Thread by @ozbob13

Good Morning Somerton!
Somerton station opened to traffic as a single platform on 15 May 1881. In 1889, Somerton became a junction with the suburban line to Melbourne via Coburg but was closed to traffic from the Somerton end in 1903.

1890 Network map
vrhistory.com/VRMaps/Vic1890…

Somerton diagram 1890
vrhistory.com/Locations/Some…

Somerton to Fawkner was reopened 1928, but no connection at Somerton. The terminus of the line from Fawkner was a small turntable for turning the AEC ' Beetle ' rail motor.

Somerton diagram 1928
vrhistory.com/Locations/Some…
This is why no photographs of Beetle at Somerton station.

Branch line reopened 1959 to provide access to Ford's Siding at Upfield. Connection re-established at Somerton.

Somerton diagram 1959
vrhistory.com/Locations/Some…

Somerton station closed in 1960. Standard gauge line Melb - Syd opened 1962.
1963 the freight line Somerton - Upfield converted to dual gauge. Somerton became a complicated arrangement of broad, standard, and dual gauge tracks

Somerton diagram 1963
vrhistory.com/Locations/Some…

Roxburgh Park station was built as part of the extension of electrification Broadmeadows to Craigieburn and opened 2007. This station is a little bit north from where the original Somerton station was. The name Somerton continues as the Somerton Loop.
vicsig.net/infrastructure…

Somerton Road Bridge looking South
Weston Langford 9 January 2009
westonlangford.com/images/photo/1…
Shows the 5' 3' and standard gauge branch lines to Upfield (left of view). The two lines merged into a single dual gauge track a short distance further on. Out of use at this time.

L CLASS STEAM LOCOMOTIVE No.22 LEAVING SOMERTON FOR BROADMEADOWS-ESSENDON 1899 Public Record Office Victoria wiki.prov.vic.gov.au/index.php/VPRS…
L 22 2-4-0ST built 1860 George England & Co. London.

Somerton railway station, 3pm viewer.slv.vic.gov.au/?entity=IE1872… via @Library_Vic 1927

BEETLE RAIL MOTOR AT SOMERTON STATION
Public Record Office Victoria wiki.prov.vic.gov.au/index.php/VPRS…
This is the Beetle stop at Somerton. Not connected to the main line. It was slightly south of Somerton station itself.

Locomotive S303 (unstreamlined) hauling north bound Albury express near Somerton, Victoria 1934 [picture] / John Buckland
nla.gov.au/nla.obj-155062…
The mighty S class steppin' out at Somerton!

Somerton Down Goods C 22
Weston Langford 2 September 1960
westonlangford.com/images/photo/1…
C class 2-8-0 nos 1 to 26 built Newport Workshops 1918-26.

Somerton Loop Up Southern Aurora S 314 S 315
Weston Langford 13 April 1962 westonlangford.com/images/photo/1…
It is possible that the date should read 16 April 1962. This looks like the first Southern Aurora service to Melbourne.
On standard gauge.

Somerton Up Royal Tour Special Up
Royal Tour Special S 306
Weston Langford 25 February 1963
westonlangford.com/images/photo/1…
Marvellous photograph. Shows the recently completed std gauge branch to Upfield and remains of Somerton station. Note signal box in the distance.

The former Somerton Signal Box now at the Down end of Moorooduc Platform waiting for a future use as a Signal Box again. 14-01-2018.
Mornington Railway
flickr.com/photos/sammyda…

Somerton Loop Up Freight NR 97 NR 52
Weston Langford 15 December 2009
westonlangford.com/images/photo/1…

Video:
Freight Trains & Passenger Trains at Somerton Roxburgh Park 2018

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