View source for Alamein line

{{Short description|Passenger rail service in metropolitan Melbourne, Victoria, Australia}}
{{good article}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Use Australian English|date=January 2012}}
{{Infobox rail service
| name            = Alamein
| color           = {{rcr|Melbourne|Alamein}}
| logo            = {{ric|Melbourne|Alamein|size=100px}}
| image           = Willison Station.jpg
| image_width     = 250px
| image_alt       = 
| caption         = Building at [[Willison railway station|Willison station]] on the Alamein line, June 2024
| type            = [[Commuter rail]]
| status          = Operational
| system          = [[Railways in Melbourne|Melbourne railway network]]
| locale          = [[Melbourne]], [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]], [[Australia]]
| predecessor     = {{Plainlist|
* [[Outer Circle railway line|Outer Circle]] (pre 1898)
* Flinders Street – Ashburton (1898–1924)
* Riversdale – Deepdene (1900–1925)
* Riversdale – East Kew (1925–1943)
* Flinders Street – Ashburton ^ (1924–1948)
}} ^ are electric services
| first           = {{Start date and age|1898|7|4|df=y}}
| last            = <!-- {{End date and age|yyyy|mm|dd|df=y}} -->
| successor       = 
| operator        = [[Metro Trains Melbourne|Metro Trains]]
| formeroperator  = {{Plainlist|
* [[Victorian Railways|Victorian Railways (VR)]] (1898–1974)
* VR as VicRail (1974–1983)
* [[Metropolitan Transit Authority (Victoria)|MTA (The Met)]] (1983–1989)
* [[Public Transport Corporation|PTC (The Met)]] (1989–1998)
* [[Connex Melbourne|Hillside Trains]] (1998–2000)
* [[Connex Melbourne]] (2000–2009)
}}
| ridership       = 
| ridership2      = 
| website         = 
| start           = {{rwsa|Flinders Street}}
| stops           = 18 (including City Loop stations)
| end             = {{rwsa|Alamein}}
| distance        = {{Convert|14.9|km|abbr=on}}
| journeytime     = 27 minutes (not via City Loop)
| frequency       = {{blist|15–30 minutes weekdays peak|15 minutes weekdays off-peak|20 minutes weekend daytime|30 minutes nights|60 minutes [[Night Network (Melbourne)|early weekend mornings]]|Most weekday peak services operate through to the City. Shuttles to/from Camberwell station operate at all other times}}
| line_used       = Alamein, [[Outer Circle railway line|Outer Circle]]
| class           = 
| access          = 
| seating         = 
| baggage         = 
| otherfacilities = 
| stock           = [[X'Trapolis 100]]
| gauge           = {{Track gauge|1600 mm}}
| el              = 1500 [[Volt|V]] [[Direct current|DC]] [[Overhead line|overhead]]
| owners          = [[VicTrack]]
| routenumber     = 
| maintenance     = 
| map             = {{Alamein Metro Service|inline=yes}}
| map_state       = collapsed
}}
The '''Alamein line''' is a [[commuter rail]]way line on the [[Railways in Melbourne|Melbourne metropolitan railway network]] serving the city of [[Melbourne]] in [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]], [[Australia]]. Operated by [[Metro Trains Melbourne]], the line is coloured [[Dark blue (color)|dark blue]] and is one of the four lines that constitute the [[Metro Trains Melbourne#Burnley Group|Burnley group]]. It is the city's second shortest metropolitan railway line at {{convert|14.9|km}}. The line runs from [[Flinders Street railway station|Flinders Street station]] in central Melbourne to [[Alamein railway station|Alamein station]] in the east, serving 18 stations via [[Burnley railway station|Burnley]], [[Camberwell railway station, Melbourne|Camberwell]], [[Riversdale railway station|Riversdale]], and [[Ashburton railway station, Melbourne|Ashburton]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Alamein Line |url=https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/route/timetable/1/alamein/ |access-date=19 August 2023 |website=Public Transport Victoria |language=en-GB}}</ref>

The line operates for approximately 19 hours a day (from approximately 5:00 am to around 12:00 am) with all-night service on Fridays and Saturdays. During peak hours, [[headway]]s of up to 15 minutes are operated with services every 10–30 minutes during off-peak hours.<ref name=":0" /> Trains on the Alamein line run with one or two three-car formations of [[X'Trapolis 100]] trainsets.

Sections of the Alamein line opened as early as 1898, with the line fully extended to Alamein by 1948.<ref name="elect84" /> The Alamein line was originally part of the [[Outer Circle railway line|Outer Circle line]] which operated from 1890 until its closure in 1897. The line was built to connect [[Melbourne]] with the suburb towns of [[Camberwell, Victoria|Camberwell]] and [[Ashburton, Victoria|Ashburton]], amongst others previously served by the Outer Circle line. Minor upgrades have occurred since its opening, including historical level crossing removal works and regular infrastructure upgrades.''<ref name="oc67" />''<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last1=Stone |first1=John |last2=Woodcock |first2=Ian |date=10 April 2018 |title=Level-crossing removals: learning from Melbourne's experience |url=https://msd.unimelb.edu.au/research/projects/completed/level-crossing-removals-learning-from-melbournes-experience |access-date=19 August 2023 |website=Melbourne School of Design |publisher=University of Melbourne and RMIT University |language=en}}</ref>

== History ==

=== 19th century ===
{{For|operation before the reopening on 4 July 1898|Outer Circle railway line}}
What is now known as the Alamein line was opened as the [[Outer Circle railway line|Outer Circle Railway]] between 1890 and 1891. The segment still in use today was opened on 24 March 1890.<ref name="elect84">{{cite book |last=S.E. Dornan and R.G. Henderson |title=Electric Railways of Victoria |publisher=Australian Electric Traction Society |year=1979 |isbn=0-909459-06-1 |page=84}}</ref>

=== 20th century ===
The section from Camberwell to Ashburton was reopened 4 July 1898 and was operated by a steam locomotive and single carriage.<ref name="elect84" /> The northern section, from Riversdale to Deepdene, was reopened on 14 May 1900, with a steam train, known locally as the Deepdene Dasher, running between Ashburton and Deepdene at ~90-minute intervals, connecting at East Camberwell on the lower platform.<ref name=":4">{{cite book | first1 = David  | last1 = Beardsell | first2 = Bruce  | last2 = Herbert | title = The Outer Circle: A history of the Oakleigh to Fairfield Park Railway | publisher = Australian Railway Historical Society (Victorian Division) | year = 1979 | isbn = 0-85849-024-2 |page=61}}</ref> The Deepdene Dasher was the last passenger steam train in suburban Melbourne.<ref name="elect84" />
[[File:Deepdene Dasher steam train.webp|alt=A steam train at a platform in 1926.|thumb|The Deepdene Dasher steam train at [[Deepdene railway station, Melbourne|Deepdene station]], 1926.|left]]
Electrification of the Melbourne suburban rail network commenced in the 1920s. In 1923, the Railway Commissioners decided not to electrify the line from Deepdene through Riversdale to Ashburton, due to insufficient traffic levels, but would keep the issue under review.<ref name="elect84" /> Their position was partly reversed, with the Camberwell to Ashburton section later being included in the project. The last steam train ran to Ashburton on 29 October 1924 with electric train services commencing three days later in the form of shuttle trains from Camberwell to Ashburton, running every 40 minutes.<ref name="elect84" />{{sfn|Beardsell|Herbert|1979|p=63}} On 15 August 1926, the last steam train the Deepdene Dasher ran, and was replaced by a pair of [[AEC railmotor]]s coupled back to back.{{sfn|Beardsell|Herbert|1979|p=63}} The Commissioners intended to electrify the line if the volume of traffic increased, but that did not occur, and the service was replaced by road bus on 10 October 1927.<ref name="elect84" /> The electrified suburban service remains as today's Alamein line.

The line from Camberwell to the terminus was a single line with no crossing loops provided. The single train running operated a shuttle service along the line from Camberwell. [[Staff and Ticket]] [[safeworking]] was used, except between Camberwell and Riversdale where Lever Locking & Track Control was provided on 2 November 1924. [[Patronage (transportation)|Patronage]] and revenue on the line doubled after electrification, and on 12 October 1925 a 30 to 45 minute connecting service was provided to Ashburton.<ref name="elect84" /> From 26 November 1928 two trains were provided at peak hours, with a new crossing loop provided at [[Hartwell railway station|Hartwell]].<ref name="elect84" /> Through trains to the city at peak hour were provided from 17 May 1934. From 3 October 1938 the daytime off peak frequency was improved to 15 minutes.<ref name="elect85">{{cite book |last=S.E. Dornan and R.G. Henderson |title=Electric Railways of Victoria |publisher=Australian Electric Traction Society |year=1979 |isbn=0-909459-06-1 |page=85}}</ref>

On 28 June 1948, the line was extended to the new [[Housing Commission of Victoria]] estate of Alamein, with some services extended to the new terminus.<ref name="elect85" /> After [[World War II]], as part of [[Operation Phoenix (railway)|Operation Phoenix]], plans were drawn up to duplicate the line and provide a [[flying junction]] connection at Camberwell. It was authorised in 1951, but was delayed due to funding issues and other competing projects.<ref name="oc67">{{cite book |author=David Beardsell and Bruce Herbert |title=The Outer Circle: A history of the Oakleigh to Fairfield Park Railway |publisher=Australian Railway Historical Society (Victorian Division) |year=1979 |isbn=0-85849-024-2 |page=67}}</ref> The first {{convert|2.2|km|mi|adj=on}} long stage opened on 7 November 1954, from Hartwell to Ashburton stations, followed by the [[Double track|duplication]] and automatic signalling of the {{convert|1.6|km|mi||abbr=on}} stretch of line from Riversdale to Hartwell section on 31 July 1955. From 15 July 1955, Ashburton station ceased to be a regular terminus.<ref name="elect85" /> However, reduced loan funds for railway construction during 1955 and 1956 delayed the rest of the works, with the [[overpass]] and new line at Camberwell finally commissioned on 29 November 1959.<ref name="oc67" /> The last stage of the works had to wait until 8 November 1962 when automatic signalling was introduced between Hartwell and Ashburton, and the signal bay at Hartwell closed.<ref name="elect86">{{cite book |last=S.E. Dornan and R.G. Henderson |title=Electric Railways of Victoria |publisher=Australian Electric Traction Society |year=1979 |isbn=0-909459-06-1 |page=86}}</ref>

From 9 July 1972, the service was cut to every hour on Sundays, and from 10 December 1973 it was changed to 20 minutes during the day and every 40 minutes at night and on Saturday afternoons. Through trains to Flinders Street off-peak were provided from 20 January 1975 at a frequency of every 15 minutes Monday to Friday, with [[Box Hill railway station, Melbourne|Box Hill]] trains running [[express train|express]] from Camberwell.<ref name="elect86" />

In the 1980s, moves were made to close the line and replace it with a bus service, but these proposals were met with widespread opposition in what had been considered safe seats for the state government of the day. Under sustained opposition, a proposal was made to convert the line to [[light rail]],  but this seemed to have limited effect in quelling the backlash. A further suggestion was made to replace the track closest to East Camberwell with a 4th platform as the new terminus instead of Camberwell. This too was unpopular, and the line remained intact. The [[Jeff Kennett|Kennett]] government of the early 1990s.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 September 2016 |title=Kennett's public transport cuts denounced |url=https://www.greenleft.org.au/content/kennetts-public-transport-cuts-denounced |access-date=19 February 2023 |website=Green Left |language=en |archive-date=19 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219100157/https://www.greenleft.org.au/content/kennetts-public-transport-cuts-denounced |url-status=live }}</ref> made another attempt to close or convert the line. However, once again, there was a significant public outcry in the areas bordering it and the Alamein line has remained open and in operation well into the 21st century.

=== 21st century ===
The 2000s saw the introduction of the [[X'Trapolis 100]] rolling stock on the line. The new stock features three doors per side on each carriage with the ability to accommodate up to 456 seated passengers in each six-car configuration.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last1=Dowling |first1=Jason |last2=Clay |first2=Lucas |date=9 May 2008 |title=New trains will have fewer seats |url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/new-trains-will-have-fewer-seats-20080509-ge722z.html |access-date=19 August 2023 |website=The Age |language=en}}</ref><!--When a future project is announced, add a heading called "Future". Underneath that heading, add a level 1 subheading with an appropriate title before adding content (similar to all other Melbourne metropolitan rail line articles)-->

== Network and operations ==

=== Services ===
Services on the Alamein line operate from approximately 5:00 am to around 12:00 am daily.<ref name=":0" /> In general, during peak hours, train frequency is 10–20 minutes while services during non-peak hours drop to 20–30 minutes throughout the entire route.<ref name=":0" /> Due to the limited number of passengers on the Alamein line, services operate as a shuttle in off-peak times to Camberwell instead of continuing into the central business district.<ref name=":0" /> On Friday and Saturday nights, services run 24 hours a day, with 60 minute frequencies available outside of normal operating hours.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022 |title=Melbourne Weekend Night Network Train Map |url=https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/assets/PTV-default-site/Maps-and-Timetables-PDFs/Maps/Night-Network-maps/Night-Train-Map-SEPT-2021.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230112114049/https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/assets/PTV-default-site/Maps-and-Timetables-PDFs/Maps/Night-Network-maps/Night-Train-Map-SEPT-2021.pdf |archive-date=12 January 2023 |access-date=18 December 2022}}</ref>

Train services on the Alamein line are also subjected to maintenance and renewal works, usually on selected Fridays and Saturdays.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Buses replace trains between Camberwell, Ringwood and Alamein |url=https://www.metrotrains.com.au/planned-works/buses-replace-trains-between-camberwell-ringwood-and-alamein/ |access-date=28 August 2023 |website=www.metrotrains.com.au |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Rail And Road Upgrades Over The Long Weekend {{!}} Premier of Victoria |url=http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/rail-and-road-upgrades-over-long-weekend |access-date=28 August 2023 |website=www.premier.vic.gov.au |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Department of Transport |date=27 April 2022 |title=Public transport and road disruptions this long weekend |url=https://www.miragenews.com/public-transport-and-road-disruptions-this-long-770923/ |access-date=28 August 2023 |website=Mirage News |language=en-AU}}</ref> Shuttle bus services are provided throughout the duration of works for affected commuters.<ref>{{Cite news |date=15 November 2016 |title=Where do train replacement buses come from? |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-11-15/where-do-train-replacement-buses-come-from/8018532 |url-status=live |access-date=18 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221214224815/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-11-15/where-do-train-replacement-buses-come-from/8018532 |archive-date=14 December 2022}}</ref>

==== Stopping patterns ====
'''Legend — Station status'''
* ◼ [[Premium station|Premium Station]] – Station staffed from first to last train
* ◻ [[Host station|Host Station]] – Usually staffed during morning peak, however this can vary for different stations on the network.

'''Legend — Stopping patterns'''<br>Some services do not operate via the City Loop
* ● – All trains stop
* ◐ – Some services do not stop
* ▲ – Only inbound trains stop
* ▼ – Only outbound trains stop
* | – Trains pass and do not stop

==== Guide ====
Source:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alamein Line |url=https://transport.vic.gov.au/route/,-w-, |access-date=2025-11-04 |website=Transport Victoria |language=en}}</ref>
===== Weekdays =====
- Early morning, interpeak and night services to and from Alamein run only as a shuttle from [[Camberwell railway station, Melbourne|Camberwell]] with all services stopping at all stations.

- During the morning and afternoon peaks services to and from Alamein run all the way to [[Flinders Street railway station|Flinders Street]].

'''(Some services run to different stopping patterns during peak hours)'''

===== Weekends =====
- All services on weekends to and from Alamein run only as a shuttle from [[Camberwell railway station, Melbourne|Camberwell]] with all services stopping at all stations.

===== Night Network =====
- All night network services to and from Alamein run only as a shuttle from [[Camberwell railway station, Melbourne|Camberwell]] with all services stopping at all stations.{{Table alignment}}
{| class="wikitable defaultcenter col1left"
! colspan="6" style="background:#{{rcr|Melbourne|Alamein}};" |<span style="color:white;">Alamein Services<ref>{{cite web |title=Alamein Line |url=https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/route/timetable/1/alamein/ |website=Public Transport Victoria |access-date=26 December 2022 |archive-date=12 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112114241/https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/route/timetable/1/alamein/ |url-status=live }}</ref></span>
|+
!Station
!Zone
!Local
!Ltd Express
!Riversdale
!Shuttle
|-
|◼ {{rwsa|Flinders Street}} || rowspan="18" | 1 || ● || ● || ▼ || rowspan="11" | 
|-
|◼ {{rwsa|Southern Cross}} || ◐ || rowspan="4" | || ◐ 
|-
|◼ {{rwsa|Flagstaff}} || ◐ || ◐ 
|-
|◼ {{rwsa|Melbourne Central}} || ◐ || ◐ 
|-
|◼ {{rwsa|Parliament}} || ◐ || ◐ 
|-
|◼ {{rwsa|Richmond|m}} || ● || ● || ▼ 
|-
|{{htxt|◻}} {{rwsa|East Richmond|m}} || ◐ || {{Pipe}}|| ◐ 
|-
|◼ {{rwsa|Burnley}} || ● || {{Pipe}} || ◐
|-
|{{htxt|◻}} {{rwsa|Hawthorn|m}} || ● || {{Pipe}} || ◐
|-
|◼ {{rwsa|Glenferrie}} || ● || ◐ || ▼ 
|-
|◻ {{rwsa|Auburn|m}} || ● || {{Pipe}} || ◐
|-
|◼ {{rwsa|Camberwell|m}} || ● || ● || ▼ || ● 
|-
|{{htxt|◻}} {{rwsa|Riversdale}} || ● || ● || ▼ || ● 
|-
|{{htxt|◻}} {{rwsa|Willison}} || ● || ● || rowspan="5" | || ● 
|-
|{{htxt|◻}} {{rwsa|Hartwell}} || ● || ● || ● 
|-
|{{htxt|◻}} {{rwsa|Burwood|m}} || ● || ● || ● 
|-
|◼ {{rwsa|Ashburton|m}} || ● || ● || ● 
|-
|{{htxt|◻}} {{rwsa|Alamein}} || ● || ● || ● 
|}

=== Operators ===
The Alamein line has had a total of 6 operators since its opening in 1898. The majority of operations throughout its history have been government run: from its first service in 1898 until the 1999 privatisation of Melbourne's rail network, four different government operators have run the line.<ref name=":6">"Melbourne's Rail Network to be Split" ''[[Railway Digest]]'' November 1997 page 12</ref> These operators, [[Victorian Railways]], the [[Metropolitan Transit Authority (Victoria)|Metropolitan Transit Authority]], the [[Public Transport Corporation]] and Hillside Trains have a combined operational length of 101 years. Hillside Trains was privatised in August 1999 and later rebranded as [[Connex Melbourne]]. [[Metro Trains Melbourne]], the current private operator, then took over the operations in 2009.<ref name=":6" /><ref>"City in Brief" ''[[Railway Gazette International]]'' December 1997 page 835</ref><ref name="ipa_2007">{{cite web |date=April 2007 |title=Victoria's public transport – Assessing the results of privatisation |url=https://ipa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/archive/1179188058_document_allsop_transport.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325111242/https://ipa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/archive/1179188058_document_allsop_transport.pdf |archive-date=25 March 2023 |access-date=25 March 2023 |publisher=Institute of Public Affairs |page=8}}</ref> Both private operators have had a combined operational period of {{Age|1999|08|28}} years.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cooper |first=Mex |date=25 June 2009 |title=New train, tram operators for Melbourne |url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/new-train-tram-operators-for-melbourne-20090625-cxgx.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230101122206/https://www.theage.com.au/national/new-train-tram-operators-for-melbourne-20090625-cxgx.html |archive-date=1 January 2023 |access-date=1 January 2023 |website=The Age}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|+Past and present operators of the Alamein line:
!Operator
!Assumed operations
!Ceased operations
!Length of operations
|-
|[[Victorian Railways]]
|1898
|1983
|85 years
|-
|[[Metropolitan Transit Authority (Victoria)|Metropolitan Transit Authority]]
|1983
|1989
|6 years
|-
|[[Public Transport Corporation]]
|1989
|1998
|9 years
|-
|[[Hillside Trains]] (government operator)
|1998
|1999
|1 years
|-
|[[Connex Melbourne]]
|1999
|2009
|10 years
|-
|[[Metro Trains Melbourne]]
|2009
|''incumbent''
|{{Age|2009|11|30}} years (ongoing)
|}

=== Route ===
{{Alamein Line|float=right|collapse=yes}}{{maplink
|frame=yes
|frame-lat=-37.8474
|frame-long=145.0748
|frame-width=300
|frame-height=500
|frame-align=right
|text=Interactive map of the Alamein line in eastern Melbourne.
|zoom=13

|type=line
|id=Q4705897
|stroke-colour=#094B8D
|stroke-width=5
|title=Alamein Line

}}{{Infobox rail line
| name                            = Alamein (physical track)
| other_name                      = 
| color                           = 
| logo                            = 
| logo_width                      = 
| logo_alt                        = 
| image                           = 
| image_width                     = 
| image_alt                       = 
| caption                         = 
| type                            = 
| system                          = 
| status                          = Operational with passenger services from Flinders Street to Alamein
| locale                          = [[Melbourne]], [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]], [[Australia]]
| start                           = {{rwsa|Flinders Street}}
| end                             = {{rwsa|Alamein}}
| continuesfrom                   = 
| continuesas                     = [[Outer Circle railway line|Outer Circle]]
| connectinglines                 = All metropolitan, regional, and interstate
| formerconnections               = {{Plainlist|
* [[Kew railway line|Kew]]
* [[Outer Circle railway line|Outer Circle]]
}}
| stations                        = {{ubl|18 current stations|7 former stations}}
| routes                          = Alamein
| daily_ridership                 = 
| ridership2                      = 
| planopen                        = <!--{{Start date|YYYY|MM|DD|df=y}}-->
| open                            = {{Plainlist|
* Princes Bridge to Richmond on {{Start date|1859|2|8|df=y}}
* Richmond to Pic-nic on {{Start date|1860|9|24|df=y}}
* Pic-nic to Hawthorn on {{Start date|1861|4|13|df=y}}
* Flinders Street to Princes Bridge on {{Start date|1865|12|18|df=y}}
* Hawthorn to Camberwell on {{Start date|1882|4|3|df=y}}
* Camberwell to Alamein* on {{Start date|1890|5|30|df=y}}
* Riversdale to East Kew on {{Start date|1891|3|24|df=y}}
}}
| yearcommenced                   = {{Start date|1890|5|30|df=y}}
| yearcompleted                   = {{Start date|1948|6|28|df=y}}
| close                           = {{Plainlist|
* Riversdale to East Kew on {{End date|1893|4|12|df=y}}
* Ashburton to Alamein* on {{End date|1895|12|9|df=y}}
* Camberwell to Ashburton on {{End date|1897|5|1|df=y}}
* Riversdale to East Kew on {{End date|1943|9|7|df=y}}
}}
| event1label                     = Reopen
| event1                          = {{Plainlist|
* Camberwell to Ashburton on {{Start date|1898|7|4|df=y}}
* Riversdale to Deepdene on {{Start date|1900|5|14|df=y}}
* Deepdene to East Kew on {{Start date|1925|2|11|df=y}}
* Ashburton to Alamein on {{Start date|1948|6|28|df=y}}
}}
| event2label                     = Electrified
| event2                          = {{Plainlist|
* Flinders Street to Camberwell on {{Start date|1922|12|19|df=y}}
* Camberwell to Ashburton on {{Start date|1924|10|30|df=y}}
* Ashburton to Alamein on {{Start date|1948|6|28|df=y}}
}}
| event3label                     = 
| event3                          = 
| owner                           = {{Plainlist|
* [[Victorian Railways|Victorian Railways (VR)]] (1890–1974)
* VR as VicRail (1974–1983)
* [[Metropolitan Transit Authority (Victoria)|MTA (The Met)]] (1983–1989)
* [[Public Transport Corporation|PTC (The Met)]] (1989–1997)
* [[VicTrack]] (1997–Current)
}}
| operator                        = 
| character                       = 
| depot                           = 
| stock                           = 
| linelength                      = {{convert|14.9|km|mi|2|abbr=on}} + Riversdale to East Kew section
| tracklength                     = 
| tracks                          = {{Plainlist|
* Twelve tracks: Flinders Street to Richmond
* Four tracks: Richmond to Burnley
* Triple track: Burnley to Camberwell
* [[Double-track railway|Double track]]: Camberwell to Ashburton
* [[Single-track railway|Single track]]: Ashburton to Alamein & Riversdale to East Kew
}}
| gauge                           = {{Track gauge|1600 mm}}
| old_gauge                       = 
| load_gauge                      = 
| minradius                       = 
| maxincline                      = {{Incline|50}}
| electrification                 = 1500 [[Volt|V]] [[Direct current|DC]] [[Overhead line|overhead]]
| speed                           = {{Convert|65|km/h|abbr=on}} – Electric
| signalling                      = [[Automatic block signalling]]
| elevation                       = 
| website                         = 
| map                             = 
| map_state                       = collapsed
| embedded                        = 
}}

The Alamein line forms a relatively straight route from the [[Melbourne central business district]] to its terminus in Alamein. The route is {{convert|14.9|km}} long and is predominantly doubled-tracked, however between Flinders Street station and Richmond, the track is widened to 12 tracks, narrowing to 4 tracks between Richmond and Burnley, to 3 track between Burnley and Camberwell, and to two tracks after Camberwell .<ref>{{Cite web |title=Richmond VIC, 3121, Australia |url=https://www.google.com/maps/place/37%C2%B049%2726.1%22S+144%C2%B059%2726.5%22E/@-37.823918,144.9881271,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m4!3m3!8m2!3d-37.823918!4d144.990702?entry=ttu |access-date=19 August 2023 |website=Google Maps |language=en}}</ref> After Ashburton, the line is narrowed to a single track which remains till its terminus in Alamein. After departing from its terminus at Flinders Street, the Alamein line traverses gentle hills with moderately heavy [[Earthworks (engineering)|earthworks]] for most of the line. Some sections of the line have been elevated or lowered into a [[Cutting (transportation)|cutting]] to eliminate level crossings.<ref name=":2" /> As of 2020, there are two level crossings remaining on the line with no current plans to remove them.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anderton |first=Gary |date=20 November 2020 |title=Key level crossing removals must feature in this year's State Budget – Michael O'Brien MP, Member for Malvern |url=https://www.michaelobrien.com.au/key-level-crossing-removals-must-feature-in-this-years-state-budget/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215095437/https://www.michaelobrien.com.au/key-level-crossing-removals-must-feature-in-this-years-state-budget/ |archive-date=15 February 2023 |access-date=15 February 2023 |website=Michael O'Brien MP |language=en-AU}}</ref>

The line follows the same alignment as the Belgrave, Glen Waverley, and Lilydale lines with the Glen Waverley line splitting off after Burnley and the three remaining services splitting off at [[Camberwell railway station, Melbourne|Camberwell]]. The Alamein line continues on its southern alignment, whereas the Belgrave and Lilydale lines takes an eastern alignment towards their final destinations.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |last=Wray |first=Tyson |title=Melbourne's train lines definitively ranked from best to worst |url=https://www.timeout.com/melbourne/blog/melbournes-train-lines-definitively-ranked-from-best-to-worst-011917 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221212120710/https://www.timeout.com/melbourne/blog/melbournes-train-lines-definitively-ranked-from-best-to-worst-011917 |archive-date=12 December 2022 |access-date=12 December 2022 |website=Time Out Melbourne|date=19 January 2017 }}</ref> All of the rail line goes through [[Urban agglomeration|built-up]] suburbs towards its terminus in Alamein.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Camberwell VIC 3124, Australia |url=https://www.google.com/maps/place/37%C2%B050%2743.2%22S+145%C2%B004%2735.9%22E/@-37.845327,145.0740661,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m4!3m3!8m2!3d-37.845327!4d145.076641?entry=tts&shorturl=1 |access-date=19 August 2023 |website=Google Maps |language=en}}</ref>

=== Stations ===
The line serves 18 stations across {{convert|15|km}} 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.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Lee |first=Robert S. |title=The railways of Victoria 1854–2004 |date=2007 |publisher=Melbourne University Publishing |others=Rosemary Annable, Donald S. Garden |isbn=978-0-522-85134-2 |location=Carlton, Vic. |oclc=224727085 }}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Station
!Accessibility
!Opened
!Terrain
!Train connections
!Other connections
|-
|[[Flinders Street railway station|Flinders Street]]
| rowspan="5" |Yes—step free access
|1854<ref name=":112">{{Cite web |title=What year did your railway station open? {{!}} Public Transport Users Association (Victoria, Australia) |date=3 August 2018 |url=https://www.ptua.org.au/2018/08/03/railway-stations-years-opened/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209095505/https://www.ptua.org.au/2018/08/03/railway-stations-years-opened/ |archive-date=9 December 2022 |access-date=9 December 2022}}</ref>
|Lowered
|{{Collapsible list
| title = 16 connections|
* {{RouteBox|Belgrave line|Belgrave railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Belgrave}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Craigieburn line|Craigieburn railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Craigieburn}}|black}}
* {{RouteBox|Cranbourne line|Cranbourne railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Cranbourne}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Flemington Racecourse line|Flemington Racecourse railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Flemington Racecourse}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Frankston line|Frankston railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Frankston}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Gippsland line|Gippsland V/Line rail service|#{{rcr|V/Line|Gippsland}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Glen Waverley line|Glen Waverley railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Glen Waverley}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Hurstbridge line|Hurstbridge railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Hurstbridge}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Lilydale line|Lilydale railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Lilydale}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Mernda line|Mernda railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Mernda}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Pakenham line|Pakenham railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Pakenham}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Sandringham line|Sandringham railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Sandringham}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Sunbury line|Sunbury railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Sunbury}}|black}}
* {{RouteBox|Upfield line|Upfield railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Upfield}}|black}}
* {{RouteBox|Werribee line|Werribee railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Werribee}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Williamstown line|Williamstown railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Williamstown}}|white}}
}}
|{{Symbol|Melbourne tram logo.svg|30|Trams|link=no}} {{Symbol|Victoria bus logo.svg|30|Buses|link=no}}
|-
|[[Southern Cross railway station|Southern Cross]]
|1859<ref name=":112" />
|Ground level
|{{Collapsible list
| title = 27 connections|
* {{RouteBox|Albury line|Albury V/Line rail service|#{{rcr|V/Line|Albury}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Ararat line|Ballarat V/Line rail service|#{{rcr|V/Line|Ararat}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Ballarat line|Ballarat V/Line rail service|#{{rcr|V/Line|Ballarat}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Belgrave line|Belgrave railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Belgrave}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Bendigo line|Bendigo V/Line rail service|#{{rcr|V/Line|Bendigo}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Craigieburn line|Craigieburn railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Craigieburn}}|black}}
* {{RouteBox|Cranbourne line|Cranbourne railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Cranbourne}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Echuca line|Deniliquin railway line|#{{rcr|V/Line|Echuca}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Flemington Racecourse line|Flemington Racecourse railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Flemington Racecourse}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Geelong line|Geelong V/Line rail service|#{{rcr|V/Line|Geelong}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Gippsland line|Gippsland V/Line rail service|#{{rcr|V/Line|Gippsland}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Glen Waverley line|Glen Waverley railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Glen Waverley}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Hurstbridge line|Hurstbridge railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Hurstbridge}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Lilydale line|Lilydale railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Lilydale}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Maryborough line|Ballarat V/Line rail service|#{{rcr|V/Line|Maryborough}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Mernda line|Mernda railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Mernda}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|NSW TrainLink Southern|Main Southern railway line|#{{rcr|NSW TrainLink|Southern}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Pakenham line|Pakenham railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Pakenham}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Seymour line|Seymour V/Line rail service|#{{rcr|V/Line|Seymour}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Shepparton line|Tocumwal railway line, Victoria#Shepparton services|#{{rcr|V/Line|Shepparton}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Sunbury line|Sunbury railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Sunbury}}|black}}
* {{RouteBox|Swan Hill line|Bendigo V/Line rail service|#{{rcr|V/Line|Swan Hill}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|The Overland|The Overland|#{{rcr|Journey Beyond|The Overland}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Upfield line|Upfield railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Upfield}}|black}}
* {{RouteBox|Warrnambool line|Warrnambool V/Line rail service|#{{rcr|V/Line|Warrnambool}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Werribee line|Werribee railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Werribee}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Williamstown line|Williamstown railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Williamstown}}|white}}
}}
|{{Symbol|Melbourne tram logo.svg|30|Trams|link=no}} {{Symbol|Victoria bus logo.svg|30|Buses|link=no}} {{Symbol|Victoria coach logo.svg|30|Coaches|link=no}} {{Symbol|Melbourne skybus logo.svg|30|SkyBus|link=no}} 
|-
|[[Flagstaff railway station|Flagstaff]]
|1985<ref name=":112" />
| rowspan="3" |Underground
| rowspan="3" |{{Collapsible list
| title = 10 connections|
* {{RouteBox|Belgrave line|Belgrave railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Belgrave}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Craigieburn line|Craigieburn railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Craigieburn}}|black}}
* {{RouteBox|Cranbourne line|Cranbourne railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Cranbourne}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Glen Waverley line|Glen Waverley railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Glen Waverley}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Hurstbridge line|Hurstbridge railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Hurstbridge}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Lilydale line|Lilydale railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Lilydale}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Mernda line|Mernda railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Mernda}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Pakenham line|Pakenham railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Pakenham}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Sunbury line|Sunbury railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Sunbury}}|black}}
* {{RouteBox|Upfield line|Upfield railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Upfield}}|black}}
}}
|{{Symbol|Melbourne tram logo.svg|30|Trams|link=no}}
|-
|[[Melbourne Central railway station|Melbourne Central]]
|1981<ref name=":112" />
|{{Symbol|Melbourne tram logo.svg|30|Trams|link=no}} {{Symbol|Victoria bus logo.svg|30|Buses|link=no}}
|-
|[[Parliament railway station|Parliament]]
|1983<ref name=":112" />
|{{Symbol|Melbourne tram logo.svg|30|Trams|link=no}}
|-
|[[Richmond railway station, Melbourne|Richmond]]
|No—steep ramp
|1859<ref name=":112" />
|Elevated
|{{Collapsible list
| title = 8 connections|
* {{RouteBox|Belgrave line|Belgrave railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Belgrave}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Cranbourne line|Cranbourne railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Cranbourne}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Frankston line|Frankston railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Frankston}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Gippsland line|Gippsland V/Line rail service|#{{rcr|V/Line|Gippsland}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Glen Waverley line|Glen Waverley railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Glen Waverley}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Lilydale line|Lilydale railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Lilydale}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Pakenham line|Pakenham railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Pakenham}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Sandringham line|Sandringham railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Sandringham}}|white}}
}}
|{{Symbol|Melbourne tram logo.svg|30|Trams|link=no}} {{Symbol|Victoria bus logo.svg|30|Buses|link=no}}
|-
|[[East Richmond railway station, Melbourne|East Richmond]]
|Yes—step free access
|1860<ref name=":112" />
| rowspan="2" |Ground level
| rowspan="2" |{{Collapsible list
| title = 3 connections|
* {{RouteBox|Belgrave line|Belgrave railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Belgrave}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Glen Waverley line|Glen Waverley railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Glen Waverley}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Lilydale line|Lilydale railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Lilydale}}|white}}
}}
| rowspan="2" |{{Symbol|Melbourne tram logo.svg|30|Trams|link=no}}
|-
|[[Burnley railway station|Burnley]]
| rowspan="9" |No—steep ramp
|1880<ref name=":112" />
|-
|[[Hawthorn railway station, Melbourne|Hawthorn]]
|1861<ref name=":112" />
|Ground level
| rowspan="4" |{{Collapsible list
| title = 2 connections|
* {{RouteBox|Belgrave line|Belgrave railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Belgrave}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Lilydale line|Lilydale railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Lilydale}}|white}}
}}
|{{Symbol|Melbourne tram logo.svg|30|Trams|link=no}} {{Symbol|Victoria bus logo.svg|30|Buses|link=no}}
|-
|[[Glenferrie railway station|Glenferrie]]
| rowspan="3" |1882<ref name=":112" />
|Elevated
|{{Symbol|Melbourne tram logo.svg|30|Trams|link=no}}
|-
|[[Auburn railway station, Melbourne|Auburn]]
|Ground level
|{{Symbol|Victoria bus logo.svg|30|Buses|link=no}}
|-
|[[Camberwell railway station, Melbourne|Camberwell]]
|Lowered
| rowspan="2" |{{Symbol|Melbourne tram logo.svg|30|Trams|link=no}} {{Symbol|Victoria bus logo.svg|30|Buses|link=no}}
|-
|[[Riversdale railway station|Riversdale]]
|1890<ref name=":112" />
| rowspan="6" |Ground level
| rowspan="6" |
|-
|[[Willison railway station|Willison]]
|1908<ref name=":112" />
| rowspan="2" |
|-
|[[Hartwell railway station|Hartwell]]
|1906<ref name=":112" />
|-
|[[Burwood railway station, Melbourne|Burwood]]
| rowspan="2" |1890<ref name=":112" />
|{{Symbol|Melbourne tram logo.svg|30|Trams|link=no}} <!-- not at Hartwell station -->
|-
|[[Ashburton railway station, Melbourne|Ashburton]]
| rowspan="2" |Yes—step free access
|{{Symbol|Victoria bus logo.svg|30|Buses|link=no}}
|-
|[[Alamein railway station|Alamein]]
|1948<ref name=":112" />
|
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
|+ class="nowrap" | Station histories
!Station
!Opened<ref name="Anderson">{{Anderson-All Stations}}</ref>
!Closed<ref name="Anderson"/>
!Age
! scope=col class=unsortable | Notes<ref name="Anderson" />
|-
| {{rwsa|Parliament}} || {{TAC2|22 January 1983}} || 
|-
| {{rwsa|Melbourne Central}} || {{TAC2|26 January 1981}} || 
* Formerly Museum
|-
| {{rwsa|Flagstaff}} || {{TAC2|27 May 1985}} || 
|-
| {{rwsa|Southern Cross}} || {{TAC2|17 January 1859}} || 
* Formerly Batman's Hill
* Formerly Spencer Street
|-
| {{rwsa|Flinders Street}} || {{TAC2|12 September 1854}} || 
* Formerly Melbourne Terminus
|-
| rowspan="2" | {{rwsa|Princes Bridge}} || {{TAC2|8 February 1859|||1 October 1866}} || rowspan="2" |  
|-
| {{TAC2|2 April 1879|||30 June 1980}}
|-
| {{rwsa|Botanic Gardens|m}} || {{TAC2|2 March 1859|||April 1862||c}} || 
|-
| Punt Road || {{TAC2|8 February 1859|||12 December 1859}} || 
* Replaced by Swan Street (200m further along line)
|-
| {{rwsa|Richmond|m}} || {{TAC2|12 December 1859}} || 
* Formerly Swan Street
|-
| {{rwsa|East Richmond|m}} || {{TAC2|24 September 1860}} || 
* Formerly Church Street
|-
| {{rwsa|Burnley}} || {{TAC2|1 May 1880}} || 
* Formerly Burnley Street
|-
| {{rwsa|Pic Nic}} || {{TAC2|24 September 1860|||6 October 1895}} || 
|-
| {{rwsa|Hawthorn|m}} || {{TAC2|13 April 1861}}
|-
| {{rwsa|Glenferrie}} || {{TAC2|3 April 1882}} || 
* Formerly Glenferrie Road
|-
| {{rwsa|Auburn|m}} || {{TAC2|3 April 1882}} || 
* Formerly Auburn Road
|-
| {{rwsa|Camberwell|m}} || {{TAC2|3 April 1882}} || 
|-
| rowspan="2" | {{rwsa|East Kew}} || {{TAC2|24 March 1891|||12 April 1893}} ||
* As part of the Outer Circle line
|-
| {{TAC2|14 May 1900|||6 September 1943}} || 
* Freight service
|-
| rowspan="2" | {{rwsa|Deepdene|m}} || {{TAC2|24 March 1891|||12 April 1893}} ||
* As part of the Outer Circle line
|-
| {{TAC2|14 May 1900|||9 October 1927}} || 
|-
| {{rwsa|Roystead}} || {{TAC2|14 May 1900|||9 October 1927}} || 
* Formerly Stanley
* Formerly Balwyn
|-
| rowspan="2" | {{rwsa|Shenley}} || {{TAC2|24 March 1891|||12 April 1893}} ||
* As part of the Outer Circle line
|-
| {{TAC2|14 May 1900|||9 October 1927}} || 
|-
| {{rwsa|East Camberwell}} || {{TAC2|14 May 1900|||9 October 1927}} || 
* Lower level
|-
| rowspan="2" | {{rwsa|Riversdale}} || {{TAC2|30 May 1890|||1 May 1897}} ||
* As part of the Outer Circle line
|-
| {{TAC2|4 July 1898}} || 
|-
| {{rwsa|Willison}} || {{TAC2|8 June 1908}} || 
* Formerly Golf Links
|-
| {{rwsa|Hartwell}} || {{TAC2|7 May 1906}} || 
* Formerly Hartwell Hill
|-
| rowspan="2" | {{rwsa|Burwood|m}} || {{TAC2|30 May 1890|||1 May 1897}} ||
* As part of the Outer Circle line
* Formerly Hartwell
|-
| {{TAC2|4 July 1898}} ||
* Formerly Hartwell
|-
| rowspan="2" | {{rwsa|Ashburton|m}} || {{TAC2|30 May 1890|||1 May 1897}} ||
* As part of the Outer Circle line
* Formerly Norwood
|-
| {{TAC2|4 July 1898}} || 
|-
| {{rwsa|Alamein}} || {{TAC2|28 June 1948}} || 
|}

== Infrastructure ==

=== Rolling stock ===
The Alamein line uses [[X'Trapolis 100]] [[electric multiple unit]] (EMU) trains operating in a one or two three-car configuration, with three doors per side on each carriage and can accommodate of up to 456 seated passengers in each six-car configuration.<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=20 February 2023 |title=WTT NETWORK CONFIGURATION: METRO ROLLING STOCK |url=https://cmsportal.metrotrains.com.au/docnum.aspx?id=A8520 |website=Metro Trains Melbourne |pages=8–9}}</ref> The trains were originally built between 2002 and 2004 as well as between 2009 and 2020 with a total of 212 three-car sets constructed. The trains are shared with 7 other metropolitan train lines and have been in service since 2003.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=1 March 2014 |title=Franchise Agreement – Train |url=http://ptv.vic.gov.au/assets/PTV/PTV%20docs/Partnership-agreements/Train-Franchise-Agreement-Vol-2-of-2.pdf |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301010405/http://ptv.vic.gov.au/assets/PTV/PTV%20docs/Partnership-agreements/Train-Franchise-Agreement-Vol-2-of-2.pdf |archive-date=1 March 2014 |access-date=17 February 2023}}</ref>

Alongside the passenger trains, Alamein line tracks and equipment are maintained by a fleet of engineering trains. The four types of engineering trains are: the shunting train; designed for moving trains along non-electrified corridors and for transporting other maintenance locomotives, for track evaluation; designed for evaluating track and its condition, the overhead inspection train; designed for overhead wiring inspection, and the infrastructure evaluation carriage designed for general infrastructure evaluation.<ref name=":17">{{Cite web |date=1 February 2011 |title=NETWORK SERVICE PLAN {{!}} Addenda |url=https://www.vline.com.au/pdf/networkaccess/networkserviceplan/addenda.pdf/addenda |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110307165249/https://www.vline.com.au/pdf/networkaccess/networkserviceplan/addenda.pdf/addenda |archive-date=7 March 2011}}</ref> Most of these trains are repurposed locomotives previously used by [[V/Line]], Metro Trains, and the [[Southern Shorthaul Railroad]].<ref name=":17" />

=== Accessibility ===
In compliance with the [[Disability Discrimination Act 1992|Disability Discrimination Act of 1992]], all stations that are new-built or rebuilt are fully accessible and comply with these guidelines.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Accessibility – Public Transport Ombudsman Victoria |url=https://www.ptovic.com.au/improving-pt/accessibility |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103084345/https://www.ptovic.com.au/improving-pt/accessibility |archive-date=3 January 2023 |access-date=3 January 2023 |website=www.ptovic.com.au}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |title=Disability Discrimination Act 1992 |url=http://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2022C00087/Html/Text |access-date=20 August 2023 |website=Australian Government Federal Register of Legislation |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=November 2021 |title=Third Review of the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 (Transport Standards) |url=https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/third-review-disability-standards-accessible-public-transport-2002-transport-standards.pdf |website=Infrastructure Australia |page=35}}</ref> Less than half of stations on the line are fully accessible as they haven't been upgraded to meet these guidelines.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=Access Guide |url=https://www.metrotrains.com.au/station-accessibility-features/ |access-date=20 August 2023 |website=www.metrotrains.com.au |language=en-US}}</ref> These stations do feature ramps, however, they have a gradient greater than 1 in 14.<ref name=":5" /> Stations that are fully accessible feature ramps that have a gradient less than 1 in 14, have at-grade paths, or feature lifts.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":12">{{Cite web |date=2023 |title=Station accessibility features |url=https://www.metrotrains.com.au/station-accessibility-features/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208020143/https://www.metrotrains.com.au/station-accessibility-features/ |archive-date=8 December 2022 |access-date=3 January 2023 |website=Metro Trains Melbourne}}</ref> These stations typically also feature [[Tactile paving|tactile boarding indicators]], independent boarding ramps, wheelchair accessible [[myki]] barriers, [[Audio induction loop|hearing loops]], and widened paths.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":12" />

Individual station upgrade projects have helped improve station accessibility on the line, however, only 40% of stations on the line are fully wheelchair accessible.<ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=12 June 2022 |title=Left behind: the fight for accessible public transport in Victoria |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/jun/13/left-behind-the-fight-for-accessible-public-transport-in-victoria |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103084335/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/jun/13/left-behind-the-fight-for-accessible-public-transport-in-victoria |archive-date=3 January 2023 |access-date=3 January 2023 |website=the Guardian}}</ref>

=== Signalling ===
The Alamein line uses three-position signalling, which is used across the Melbourne train network. Three position signalling was first introduced on the line in 1919, with the final section to Ashburton converted to the new type of signalling in 1962.<ref name=":4" /><ref name="Anderson" /> Since Ashburton and Alamein stations are very close to each other, the single track between the two stations uses station limits working.<ref name=":4" /><ref name="Anderson" />

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/route/1/alamein/ Alamein line timetable]
* [https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/more/maps/#networkmaps Network map]
* {{commons category-inline}}

{{Victorian Railway Lines|selected=melbourne}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Alamein Railway Line}}
[[Category:Railway lines in Melbourne]]
[[Category:Railway lines opened in 1891]]
[[Category:1891 establishments in Australia]]
[[Category:Public transport routes in the City of Melbourne (LGA)]]
[[Category:Transport in the City of Yarra]]
[[Category:Transport in the City of Boroondara]]