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1913
Since the middle of January 1913, a daily service was scheduled on the Murrayville line (most likely a passenger car attached to goods trains). From 1-5-1913 trains would leave Ouyen on Tuesday and Thursday at 8 a.m. and Saturday at 1.40 p.m.. Trains would depart Murrayville at 1.30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
1914
Timetables were altered from 1-5-1914. Departure from Ouyen on Tuesday and Thursday would be 9 a.m. and 1.30 p.m. Saturday. Trains would leave Murrayville for Ouyen at 2.30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
1919
On 1-2-1919 the train service between Murrayville and Pinnaroo, across the South Australian border, was cancelled owing to quarantine restrictions brought about by the pneumonic influenza or "Spanish flu" that was rife at the time. The service between Ouyen and Murrayville was maintained. This restriction was lifted on 18-2-1919 with the running of the 9 a.m. Down Mixed train service between Murrayville and Pinnaroo with a Victorian train crew working the train too and from Pinnaroo. Passengers from Victoria were not, however, permitted to travel beyond Panitya, but the train from Pinnaroo could take passengers for Victoria. A restriction on the conveyance of mails, parcels and goods to and from Victorian stations and Pinnaroo was also lifted.
1920
The up fast trains from Mildura were altered to depart at 7.30 a.m. (in lieu 8 a.m.) from 14-4-1920. As a consequence the Pinnaroo to Ouyen service on Mondays and Wednesdays was altered to depart Pinnaroo at 1.40 a.m. (Vic. Time) (40 minutes earlier) and Murrayville to Ouyen stations, 50 minutes earlier to enable a connection with the Melbourne train.
1921
A prolonged shipping dispute in January and February resulted in restrictions on the use of coal by locomotives and caused the cancellation of the 10.20 a.m. train from Ouyen to Murrayville on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and the 2.00 p.m. up train from Murrayville on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. The 9 a.m. train from Ouyen to Pinnaroo on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday would connect with the 5.30 p.m. train from Mildura. Train services returned to normal from 1-3-1921.
A new timetable was introduced from 30-5-1921. Trains would depart from Ouyen on Monday, Tuesday and Friday at 10.20 a.m. arriving Murrayville at 3.40 p.m. and extending to Pinnaroo on Tuesday only to arrive at 5.50 p.m. On Wednesday and Saturday, departure from Ouyen at 9.00 a.m., arrival Murrayville 3.10 p.m. and on Saturday only, extended to Pinnaroo to arrive at 4.30 p.m.. On Thursday, departure from Ouyen was 7.00 a.m. and arrival at Pinnaroo 1.15 p.m..
On Monday and Friday, trains departed Pinnaroo at 1.10 p.m., arriving at Murrayville at 2.20 p.m.. On Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday, depart Murrayville at 2.50 p.m. to arrive in Ouyen at 8.35 p.m.. On Wednesday, depart Pinnaroo at 12.30 p.m. to arrive Murrayville at 1.40 p.m.. On Wednesday and Thursday, depart Murrayville at 2.20 p.m. and arrive Ouyen 8.10 p.m..
1922
It was learned in October that it was proposed to run a motor train based on an advanced design developed from Motor No. 1 (working the Mildura suburban service) on the Murrayville line on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The Pinnaroo train would continue to run on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
1923
Following the successful introduction of rail motors to serve the closely settled irrigation areas of Red Cliffs, Irymple, Mildura and Merbein, the Victorian Railways Commissioners began to introduce these economical trains on branch lines throughout the State. One of the first lines to gain this new experience was the Ouyen to Murrayville section of the Pinnaroo line.
Commencing on 23-7-1923, a trial local service began in lieu of steam trains with the following timetable:
Ouyen - Murrayville: (Rail Motor) Depart Ouyen Monday 10.20 a.m. Monday; 5.50 a.m. Wednesday and Friday; arriving Murrayville 2.10 p.m. Monday; 9.50 a.m. Wednesday and Friday.
Ouyen - Murrayville - Pinnaroo: (Mixed goods) Depart Ouyen 10.20 a.m. Tuesday; 6.30 a.m. Thursday and Saturday; arriving Pinnaroo 5.50 p.m. Tuesday; 12.35 p.m. Thursday; 2 p.m. Saturday.
Murrayville - Ouyen: (Rail Motor) Depart Murrayville 4.55 a.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday; arriving Ouyen 8.50 a.m.
Pinnaroo - Murrayville - Ouyen: (Mixed goods) Depart Pinnaroo 1.10 a.m. Monday, Friday; 12.30 p.m. Wednesday; arrive Ouyen 8.10 p.m. Wednesday; 8.35 a.m. Monday and Friday.
Further improvements were made from 27-8-1923 with the Wednesday morning rail motor from Ouyen being extended to Pinnaroo, arriving at 10.35 a.m. to connect with the South Australian service to Tailem Bend and Adelaide. It would return from Pinnaroo on Thursday at 2.05 p.m., Murrayville 3.00 p.m. (instead of 4.55 a.m.), Underbool 5.05 p.m., Walpeup 5.40 p.m. and arrive Ouyen 6.35 p.m.. The 3.00 p.m. rail motor from Murrayville on Thursdays would enable passengers from stations west of Ouyen to visit Murrayville and return the same day.
The rail motor from Murrayville to Ouyen on Tuesday and Saturday was altered to depart at 5.30 a.m. (35 minutes later) and still form a connection with the train to Melbourne.
The steam mixed train for Pinnaroo would leave Ouyen at 7 a.m. on Saturday (in lieu 6.30 a.m.) and run at later times.
1924
Ouyen members of the Victorian Farmer's Union, in company with the President of the Ouyen Progress Association, met with representatives from the department on 25-7-1924 to seek a daylight train service. Members of the Ouyen Trader's Association met Chief Commissioner Clapp during his annual visit on 8-9-1924. Mr. Clapp rejected a proposal that a motor train service be run daily to Murrayville.
1929
Day |
Train times between Ouyen and Pinnaroo: |
Return to Ouyen |
Monday |
Depart Ouyen 10.35 a.m. for Pinnaroo |
Depart Pinnaroo 1,10 a.m. |
Tuesday |
Depart Ouyen 5.30 a.m. for Pinnaroo |
Depart Pinnaroo 5.55 p.m. |
Wednesday |
Depart 5.30 a.m. for Murrayville |
Depart Pinnaroo 1.10 a.m.. |
Thursday |
Depart Ouyen 7 a.m. for Pinnaroo |
Depart Murrayville at 12.05 p.m. |
Friday |
Depart Ouyen 5.30 a.m. for Murrayville |
Depart Murrayville 5.15 p.m. |
Saturday |
Depart Ouyen 7.25 a.m. for Pinnaroo |
Depart 1.10 a.m. (Monday) |
1930
Following an alteration to the Adelaide to Pinnaroo train service, there was no direct connection to Adelaide on Tuesday and Thursday by the steam hauled train from Ouyen. From 23-5-1930, the 5.30 a.m. rail motor from Ouyen on Friday, now terminating at Murrayville, would run to Pinnaroo, arriving at 9.20 a.m.. The return would leave Pinnaroo at 5.25 a.m. Saturday. This service was a trial.
The crew and station staff of the first AEC rail motor to run between Ouyen and Pinnaroo on 27-8-1923. The Driver, on the far right, lived at Panitya, the last station before Pinnaroo. Note the dog sitting on the engine of the rail motor. The location of this photo is not known, but could possibly be at either Ouyen or Murrayville. Photo: Courtesy John R. Page
The present 6.25 p.m. rail motor from Pinnaroo to Ouyen on Monday provided a direct connection with the rail motor service from Adelaide.
Chief Commissioner Clapp announced from 8-9-1930, that rail motor services between Ouyen and Pinnaroo would be replaced by a reduced service of mixed trains running from Ouyen at 5.30 a.m. on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, and returning from Pinnaroo on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 12.35 p.m..
1931
The world-wide depression was affecting rail traffic in Victoria and services were reduced throughout the State. On the Murrayville line the service was cut back to two trains weekly, on Wednesday and Friday from July. From 5-11-1931, trains were altered to run on Tuesday and Thursday with a motor trolley conveying papers and mail on Saturday. The trolley service however proved to be inadequate and was replaced by attaching a carriage to the goods train leaving Ouyen at 5.30 a.m. Saturday and returning from Murrayville at 11.10 a.m..
1932
The Saturday goods from Ouyen to Murrayville and return was threatened with withdrawal in July, however strong protests from communities along the line resulted in the proposal being abandoned.
1933
From 6-2-1933, a four or six wheel louvre truck would be permitted to be attached to the Ouyen --Murrayville train on Saturday.
1935
It was reported that train services would be accelerated on the Ouyen to Pinnaroo line from 29-9-1935. No specific details available.
1939
In September 1939, the Prime Minister, Mr. Robert Menzies, announced that Australia had declared war on Germany.
1940
A coal strike caused the cancellation of a number of country steam and petrol-electric trains from 17-3-1940. The 9 a.m. Mixed goods between Ouyen and Pinnaroo on Monday and the 4.15 a.m. Mixed train from Pinnaroo to Ouyen on Wednesday was cancelled. There was report however, that the Ouyen to Pinnaroo Mixed train ran on Tuesday 30-4-1940 with the steam locomotive using old sleepers cut into billets for fuel.
1945
From Monday 3-12-1945, drastic reductions were made to all goods and passenger services due to a coal strike. The Mixed train from Ouyen to Pinnaroo was to run only on Monday and Friday.
1945
The normal passenger train service between Melbourne and Mildura was restored from 28-1-1946. Trains would leave Melbourne at 7.40 p.m. daily, Sundays excepted, connecting with the Pinnaroo line service at Ouyen on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Trains would leave Mildura at 8 p.m. Monday to Friday inclusive and Sunday connecting with the Pinnaroo line connection at Ouyen on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday.
1946
Reserved seats were able to be booked by second class passengers travelling from Melbourne on the 7.40 p.m. down Mildura train to stations between Tiega and Pinnaroo in the BCE car-van on the Ouyen to Pinnaroo train on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. This was effective from 2-6-1946.
1BCE car-van at Spencer Street station Melbourne. There were five members of the BCE class, one of which was regularly used on the mixed goods and passenger train running between Ouyen and Pinnaroo. Photo: Bruce McLean
1947
An additional mixed train was scheduled between Ouyen and Pinnaroo from Thursday 16-10-1947. It would depart Ouyen at 6.45 a.m. and arrive at Pinnaroo at 1.35 p.m.. The return would depart Pinnaroo on Friday at 2.15 p.m., arriving at Ouyen at 9.40 p.m.. The other services on the line were scheduled on Tuesday and Saturday from Ouyen.
1948
It was reported that considerable delays had been experienced at times waiting for the steam-hauled Pinnaroo line mixed train to connect at Ouyen with the Melbourne train from Mildura.
A 102 h.p. diesel rail car commenced running on the Ouyen to Pinnaroo and return service on 24-8-1948, replacing the mixed goods train service using a BCE car-van for passengers.
The inaugural run of the Ouyen to Pinnaroo 102 horsepower rail motor on 24-8-1948 under the keen eyes of school students at Underbool. 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
The railcar departed Ouyen on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 6.05 a.m. for Pinnaroo, departing there at 6.20 a.m. on Wednesdays, Fridays and Mondays.
The Ouyen to Pinnaroo rail car standing at Pinnaroo's raised wooden passenger platform. April 1957. Photo: Doug McLean
1959
The Pinnaroo line rail motor failed on 23-11-1959. The defective rail motor was replaced by RM2 which was transferred from the Castlemaine to Maryborough service.
102 horsepower Walker Rail Motor class leader 1RM stabled at Ouyen - December 1967. Photo: Bruce McLean
With the restoration of the overnight sleeping car services between Melbourne and Mildura from 1-5-1967, the Pinnaroo line connections with the main line were altered, with a three days a week in each direction service on the line. As the rail car was "at the wrong end" of the line to take up running of the new service, it was run light from Pinnaroo to Ouyen on 1-5-1967 at 2 a.m. to run the 6 a.m. down service.
1968
The Transport Regulation Board sat at Ouyen on 6-8-1968 to take evidence from nine applicants to conduct a passenger bus service between Ouyen and Pinnaroo. This Victorian Railways had decided to curtain the rail motor service for economic reasons between the centres, but would maintain goods services. No date was announced at this time for the end of the rail motor service.
The last day of the passenger service was 1-11-1968.
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