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Mildura to Yelta Train Services

Mildura - Merbein - Yelta

1910

The inaugural timetable for the new line from Mildura to Merbein provided trains to depart Mildura at 2 p.m. on Monday, 8.30 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Wednesday and Friday. Trains would depart from Merbein at 3 p.m. on Monday, and 9.50 a.m. on Wednesday and Friday

1911

Significant changes were made to the Merbein service from 1-12-1911.

Trains would depart Mildura at 6.15 a.m. Sundays; 9 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays; and 2 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Departures from Merbein would be 9.20 a.m. Sundays; 9.50 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays; and 3 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

The timetable was inconvenient for Merbein settlers who were required to spend a night in Mildura to complete a return rail journey. The Commissioners claimed the timetable was designed to suit through travellers from Melbourne to Merbein who objected to a three hour wait at Mildura under the old timetable.

1912

From 31-1-1912, additional trains and an improved timetable were provided. The following table illustrates the service:

Day	Depart Mildura	Depart Merbein
Sunday	8.30 a.m.	9.25 a.m.
Monday	1.30 p.m.	2.30 p.m.
Tuesday	9.20 a.m.	10.15 a.m.
Wednesday	8.30 a.m. 1.30 p.m.	9.25 a.m. 2.30 p.m.
Thursday	9.20 a.m.	10.15 a.m.
Friday	1.30 p.m.	2.30 p.m.

1913

A four months trial commenced on 30-8-1913 for an additional mixed train on Saturdays. Departure from Mildura would be 1 p.m., and 6 p.m. and Merbein 2 p.m. and 6.45 p.m. The journey time in each direction being 25 minutes.

1914

From 1-12-1914, trains would leave Mildura for Merbein at 3 p.m. Monday to Thursday, departing Merbein for Mildura at 4 p.m.. On Friday and Saturday trains would leave Mildura at 8.30 a.m. and depart Merbein at 9.25 a.m..

1915

State-wide cut backs in railway services were introduced on 1-9-1915 resulting in the cancellation of the Tuesday and Thursday return trains between Mildura and Merbein.

The services were restored on 13-12-1915 with the alteration that the departure from Mildura would now be 2.45p.m., and departure from Merbein 4 p.m., each day Monday to Friday. On Saturday departure from Mildura would be 8.30 a.m. and Merbein 9.25 a.m.

1919

Train services were altered in December to provide for seven trains per week between Mildura and Merbein. On Monday, leave Mildura 6 a.m., arrive Merbein 6.25 a.m; depart Merbein 7 a.m. and arrive Mildura at 7.25 a.m. to connect with the 8 a.m. Melbourne train.

Monday to Friday, leave Mildura 2.15 p.m., arrive Merbein 2.40 p.m.; depart Merbein 4 p.m. and arrive Mildura at 4.25 p.m.

Saturday depart Mildura 8.30 a.m., arrive Merbein 8.55 p.m.; depart Merbein 9.45 a.m. and arrive Mildura 10.10 a.m.

1920

The Monday service was brought forward by 30 minutes from 14-4-1920 to provide for an earlier departure of the fast train to Melbourne. It would now depart Mildura at 5.30 a.m. and depart Merbein at 6.30 a.m..

Alterations were made from 2-10-1920 to provide an increase in train services. In addition to the daily 2.15 p.m. train to Merbein, a train would leave Mildura at 5.30 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. Trains would also run on Wednesday and Saturday as for the Monday morning service times. On Saturday an additional service would leave Mildura at 9.15 a.m. with the return departure from Merbein at 10.30 a.m..

During an inspection of the Ouyen Pinnaroo line by the Commissioners on 16-10-1920, a deputation requested the train from Ouyen on Monday, Wednesday and Friday be extended to Pinnaroo, returning to Murrayville the same evening. Chief Commissioner Clapp stated that he knew the farmers along the line were there on a "big job" and as soon as he got his breath he would consider the request.

1921

A prolonged shipping dispute in January and February resulted in restrictions on the use of coal by locomotives and caused the cancellation of all trains on the Merbein line with the exception of Tuesday and Friday. Trains would leave Mildura at 3.45 a.m. and 7.30 a.m. and depart Merbein at 4.40 a.m. and 8.25 a.m.. Train services returned to normal from 1-3-1921.

From 30-5-1921, the 2.25 p.m. train from Mildura to Merbein was altered to depart at 1.45 p.m. and arrive at Merbein at 2.10 p.m.. The 4 p.m. train from Merbein to Mildura was brought forward to depart at 3.30 p.m. and arrive Mildura 3.55 p.m..

1922 - 28?

Passenger train services were radically improved from 26-6-1922 with the introduction of a new motor train running to an increased frequency Monday to Saturday between Merbein, Mildura and Red Cliffs. (Refer to the separate chapter on the Mildura Suburban Train Service.

1925

With the opening of the line from Merbein to Yelta on 27-6-1925, the Mixed train to Merbein was extended to Yelta on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Times were as follows:

Day	Depart Mildura	Merbein	ArriveYelta
Tuesday	10.45 a.m.	11.10 a.m. - 12.10 p.m.	12.45 p.m.
Thursday	10.45 a.m.	11.10 a.m. - 12.10 p.m.	12.45 p.m.
Saturday	8.15 a.m.	8.40 a.m. - 9.40 a.m.	10.15 a.m.
Day	Depart Yelta	Merbein	Arrive Mildura
Tuesday	1.15 p.m.	1.40 p.m. - 3.30 p.m.	3.55 p.m.
Thursday	1.15 p.m.	1.40 p.m. - 3.30 p.m.	3.55 p.m.
Saturday	10.45 a.m.	11.10 a.m. - 11.50 a.m.	12.15 p.m.

1926

The 9.40 a.m. Mixed train between Merbein and Yelta and 10.45 a.m. between Yelta and Merbein was cancelled on Saturdays from 19-6-1926.

1927

The regular carriage on the Mildura to Merbein Car-goods was 7ABC. When Commissioner Molomby was shown the state of the carriage (it had a decided "dip" from either end toward the centre of the car) he ordered it to be taken off as soon as a replacement carriage could be obtained.

1928

The Mildura suburban rail motor service was withdrawn from 12-11-1929 and trains on the Merbein and Yelta line were altered as follows:

Tuesday and Thursday: Depart Mildura 10.45 a.m., arrive Merbein 11.10 a.m., continue to Yelta.

Monday, Wednesday, Friday: Depart Mildura 12.45 p.m., arrive Merbein 1.10 p.m.

Saturday: Depart Mildura 8.15 a.m., arrive Merbein 8.40 a.m.

Trains from Yelta and Merbein would operate as follows:

Monday - Friday: Depart Merbein 3.30 p.m., arrive Mildura 3.55 p.m. (Tuesday and Thursday from Yelta)

Saturday: Depart Merbein 9.40 a.m., arrive Mildura 10.05 a.m.

The timetable drew criticism from Merbein residents as it did not provide any connections with trains to and from Melbourne. A motor trolley was provided to convey perishables and parcels, however this was described as antiquated and inadequate. Numerous meetings were conducted with railway officials and Mr. Allnutt M.L.A. but the only concession granted was to replace the original trolley with a new 12 horsepower motor equipped with a hood to protect its cargo from the elements. The railway position was that Merbein district residents had shown conclusively that they preferred road service to rail service so they were not in a position to complain.

1930

Chief Commissioner Clapp announced that the goods service to Yelta would be reduced to one day a week from 8-9-1930.

1932

Trains from Merbein to Yelta would run only as required. Passengers were advised to check with the Merbein or Mildura Stationmaster.

1941

Due to the wartime shortage of coal supplies, the following cancellations were made from 3-2-1942: The Mildura to Merbein goods at 2.15 p.m. and the 4.00 p.m. goods from Merbein to Mildura on Tuesday; the 8.15 a.m. goods from Mildura to Merbein and 9.40 a.m. goods from Merbein to Mildura on Saturday. This meant a reduction from six services a week to four. The Casey Jones motor trolley connecting with the passenger train from Melbourne would still bring perishable goods consigned to Merbein on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings.

1943

From 28-9-1943, the goods service between Mildura to Merbein would run on Tuesday and Friday and from Mildura to Yelta on Thursday.

1944

To meet the requirements of the district fruit harvest, goods train services from Mildura to Melbourne were altered from 31-1-1944. To connect with the Melbourne trains, the goods train from Mildura to Merbein on Tuesday and Friday was altered to depart at 1 p.m. and the goods train to Yelta on Thursday, was altered to depart at 10.30 a.m..

The acute coal position was given as the reason for cancellation of the 1 p.m. goods from Mildura to Merbein and 3.45 p.m. Merbein to Mildura on Wednesday from 4-10-1944.

Further alterations were made from 16-10-1944 with a goods train leaving Mildura for Merbein at 1 p.m. on Monday and Friday, and arriving at 1.25 p.m.. The return would leave Merbein at 3.45 p.m. and arrive at Mildura at 4.10 p.m.. On Wednesday a goods would leave Mildura at 10.30 a.m. and arrive at Yelta at 12.45 p.m.. It would depart Yelta at 1.25 p.m. and arrive at Mildura at 4.10 p.m..

These services would replace the existing service to Merbein on Monday and Friday and to Yelta on Tuesday.

1945

From Monday 3-12-1945, drastic reductions were made to all goods services due to a coal strike. The goods services to Merbein were cut back to Monday and Wednesday, the Friday service being cancelled. The Wednesday train would continue to Yelta. During the Christmas/New Year period, the train to Yelta was cancelled. On Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, perishable goods and parcels were conveyed to Merbein and return by a ganger's trolley hauling a trailer.

1946

An additional train would run to Merbein and return on Tuesday from 26-2-1946 as the result of a deputation from the Merbein Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Grower's Association. This train was suspended from 18-7-1946.

The service to Merbein would then depart Mildura at 12.45 p.m. on Monday and Friday, and depart at 3.30 p.m. for return to Mildura. The service to Yelta would depart Mildura at

10.30 a.m. on Wednesday and depart at 1.25 p.m. for return to Mildura.

1947

From Wednesday 19-2-1947, the weekly goods to Yelta was altered to depart from Mildura at 11.30 a.m. instead of 10.30 a.m.. It would arrive at Yelta at 1.30 p.m. and depart on the return trip at 2.30 p.m.. The Mildura to Merbein goods on Monday and Friday was also altered so that it would depart Mildura at 1.30 p.m. instead of 12.45 p.m.. It would depart Merbein on return at 4.30 p.m..

Commencing from Monday 28-4-1947, country train services were cut back by 10% due to the increasing number of steam locomotives becoming unserviceable through lack of maintenance. Train speeds were also reduced to conserve fuel. Train services were cut to two per week between Mildura and Merbein but were restored to three trains - Monday, Wednesday and Friday - from 12-5-1947.

From 25-6-1947, the weekly goods to Yelta was altered to leave Mildura at 10.30 a.m. on Wednesday instead of Friday.

To handle increased traffic in citrus, an additional train was scheduled from Mildura to Merbein at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, returning at 3.45 p.m. the same day.

1948

A goods train was scheduled to run to Merbein each Tuesday from 1-6-1948 for the citrus season.

1949

The coal position was worse than ever due to a seven week national strike by miners and State Cabinet ordered that drastic measures be taken to cut back on coal consumption from 1-6-1949. The Friday service to and from Merbein was cancelled and the service would be reduced to the 12.45 p.m. service to Merbein on Monday and the 12.30 p.m. service to Yelta on Wednesday.

From 11-8-1949 an extra goods train was scheduled to Merbein departing Mildura at 12.45 p.m. and returning at 3.30 p.m.. This service would connect with the goods train to Melbourne that night.

1951

Following an announcement by the Premier (Mr. McDonald) that Victoria was facing one of the worst coal shortages in its history, goods trains would only run to Merbein on Monday and to Yelta on Wednesday from 26-2-1951.

Representations by Mildura District Citrus Co-operative Association to the Commissioners resulted in goods train schedules to Merbein being altered from 18-6-1951. An extra train would leave Mildura for Merbein at 12.45 p.m. on Friday instead of Thursday, to give quicker transport of weekend fruit. Trains to Merbein and Yelta would thus run as follows:

Monday and Friday: Depart Mildura 12.45 p.m.. Depart Merbein for Mildura 3.30 p.m..

Wednesday: Depart Mildura 10.30 a.m. for Yelta. Depart Yelta for Mildura at 3.30 p.m..

In October goods train schedules throughout the state were returning to normal and it possible that a Tuesday service to Merbein resumed at this time.

1953

In July it was announced that an additional Tuesday train would be scheduled for the citrus season. Trains would now be scheduled to Merbein on Monday, Tuesday (two return trips) and Friday and to Yelta on Wednesday.

1956

Train services to Merbein and Yelta were suspended in August 1956 due to floodwaters alongside and below the tracks. The Railway Commissioners approved the Shire of Mildura constructing a temporary roadway through the railway reserve to give access to agricultural properties behind Lake Ranfurly, who were unable to gain normal access due to the rising floodwaters.