HISTORIC PHOTO OF THE DAY
Historic Photo of the Day: 2023-11-29
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Today's historic photo of the day: Exactly 37 years ago today, the large and ornate railway station at Korumburra, Vic, November 29 1986.
Korumburra is in the South Gippsland region of eastern Victoria, 112km by rail from Melbourne on Victorian Railways' broad gauge (5ft 3in) South Gippsland Main Line. Rail first reached Korumburra in 1891 and the line ultimately continued further east to Port Albert, Yarram and Woodside. Between 1894 and 1953 there was also a branch line from here at Korumburra that run to Jumbunna and Outtrim.
Railways in South Gippsland have a chequered history. VLine passenger trains between Melbourne and Yarram were withdrawn in 1981, but such was the outcry from locals, services were restored in 1984 between Melbourne and Leongatha, one station to the east of Korumburra. At the time this photo was taken, Korumburra was served by two daily passenger trains to Melbourne. However, in 1993 these trains too were withdrawn as part of statewide cuts at that time.
Thereafter, the line between Leongatha and Nyora was taken over by the South Gippsland tourist railway who were based in Korumburra and who ran tourist trains on weekends. But, in 2016, the SGR ceased operations. The tracks have recently been lifted to make way for a cycle path.
Whilst the local tourism boards are no doubt hoping this will bring tourists to the area, the sadness of such a recent closure is very real and South Gippsland is now no place for those of us who love trains.
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