Williamstown Line

Written By: Thomas McIntosh
Photos By: Thomas McIntosh, Alex Thorn and Ian Green

Page Last Updated: 27/5/20

The Williamstown line is a small branchline that runs between Newport and Williamstown. It is comprised of 3 stations and was opened in 1859. Today the line is serviced by 6 carriage EMUs during the weekdays that run from Williamstown to Flinders Street, and 3 carriage EMUs during the weekends that run only to Newport.

A map of the Williamstown Line as of 2020. Source: Metro Trains Melbourne

Williamstown Station

Williamstown station building. (23/5/20)
Photo By: Thomas McIntosh

Williamstown station is the terminus for the line, the station was opened in 1859. But when it opened it was not the terminating station. The line continued onwards for a short distance to Williamstown Pier. The line was cut back in 1987 following a derailment at the curve. All that remains of the railway line now is 2 stanchions which are used to hook the OHLE up to a substation. In 1998 Williamstown was upgrade to a premium station.

Williamstown Beach

Williamstown Beach station building. (23/5/20)
Photo By: Thomas McIntosh

Williamstown Beach is the second station on the branchline, when it opened in 1889 it was simply called 'Beach' station. But was renamed to Williamstown Beach in 1915.

The station has two platforms and a PSO box on platform 1. The area the station is in is largley surrounded by houses and nothing else.

Information sourced from Wikipedia

North Williamstown

Looking towards Melbourne. (23/5/20)
Photo By: Thomas McIntosh

North Williamstown is the final station on the branchline before Newport. The station opened in 1859 and boom gates were installed on the Ferguson Street level crossing in 1967.

This station is about to undergo a massive change as part of the removal of the level crossing next to the station. Which is scheduled to be completed by 2022.

Ferguson Street level crossing. (23/5/20)
Photo By: Thomas McIntosh

Trains on the Williamstown Line

A new HCMT motor car rests near North Williamstown. (8/6/20)
Photo By: Alex Thorn

Siemens 702M at North Williamstown. (23/5/20)
Photo By: Thomas McIntosh

DRC41 sits at Williamstown Station with an ARHS tour. (2/10/93)
Photo By: Ian Green

T386-IEV102-T385 at Williamstown station. (23/5/20)
Photo By: Thomas McIntosh