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Redcliffs to Morkalla Train Services

Red Cliffs - Meringur - Morkalla

1924

The opening of the branch line from Red Cliffs to Werrimull on 11-4-1924 provided for a goods train with a passenger car attached to run on Tuesday and Friday. Departure from Mildura was 6.35 a.m., Red Cliffs 7.08 - 8.15 a.m., Werrimull arrive 11.15 a.m.. The return journey departed Werrimull at 12.15 p.m., Red Cliffs 3.15 - 3.30 p.m., and arrival at Mildura 5.05 p.m.

The Friday train from Mildura was altered from 11-7-1924 to depart Mildura at 8 a.m. instead of 6.35 a.m., Red Cliffs arrive 8.30a.m., depart 9.15 a.m., Werrimull arrive 12.15 p.m. The return journey departed at 1.45 p.m., arriving at Red Cliffs 4.50 p.m., departing 5.25 p.m., Irymple 5.35 - 6.05 p.m. (cross motor train) and arrive Mildura 6.25 p.m..

Further changes were made from 26-8-1924 for both Tuesday and Friday trains with the timetable as follows:

Station	To Werrimull	From Werrimull
Mildura	Dep. 8 a.m.	Arr. 6.25 p.m.
Irymple	8.15 a.m.	Dep. 6.15 p.m. Cross Motor Train Arr. 5.35 p.m.
Redcliffs	Arr. 8.30 a.m. Dep. 9.15 a.m.	Dep. 5.25 p.m. Arr. 4.30 p.m.
Benetook	10.05 a.m.	3.20 p.m.
Merrinee	11.00 a.m.	2.10 p.m.
Werrimull	Arr 11.45 a.m.	Dep 1.15 p.m.

The train would stop at Thurla, Pirlta and Karawinna to pick up or set down passengers when required.

1925

Chief Commissioner Clapp and his inspection party were met by a deputation of residents at Werrimull on 22-8-1925. Requests for three trains a week instead of two were made but Mr. Clapp did not think an extra train was warranted but the two trains might be worked to better advantage.

The opening of the extension from Werrimull to Meringur on 30-10-1925 the existing service was extended to Meringur, arriving at 1 p.m.. Return times were altered to depart Meringur 2 p.m., Werrimull 2.55 p.m., Merrinee 3.55 p.m., Benetook 4.15 p.m., Red Cliffs 5.45 - 6.50 p.m. and arrive Mildura 7.45 p.m.

1926

Train times were altered from 14-6-1926. The Mixed train on Tuesday and Friday was altered to depart Mildura at 6 a.m., Red Cliffs 7.50 a.m. (instead of 8.00 a.m. and 9.15 a.m. respectively) with arrival at Meringur 11.35 a.m. instead of 1 p.m.. The return from Meringur was altered to 12.35 p.m. instead of 2 p.m. and arrival at Mildura 5.10 p.m. instead of 7.45 p.m..

1929

The time of departure on Tuesday and Friday was altered to depart Mildura at 5.30 a.m.. All other times remained unaltered.

1930

Chief Commissioner Clapp announced that the Meringur line trains would be altered to run on Tuesday and Thursday from 1-9-1930 to enable connections with the reduced services between Melbourne and Mildura on Thursday only. Since the opening of the line to Meringur, Tuesday and Friday have been "train days" and settlers north and south of the branch line based their lives on the service. Petitions were organised at the principal towns along the line and presented to Mr. A.G. Allnutt M.L.A. who submitted them to the Commissioners during October 1930. In early December the Commissioners advised that they would not change the arrangements.

1931

The opening of the extension from Meringur to Morkalla on 18-6-1931 provided for an extension of the service to Morkalla on the first Thursday in each month. The following timetable was issued for trains to run on Tuesday and Thursday:

Station	To Morkalla	Station	From Morkalla
Mildura	Dep. 5.00 a.m.	Morkalla	Dep. 12.20 p.m.
Redcliffs	7.20 a.m.	Meringur	12.50 p.m.
Werrimull	9.40 a.m.	Werrimull	2.25 p.m.
Meringur	Arr. 11.15 a.m. Dep.11.25 a.m.	Redcliffs	Arr. 4.15 p.m.
Morkalla	Arr.12 noon

During his inspection of the Millewa branch line on 29-8-1931, including the recently opened extension to Karween and Morkalla, Chief Commissioner Clapp received a deputation from settlers who put forward a case for a more frequent service on the new line. Mr. Clapp announced that the timetable would be altered to a weekly service on Tuesday from 8-9-1931. It was reported that the settlers cheered the departing officials as their special train left on the return journey to Mildura.

From 3-11-1931, train services were altered to depart from Mildura as usual on Tuesday and Thursday, but to remain at Morkalla on Tuesday and Meringur on Thursday. The return journey would commence from Morkalla on Wednesday at 12.20 p.m. and on Friday from Meringur at 12.50 p.m..

1933

From 23-10-1933, the up train on Wednesday was rescheduled to depart 20 minutes earlier from Morkalla at 12 noon and on Wednesday and Friday depart Meringur at 12.40 p.m. - 10 minutes earlier.

1935

Commencing on 2-7-1935, the Mixed train on Tuesday and Thursday was altered to depart Mildura at 5.45 a.m. instead of 6 a.m. to Meringur. (No record of timetable change from 5 a.m. to 6 a.m.).

1936

From Thursday 8-10-1936, Meringur line trains were scheduled to depart Mildura at 7.30 a.m. and arrive at Meringur at 11.35 a.m.. Departure from Meringur would be 12.40 p.m..

1937

Following the introduction of a Mildura to Melbourne fast goods train from 22-11-1937 the Mixed train for Meringur and Morkalla was altered to depart from Mildura on Tuesday and Thursday at 5.45 a.m. and reach Meringur at 11.35 a.m., continuing on to Morkalla on Tuesday only, where it would arrive at 12.30 p.m.. On Wednesday, it would depart Morkalla at 5.30 a.m. instead of 5.50 a.m., arriving at Redcliffs at 9.38 a.m. and Mildura at 10.30 a.m.. On Fridays it would leave Meringur at 12.40 p.m. reaching Mildura at 5.15 p.m..

1939

Commencing on Monday 5-6-1939, the Commissioners cancelled the 7.30 a.m. Redcliffs to Meringur train on Thursday and the 12.40 p.m. Meringur to Redcliffs train on Friday. They also cancelled the 7.30 a.m. Redcliffs to Morkalla train on Tuesday and the 5.30 a.m. Morkalla to Redcliffs train on Wednesday. The reason for cancellation of these Mixed train services was attributed to lack of patronage. Thus passenger services were no longer provided on the Redcliffs to Morkalla branch line.

A goods traffic service only was provided as replacement on Tuesday, departing Redcliffs at 7.30 a.m. for Morkalla and departing Morkalla at 4. 00 a.m. on Wednesday.

In October, the schedule was altered to include an extra train. Trains would now run to Morkalla each Tuesday and Meringur each Thursday. Trains would run from Morkalla to Redcliffs on Wednesday and Meringur to Redcliffs on Friday.

1941

From 14-5-1941, the 3.30 a.m. Morkalla - Redcliffs - Mildura goods train was altered to leave Morkalla at 11 a.m., Meringur 12 noon, Bambill 1 p.m., Werrimull 1.30 p.m., Merrinee 2.30 p.m., Benetook 3.30 p.m. arriving Redcliffs 4.30 p.m., departing 5.20 p.m. and arriving Mildura 5.45 p.m..

On Saturday 4-10-1941 until 30-11-1941 inclusive, a goods train was scheduled to depart Mildura at 7.15 a.m. each Saturday, arriving Morkalla at 2 p.m.. It would return from Morkalla at 10 a.m. Sunday and arrive at Mildura at 6.10 p.m. As a consequence of this alteration, from 7-10-1941, the 7.05 a.m. goods from Mildura to Morkalla on Tuesday and the 11 a.m. goods from Morkalla to Mildura on Wednesday were cancelled.

1942

The Saturday/Sunday goods services were cancelled after 3-1-1942 and from 6-1-1942, a goods train was scheduled to leave Mildura at 7.35 a.m. on Tuesday, arriving Morkalla at 2 p.m. On return the goods train would depart from Morkalla at 10 a.m. the following day (Wednesday) and arrive in Mildura at 5.30 p.m..

From Saturday 15-8-1942, further alterations were made to Morkalla line goods trains.

A goods train would run from Mildura at 7 a.m. each Saturday, Redcliffs 9.00 a.m., and arrive at Morkalla at 2 p.m.. On the return trip, the goods would leave Morkalla at 9.30 a.m. Sunday, arrive at Redcliffs at 4 p.m. and at Mildura at 6.40 p.m..

Consequently from 18-8-1942, the 7.35 a.m. goods from Mildura to Morkalla on Tuesday and the 10.00 a.m. goods from Morkalla to Mildura was cancelled.

From 4-11-1942, the 7 a.m. Mildura to Morkalla goods on Saturday was altered to run on Wednesday and the 9.30 a.m. goods from Morkalla to Mildura on Sunday was altered to run on Thursday.

1943

After the running of the 7 a.m. Mildura to Morkalla goods on 21-7-1943, and the 9.30 a.m. goods from Morkalla to Mildura on 22-7-1943, these trains were cancelled. Commencing on Monday 26-7-1943, a goods train would leave Redcliffs at 11 a.m. for Morkalla, and from Tuesday 27-7-1943, a goods train would leave Morkalla at 9.30 a.m..

1944

The Mildura to Morkalla and return goods train was to be altered to run each fortnight instead of each week, from Monday 19-6-1944, however following representations from Mr. A.G. Allnutt MLA, the service continued. Sand drifts along the Millewa road also led Mr. Allnutt to make a request to the Commissioners in November 1944 for a rail motor car to be used on the Morkalla line.

Morkalla line trains were altered from 7-12-1944. The goods would leave Redcliffs at 11 a.m. on Tuesday and arrive at Morkalla at 4 p.m.. The return would be made on Wednesday, departing Morkalla at 8 a.m. and arriving in Redcliffs at 5 p.m.. The Commissioners indicated that the service would come up for review on 1-7-1945, prior to the next lamb season.

1945

From Monday 3-12-1945, drastic reductions were made to all goods services due to a coal strike. The Morkalla line service was cut back to fortnightly instead of weekly.

On Christmas Day, 25-12-1945, a rail trolley was scheduled to run from Mildura at 12 noon with egg cases, cream cans and parcels for stations on the Morkalla line. The trolley returned the following day and was available for the cartage of produce.

This service was operated for the duration of the coal strike on each alternate week that the goods train did not run.

1946

From 9-9-1946, the 7.30 a.m. goods train from Mildura to Morkalla would run on Monday instead of Tuesday and would return at 8 a.m. from Morkalla on Tuesday instead of Wednesday. This alteration was made to suit fat lamb traffic to the Melbourne market.

1947

From 28-7-1947, the 7.30 a.m. goods train from Mildura to Morkalla would run on Tuesday instead of Monday and would return at 8 a.m. from Morkalla on Wednesday instead of Tuesday. This alteration was made to suit fat lamb traffic to the Melbourne market and generally applied until about December each year.

1948

Commencing on 3-2-1948, the weekly service resumed running on Tuesday and returning from Morkalla on Wednesday. The date of return to Monday and Tuesday services is not known.

1949

From 5-7-1949, The Morkalla line train was altered to depart Mildura on Tuesday and return from Morkalla on Wednesday. The date of return to Monday and Tuesday services is not known.

The coal position became critical during July with a national strike by coal miners and services with State Cabinet ordering that drastic measures had to be taken to cut back on coal consumption. It was announced by the Redcliffs Stationmaster (Mr. H. Lennon) on 21-7-1949 that services on the Morkalla line would be suspended and the line closed to all traffic until further notice.

The first train to resume services on the line ran on Tuesday 16-8-1949, following a return to work by the striking miners. On 3-9-1949 the weekly service reverted to a Monday departure from Redcliffs and return from Morkalla on Tuesday.

1951

Goods trains were altered to depart Redcliffs for Morkalla at 10.00 a.m. on Tuesday from 27-2-1951 and return from Morkalla at 9.30 a.m. Wednesday.

The service days were changed from 8-10-1951 to depart Redcliffs for Morkalla on Monday at 10.00 a.m. and return from Morkalla the following day at 9.30 a.m.

1957

A T Class diesel-electric locomotive hauled an empty grain train as far as Werrimull on 7-1-1957 and returned with loaded wagons. The Millewa wheat-growing area was experiencing a record crop and every available wagon was being pressed into service.

1959

The regular weekly goods train service between Meringur and Morkalla was discontinued after the running of the train from Morkalla on 2-6-1959. The nine and a half mile section would remain open for the carriage of wheat only and trains would run as required for that purpose.

A K Class locomotive stands at Morkalla station in 1959 shortly before the cessation of services beyond Meringur on 2-6-1959. Photo: Peter Ralph, courtesy Train Hobby Publications

1961

The light engine from Mildura to Redcliffs to operate the Meringur service was altered to leave earlier from Mildura at 7.45 a.m.

On 28-9-1961, T327 ran the Morkalla line goods instead of K190 - believed to be the first use of a T Class diesel-electric locomotive on the line.

1967

The introduction of the overnight passenger train service to Mildura resulted in the availability of a diesel-electric locomotive all day at Mildura. This enabled the last two steam locomotives at Mildura to be withdrawn. One was used to run the Meringur and Yelta line goods trains and the other was engaged in shunting duties. The goods train service to Meringur was altered to run on Tuesday from 3-5-1967 instead on Monday to utilise the available diesel-electric locomotive.

1968

From Tuesday 16-7-1968 the 7.25 a.m. Redcliffs - Meringur and 12.40 p.m. Meringur Redcliffs goods train operated fortnightly instead of weekly. On the alternate Tuesday, a road service is run for goods and parcels on the line.

The service reverted to a weekly train from 17-10-1968 with the road service cancelled.

1970

Two days were saved on freight railed from Melbourne to stations on the Red Cliffs to Meringur line following alterations to the timetable from 13-3-1970. The Meringur line train was altered to run on alternate Thursdays with road transport providing a service on the other week. These services handled parcels and goods for the seven stations on the line.

Prior to the change, freight loaded in Melbourne on Friday went the following Tuesday, but now freight could leave Melbourne early in the week and avoid the weekend delay.

1972

Rare wagons to the rails on the Meringur line were three Mobil Bitumen rail tankers. They were sent to Meringur in October to enable the Shire of Mildura to seal the Meringur to Morkalla road, adjacent to the railway reserve. It was announced on 27-9-1972 that the Redcliffs to Meringur line would be closed seasonally from October 6 until December and from about June to December in the following years.

1974

From 28-11-1974, GJF or GJX grain wagons on the Redcliffs - Meringur line could be worked at 20 m.p.h. (30 km/h) with a maximum load of 45 tonnes. Consequently speed on the line was reduced to 15 m.p.h..

Five loaded GJF wagons derailed a short distance on the Down side of Thurla on 13-12-1974 with the result that the large grain hopper wagons were not used again on the line.

1976

The goods train running on each alternate Thursday since 1970 was altered from 13-9-1976 to operate Monday to Friday on an "as required" basis.

1979

A small bridge over an irrigation channel between Redcliffs and Thurla caused the temporary closure of the line following the wheat season. The bridge was suffering subsidence on one side and following repairs, the line was again available for traffic from early February.

Another train takes Millewa grain along the branch line to Redcliffs and then to Dunolly. Near Bambill 29-8-1984. Photo: John Page

1988

The Redcliffs to Meringur line was officially closed from 9-12-1988.