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Timetables 1930 to 1960

This section includes a major contribution from Roderick B. Smith, Editor of "Rail News Victoria" and includes timetables collected over many years from a variety of sources including Jack McLean, Roderick B. Smith, Bob Whitehead and Des Jowett.

Timetable and Service Overview

Contributed by Roderick B. Smith

Via Ballarat:

* In Oct.1933 [July 1931?], the service was altered to run through from/to Melbourne via Ballan: overnight each way; attached to Ballarat stopping services; only four services each way per week. This was partly in line with a general aim of reducing train running during the depression. The Oct.1933 times were: Melbourne dep. 17.06 Mon., Wed. & Fri., 18.55 Sat.; Mildura arr. 7.00 (8.45 Sun.); Mildura dep. 20.30 Mon., Wed., Thurs. & Fri.; Melbourne arr. 9.55. The Oct.1934 timetable showed Melbourne departure times 18.00 & 19.10; arrivals unaltered. Sept.1935 increased the frequency to six down (Melbourne dep. 18.50 Mon.-Fri., 19.10 Sat.) and five or six up (Melbourne arr. 7.35).

* Four AE, four BE and four sleeping carriages were fitted with airconditioning in the period 1935-38. Mildura trains were an early roster. The Mar.1938 timetable showed the post-depression recovery: Melbourne dep. 19.40 Mon.-Sat.; Mildura arr. 7.00; Mildura dep. 21.00 Sun., 20.45 Mon.-Fri.; Melbourne arr. 8.20.

* The pass. ex Melbourne on Tues.14.3.1939 arrived at Maryborough with A2.959-F(6-wheel)-AE(ac)-sleeper(ac)-BE(ac)-BW-CE. It changed loco to A2.892 at Donald. The horsebox was detached at Ouyen. It seems that the one loco worked through from Donald to Mildura. The southbound working was crossed at Litchfield, A2.905-BCE(ex Pinnaroo)-sleeper(ac)-BE(ac)-BV-CE. [Jack McLean's writing or observation may have been faulty at 2.10, as the train should have included an AE(ac)].

* St Arnaud refreshment room was closed from 1940. During the coal shortages of the 1940s, Mildura trains would run without a sleeping car. The 19.40 departure lasted for over a decade; by Nov.51 it had been changed to 19.55.

* Diesel working commenced on Mon.16.3.53. Down & up trains departed at 21.00 Sun.-Fri., via Ballan; Mildura arr. 7.15; Melbourne arr. 7.05.

* Mildura Sunlight started on Tues.3.9.57. The inaugural northbound working was hauled by S300; the southbound next day had B83. It ran on Tues., Wed. & Thurs.: Spencer St dep. 7.50; Mildura dep. 9.10; journey 10 hours. The over-night train ran on Fri. & Sun. The June 59 timetable showed that a trolley service of light refreshments, confectionery, cigarettes and soft drinks was provided on Mildura Sunlight between Melbourne and Ouyen. The May 60 timetable showed that the trolley service had been cut back, provided only between Melbourne and Donald.

References:

* DD: Divisional Diary; NL: VR News Letter; RT: Railway Transportation.

* Poole `VR passenger rollingstock' in Feb.54 ARHS Bulletin (many mistakes).

* Smith `VR airconditioned carriages' in Aug.74 Newsrail.

* Insall `Cheers to the Vinelander' in Sept.93 Newsrail.

* Gould Century of rail; History of rail services Birchip and district 1893-1993 (Sunnyland Press, 1993).

* Isaacs et al Railway refreshments in Victoria (Australian Association of Timetable Collectors, 1992).

Timetables

The following timetables have been extracted from the privately published Bradshaw's Guide,

Public Timetables and Working Timetables (Internal operating documents) published by the Victorian Railways and its successors. The timetables shown are representative of the train services for the lines covered in this history.

Note: The reference "Public" indicates Public Timetable source; "WTT" indicates the source is an internal Working Time Table document.