Yesterday I came across a very interesting find in the town of Buninyong, south of Ballarat, whilst doing a natural vegetation audit (boring!) of the town as part of my coursework.
On the north side of Forest Street in Buninyong next to the tennis courts were the remains of the towns railway station and platform. Also on display was a replica of a section of broad gauge track with a set of train wheels on it.
I was unfortunately unable to take any photos of the station as my digital camera had decided earlier in the day (whilst I was taking photos in Kensington Banks and Caroline Springs) to cark it.
However I was able to write down the information was contained on a sign board which read as follows:
The Buninyong Railway
This station platform and a few cuttings are the last visible remains of the railway system which once connected Buninyong with Ballarat and the main line system.
The line was formally opened on the 12th of September 1889. In addition to passenger traffic, the "Bunny" also brought the goods trucks to the many local Buninyong industries of that time. The main ones were the butter factory, tannery, brewery, box factory and market gardens.
In 1930 during the depression years the passenger service was withdrawn. Goods trains continued to run when required until they too finally ceased in 1947.
The placing of this sign commemorates the centenary opening of the line.
A Buninyong Shire community project. September 1989.
Unfortunately I also later learned that a fair few sections of the former rail reservation have been built over for other uses including residential blocks in Mt Helen and also part of the University of Ballarat, which means there is little prospect of some sort of bike path/ rail trail to further commemorate the former line.
Any further information on this line would be appreciated.
Regards
Palmer Eldritch