Is this platform still in use?

Regards
Brian

No; see http://www.railgeelong.com/location/geelong-racecourse for more information.

The last train to use it was on the 19th of October 2005, hauled by N470 (photos are on Vicsig)

Is this platform still in use?

Regards
Brian

I thought the points had been spiked?

I thought the points had been spiked?

The points have been removed

Lack of demand for the use of the racecourse platform?

Would the station be open today if it saw regular services? It is, after all, in close proximity to the eastern suburbs of Geelong? Conversely, would it not draw significant enough passenger numbers?

The platform has no facilities whatsoever. No carpark, no lighting, no shelter of any kind. The platform itself is not sealed it's just dirt and grass (or weeds more likely). The track if still in place (not sure if the track here has been lifted or not) is no longer connected to the mainline. So either the mainline would need to be slewed to meet the platform, or new points would need to be installed to the former platform road. These points could be troublesome if only used once or twice a year (probably why V/Line opted to abolish them), so it could be more cost effective to slew the mainline instead.

The Geelong Racecourse Station, or Breakwater as it has also been known, was specifically built to service the Geelong Racecourse. Infact it was built in 1910 by the VR at the request of the Geelong Racing Club, and the Geelong Agricultural Society who paid the VR for the construction of the station. It was only ever used for special events. It isn't particularly local to any residential area, the area local to the station is mostly industrial and therefore wouldn't have a high passenger yield considering its proximity to South Geelong (2.2km away).

Just because there is an old platform there that once served a purpose, that doesn't mean it would serve a usefull purpose today.

The platform has no facilities whatsoever. No carpark, no lighting, no shelter of any kind. The platform itself is not sealed it's just dirt and grass (or weeds more likely). The track if still in place (not sure if the track here has been lifted or not) is no longer connected to the mainline. So either the mainline would need to be slewed to meet the platform, or new points would need to be installed to the former platform road. These points could be troublesome if only used once or twice a year (probably why V/Line opted to abolish them), so it could be more cost effective to slew the mainline instead.

The Geelong Racecourse Station, or Breakwater as it has also been known, was specifically built to service the Geelong Racecourse. Infact it was built in 1910 by the VR at the request of the Geelong Racing Club, and the Geelong Agricultural Society who paid the VR for the construction of the station. It was only ever used for special events. It isn't particularly local to any residential area, the area local to the station is mostly industrial and therefore wouldn't have a high passenger yield considering its proximity to South Geelong (2.2km away).

Just because there is an old platform there that once served a purpose, that doesn't mean it would serve a usefull purpose today.

Prior to the removal of the mainline points some years ago this location was the scene of a deliberate act of sabotage that could have resulted in the derailment of a passenger train . In a little known incident  vandals deliberately disconnected the point rodding on the Up end points .  Luckily the first train through was in daylight in an Up direction and the driver noticed the points were not set for the straight road .  Having trailed through safely staff were called out to check and found the rodding on the Up end points had been totally disconnected .  As a result both Up and Down end points were heavily spiked for the straight road, and subsequently the mainline points were removed .

Part of the old Loop road remains, but the mainline has recently been relaid with  full concrete resleepering and new 50 kg rail .

Thanks gman for your input. I'm aware of the purpose of the station but was wondering on the usefulness of it as a regular stopping station, hypothetically of course. Your response was well thought out and I agree with your points.

Thanks kuldalai for your post too. I enjoyed reading that.

Part of me actually ponders it's usefulness as a Crossing Loop (with a station attached, perhaps), but I doubt it would be significant.

No longer any track next to the platform it was removed during the last lot of trackwork between Geelong and Marshall.

Part of me actually ponders it's usefulness as a Crossing Loop (with a station attached, perhaps), but I doubt it would be significant.

For the work required to put in a crossing loop at that location only, it would be more cost effective to instead stretch it all the way to South Geelong station, and signal both tracks for one way running to create a 2km dual track section to break up the long single track section between Geelong and Waurn Ponds. This might allow more trains to run all the way to Waurn Ponds.

I believe this is V/Line's preferred option.

I'd have thought it cheaper to simply extend the platform to meet the rails, than slew the rails back in.

Geelong racecourse is the largest outside of Melbourne with no train service with the exception of mooney valley weird why it does not have trains stopping considering the number of people who attend race meetings there.

Geelong racecourse is the largest outside of Melbourne with no train service with the exception of mooney valley weird why it does not have trains stopping considering the number of people who attend race meetings there.

You'll find that for the larger race days and events that organisers put on at either the racecourse or showgrounds City of Greater Geelong Events stipulate as a part of their permit to hold those events they must put on shuttle busses to make the venue more accessible to patrons.

No need to waste hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars reinstating an antiquated platform when South Geelong station is less than 2km away and event organisers are made to pay for shuttles.

No need to waste hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars reinstating an antiquated platform when South Geelong station is less than 2km away and event organisers are made to pay for shuttles.

I disagree with this comment as the racecourse platform is a short walk across the carpark to the racecourse.  Last time I checked it was the role of the PTV to provide efficient public transport services for people to attend their everyday tasks.  Buses are not as efficient as delivering wholesale numbers to a platform a short walk from the station.

Last time I checked it was the role of the PTV to provide efficient public transport services for people to attend their everyday tasks.

Since when is attending the Geelong Cup an everyday task? Racegoers attending a country race meet does not fall into what I would class as an everyday task.

At any rate, for the racecourse platform was to be re-instated, it would need substantial works, which would cost in the order of several million dollars.

Buses are not as efficient as delivering wholesale numbers to a platform a short walk from the station.

If it was to be used regularly I would agree with you, but for a platform that would be used at most 3 or 4 times a year, there is just no justification for the financial outlay that would be required.

Since when is attending the Geelong Cup an everyday task? Racegoers attending a country race meet does not fall into what I would class as an everyday task.

At any rate, for the racecourse platform was to be re-instated, it would need substantial works, which would cost in the order of several million dollars.

Buses are not as efficient as delivering wholesale numbers to a platform a short walk from the station.

If it was to be used regularly I would agree with you, but for a platform that would be used at most 3 or 4 times a year, there is just no justification for the financial outlay that would be required.

The platform was used regularly at Geelong racecourse as there least 3 and sometimes 4 meetings per month.  If millions were required to re-instate my point is why was it disconnected in the first place?  The fact we are talking millions for a platform and connected track is ridiculous.

Many people travel from Melbourne and around Geelong to the racecourse for the meetings.  I do not accept it was not getting used but agree it will cost money to re-instate.  More people on a monthly basis would use Geelong racecourse platform than Echuca or Epsom (near Bendigo). I recall race trains from Melbourne to Geelong racecourse.

The network planning and the way passengers are treated by a lazy Vline is appalling. Werribee racecourse was also a busy race platform.  The ROT is getting worse at Vline.

[edit]cleaned up some spelling and grammar[/edit]

Surely the Royal Geelong Show (a four day event) would provide enough demand to warrant special trains on those days too.

Since when is attending the Geelong Cup an everyday task? Racegoers attending a country race meet does not fall into what I would class as an everyday task.

At any rate, for the racecourse platform was to be re-instated, it would need substantial works, which would cost in the order of several million dollars.

Buses are not as efficient as delivering wholesale numbers to a platform a short walk from the station.

If it was to be used regularly I would agree with you, but for a platform that would be used at most 3 or 4 times a year, there is just no justification for the financial outlay that would be required.

The platform was used regularly at Geelong racecourse as there least 3 and sometimes 4 meetings per month.  If millions were required to re-instate my point is why was it disconnected in the first place?  The fact we are talking millions for a platform and connected track is ridiculous.

Many people travel from Melbourne and around Geelong to the racecourse for the meetings.  I do not accept it was not getting used but agree it will cost money to re-instate.  More people on a monthly basis would use Geelong racecourse platform than Echuca or Epsom (near Bendigo). I recall race trains from Melbourne to Geelong racecourse.

The network planning and the way passengers are treated by a lazy Vline is appalling. Werribee racecourse was also a busy race platform.  The ROT is getting worse at Vline.

I tell you what I would rather catch a train to South Geelong and hop on a bus straight to the racecouse than hop off at some desolate platform and trudge my way through the dirt and across two roads to the racecourse.

I hardly thing providing a platform at every racecourse in the state is the job of V/line.

I am convinced you will never be happy until every branchline is re opened and there is a string of GYs bouncing along!

Forget the racecourse platform it is dead , buried and cremated .

The real need now is to move over  ten years to largely duplicate South Geelong to  Waurn Ponds  station .

In the first instance 1.  A set of points at Down end of South Geelong at Wood Street to create a crossing loop
                          2.  Extend existing crossing loop at Marshall  to Reserve Road, and put in a crossover at Down end existing Marshall platform between platform and # 2 Road .
                           3. A second back Dock platform at Waurn Ponds  station .

This then allows all Off peak trains to originate/terminate Waurn Ponds on the 20 minute frequency, and also allow a peak 10 minute frequency to be run against a counter peak  20 minute frequency.

As a later stage one then carries out :
                            4.  Duplication Down end South Geelong Loop to Up end Barwon River Viaducts.
                            5. Duplication Down end Barwon River Viaducts to Up end of Marshall station.
                            6. Duplication Reserve Road to  Waurn Ponds station.
                            7.  Second platforms at South Geelong and Marshall .

I tell you what I would rather catch a train to South Geelong and hop on a bus straight to the racecouse than hop off at some desolate platform and trudge my way through the dirt and across two roads to the racecourse.

I hardly thing providing a platform at every racecourse in the state is the job of V/line.

I am convinced you will never be happy until every branchline is re opened and there is a string of GYs bouncing along!

You sound like someone who has never used a vline service to the racetrack?

No need to waste hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars reinstating an antiquated platform when South Geelong station is less than 2km away and event organisers are made to pay for shuttles.
I disagree with this comment as the racecourse platform is a short walk across the carpark to the racecourse.  Last time I checked it was the role of the PTV to provide efficient public transport services for people to attend their everyday tasks.  Buses are not as efficient as delivering wholesale numbers to a platform a short walk from the station.

Really? Let me just check the mission statement of PTV...

Public Transport Victoria is the statutory authority that manages Victoria’s train, tram and bus services. It provides a single contact point for customers wanting information on public transport services, fares, tickets and initiatives. PTV was established in April 2012 with the aim of improving public transport in Victoria by:

• Ensuring better coordination between modes
• Facilitating expansions to the network
• Auditing public transport assets
• Promoting public transport as an alternative to the car
• Acting as a system authority for all public transport and an advocate for public transport users.
• Information relating to PTV’s organisation and function can be found at various locations, including this website and online publications.

Nope, nothing there about facilitating efficiency. It has the role of supporting growth of public transport however, and this is adequately achieved by using buses.

As an aside, when dealing with public goods and "efficiency" you need to take into account the social cost (refer to Economics 101 for what I mean there). While a train may carry more people, diverting resources that could have been delivered for a lower social cost by using buses means that it is not truly efficient. Efficiency does not equate to more people, as that is just 1 dimensional thinking. The use and allocation of total resources needs to be taken into account.

The distance between the platform and the entrance to the Racecourse is shorter than that of Caulfield.

Forget the racecourse platform it is dead , buried and cremated .

The real need now is to move over  ten years to largely duplicate South Geelong to  Waurn Ponds  station .

In the first instance 1.  A set of points at Down end of South Geelong at Wood Street to create a crossing loop
                          2.  Extend existing crossing loop at Marshall  to Reserve Road, and put in a crossover at Down end existing Marshall platform between platform and # 2 Road .
                           3. A second back Dock platform at Waurn Ponds  station .

This then allows all Off peak trains to originate/terminate Waurn Ponds on the 20 minute frequency, and also allow a peak 10 minute frequency to be run against a counter peak  20 minute frequency.

As a later stage one then carries out :
                            4.  Duplication Down end South Geelong Loop to Up end Barwon River Viaducts.
                            5. Duplication Down end Barwon River Viaducts to Up end of Marshall station.
                            6. Duplication Reserve Road to  Waurn Ponds station.
                            7.  Second platforms at South Geelong and Marshall .

I would have thought the second platform at South Geelong would be higher on the list, maybe as part of creating the loop at South Geelong (i.e. in item 1).  This would make much better use of the crossing loop, as VLP trains could cross each other and both pick up/set down passengers, instead of what happens currently with one morning down train at Marshall which crosses an up service but does not drop off/pick up passengers because there is only the one platform.

The siding at South Geelong does't currently go as far as Wood St, only to Garden St.  Maybe a new cross over between the current cross over (near Bellarine St, but crosses over the wrong way) and Swanston St could be installed, creating the passing loop but still keeping the siding so it can still be used for VLP trains that have terminated at South Geelong and are waiting until they form the next up service from South Geelong.