Serviceton Line

The Serviceton Line forms part of the main line between Mebourne and Adelaide. This line was originally constructed as a broad guage line, however in 1995 the section between Ararat and Adelaide was converted to Standard Guage. As a result, it is no longer possible to run trains between Melbourne and Adelaide via Ballarat. Instead trains use the line between Ararat and Melbourne via Maroona and Gheringhap which was converted to Standard Guage.

The Overland passenger train operated by GSR runs 3 times per week between Melbourne and Adelaide stopping only at Ararat, Horsham and Dimboola on the Serviceton line within Victoria. V/Line Passenger services to Dimboola were withdrawn in 1993 and since the rationalisation of stops on the Overland Service it is no longer possible to catch a train to such places as Beaufort, Murtoa or Stawell.

V/Line passenger still operates regular services between Melbourne and Ballarat, stopping at Ardeer, Deer Park, Rockbank, Melton, Bacchus Marsh and Ballan on the section of line which remains broad guage.

Since the conversion of part of the line to standard guage, the remaining broad guage section between Ballarat and Ararat has not been used. However it is planned to repoen this section to a broad guage passenger service in late 2003 with an intermediate stop at Beaufort.