Rail returns to growing Bendigo communities

Works in progress on Huntly Station in May 2022 — Works underway on Huntly Station in May. Image courtesy of Victoria’s Big Build.

Residents of Bendigo’s growing northern regions have been reconnected to the rail network following the opening of new stations in the towns of Huntly and Raywood.

The first train arrived at Huntly Station on Saturday morning after a 68-year absence, while trains returned to Raywood on Sunday morning for the first time in more than 40 years.

Community celebrations are planned for the coming weeks to mark the opening of the new stations, which were delivered as part of the $49.6 million Bendigo Metro 3 project.

Jacinta Allan, Minister for Transport Infrastructure and Member for Bendigo East, said the openings were historic.

“Decades after trains last departed Huntly and Raywood, we’re proud to bring services back to these growing communities,” she said.

“Thanks to our huge investment in Victoria’s rail network, kids growing up in Huntly and Raywood will be able to hop on a train at their local station and get to Bendigo, Melbourne and, via Melbourne Airport Rail, the rest of the world.”

As part of a revised timetable, 18 services a week will now stop at Huntly Station on the Echuca Line, and 28 services a week will stop at Raywood Station on the Swan Hill Line.

Finishing touches completed at Huntly and Raywood in the past month include the installation of platform handrails and fencing, line-marking, landscaping, and site clean-up works.

Improvements to rail services in the region are continuing as part of the Bendigo and Echuca Line Upgrade, with more than 12,000 sleepers replaced in June between Goornong and Rochester.

Trenching and pipe installation to enable improvements to train detection technology at 10 level crossings between Bendigo and Eaglehawk stations also took place while trains were not running due to Sunbury Line Upgrade works.

For more information, visit: bigbuild.vic.gov.au