View source for Mernda line

{{good article}}
{{Short description|Passenger rail service in metropolitan Melbourne, Victoria, Australia}}
{{about|the Metro Trains Melbourne service|the physical railway itself|Whittlesea railway line}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Use Australian English|date=January 2012}}
{{Infobox rail service
| name            = Mernda
| color           = {{rcr|Melbourne|Mernda}}
| logo            = {{ric|Melbourne|Mernda|size=100px}}
| image           = Mernda Station December 2021 1.jpg
| image_width     = 250px
| caption         = [[Mernda railway station|Mernda station]], the terminus of the Mernda line, December 2021
| type            = [[Commuter rail]]
| status          = Operational
| system          = [[Railways in Melbourne|Melbourne railway network]]
| locale          = [[Melbourne]], [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]], [[Australia]]
| predecessor     = {{Plainlist|
* Reservoir (1888–1889)
* Whittlesea (1889–1959)
* Reservoir ^ (1921–1929)
* Thomastown ^ (1929–1959)
* Lalor ^ (1959–1964)
* Epping ^ (1964–2012)
* South Morang ^ (2012–2018)
}} ^ were electric services
| first           = {{Start date and age|1888|10|8|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)]] (1888–1974)
* 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           = 29 (including City Loop stations)
| end             = {{rwsa|Mernda}}
| distance        = {{Convert|33.1|km|abbr=on}}
| journeytime     = 1 hour 2 minutes (via City Loop)
| frequency       = {{blist|3–20 minutes weekdays peak|20 minutes weekdays off-peak|20 minutes weekend daytime|30 minutes nights|60 minutes [[Night Network (Melbourne)|early weekend mornings]]|Double frequency between Flinders Street and Clifton Hill in combination with [[Hurstbridge railway line|Hurstbridge line]]|Some services run from Flinders Street to either Reservoir, Epping or South Morang}}
| line_used       = [[Whittlesea railway line|Whittlesea]]
| 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             = {{Mernda Metro Service|inline=yes}}
| map_state       = collapsed
}}
The '''Mernda line''' is a [[Commuter rail|commuter railway]] line on the [[Railways in Melbourne|Melbourne metropolitan railway network]] serving the city of [[Melbourne]] in [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]], [[Australia]]. Operated by [[Metro Trains Melbourne]], the line is coloured [[red]] and is one of the two lines that constitute the [[Metro Trains Melbourne#Clifton Hill Group|Clifton Hill group]]. It is the city's eighth longest metropolitan railway line at {{convert|33.1|km}}. The line runs from [[Flinders Street railway station|Flinders Street station]] in central Melbourne to [[Mernda railway station|Mernda station]] in the north, serving 29 stations via [[Clifton Hill railway station|Clifton Hill]], [[Reservoir railway station|Reservoir]], [[Epping railway station, Melbourne|Epping]], and [[South Morang railway station|South Morang]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=3 September 2017 |title=Metro's paper timetables mess |url=https://www.danielbowen.com/2017/09/04/metro-paper-timetable-issues/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209095505/https://www.danielbowen.com/2017/09/04/metro-paper-timetable-issues/ |archive-date=9 December 2022 |access-date=9 December 2022 |website=Daniel Bowen}}</ref>

The line operates for approximately 19 hours a day (from approximately 5:00 am to around 12:00 am) with 24-hour service available on Friday and Saturday nights. During peak hour, [[headway]]s of up to 7.5 minutes are operated with services every 10–30 minutes during off-peak hours.<ref name=":32">{{Cite web |date=1 March 2021 |title=New timetable train line information – Public Transport Victoria |url=https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/more/the-new-timetable-for-victorias-train-network/new-timetable-train-line-information/?line=cranbourne-and-pakenham |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301102536/https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/more/the-new-timetable-for-victorias-train-network/new-timetable-train-line-information/?line=cranbourne-and-pakenham |archive-date=1 March 2021 |access-date=18 December 2022 |website=}}</ref> Trains on the Mernda line run with two three-car formations of [[X'Trapolis 100]] trainsets.<ref name=":182">{{Cite web |last=Carey |first=Adam |date=7 November 2014 |title=Trains are working better but seating not guaranteed |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/trains-are-working-better-but-seating-not-guaranteed-20141107-11ifm4.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230206070133/https://www.smh.com.au/national/trains-are-working-better-but-seating-not-guaranteed-20141107-11ifm4.html |archive-date=6 February 2023 |access-date=6 February 2023 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}</ref>

Services on the line began in 1889 when the section between [[North Fitzroy railway station|North Fitzroy]] (on the now-closed [[Inner Circle railway line|Inner Circle line]]) and [[Reservoir railway station|Reservoir]] was opened, which was extended to [[Whittlesea railway station, Melbourne|Whittlesea]] in the same year. The line was closed beyond [[Lalor railway station|Lalor]] in November 1959, while the remainder of the line was [[Electrification|electrified]]. The closed section has since been gradually reconstructed and reopened; to [[Epping railway station, Melbourne|Epping]] in 1964, South Morang in April 2012, and to [[Mernda railway station|Mernda]] in August 2018.

Since the 2010s, due to the heavily utilised infrastructure of the Mernda line, significant improvements and upgrades have been made. Two major upgrades of the corridor have taken place, with the line from Epping extended to South Morang in April 2012, duplicated between [[Keon Park railway station|Keon Park]] and Epping, and extended again to Mernda in August 2018.<ref name="official" /><ref name=":6" /> Other works have included replacing [[Railroad tie|sleepers]], upgrading signalling technology, the introduction of new rolling stock, the removal of level crossings, and station accessibility upgrades.<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 September 2018 |title=Thomastown Railway Station – Doogood Surface Coatings Pty Ltd |url=https://doogood.com.au/project/thomastown-railway-station/ |access-date=8 April 2023 |website=doogood.com.au |language=en-AU}}</ref>

== History ==

=== 19th century ===
The early beginning of the Mernda line opened on 8 October 1889, as part of railway extensions into the northern suburbs. What became known as the [[Inner Circle railway line|Inner Circle]] line was opened from Spencer Street station (now [[Southern Cross railway station|Southern Cross station]]) via [[Royal Park railway station|Royal Park station]], to a station called Collingwood (now called [[Victoria Park railway station, Melbourne|Victoria Park]]), and then on to [[Heidelberg railway station|Heidelberg]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 October 1907 |title=COLLINGWOOD LINE AND THE |work=Age |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article205011601 |access-date=7 April 2023}}</ref> The Epping line branched off at Fitzroy North to Preston-Reservoir station (later renamed [[Reservoir railway station|Reservoir]]) in 1889, with the line extended to [[Whittlesea railway station, Melbourne|Whittlesea]] a few months later, on 23 December.<ref>{{Cite news |date=18 October 1887 |title=THE FITZROY AND WHITTLESEA RAILWAY LINE. |work=Age |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article197159919 |access-date=7 April 2023}}</ref>

=== 20th century ===
[[File:Steam train departing Northcote on an up Whittlesea service.jpg.webp|alt=A steam train departing an old station|thumb|A steam train departing [[Northcote railway station|Northcote station]] on an up service to [[Whittlesea railway station, Melbourne|Whittlesea]], 1912.|left]]
Trains on the line operated via [[Fitzroy railway station|Fitzroy]] and the Inner Circle, until the opening of the current connection between Victoria Park and [[Princes Bridge railway station|Princes Bridge]] stations in 1901. Passenger services were operated in two tiers: a local train to [[Reservoir railway station|Preston-Reservoir station]] via Clifton Hill, and a country-bound [[mixed train]] to Whittlesea, via Fitzroy.<ref name="jml">{{cite magazine |author=Jack McLean |date=November 1995 |title=Reservoir – Whittlesea: Signalling and Safeworking |magazine=Newsrail |publisher=Australian Railway Historical Society (Victorian Division) |pages=333–337}}</ref> The Epping line was electrified to Reservoir in 1921, with an [[AEC railmotor]] providing a [[Public transport|shuttle service]] between Reservoir and the terminus at Whittlesea. Preston-Reservoir station was renamed Reservoir in 1909.<ref name="heraldsun">{{cite web |last=First |first=Jamie |date=7 January 2014 |title=The A-Z story of Melbourne's suburbs |url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/the-az-story-of-melbournes-suburbs/news-story/6f7611b7df20e55ad02f5e9615885e21 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226135637/https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/the-az-story-of-melbournes-suburbs/news-story/6f7611b7df20e55ad02f5e9615885e21 |archive-date=26 December 2022 |accessdate=4 February 2023 |publisher=[[Herald Sun]]}}</ref><ref name="vpreservoir">{{cite web |title=Reservoir |url=https://www.victorianplaces.com.au/reservoir |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230318044011/https://victorianplaces.com.au/reservoir |archive-date=18 March 2023 |accessdate=4 February 2023 |publisher=Victorian Places}}</ref>

The line had a number of [[Rail motor stopping place|Rail Motor Stopping Places]] along the line, these being a mere nameboard beside the railway line at a public access point. The first were RMSP 8, 9, and 10, which opened on 10 May 1927; followed by Epping Quarries Siding RMSP in January 1928; RMSP 17 in March 1928; RMSP 26 in January 1930; RMSP 33 in July 1932; RMSP 39 in July 1941; and RMSP 77 in October 1949, which was renamed [[Lalor railway station|Lalor station]] in 1952.<ref name="jml" /> Direct trains to Whittlesea from [[Flinders Street railway station|Flinders]] and [[Southern Cross railway station|Spencer]] streets were withdrawn from 1948.<ref name="ext2">{{cite web |title=Extracts of 'The Whittlesea Railway' by Robert Aquilina |url=http://home.vicnet.net.au/~nhcs/Nhcsnews.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080706184541/http://home.vicnet.net.au/~nhcs/Nhcsnews.html |archive-date=6 July 2008 |access-date=16 June 2008 |work=The Northcote History Group |publisher=home.vicnet.net.au}}</ref>

Electrification was extended along {{convert|4.4|km|mi}} of [[single track (rail)|single track]] to [[Thomastown railway station, Melbourne|Thomastown]] in 1929, paid for by a land developer, who paid for the works, as well as guaranteeing against operating losses.<ref name="jml" /> [[Keon Park railway station|Keon Park station]] was opened at the same time, but the Whittlesea shuttle train continued to connect with [[suburban train]]s at Reservoir, until 1931. [[Goods train]]s to Whittlesea were withdrawn in 1955, and goods trains from Epping ended in 1958.<ref name="ext2"/>

Electric suburban services were extended to Lalor station in November 1959, in addition to the [[Double track|duplication]] of the line from Reservoir to Keon Park, services beyond this point (to Whittlesea) were replaced by a bus service, subsequently closing the remaining section of the line.<ref name="elect">{{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><ref>{{cite web |title=Station & stops |url=https://www.vline.com.au/maps-stations-stops/stations-stops/station-stop?id=2903&line=seymour}}</ref><ref name="vr">{{cite web |title=VR History |url=http://www.victorianrailways.net/vr%20history/history.html |access-date=6 May 2008 |publisher=victorianrailways.net}}</ref> The line to Epping itself was reopened and electrified in 1964, with the remaining line dismantled in the 1970s.<ref name="ext2"/> However, the right-of-way beyond Epping was retained to allow future expansion of the rail corridor.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Railmap – map of the Victorian rail network displaying property information. {{!}} VicTrack |url=https://www.victrack.com.au/get-help/railmap |access-date=16 August 2023 |website=www.victrack.com.au |language=en}}</ref>

=== 21st century ===

==== South Morang extension ====
[[File:Epping Railway Station, Melbourne.jpg|thumb|[[Epping railway station, Melbourne|Epping station]] was rebuilt as part of the project.]]
[[File:South Morang station from platform level.jpg|thumb|[[South Morang railway station|South Morang station]] opened on 2 April 2012.]]
Proposals for the duplication of the line between Keon Park and Epping have dated as far back as 1974.<ref name="newsrailapr74">{{cite magazine |date=April 1974 |title=Items of Interest |magazine=Newsrail |publisher=Australian Railway Historical Society |page=86}}</ref> In 1983, [[City of Whittlesea|Whittlesea Council]] made a submission to the [[Government of Victoria (Australia)|Victorian Government]] supporting the duplication of the line.<ref name="newsrail">{{cite magazine |date=April 1983 |title=General News |magazine=Newsrail |publisher=Australian Railway Historical Society |page=84}}</ref> Following the election of the [[Steve Bracks|Bracks]] Government in 1999, a promise was made to restore the service to South Morang, along the former [[right-of-way (transportation)|right-of-way]] by 2003.<ref name="age">{{cite news |date=6 May 2008 |title=Rail extension revived, but locals sceptical – National – theage.com.au |newspaper=The Age |location=Melbourne |url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/rail-extension-revived-but-locals-sceptical/2008/05/05/1209839553549.html |access-date=6 May 2008}}</ref> In 2003, a ''Trainlink'' bus service was introduced from Epping to South Morang, meeting every train, but the 2005 Meeting Our Transport Challenges plan postponed construction of the railway until 2021.<ref name="age" /> The restoration of the railway to [[Mernda railway station|Mernda]] was also identified in the Strategic Transportation Study, undertaken by the City of Whittlesea in 2002. In the 2008 State Budget, $10 million was earmarked for planning work on the four-kilometre extension, in addition, to design work for the duplication between Keon Park and Epping stations.<ref name="age" /> 

On 1 May 2009, the [[Government of Victoria|State Government]] announced that they had committed $562.3 million in the 2009 State Budget for the extension of the line to South Morang, covering capital and construction works. Construction would begin the following year in 2010 and was to be completed by 2013.<ref name="official">{{cite web |date=1 May 2009 |title=STATE BUDGET TO COMMIT $562.3 MILLION FOR SOUTH MORANG RAIL EXTENSION |url=http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/premier/state-budget-to-commit-$562.3-million-for-south-morang-rail-extension.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090516041641/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/premier/state-budget-to-commit-$562.3-million-for-south-morang-rail-extension.html |archive-date=16 May 2009 |access-date=7 January 2019 |work=Media Release: Premier of Victoria, Australia |publisher=premier.vic.gov.au}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=1 May 2009 |title=Vic govt commits $562m to rail extension |url=http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-national/vic-govt-commits-562m-to-rail-extension-20090501-apt1.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090501235037/http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-national/vic-govt-commits-562m-to-rail-extension-20090501-apt1.html |archive-date=1 May 2009 |access-date=1 May 2009 |work=The Age}}</ref> Major construction commenced in October 2010, with works including:<ref name="official" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Locations |url=https://parkiteer.com.au/locations/ |access-date=7 April 2023 |website=Parkiteer |language=en}}</ref>

* The duplication of the {{convert|5|km||abbr=on}} of existing [[single track (rail)|single track]] between [[Keon Park railway station|Keon Park]] and Epping
* The construction of {{Convert|3.5|km}} of new [[double track]] from Epping to South Morang
* A rebuilt [[South Morang railway station|South Morang station]] with a bus interchange, 450 car parking spaces, and 29 protected bike spaces
* A rebuilt [[Thomastown railway station, Melbourne|Thomastown station]] with a second platform and a pedestrian overpass
* Newly built [[Epping railway station, Melbourne|Epping station]]
* The upgrade and expansion of the Epping train maintenance facility
* The construction of a new [[Shared-use path|shared use path]] between Epping and South Morang

The double track between Keon Park and Epping was commissioned on 28 November 2011. A shared use path was opened to the public on 5 February 2012. The three-metre wide path runs the length of the rail extension and provides connections between the existing bicycle network, through to South Morang station. Finally, the extension to South Morang opened on 2 April 2012. No [[level crossing]]s were built on the new section of the track, with road [[overpass]]es provided at Cooper Street, Pindari Avenue, and Civic Drive.<ref name="official" />

==== Mernda extension ====
[[File:Playground under elevated rail at Mernda, Melbourne August 2018.jpg|alt=A playground underneath the train bridge|thumb|The space underneath the rail corridor on the Mernda extension features public open space like playground equipment.]]
Proposals for an extension to Mernda have dated as far back as 1974.<ref name="newsrailapr74" /> In 1983, [[City of Whittlesea|Whittlesea Council]] made a submission to the [[Government of Victoria (Australia)|Victorian Government]] to extend the Epping line to South Morang and Mernda.<ref name="newsrail" /> After many years of extensive community activism, the [[First Andrews ministry|Andrews government]] announced in the 2015 State Budget that $9 million was to be allocated to plan the {{convert|8|km|0|adj=on}} extension of the line to Mernda, with construction commencing in 2016. The announcement included:<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |title=Mernda Rail Extension Project, Melbourne |url=https://www.railway-technology.com/projects/mernda-rail-extension-project-melbourne/ |access-date=7 April 2023 |website=Railway Technology |language=en-US}}</ref>

* The {{convert|8|km|0|adj=on}} line to be fully double tracked
* Completely grade separated through a combination of rail bridges and underpasses, with more than 86% of the rail line being built at ground level
* The construction of two new stations (Mernda and [[Middle Gorge railway station|Middle Gorge]]) with an option for an additional one ([[Hawkstowe railway station|Hawkstowe]]) (all three were constructed)''<ref>{{cite news |date=15 November 2016 |title=Hawkstowe is go: Third train station announced for Mernda rail extension |newspaper=The Age |url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/hawkstowe-is-go-third-train-station-announced-for-mernda-rail-extenstion-20161114-gspb8i.html}}</ref>''
** All three stations included bike and car parking as well as bus interchanges
* A new shared use path, connecting to the one constructed at South Morang as part of the South Morang rail extension

Construction began in 2016, with the stations opening six months early on 26 August 2018.''<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=August 2018 |title=Meet Mernda, your new line. |url=https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/getting-around/network-changes/meet-mernda-your-new-line/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801124935/https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/getting-around/network-changes/meet-mernda-your-new-line/ |archive-date=1 August 2018 |website=Public Transport Victoria}}</ref>''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mernda Rail Extension Opens Today Six Months Early {{!}} Premier of Victoria |url=http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/mernda-rail-extension-opens-today-six-months-early/ |access-date=7 April 2023 |website=www.premier.vic.gov.au |language=en}}</ref> Prior to the lines official opening, a community open day was held to promote the new stations to the local residents.<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 August 2018 |title=Mernda rail extension opens this Sunday |url=https://danielbowen.com/2018/08/22/mernda-rail-extension/ |access-date=16 August 2023 |website=Daniel Bowen |language=en-AU}}</ref>

== Future ==

=== Level Crossing Removals ===
[[File:Reservoir Station in February 2020.jpg|alt=An elevated train station with its platform.|thumb|The rebuilt platforms at [[Reservoir railway station|Reservoir station]] in February 2020. The station was rebuilt to remove the crossing at High Street, Reservoir.]]
The [[Level Crossing Removal Project]] has removed 6 level crossings on the line, completed in stages from 2019 to 2024. In 2019, the level crossing at High Street, [[Reservoir, Victoria|Reservoir]] was removed by building a rail bridge over the road, along with [[Reservoir railway station|Reservoir station]] being rebuilt.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Victoria’s Big Build |date=21 June 2022 |title=High Street, Reservoir |url=https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/projects/level-crossing-removal-project/projects/high-street-reservoir |access-date=1 April 2023 |website=Victoria’s Big Build |language=en}}</ref> In 2022, [[Bell railway station, Melbourne|Bell station]] and [[Preston railway station, Melbourne|Preston station]] were both rebuilt with an elevated rail bridge connecting them to remove four crossings, one each at Bell Street, Cramer Street, Murray Road, and Oakover Road.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Victoria’s Big Build |date=28 March 2023 |title=Bell Street, Preston |url=https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/projects/level-crossing-removal-project/projects/bell-street-preston |access-date=1 April 2023 |website=Victoria’s Big Build |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Victoria’s Big Build |date=28 March 2023 |title=Oakover Road, Preston |url=https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/projects/level-crossing-removal-project/projects/oakover-road-preston |access-date=1 April 2023 |website=Victoria’s Big Build |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Victoria’s Big Build |date=28 March 2023 |title=Cramer Street, Preston |url=https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/projects/level-crossing-removal-project/projects/cramer-street-preston |access-date=1 April 2023 |website=Victoria’s Big Build |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Victoria’s Big Build |date=28 March 2023 |title=Murray Road, Preston |url=https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/projects/level-crossing-removal-project/projects/murray-road-preston |access-date=1 April 2023 |website=Victoria’s Big Build |language=en}}</ref> The level crossing at Keon Parade was removed in 2024 by constructing a rail bridge over the road and rebuilding [[Keon Park railway station|Keon Park station]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Victoria’s Big Build |date=24 February 2023 |title=Keon Parade, Reservoir |url=https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/projects/level-crossing-removal-project/projects/keon-parade-keon-park |access-date=1 April 2023 |website=Victoria’s Big Build |language=en}}</ref> The Mernda line has 12 remaining level crossings that are not yet proposed for removal.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Managing the Level Crossing Removal Program |url=https://www.audit.vic.gov.au/report/managing-level-crossing-removal-program |access-date=16 August 2023 |website=Victorian Auditor-General's Office |language=en}}</ref>

=== Melbourne Metro 2 ===
{{Main|Melbourne Metro 2}}
[[File:Melbourne rail map with former lines and planned extensions.svg|alt=A map of Melbournes past, present, and future rail system|thumb|The indicative alignment of the [[Melbourne Metro 2]].]]
The [[Network Development Plan – Metropolitan Rail|2012 Network Development Plan]] identified the need for a new tunnel connecting the Mernda line to the [[Werribee railway line|Werribee]] line and possibly also the [[Geelong V/Line rail service|Geelong line]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Growing Our Rail Network 2018–2025 |url=https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/footer/legal-and-policies/growing-our-rail-network-2018-2025/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190812025052/https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/footer/legal-and-policies/growing-our-rail-network-2018-2025/ |archive-date=12 August 2019 |access-date=11 December 2022 |website=Public Transport Victoria}}</ref> The tunnel would run from [[Clifton Hill railway station|Clifton Hill]], potentially include a new stop somewhere in the inner north, before connecting with [[Parkville railway station|Parkville]], [[Flagstaff railway station|Flagstaff]], and [[Southern Cross railway station|Southern Cross]] stations.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web| title=Preparing for Melbourne Metro Two - Factsheet | url=https://www.infrastructurevictoria.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Fact-sheet-Melbourne-Metro-2-preparation.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828134347/https://www.infrastructurevictoria.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Fact-sheet-Melbourne-Metro-2-preparation.pdf | archive-date=2021-08-28}}</ref> Exiting the CBD, the line would continue in a tunnel stopping at a new station in the suburb of [[Fishermans Bend, Victoria|Fishermans Bend]], before crossing underneath the [[Yarra River]] and arriving at [[Newport railway station, Melbourne|Newport station]].<ref name=":4" /> The line would then exit the tunnel and travel further west to connect with the Werribee and Geelong lines.<ref name=":4" /> The Werribee and Williamstown lines would be reconfigured to provide better and simpler service.<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Daniel Andrews' secret Victorian rail plan – Network configuration stages – David Davis MP |url=https://daviddavis.com.au/daniel-andrews-secret-victorian-rail-plan-network-configuration-stages/ |access-date=4 April 2023 |language=en-AU}}</ref> This project was initially meant to be completed in the 2020s, however, no funding or planning has taken place, with the revised Victorian Rail Plan stating that the project would be completed under Stage 6 of the plan.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=Exclusive: Secret rail blueprint for Melbourne revealed |url=https://www.9news.com.au/national/victoria-melbourne-secret-rail-plans-daniel-andrews/7bf67384-26e6-4f05-b283-b314462d2ca0 |access-date=4 April 2023 |website=www.9news.com.au|date=16 October 2018 }}</ref>

=== Wollert extension ===
Highlighted in the 2018 Victorian Rail Plan, a proposal exists for a spur line to be constructed to the suburb of [[Wollert, Victoria|Wollert]], at a cost of up to $300 million.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/media/4898/liveable-neighbourhoods-wollert-train-line-2019.pdf |title=liveable-neighbourhoods-wollert-train-line-2019.pdf |access-date=22 March 2022 |archive-date=3 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230403083016/https://www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/media/4898/liveable-neighbourhoods-wollert-train-line-2019.pdf |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref> The line would branch off the Mernda line after [[Lalor railway station|Lalor station]], with new stations at the [[Epping Plaza|Pacific Epping shopping centre]], and in the suburbs of [[Epping, Victoria|Epping]], [[Aurora, Victoria|Aurora]] and [[Wollert, Victoria|Wollert]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Moynihan |first=Stephen |date=29 January 2008 |title=Anger grows over dumped rail extension – National – theage.com.au |newspaper=The Age |location=Melbourne |url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/new-railway-line-to-epping-disappears/2008/01/28/1201369037442.html |access-date=6 May 2008}}</ref><ref name=":5" /> In addition to the new stations, the corridor would be fully grade separated from opening, with the line featuring two tracks, and modern, fully wheelchair accessible stations. In 2017, the State Government announced the acquisition of 6 properties valued at $3.8 million for a future rail corridor.<ref>{{cite news |date=7 December 2017 |title=Lalor to Epping train line a step closer as State Government buys properties |newspaper=The Herald Sun |url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/north/lalor-to-epping-train-line-a-step-closer-as-state-government-buys-properties/news-story/96d1f7fde27a775e40b4ef5d4edc6f75}}</ref> The $3.8 million was sourced from a 'statewide developers' contribution fund. Since the 2017 acquisitions, there has been little planning developments, with only a small amount of attention given by the local residents, council, and some political parties.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Russell |first=Jackson |date=26 August 2020 |title=New plan to transform the Melbourne's north |url=https://ncreview.com.au/2020/08/26/new-plan-to-transform-the-melbournes-north/ |access-date=5 April 2023 |website=The North Central Review |language=en-AU}}</ref>

== Network and operations ==

=== Services ===
Services on the Mernda line operate from approximately 5:00 am to around 12:00 am daily.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mernda Line |url=https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/route/ |access-date=2 April 2023 |website=Public Transport Victoria |language=en-GB}}</ref> In general, during peak hours, train frequency is 7–10 minutes in the AM peak on the Mernda line while during non-peak hours the frequency is reduced to 20–30 minutes throughout the entire route.<ref name=":32"/> Frequencies are doubled between Flinders Street and Clifton Hill in conjunction with the [[Hurstbridge railway line|Hurstbridge line]]. On Friday nights and weekends, 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 Mernda line are also subjected to maintenance and renewal works, usually on selected Fridays and Saturdays. Shuttle bus services are provided throughout the duration of work 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 />Select 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 operate clockwise through the city loop all day)
* | – Trains pass and do not stop

{{Table alignment}}
{| class="wikitable defaultcenter col1left"
! colspan="7" style="background:#{{rcr|Melbourne|Mernda}};" |<span style="color:white;">Mernda Services<ref>{{cite web |title=Mernda Line |url=https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/route/timetable/5/south-morang/ |website=Public Transport Victoria |access-date=4 April 2023}}</ref></span>
|+
!Station
!Zone
!Local
!Ltd Express
!Express
!Reservoir
!Epping
|-
|◼ {{rwsa|Flinders Street}} || rowspan="17" | 1 || ● || ● || ▼ || ● 
|●
|-
|◼ {{rwsa|Southern Cross}} || ▼ || ▼ || ▼ || ▼ 
|▼
|-
|◼ {{rwsa|Flagstaff}} || ▼ || ▼ || ▼ || ▼ 
|▼
|-
|◼ {{rwsa|Melbourne Central}} || ▼ || ▼ || ▼ || ▼ 
|▼
|-
|◼ {{rwsa|Parliament}} || ▼ || ▼ || ▼ || ▼ 
|▼
|-
|◻ {{rwsa|Jolimont}} || ● || ● || ▼ || ● 
|●
|-
|{{htxt|◻}} {{rwsa|West Richmond}} || ● || {{Pipe}} || {{Pipe}} || {{Pipe}}
|◐
|-
|{{htxt|◻}} {{rwsa|North Richmond}} || ● || {{Pipe}} || {{Pipe}} || {{Pipe}}
|◐
|-
|{{htxt|◻}} {{rwsa|Collingwood}} || ● || {{Pipe}} || {{Pipe}} || {{Pipe}}
|◐
|-
|{{htxt|◻}} {{rwsa|Victoria Park|m}} || ● || ● || ● || ● 
|●
|-
|◼ {{rwsa|Clifton Hill}} || ● || ● || ● || ● 
|●
|-
|{{htxt|◻}} {{rwsa|Rushall}} || ● || ● || {{Pipe}} || {{Pipe}}
|◐
|-
|{{htxt|◻}} {{rwsa|Merri}} || ● || ● || {{Pipe}} || {{Pipe}}
|◐
|-
|{{htxt|◻}} {{rwsa|Northcote}} || ● || ● || {{Pipe}} || {{Pipe}}
|◐
|-
|{{htxt|◻}} {{rwsa|Croxton}} || ● || ● || {{Pipe}} || {{Pipe}}
|◐
|-
|{{htxt|◻}} {{rwsa|Thornbury|m}} || ● || ● || {{Pipe}} || {{Pipe}}
|◐
|-
|◼ {{rwsa|Bell|m}} || ● || ● || {{Pipe}} || {{Pipe}}
|◐
|-
|◼ {{rwsa|Preston|m}} || rowspan="3" | 1/2 || ● || ● || ● || ● 
|●
|-
|◻ {{rwsa|Regent}} || ● || ● || {{Pipe}} || {{Pipe}}
|◐
|-
|◼ {{rwsa|Reservoir}} || ● || ● || ● || ● 
|●
|-
|{{htxt|◻}} {{rwsa|Ruthven}} || rowspan="9" | 2 || ● || ● ||  {{Pipe}}|| rowspan="9" |
|◐
|-
|{{htxt|◻}} {{rwsa|Keon Park}} || ● || ● 
|{{Pipe}}
|◐
|-
|◼ {{rwsa|Thomastown|m}} || ● || ● 
|●
|●
|-
|{{htxt|◻}} {{rwsa|Lalor}} || ● || ● 
|{{Pipe}}
|◐
|-
|◼ {{rwsa|Epping|m}} || ● || ● 
|●
|●
|-
|◼ {{rwsa|South Morang}} || ● || ● 
|●
|-
|{{htxt|◻}} {{rwsa|Middle Gorge}} || ● || ● 
|{{Pipe}}
|-
|◻ {{rwsa|Hawkstowe}} || ● || ● 
|{{Pipe}}
|-
|◼ {{rwsa|Mernda}} || ● || ● 
|●
|}

=== Operators ===
The Mernda line has had a total of 6 operators since its opening in 1888. The majority of operations throughout its history have been government-run: from its first service in 1888 until the 1999 privatisation of Melbourne's rail network, four different government operators have run the line.<ref>"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 111 years. Hillside Trains was privatised in August 1999 and later rebranded [[Connex Melbourne]]. [[Metro Trains Melbourne]], the current private operator, then took over the operations in 2009. 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 Mernda line:
!Operator
!Assumed operations
!Ceased operations
!Length of operations
|-
|[[Victorian Railways]]
|1888
|1983
|95 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 ===
{{For-text|information about the actual track|[[Whittlesea railway line]]}}
{{Mernda Line|float=right|collapse=yes}}{{maplink
|frame=yes
|frame-lat=-37.7128
|frame-long=145.0144
|frame-width=400
|frame-height=500
|frame-align=right
|text=Interactive map of the Mernda line in northern Melbourne
|zoom=11

|type=line
|id=Q7567980
|stroke-colour=#E42B23
|stroke-width=5
|title=Mernda line

}}The Mernda line forms a relatively linear route from the [[Melbourne central business district]] to its terminus in Mernda. The route is {{convert|33.1|km}} long and is double track the entire way from Flinders Street to its termnius. The only underground section of the Mernda line is in the City Loop, where the service stops at 3 underground stations.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Guide to navigating the City Loop {{!}} Public Transport Users Association (Victoria, Australia) |url=https://www.ptua.org.au/tips/loop/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221212120652/https://www.ptua.org.au/tips/loop/ |archive-date=12 December 2022 |access-date=12 December 2022}}</ref> Exiting the city, the Mernda line traverses mainly flat country with few curves and fairly minimal [[Earthworks (engineering)|earthworks]] for most of the line. Despite the otherwise fairly straight line, it does include Melbourne's sharpest railway curve, between [[Rushall railway station|Rushall]] and [[Merri railway station|Merri]]. This curve originally made up the third side of a [[triangle (railway)|triangular junction]], connecting the two original branches from the now-closed [[North Fitzroy railway station|North Fitzroy station]].<ref>Victorian Railways signal diagram: {{cite web |title=North Fitzroy to Merri |url=http://www.victorianrailways.net/signaling/completedia/nfitmerridia.html |access-date=16 June 2008 |publisher=victorianrailways.net}}</ref> Only this third leg of the triangle remains. Some sections of the line has been elevated or lowered into a [[Cutting (transportation)|cutting]] to [[Level Crossing Removal Project|eliminate level crossings]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wong |first=Marcus |date=10 May 2021 |title=Level crossing removals in 1920s Melbourne |url=https://wongm.com/2021/05/melbourne-1920s-level-crossing-removals/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221212120708/https://wongm.com/2021/05/melbourne-1920s-level-crossing-removals/ |archive-date=12 December 2022 |access-date=12 December 2022 |website=Waking up in Geelong}}</ref> Despite some removals, there are a number of level crossings still present with no current plans to remove them.

The line follows the same alignment as the Hurstbridge line with the two services splitting onto different routes at Clifton Hill. The Mernda line continues on its northern alignment, whereas the Hurstbridge line takes a north-eastern alignment towards its final destination of [[Hurstbridge railway station|Hurstbridge station]].<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> Most of the rail line goes through [[Urban agglomeration|built-up]] suburbs and some industrial areas, but after [[Middle Gorge railway station|Middle Gorge]], the line gets into more sporadic suburbs and park lands.<ref name=":8" /> This outer portion of the line is one of Melbourne's main growth corridors, which is rapidly replacing farmland with housing and commercial developments causing a rise in patronage.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hui |first=Jin |date=2 December 2020 |title=Big train gain: Pakenham line extended |url=https://pakenham.starcommunity.com.au/news/2020-12-02/big-train-gain-pakenham-line-extended/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221212120653/https://pakenham.starcommunity.com.au/news/2020-12-02/big-train-gain-pakenham-line-extended/ |archive-date=12 December 2022 |access-date=12 December 2022 |website=Pakenham Gazette}}</ref>

=== Stations ===
The line serves 29 stations across {{convert|33.1|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 or line extension projects.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Lee |first=Robert S. |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/224727085 |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 |access-date=29 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508063019/http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/224727085 |archive-date=8 May 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> From 2025, [[Keon Park railway station|Keon Park]] station will be elevated as part of level crossing removal works.<ref name=":3" />
{| class="wikitable"
!Station
!Accessibility
!Opened
!Terrain
!Train connections
!Other connections
|-
|[[Flinders Street railway station|Flinders Street]]
| rowspan="7" |Yes—step free access<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |title=Access Guide |url=https://www.metrotrains.com.au/station-accessibility-features/ |access-date=6 May 2023 |website=www.metrotrains.com.au |language=en-US}}</ref>
|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|Alamein line|Alamein railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Alamein}}|white}}
* {{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|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|Alamein line|Alamein railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Alamein}}|white}}
* {{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|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|Alamein line|Alamein railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Alamein}}|white}}
* {{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|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" />
| rowspan="2" |{{Symbol|Melbourne tram logo.svg|30|Trams|link=no}}
|-
|[[Jolimont railway station|Jolimont]]
| rowspan="4" |1901<ref name=":112" />
|Lowered
| rowspan="6" |{{Collapsible list
| title = 1 connection|
* {{RouteBox|Hurstbridge line|Hurstbridge railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Hurstbridge}}|white}}
}}
|-
|[[West Richmond railway station|West Richmond]]
|Ground level
|{{Symbol|Victoria bus logo.svg|30|Buses|link=no}}
|-
|[[North Richmond railway station|North Richmond]]
| rowspan="5" |No—steep ramp<ref name=":7" />
| rowspan="3" |Elevated
|{{Symbol|Melbourne tram logo.svg|30|Trams|link=no}} {{Symbol|Victoria bus logo.svg|30|Buses|link=no}}
|-
|[[Collingwood railway station|Collingwood]]
| rowspan="4" |{{Symbol|Victoria bus logo.svg|30|Buses|link=no}}
|-
|[[Victoria Park railway station, Melbourne|Victoria Park]]
| rowspan="2" |1888<ref name=":112" />
|-
|[[Clifton Hill railway station|Clifton Hill]]
| rowspan="6" |Ground level
|-
|[[Rushall railway station|Rushall]]
|1927<ref name=":112" />
| rowspan="18" |
|-
|[[Merri railway station|Merri]]
| rowspan="6" |Yes—step free access<ref name=":7" />
| rowspan="8" |1889<ref name=":112" />
| rowspan="2" |{{Symbol|Melbourne tram logo.svg|30|Trams|link=no}} {{Symbol|Victoria bus logo.svg|30|Buses|link=no}}
|-
|[[Northcote railway station|Northcote]]
|-
|[[Croxton railway station|Croxton]]
| rowspan="2" |{{Symbol|Melbourne tram logo.svg|30|Trams|link=no}}
|-
|[[Thornbury railway station, Melbourne|Thornbury]]
|-
|[[Bell railway station, Melbourne|Bell]]
| rowspan="2" |Elevated
| rowspan="13" |{{Symbol|Victoria bus logo.svg|30|Buses|link=no}}
|-
|[[Preston railway station, Melbourne|Preston]]
|-
|[[Regent railway station|Regent]]
|No—steep ramp<ref name=":7" />
|Ground level
|-
|[[Reservoir railway station|Reservoir]]
|Yes—step free access<ref name=":7" />
|Elevated
|-
|[[Ruthven railway station|Ruthven]]
|No—steep ramp<ref name=":7" />
|1963<ref name=":112" />
|Ground level
|-
|[[Keon Park railway station|Keon Park]]
| rowspan="8" |Yes—step free access<ref name=":7" />
|1929<ref name=":112" />
|Elevated
|-
|[[Thomastown railway station, Melbourne|Thomastown]]
|1889<ref name=":112" />
| rowspan="2" |Ground level
|-
|[[Lalor railway station|Lalor]]
|1949<ref name=":112" />
|-
|[[Epping railway station, Melbourne|Epping]]
|1889<ref name=":112" />
| rowspan="2" |Lowered
|-
|[[South Morang railway station|South Morang]]
|2012<ref name=":112" />
|-
|[[Middle Gorge railway station|Middle Gorge]]
| rowspan="3" |2018<ref name=":112" />
|Ground level
|-
|[[Hawkstowe railway station|Hawkstowe]]
| rowspan="2" |Elevated
|-
|[[Mernda railway station|Mernda]]
|}
{| 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|Jolimont}} || {{TAC2|21 October 1901}} || 
|-
| {{rwsa|West Richmond}} || {{TAC2|21 October 1901}} || 
|-
| {{rwsa|North Richmond}} || {{TAC2|21 October 1901}} || 
|-
| {{rwsa|Collingwood}} || {{TAC2|21 October 1901}} || 
* Formerly Collingwood Town Hall
|-
| {{rwsa|Victoria Park|m}} || {{TAC2|8 May 1888}} || 
* Formerly Collingwood
|-
| {{rwsa|Clifton Hill}} || {{TAC2|8 May 1888}} || 
|-
| {{rwsa|Rushall}} || {{TAC2|1 January 1927}} || 
|-
| {{rwsa|Merri}} || {{TAC2|8 October 1889}} || 
* Formerly Northcote
|-
| {{rwsa|Northcote}} || {{TAC2|8 October 1889}} || 
* Formerly Middle Northcote
|-
| {{rwsa|Croxton}} || {{TAC2|8 October 1889}} || 
|-
| {{rwsa|Thornbury|m}} || {{TAC2|8 October 1889}} || 
|-
| {{rwsa|Bell|m}} || {{TAC2|8 October 1889}} || 
* Formerly Preston – Bell Street
|-
| {{rwsa|Preston|m}} || {{TAC2|8 October 1889}} || 
* Formerly Preston – Murray Road
* Formerly Murray
|-
| {{rwsa|Regent}} || {{TAC2|8 October 1889}} || 
* Formerly Preston – Regent Street
|-
| {{rwsa|Reservoir}} || {{TAC2|8 October 1889}} || 
* Formerly Preston – Reservoir
|-
| {{rwsa|Ruthven}} || {{TAC2|5 August 1963}} || 
|-
| {{rwsa|Keon Park}} || {{TAC2|16 December 1929}} || 
* Formerly Keonpark
|-
| {{rwsa|Thomastown|m}} || {{TAC2|23 December 1889}} || 
|-
| Railmotor Stopping Place No.8 (2nd) || {{TAC2|13 March 1928||c|29 November 1959}} || 
* Approx. near Mann's Crossing
|-
| rowspan="2" | {{rwsa|Lalor}} || {{TAC2|29 September 1947|||28 November 1959}} || 
* Formerly Railmotor Stopping Place No.77
|-
| {{TAC2|30 November 1959}} || 
|-
| Railmotor Stopping Place No.8 (1st) || {{TAC2|10 May 1927||c|13 March 1928||c}} || 
* Approx. near Childs Road
|-
| rowspan="3" | {{rwsa|Epping|m}} || {{TAC2|23 December 1889|||28 November 1959}} || 
* 1st site
|-
| {{TAC2|30 November 1964|||24 November 2011}} || 
* 2nd site
|-
| {{TAC2|28 November 2011}} || 
* 3rd site
|-
| Railmotor Stopping Place No.34 || {{TAC2|12 May 1925|||29 November 1959}} || 
* Formerly Epping Quarries Siding
|-
| {{rwsa|South Morang}} || {{TAC2|22 April 2012}} || 
|-
| Railmotor Stopping Place No.39 || {{TAC2|1 July 1941||c|29 November 1959}} || 
* Approx. near McDonald's Road
|-
| rowspan="2" | {{rwsa|Middle Gorge}} || {{TAC2|23 December 1889|||28 November 1959}} || 
* Was originally South Morang
|-
| {{TAC2|26 August 2018}} || 
* Known as Marymede during construction
* Reopened as Middle Gorge
|-
| Railmotor Stopping Place No.33 || {{TAC2|25 July 1932|||29 November 1959}} || 
* Approx. near Plenty Road
|-
| {{rwsa|Hawkstowe}} || {{TAC2|26 August 2018}} || 
|-
| Railmotor Stopping Place No.9 || {{TAC2|10 May 1927||c|29 November 1959}} || 
* Approx. near Hawkstowe Parade
|-
| rowspan="2" | {{rwsa|Mernda}} || {{TAC2|23 December 1889|||28 November 1959}} || 
* Formerly South Yan Yean
|-
| {{TAC2|28 June 2018}} || 
|}

== Infrastructure ==

=== Rolling stock ===
[[File:Mernda line train at elevated platform of Bell station, Melbourne, July 2023.jpg|alt=A X'Trapolis train departing Bell station in 2023.|thumb|A [[X'Trapolis 100|X'Trapolis train]] departing [[Bell railway station, Melbourne|Bell station]] in July 2023.]]
The Mernda line uses [[X'Trapolis 100]] [[electric multiple unit]] (EMU) trains operating in a two three-car configuration, with three doors per side on each carriage, and can accommodate up to 432 seated passengers in each six-car configuration.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=1 March 2014 |title=Train-Franchise-Agreement-Vol-2-of-2 |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> 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" />

Alongside the passenger trains, Mernda 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 ===
[[File:Bell station building landscape.jpg|alt=A new elevated train station|thumb|The recently rebuilt [[Bell railway station, Melbourne|Bell station]] has assisted in making the line more wheelchair accessible]]
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> Just over half of the stations on the corridor are fully accessible, however, some stations haven't been upgraded to meet these guidelines.<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 do feature ramps, however, they have a gradient greater than 1 in 14.<ref name=":12" /> 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=":12" /> 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=":12" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=n.d. |title=Accessing public transport |url=https://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/community/health-support-services/accessing-melbourne/Pages/public-transport.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206144538/https://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/community/health-support-services/accessing-melbourne/Pages/public-transport.aspx |archive-date=6 December 2022 |access-date=3 January 2023 |website=City of Melbourne}}</ref>

Projects improving station accessibility have included the Level Crossing Removal Project, which involves station rebuilds and upgrades, and individual station upgrade projects.<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><ref>{{Cite web |last=Victoria’s Big Build |date=17 October 2022 |title=Urban design framework |url=https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/projects/level-crossing-removal-project/about/urban-design-framework |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103084334/https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/projects/level-crossing-removal-project/about/urban-design-framework |archive-date=3 January 2023 |access-date=3 January 2023 |website=Victoria’s Big Build}}</ref> These works have made significant strides in improving network accessibility, with more than 67% of Mernda line stations classed as fully accessible. Future station upgrade projects will continue to increase the number of fully accessible stations overtime.

=== Signalling ===
The Mernda line uses three-position signalling which is widely used across the Melbourne train network.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Metro Tunnel Project's hi-tech trial |url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=HSWEB_WRE170_a_GGL&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.heraldsun.com.au%2Fleader%2Fnorth%2Fhitech-train-signalling-technology-to-be-trialled-on-mernda-line%2Fnews-story%2F413b2245af2435ce13be2587ba8d9872&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&v21=dynamic-low-test-score&V21spcbehaviour=append |website=Herald Sun|access-date=31 March 2023}}</ref> Three-position signalling was first introduced on the line in 1921, with the final section of the line converted to the new type of signalling during the extension of the line to Mernda in 2018.<ref name=":0" />

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book
  | author = Robert Aquilina
  | title = The Whittlesea Railway – A brief history of the Fitzroy and Whittlesea railway 1889–1959 including current day operations
  | publisher = Self published
  | year = 1999 }}

==External links==
* [https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/route/timetable/5/south-morang/ Mernda line timetable]
* [https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/more/maps/#networkmaps Network map]
* {{commons category-inline|Mernda railway line}}
{{Victorian Railway Lines|selected=melbourne}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:South Morang Railway Line}}
[[Category:Railway lines in Melbourne]]
[[Category:Railway lines opened in 1889]]
[[Category:5 ft 3 in gauge railways in Australia]]
[[Category:1901 establishments in Australia]]
[[Category:Transport in the City of Darebin]]
[[Category:Transport in the City of Whittlesea]]
[[Category:Public transport routes in the City of Melbourne (LGA)]]
[[Category:Transport in the City of Yarra]]