Mooroolbark railway station

Mooroolbark railway station is a commuter railway station on the Lilydale line, part of the Melbourne railway network. It serves the eastern Melbourne suburb of Mooroolbark in Victoria, Australia. Mooroolbark is an elevated premium station, featuring an island platform with two faces. It opened on 10 October 1887 with the current station provided in 2021.

Mooroolbark
PTV commuter rail station
Westbound view from Platform 1, October 2024
General information
Location	Brice Avenue, Mooroolbark, Victoria 3138 Shire of Yarra Ranges Australia
Coordinates	37°47′05″S 145°18′45″E
Owned by	VicTrack
Operated by	Metro Trains
Line(s)	Lilydale
Distance	34.38 kilometres from Southern Cross
Platforms	2 (1 island, elevated)
Tracks	2
Connections	Bus
Construction
Structure type	Elevated
Parking	364
Bicycle facilities	8
Accessible	Yes — step free access
Other information
Status	Operational, premium station
Station code	MLK
Fare zone	Myki Zone 2
Website	Public Transport Victoria
History
Opened	10 October 1887; 137 years ago (1887-10-10)
Rebuilt	1985 19 November 2021 (LXRP)
Electrified	November 1925 (1500 V DC overhead)
Passengers
2005–2006	554,752[1]
2006–2007	591,674[1]  6.65%
2007–2008	669,163[1]  13.09%
2008–2009	793,851[2]  18.63%
2009–2010	794,160[2]  0.03%
2010–2011	797,232[2]  0.38%
2011–2012	733,013[2]  8.05%
2012–2013	Not measured[2]
2013–2014	644,788[2]  12.03%
2014–2015	639,963[1]  0.74%
2015–2016	688,811[2]  7.63%
2016–2017	652,036[2]  5.33%
2017–2018	707,345[2]  8.48%
2018–2019	722,154[2]  2.09%
2019–2020	568,300[2]  21.3%
2020–2021	197,000[2]  65.33%
2021–2022	213,050[3]  8.14%
2022–2023	405,950[3]  90.54%
2023–2024	465,850[3]  14.76%
Services
Preceding station Metro Trains Following station Croydon towards Flinders Street or Ringwood Lilydale line Lilydale Terminus
Track layout Legend to Croydon Burshy Creek 1 2 Creek to Lilydale
Location

The current rail-over-road Mooroolbark station structure was opened on 19 November 2021, as part of railway redevelopment works, including the Level Crossing Removal Project.^[4] A crossover is located at the up end of the station, which allows services to terminate and return. Mooroolbark also marks the end of the double track on the Lilydale line.

History

Mooroolbark station opened on 10 October 1887^[4] and, like the suburb itself, is named after an Indigenous word meaning 'red earth'.^[5] The name came from a cattle run that was leased to John Gardiner, with the land stretching from Brushy Creek to Olinda.^[5]

In 1949, flashing light signals were provided at the former Manchester Road level crossing, which was located at the up end of the station.^[4]

In 1981, a number of sidings at the station were abolished. In 1983, boom barriers were provided at the level crossing.^[4] In 1985, the former ground-level Platform 2 was provided, along with new track which allowed down trains to enter the platform.^[6][7][8] This was in conjunction with the provision of automatic signalling between Mooroolbark and Lilydale.^[8]

In June 2001, Mooroolbark was upgraded to a premium station.^[4]

In October 2013, three small shelters were provided at the ends of both former ground level platforms. Platform 1 had shelters at each end, while Platform 2 had one at the down (Lilydale) end. Both platforms also had a raised section installed, reducing the need for a wheelchair ramp to be used.

In 2015, the Level Crossing Removal Project announced the removal of the Manchester Road level crossing.^[9] In 2020, work commenced on the project, with a rail-over-road configuration. The project was scheduled to be completed by 2022, however, on 19 November 2021, the rebuilt station opened to passengers.^[10]

The original 1887 station building, removed as part of the level crossing removal works, was relocated to the Lilydale campus of Box Hill Institute for restoration. It is scheduled to be moved to Tarrawarra, on the Yarra Valley Railway.^[11]

Platforms and services

A PID on Platform 1 displaying a Flinders Street-bound service, October 2024

An X'Trapolis train on a Lilydale-bound service arrives at Platform 2, October 2024

Mooroolbark has one island platform with two faces. It is served by Lilydale line trains.^[12]

Platform 1:

•  Lilydale line  all stations and limited express services to Flinders Street; all stations services to Lilydale; all stations shuttle services to Ringwood

Platform 2:

•  Lilydale line  all stations services to Lilydale

Transport links

Ventura Bus Lines operates four routes via Mooroolbark station, under contract to Public Transport Victoria:

•  675 : to Chirnside Park Shopping Centre^[13]
•  680 : to Lilydale station^[14]
• FlexiRide Croydon^[15]
• FlexiRide Mooroolbark^[16]

Gallery

• 
  Former ground level station forecourt, following a 2014 upgrade, building and Platform 1 entrance, March 2015
• 
  Westbound view from Platform 1, November 2021
• 
  Westbound view from Platform 2, November 2021
• 
  Station concourse and entrance at night,
  October 2022
• 
  Station concourse and entrance at daylight,
  April 2023
• 
  Eastbound view from Platform 1, July 2024
• 
  The southern side of the station entrance, October 2024
• 
  The view of the clock tower feature and train at platform from the southern entrance, October 2024
• 
  The clock tower feature on the western end of Mooroolbark station, October 2024
• 
  The station's main concourse, October 2024
• 
  The station's main concourse, showing the Myki barriers and the customer service, October 2024
• 
  The station's main concourse, looking towards the exit, October 2024
• 
  The station's PSO building, emergency exit fencing and eastern end shelter, October 2024
• 
  The stairs leading down to the main concourse from the platform, October 2024
• 
  The vending machines and seating on the western end of Platform 1, October 2024
• 
  The western lift exit from the station platforms, October 2024
• 
  The southern entrance to the station's four storey car park, October 2024
• 
  The four storey car park viewed westbound from Platform 2, October 2024
• 
  The mesh fencing and emergency exit at the eastern end of the platform, October 2024
• 
  The stairs leading up to the station platforms from the main concourse, October 2024