In
1887, rail workers like these men extended the railway from Reservoir to
Whittlesea in just two years.On this page you will find many historical photos kindly given to SMMRA for display. They also appear on our Facebook page Extend the rail to Mernda, along with many other images taken during the campaign to have the rail back to Mernda.
The dates and other information beside the images are from those who have provided the pictures, however if you have further information please contact us.
In
1887, rail workers like these men extended the railway from Reservoir to
Whittlesea in just two years.
This
is the Bridge Inn Hotel, pre-1891 as a single story wooden building with the Red
Gum that still stands to this day on the opposite corner - a big thankyou to
Page Member Robert Cockerell for sending this through to Extend
the rail line to Mernda for
us all to see! His ancestor John Cockerell invented the press that is in the
foreground. A rare and priceless piece of local history.
The
Bridge Inn Hotel, Mernda in 1891 - the railway was completed to Whittlesea in 1889.
Circa
1900, this was Cockerell's Forge in Mernda on the corner of Plenty Rd and Bridge
Inn Rd on the North-West corner. Thanks to Robert Cockerell for the picture!
We've
uncovered a very rare photograph of a steam train bound for Whittlesea in the
early 1900's
A
Whittlesea Train leaving Merri Station in 1910, Northcote in the background -
The land reserve still remains all the way to Whittlesea, click 'Like' if you
would like to see it return! Thanks
to Page member Robert Cockerell for sending it through.
Yes
that sign is right, this train is going to Whittlesea! 30/11/1912
A
photograph from 1912 of a steam train bound for Whittlesea
The
Bridge Inn Hotel Facebook
Page had this picture recently added from the 1920's - It was called "Dehnert's
Bridge Inn Hotel" in those days. The original windows on the ground level
are currently being restored to what you can see in this photograph.
Findon
Harriers Hunt Club arriving with horses from Melbourne at Mernda Train Station
in the 1920’s.
An
original 1920's train ticket from Whittlesea to Melbourne
If
you felt like taking the train to the city from Mernda, Yan Yean or Whittlesea
in 1924, this 'AEC Railmotor' is what you would have travelled on, how times
have changed! Thanks goes to the Whittlesea Historical Society Website for this
photograph.
Two
adults and a child inspect the derailment of an AEC Railmotor at the Whittlesea
turntable in 1926 - Oops!!
Thanks
to the Page member who sent in this picture from 1926 of the Whittlesea Station
Turntable - The 'AEC Railmotor' that you can see was what you would catch to the
city, it was similar to a bus or truck that ran on rails!
Whittlesea
Rail Station in 1939 - A Leyland Railmotor and trailer is pictured, painted in
red and white stripes.
Whittlesea
Train Station in 1957, complete with advertising boards!
Looking
sharp at the Mernda reunion in 1952 - I wonder how many walked down from Mernda
Railway Station?
Thanks
to a Page Member for sending in an original 1954 ticket from Whittlesea to
Regent,
This
1955 Broadbent's Roadmap shows Plenty Road before it was straightened to
Whittlesea, the railway to Whittlesea, most of Laurimar as a swamp and the new
name 'Lalor' replacing 'Germantown'.
Whittlesea
Railway Station in 1957
Where
is the location of this photograph taken on 6-9-1959? Here's a hint - if you
live in Mernda and drive to work along Plenty Rd toward South Morang, you would
pass this rail cutting every time.
How
times have changed - this is Epping Railway Station on the 21/11/1959.
Mernda
Railway Station on the 28th of November, 1959. The platform can still be seen in
between Schotters Rd and Station St, near the corner of Bridge Inn Rd. Photo by
J. Kerley and supplied to 'Extend the rail line to Mernda' by R. Aquilina.
The
line to Whittlesea was closed on the 28-11-1959. This photo was taken at
Thomastown Railway Station, the waiting crowd about to board the final service
to Whittlesea.
This
is Whittlesea Train Station in 1959 (it was located behind the sawmill).
We've
managed to uncover a very rare photo of the original Yan Yean railway station on
6/9/1959! We've never seen a picture of it before and hope we can discover more
just like it with your help.
A
rail motor crossing Masons Lane (Hazleglen Drive), Mernda in the 1960s. The thin
strip of land between Plenty Rd and Schotters Rd opposite the Safeway Petrol
Station is where this photo was taken.
This
original Whittlesea Train Line timetable shows that over 50 years ago, you could
go from Flinders St to Mernda in around 60-70 minutes.
this
is the famous Edwardes Park Lake steam engine being unloaded at Reservoir Train
Station in 1969. It was bought for just $640 and travelled over 2 million km
whilst in service.
All
aboard to Whittlesea Station! Do you, Mum or Dad, Grandma or Grandpa have any
old photographs of the Whittlesea Line? We would love to add them to our
Historical Photos album
As
you can see from this original rail map, Mernda was known as South Yan Yean when
rail first came through the area. Back then, it would take around 60-70 minutes
by train to get to Flinders St.
Mernda
station platform today.
Ever
wondered why one half of the pavilion at Mernda Football club looks different to
the other? It's because the original end is actually the Mernda Train Station
Building!
An
original train ticket from Whittlesea to Epping
A
rare picture of the original South Morang Station which was located in between
the old South Morang Primary School and Marymede College
Stopping
Place 39 was located at the dogleg on McDonalds Rd where the new South Morang
railway station now stands. It was not a formal station so to catch a train, you
would have to wave to the driver to stop! The original South Morang station was
located about 1.5km to the left of this photograph within the vicinity of
Marymede College.