Pakenham Railway Line

The Pakenham line is a commuter railway line in the city of Melbourne, Victoria. Operated by Metro Trains Melbourne, it is the longest metropolitan railway line at 57 km (35.42 mi). Coloured light blue on the Melbourne rail map, the line runs from Flinders Street station in central Melbourne to Pakenham station in the south-east, serving 27 stations via the City Loop, South Yarra, Caulfield, Oakleigh, and Dandenong. The line operates for ~20 hours a day (from approximately 4:00 am to around midnight) with 24 hour service available on Friday nights and weekends. During peak hour, headways of up to 6 to 12 minutes are operated with services every 20 minutes during off-peak hours. Trains on the Pakenham line run with a seven-car formation operated by HCMTs.

Sections of the Pakenham line opened as early as 1859, with the line fully extended to Pakenham in October 1877. A limited number of stations were first opened, with infill stations progressively opened between 1879 and 2012. The line was built to connect Melbourne with the rural towns of Caulfield, Oakleigh, and Dandenong, amongst others. Significant growth has occurred since opening, with a plan to extend the Pakenham line one stop east to a new station in Pakenham East as part of the Level Crossing Removal Project. This extension is planned to open in 2024.

Since the 2010s, due to the heavily utilised infrastructure of the Pakenham line, significant improvements and upgrades have been made. A $15 billion upgrade package have included the replacement of sleepers, the roll-out of new signalling technology, the introduction of new rolling stock, the removal of all level crossings, and works associated with the Metro Tunnel. These projects have improved the quality and safety of the line. These works will be completed by the opening of the Metro Tunnel in 2025.

History

19th century

In 1877, the Pakenham line began operations from Oakleigh to Bunyip, as part of the main line to Gippsland. The section from Oakleigh to Flinders Street station was connected at South Yarra in April 1879. The section from South Yarra to Hawksburn was duplicated from opening, with an extension of the duplicated section of the line opening in 1881 to Caulfield, Oakleigh in 1883, and Dandenong in 1891. In 1883 the line between Richmond station and South Yarra was quadrupled to accommodate an increase in train services due to the opening of Frankston and Sandringham lines.

In 1885, a number of level crossing removal works occurred between Flinders Street station and South Yarra due to an increase in freight and passenger operations. These crossings were removed through a combination of lowering and raising the corridor.

20th century

In 1915, the line between South Yarra and Caulfield was quadrupled, as part of level crossing removal works. This section of the line was lowered into a cutting to eliminate numerous level crossings. Power signalling was provided between Richmond and Hawksburn at the same time, then on to Caulfield in 1921.

Electrification of the line to Dandenong occurred in two stages during 1922. In May 1922, the section from South Yarra to Oakleigh station was electrified for the first time, with the section to Dandenong being electrified later in December 1922. The electrification of the line allowed for the introduction of Swing Door EMU trains for the first time.

Power signalling was extended to Carnegie in 1933, Oakleigh in 1940, and to Dandenong in stages between 1970 and 1972.

The line between Dandenong, Pakenham and Traralgon was electrified in 1954. Initially single track, duplication of the line between Dandenong, Pakenham and Nar Nar Goon was completed in 1955 and 1956. Suburban services were extended beyond Dandenong to Pakenham in January 1975. This was the final extension of the line till the extension to Pakenham East scheduled to open in 2024. Previously, the line was only served by regional passenger trains connecting Gippsland to Melbourne.

21st century

The Pakenham line has received heavy investment during the 21st century to align with the 2013 PTV Development Plan. Despite the investments, after the closure of the nearby General Motors factory in 1991, in 2002, General Motors station closed permanently with all trains running express between Hallam and Dandenong as a result of the closure. A 2007 restructure of train ticketing in Melbourne involved the removal of Zone 3. The Pakenham was re-zoned to Zone 2 in the Melbourne Metropolitan rail system. This brought the cost of train fares down, improving system accessibility to the public.

A new station at Cardinia Road opened in 2012 situated between Officer and Pakenham stations. This is the first infill station to open on the line since 1927, with an additional station at Pakenham East expected to open in 2024 in conjunction with level crossing removal works. In 2018, a new depot opened at Pakenham East Depot for the newly acquired High Capacity Metro Trains. This depot has the stabling capacity for 30 seven-car trains with train maintenance, driver training, and washing facilities present onsite.

Network and operations

Services

Services on the Pakenham line operates from approximately 4:00 am to around 11:30 daily. In general, during peak hours, train frequency is 5 minutes on the Dandenong corridor (combined with the Cranbourne line) and 10 minutes in the AM peak on the Pakenham Line while during non-peak hours the frequency is reduced to 20-30 minutes throughout the entire route. Services run anticlockwise through the City Loop, and from 2025, Pakenham line services will cease to stop at South Yarra, Richmond, and all City Loop stations when trains are rerouted through the Metro Tunnel upon opening. On Friday nights and weekends, services run 24 hours a day, with 60 minute frequencies available outside of normal operating hours. Since 13 February 2022, some off-peak daytime Pakenham line services (and Cranbourne line services) stop at Malvern station, running express between South Yarra and Malvern stations.

Train services on the Pakenham Line are also subjected to maintenance and renewal works, usually on selected Fridays and Saturdays. Shuttle bus services are provided throughout the duration of works for affected commuters.

Route

The Pakenham line forms a relatively linear route from the Melbourne CBD to its terminus in Pakenham. The route is ~57km ling and is predominantly doubled tracked, however between Flinders Street station and Richmond, the track is widened to 12 tracks, narrowing to 6 tracks between Richmond and South Yarra before again narrowing to 4 tracks between South Yarra and Caulfield. After Caulfield station, the track again narrows to 2 tracks, which is remain for the rest of the route. The only underground section of the Pakenham line is in the City Loop, where the service stops at 3 underground stations. Exiting the city, the Pakenham line traverses mainly flat country with few curves and fairly minimal earthworks for most of the line. However, between South Yarra and Malvern, the rail corridor has been lowered into a cutting to eliminate level crossings, and between Malvern and Caulfield, the corridor it has been raised on an embankment for the same reason. After Caulfield, the line formerly had numerous level crossings, however, all have now been abolished between Caulfield and Dandenong as part of an elevated rail project, as well as some older bridges over and under roads. Remaining level crossings between Dandenong and Pakenham stations will be removed by 2025 under smaller level crossing removal works.

The line follows the same alignment as the Cranbourne line with the two services splitting onto different routes at Dandenong. The Pakenham line heads continues on its eastern alignment, whereas the Cranbourne line takes a southerly alignment towards its final destination. Most of the rail line goes through built-up suburbs and some industrial areas, but after Dandenong, the line gets into more open countryside, passing by open fields and farms, particularly after Beaconsfield. This outer portion of the line is one of Melbourne's main growth corridors, which is rapidly replacing farmland with housing and commercial developments adding additional passengers to the line each year.

Stations

The line serves 27 stations across 57 km (35.42 mi) of track. The stations are a mix of elevated, lowered, underground, and ground level designs. Underground stations are present only in the City Loop, with the majority of elevated and lowered stations being constructed as part of level crossing removals.

Legend—stopping Patterns

* ● = all trains stop.
* ◕ = trains usually stop, except for some trains in the morning and afternoon peaks on weekdays.
* ◐ = trains only stop during off-peak and pass during peak.
* ▲ = only inbound trains stop (outbound trains operate counter-clockwise through the city loop all day).
* ○ = not open—trains do not serve this stop.

*Planned station/ service.

Planned Railway Stations

Infrastructure

Rolling stock

The Pakenham line currently uses electric multiple unit (EMU) trains operating in a seven-car configuration, with three doors per side on each carriage and can accommodate of up to 1,380 passengers in each train-set. Shared with the Cranbourne line, the rolling stock will consist of 70 High Capacity Metro Trains (HCMT), once fully delivered. They are built in Changchun, China with final assembly occurring in Newport, Melbourne by Evolution Rail, a consortium composed of CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles, Downer Rail and Plenary Group.

A number of semi-automated features are included in the HCMT design, including the capacity for low-speed shunting by remote control and for trains to be started without the presence of a driver. The trains will also automatically estimate the passenger load, and the reading can be accessed remotely. Furthermore, the HCMTs will include "stopping aids" to maximize accuracy of the position of train's arrival at platforms. The trains are powered by a 1500 V Overhead Catenary System, the same as all other electrical systems on Melbournes railway network. Unlike other Melbourne trains, the HCMTs feature electronic maps and passenger information screens to update passengers on live information about general infrastructure evaluation. Most of these trains are repurposed locomotives previously used by V/Line, Metro Trains, and the Southern Shorthaul Railroad.

Signalling

Initially, the Pakenham line used a fixed block three position signalling system designed for lower frequencies and less services. However, the ageing system had undermined the rail reliability on and frequencies on the line, requiring the Pakenham, Cranbourne, and Sunbury lines to upgrade their signalling system. Since 2021, the Pakenham, Cranbourne, and Sunbury lines have been rolling out high-capacity signalling (HCS) allowing trains to safely run closer together, meaning they can travel more frequently. The system is being delivered by CPB Contractors and Bombardier Transportation will deliver the $1 billion Rail Systems Alliance, which includes the roll-out of high capacity signalling and communications system on the rail network. The companies will install high-capacity signalling (HCS) system on 55 km of lines to increase frequency. The line will be equipped with Bombardier’s CityFlo 650 communications-based train control system, which will enable operation at 2-3 minute headways.

The upgrading works were completed in phases from 2021. With the upgraded signalling system, trains are now able to run closer to each other. The new system was tested on the Mernda line and a section of the Cranbourne line before being fully implemented on the lines. In March 2022, the Pakenham line underwent further testing of high-tech signalling equipment, to ensure the new trains and signalling system can safely run alongside older-generation trains—including freight and V/Line trains—and the existing signalling system.

Future

Metro Tunnel

The 2012 Network Development Plan identified the need for a north-south tunnel connecting the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines to the Sunbury line. In 2017, the Metro Tunnel began construction, involving the construction of 5 new underground stations, twin 9km tunnels, and other associated infrastructure improvements. Leaving the exisiting Pakenham line alignment before South Yarra station, new stations will be built at Anzac, Town Hall (with connections to Flinders Street station), State Library (with connections to Melbourne Central), Parkville, and Arden, before continuing onto the Sunbury line. These works will be completed by 2025, and upon completion, will create a singular rail line from Cranbourne and Pakenham to Sunbury and Melbourne Airport ( from 2029).

Melbourne Airport rail

The Melbourne Airport rail link will involve the construction of a 27km line from Sunshine to a new station at Melbourne Airport. Connected via the Metro Tunnel, services will operate from the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines through the tunnel before splitting off at Sunshine to either Sunbury or Melbourne Airport. Construction of the line will involve the renovation of Sunshine station to allow for additional platforms, construction of new track, and the addition of two new stations at Keilor East and Melbourne Airport. Construction started in 2022 with services expected to begin in 2029.

Pakenham East line extension

Announced in 2021, the Pakenham line will be extended one stop east to Pakenham East. The extension will involve the removal of the Main Street and Racecourse Road level crossings, the elevation of Pakenham station, the construction of a new station at Pakenham East, and other associated safety and landscape works. These works will be undertaken by the Level Crossing Removal Project and will be completed by 2024.

Level Crossing Removals

The Level Crossing Removal Project has announced the removal of all 22 remaining level crossings on the Pakenham line, to be completed in stages from 2018 to 2025. All level crossings between Caulfield and Dandenong were removed in 2018 as part of the ' Caulfield to Dandenong' skyrail project. This included the removal of 9 level crossings and the reconstruction of 5 elevated stations along the corridor. The second phase of removals involves removing individual crossings along the corridor through a variety of methods by 2025. Some crossings have been removed through elevating the rail corridor, some by lowering or raising the road, with other crossings being removed by closing the crossing off from motor traffic. These projects will leave the entirety of the Pakenham line level crossing free by 2025, with projects on the Sunbury line leaving the entire Sunshine-Dandenong corridor crossing free by the opening of the Metro Tunnel in 2025.

See also

* Dandenong railway line triplication
* Metro Tunnel
* Cranbourne line
* Level Crossing Removal Project

References

External links

Pakenham line timetable.Network map.Statistics and detailed schematic map
at th
VicSig
enthusiast website.

{{Victorian Railway Lines, selected=melbourne

Railway lines in Melbourne
Railway lines opened in 1877
5 ft 3 in gauge railways in Australia
1879 establishments in Australia
Transport in the City of Stonnington
Transport in the City of Glen Eira
Transport in the City of Monash
Transport in the City of Kingston (Victoria)
Transport in the City of Greater Dandenong
Transport in the City of Casey
Transport in the Shire of Cardinia
Public transport routes in the City of Melbourne (LGA)