Railways and Tramways of Australia

Opening of the Geelong and Melbourne railway for public traffic, 25 June 1857. Image: Public Record Office Victoria, VPRS 12800/P0001, H 4738.

Opening day mishaps

The railway line between Geelong and Greenwich was officially opened on 25 June 1857.

The Geelong and Melbourne Railway Company was established to build and operate a railway between Geelong and Greenwich, which is now part of the Melbourne suburb of Newport. Construction began in 1853. Some trips operated on sections of the line in 1856 and 1857 before it was completed.

Victorian Governor Sir Henry Barkly was in Geelong for the opening day. A procession and a ceremony took place before the official train departed at 10.30 am. As the train proceeded, Locomotive Superintendent Henry Walter, who was riding on the cab steps of the leading engine, was struck by an overhead bridge. He fell and his head struck the steps and a corner of the first carriage. The train was stopped. Walter was given medical attention but died later that afternoon.

Around 12.15 pm the official train arrived at Greenwich, where the station was decorated with flags and banners. Hundreds of invited guests had arrived there by steamer from Melbourne. The train paraded up and down for some time before departing, leaving those on the platform disappointed. Another train arrived around 2.00 pm and finally took them to Geelong.

The first train arrived back in Geelong at 2.20 pm and a banquet began for around 2500 people. A military band played. The second train arrived at 4.05 pm, but the banquet was by now almost over and some of the passengers from Melbourne did not get anything to eat. A ball that night in Geelong continued until dawn.

Following financial difficulties, the Geelong railway was transferred to Victorian Railways in 1860. Despite the mishaps on its opening day, the Geelong Line is one of the busiest in Victoria.

Bibliography

‘Opening of the Geelong railway,’ The Age, 27 June 1857, p 4.

J Scott, ‘Pioneers of the Geelong railway’, Newsrail, vol. 35, no. 6, June 2007, pp 174–9.

A Clark, ‘The Greenwich railway–1857’, Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin, no. 836, June 2007, pp 234–45.

A Clark, ‘The Greenwich railway–1857’, Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin, no. 837, July 2007, pp 260–79.

A Clark, ‘The Greenwich railway–1857’, Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin, no. 838, August 2007, pp 308–23.

View of the railway terminus of the Geelong and Melbourne Railway Company, with Corio Bay to the right, 1850s. Image: Quarrill & Co, lithographer, State Library of Victoria, H1600.