle yards were in the goods yard and there were 3 departmental residences provided including one for the stationmaster. A track gang tool shed was located at Underbool for the track gang that looked after the section from Torrita to Boinka.

A 12 square feet room was opened for refreshments and counter meals in 1919. A larger refreshment room, with a licence for selling liquor, was opened in May 1921. The licensee was Mrs. A.W. Jones. The manager of the refreshment room was advised in December 1925 that the Department did not intend to renew the liquor licence when it expired at the end of the year.

K107 arriving at Underbool with a Reso Tour train in July 1926. Note the camels to the right of the photo. Photo: Bob Whitehead Collection

As a result of poor patronage, the lessee of the refreshment room declined to carry on business, and as no local person could be obtained to conduct it, the Commissioners decided to close the room from 31-8-1929.

The Grain Elevators Board opened a concrete 110,000 bushel elevator in November 1939. The silo was located on a dead end extension off the down end of the loop goods siding. This siding was formed by removal and relaying of the extension of No.2 road. The sheep and cattle races on the No.2 road extension had to be cut back to abut the new extension.

The position of Operating Porter was abolished from 8-1-1945 and in March 1945 a water trough was placed in the station yard at the stockyards.

N121 (N410 from 22-8-1950) at Underbool with an Ouyen-bound grain train. Circa 1948. Photo: Reg Forster, Bob Whitehead Collection

Wagon IZ667 stands at Underbool with a load of wool bales. Another wagon loaded with mallee roots is also standing on the siding. Circa 1948. Photo: Reg Forster, Bob Whitehead Collection

A view of Underbool looking east from the top of the silo. There are two goods trains in the station yard, part of the township including the prominent Underbool Hotel can be observed and the flat mallee landscape forms the backdrop. 1948. Photo: Reg Forster, Bob Whitehead Collection

An unknown member of the N Class picks up a wagon loaded with mallee roots at Underbool. Circa 1948. Photo: Reg Forster, Bob Whitehead Collection

The view looking west from the Underbool silo. 1948. Photo: Reg Forster, Bob Whitehead Collection

Two goods trains are crossing at Underbool with a D3 locomotive on a short grain train in No.2 road heading for Ouyen and a Murrayville and Pinnaroo goods standing on the main line at the platform. Note the features of the station yard in this 1948 scene. Photo: Reg Forster, Bob Whitehead Collection

The inaugural run of the first 102 hp Walker railcar on the Ouyen to Pinnaroo run standing at Underbool platform on 24-8-1948. Photo: Reg Forster, Bob Whitehead Collection

The first run carried a number of Victorian Railways officials and attracted the attention of locals as it stands at Underbool platform. 24-8-1948. Photo: Reg Forster, Bob Whitehead Collection

Passenger services were withdrawn on the Ouyen to Pinnaroo line on 1-11-1968.

An "H 100" type 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 Underbool.

When it was announced in June 1978 that Ouyen would be established as a freight centre, it was proposed that only one Stationmaster would be required between Galah and Panitya and that position would be based at Underbool, however by 27-2-1979, Underbool was altered to No one in Charge conditions.

The 6 ton crane (reduced in capacity to 3 tons), was placed out of use on 2-9-1980.

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

When a special train of railway enthusiasts travelled the line from Ouyen to Pinnaroo on 17-3-1984, the Underbool station facilities and platform were still intact. Photo: Bruce McLean

Tenders were called in April 1990 for the sale and removal of the 10 x 8 feet corrugated iron van goods shed, 14 x 8 feet timber and corrugated iron gang shed and the 10,000 gallons water tank and stand.

Underbool steam locomotive water tank was still in place on 17-3-1984. Tenders were called for removal of the tank and gang shed (far right) in April 1990. Photo: Bruce McLean

S310 and G527 on grain wagons during loading operations at Underbool silo. 4-5-1998. Photo: Bruce McLean

Underbool and Murrayville goods sheds are the only good sheds standing on the Ouyen to Panitya branch line. S310 and G527 are in the background at the head of grain wagons. 4-5-1998. Photo: Bruce McLean