HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
The Red Hill Railway line was a rural
railway branching off from the Stony Point Line at Bittern. The line had a fairly short life, opening on 2 December 1921 and
officially closing on 29 June 1953.
It covered a distance of 16 km, from Bittern
to Red Hill, and contained some of the steepest gradients in the State of Victoria. The lowest point was 15 m above sea level
and the highest point 200 m above sea level. The maximum gradient was 1 in 30. The gauge was 5 feet 3 inches which was standard
in the State of Victoria. The final cost was 76,791 pounds.
There were only two intermediate stations, at Balnarring and Merricks.
The line was dismantled some time after it was closed, and most of it from Bittern to Merricks is now on private property,
while the
right-of-way from Merricks to Red Hill remains, having been converted to
a shared use rail trail. Very little infrastructure
remains..
The line contributed to local development. It took
stockfeed and fertiliser into the area and apples, strawberries, stock,
timber and firewood were transported out. However, the advent of motor
transport led to the line becoming unprofitable.
Following official closure of the line, trains (railmotors) continued to run as far as Balnarring
to cater for the Balnarring Picnic Races, Lord Somers camp and a Railway Historical Society tour in 1956
Note:The possibility of building the railway had been the source of protracted
community agitation in the 1900s. Victorian Parliamentary endorsement to proceed with the line was enacted in the Legislative
Assembly on July 29, 1915.
This was in accordance with the requirements of the Railways Standing Committee Acts.
RAIL TRAIL
The Red Hill to Merricks Rail Trail generally follows the alignment
of part of the former railway
It
is a 7 km route, shared with horseriders and walkers, passing vineyards, with excellent panoramas to Westernport Bay at a
view point at the half way point.
The grounds at the Red Hill and Merricks ends are now picnic areas.
An information board at the Red Hill end describes the railway and its construction. Map boards are located at each end of
the Trail.
