* Tocumwal *

Prior to Federation, Tocumwal was an important customs point for goods crossing over the banks of the Murray River between the then colonies of Victoria and New South Wales , in the southern Riverina region of New South Wales, Australia. It is in the Berrigan Shire Local Government Area, and near the Victorian border, 270 kilometres north of the city of Melbourne. The Newell Highway (39), part of the main road route between Brisbane and Melbourne commences at Tocumwal.Finley is a town also in the Riverina region, 22 kilometres away and the largest town in the Berrigan Shire local government area.

Tocumwal Railway History

• Source Wikipedia

  • 1899 - a deputation visited Melbourne, with the Minister for Railways supporting a railway line project to Tocumwal from Strathmerton

  • 1905 - 28 February - This line was opened to the south bank of the Murray River at Tocumwal and was not extended north into Tocumwal itself until 1908, due to the lack of agreement between the two state governments. Later broad gauge lines into New South Wales were built under the 1922 Border Railways Act.

  • 1906 - April - the Premiers of the two states agreed that the line would be built by Victoria, the road bridge over the Murray would be rebuilt, NSW would acquire the land for the extension, while they would jointly fund the works. Work commenced in 1907 on the short extension, the first train running on July 8, 1908. Facilities included a weighbridge, 53 feet (16 m) long turntable, passenger and goods platform, and goods shed

  • 1914 - New South Wales extended their standard gauge line from Finley southwards to Tocumwal, providing their own separate facilities on the eastern side of the station yard.

  • 1915 Tocumwal was the site of early tests with third-rail devices to enable standard gauge and broad gauge trains to share the same tracks. While the track was usable, it was not adopted due to the complexity, but other third rail systems have since emerged.

  • 1941 the New South Wales station platform was removed to make way for gantry cranes, with the platform relocated to the east side of the Victorian building, where it remained until closure. Control and management of the combined station was transferred to the New South Wales Railway department in 1942, Tocumwal having been a Victorian station before this time.

    • Tocumwal Historic Aerodrome Museum - So, why Tocumwal, the back of beyond, for the largest aerodrome at the time in the Southern Hemisphere?

    • 1942 American Occupation - Tocumwal Airport 1942 - 1960 (see image above)

  • 1975 November 8 - Victorian passenger services to Tocumwal ended. Before this the Strathmerton–Cobram section of the line was operated as the "branch line" with a 102hp Walker railmotor connecting with the main line train. A bus service was then introduced for the Tocumwal branch, connecting with the Cobram service.

  • 1977/78 the service between Cobram and Tocumwal was being operated by a VicRail owned station wagon driven by the Cobram station master.[4]

  • 1983 November The last regular passenger service from New South Wales ran, (three days a week as a railcar shuttle from Narrandera).

  • 1986 June - The last goods train traffic ceasing in September 1986 and the line closed in 1988.

  • 1990 January - The Victorian line was closed in due to bushfire damage to wooden bridges, not being reopened until February 1995. The same year Gray's Container Terminal opened in the station yard across from the platform, with regular trains operating to Melbourne carrying containerised freight. The line has also been a regular destination for heritage passenger trains, by groups such as the Seymour Railway Heritage Centre.[8]

  • 1996 - the Berrigan Shire Council obtained a lease over the station building, with a grant of $10,000 made available for restoration work It is now the site of a small railway museum displaying the history of the local area.