Epping line

The Epping railway line runs from Epping in the northern suburbs of Melbourne through Lalor, Thomastown, Reservoir, Preston, Thornbury, Northcote, Clifton Hill, Collingwood and Richmond to the city.

The Epping line was originally operated by the Victorian Railways until the suburban railway lines were merged into the Metropolitan Transit Authority in 1983. In 1998, the Epping line was part of Hillside Trains, a government corporation set up in preparation for franchising out Melbourne's remaining government owned public transport. The Hillside Trains franchise was won by Connex and the trains and stations branded as Connex. In 2009, the Melbourne railway franchise was awarded to Metro Trains, including the Epping line.