General News
16 January, 2026
Renewed fight for passenger rail
WITH the 150th anniversary of the railway to Stawell nearing, there are growing calls for passenger trains to return to the Wimmera. In late January 1876, the railway line from Ararat to Stawell was completed, a huge step for the district and our connection to the outside world. For 150 years, the rail line has continually operated, however passenger services were withdrawn in 1993 apart from the twice weekly Overland service between Melbourne and Adelaide. With the 150th anniversary fast approaching, there are growing calls for passenger services to finally return.
IN late January 1876, the rails had been constructed between Ararat to the Loop Line Road in Stawell (London Road) and a temporary station located between London Road and Scallans Hill.
It was a gamechanger.
The line officially opened on Saturday 15th February, 1876 with a partial holiday declared in Stawell to commemorate the temporary opening.
22 years after the first railway line was opened in Victoria in 1854, Stawell also became linked to the network with the Main Western Railway line being constructed in stages heading towards the South Australian border.
Ararat was reached in 1875 and at the same time tenders were being let for the Ararat to Stawell Railway, with the contract being let to Messrs Chapman and Leslie in February of that year.
For well over 100 years, Stawell had a reliable passenger rail connection to Melbourne, but all that changed in 1993 when the Premier Jeff Kennett ceased passenger services.
The closure was partially reversed when the Bracks Government returned passenger services to Ararat, but despite repeated calls for services to continue through the Wimmera, passenger train travel remains but a dream.
Stawell railway historian Brett Leslie is one of many local residents who believes a passenger service to Stawell and Horsham would be well utilised and valued.
“You see what the rail link has done for Ararat and the revitalisation that has taken place there. Where there’s a will there’s a way,” he said.
“There’s a lot of expenditure involved but the railway station building is ok. We use it for the Overland,” he said.
“This is the year to get some action. If we can get some sort of commitment for a feasibility study we might get something to happen. In an election year it’s important to see where the local members and candidates stand on this.”
Mr Leslie said a shuttle service from Horsham connecting with the V/Locity train in Ararat would probably be the most cost effective option.
“There’s got to be a real push from the community. It’s ok to have posts on Facebook and social media saying they support it but there needs to be more. Now there’s an election, now is the time to begin the push,” he said.
The Liberal National Coalition has previously promised to fund a feasibility study into the return of passenger rail to the Wimmera, but there has been no commitment leading to this year’s election.
The Labor Party has given no indication of support for a feasibility study at this stage.