On Sunday, August 19 – one week before the Mernda railway line officially reopens – an Open Day will be held between 12pm and 3pm.
The community can view three new stations Mernda, Hawkstowe and Middle Gorge and ride the new section of rail.
Free shuttle trains will run between South Morang and Mernda, stopping at Middle Gorge and Hawkstowe stations.
There will be food, giveaways and entertainment for the whole family including fun for the kids.
Staff will also be available to answer questions about the new stations and services.
When:
12pm to 3pm, Sunday, August 19, 2018.
Where:
Middle Gorge Station – enter from Williamsons Road, South Morang
Hawkstowe Station – enter from Hawkstowe Parade, South Morang
Mernda Station – enter from Bridge Inn Road, Mernda (car parks on the north side and south side of Bridge Inn Road will be open)
Shuttle trains will also be departing and arriving back at South Morang Station.
On Sunday, August 26 the first train will depart Mernda Station in the early hours of the morning. From then, the South Morang line will be officially known as the Mernda line.
The first test train ran to Mernda in late July to test the track, overhead wiring and rail infrastructure, confirming passenger trains can commence late August. Several test trains have recently been sighted running between South Morang and Mernda.
The construction team has been hard at work in the rail corridor to continue working on the stations and infrastructure of the new Mernda line.
Driver training along the new line commenced late July.
The new Mernda Station will give passengers access to 982 services to the city every week, with two new and seven realigned bus routes connecting passengers with the three new stations on the Mernda line.
Mernda station opened in 1889 – first as South Yan Yean – then Mernda from 1913 until closing in 1959. The line to Whittlesea was dismantled during the 1970s.
