12 July 2023
We're upgrading the Kananook Stabling Yard to allow for more trains, more often on the Frankston Line.
The facility provides the essential daily services to keep the Frankston Line running. Having a place to store, clean and prepare trains for the next day keeps train services reliable.
Making the Frankston Line independent
The Frankston Line is one of Melbourne's busiest train lines. With Metro Tunnel opening in 2025, not only will it become busier, but it will no longer have access to other stabling facilities on the network. By building a dedicated train stabling yard with maintenance facilities, we're ensuring there can be more trains more often on the Frankston Line. This is especially important as we remove all the dangerous and congested level crossings on the Frankston Line and clear the way for more frequent services.
What's in store
The upgrade will increase the number of trains able to be stored at the yard from eight to 21. We'll also build:
- train washing facilities
- a train maintenance facility
- facilities for workers
- an additional power substation.
We will continue to update the community on what to expect during construction.
What we've done already
As part of the Carrum Level Crossing Removal Project, we delivered the first stage of works at the Kananook Train Stabling Yard. These works included:
- increased storage capacity to 6 trains, and 2 additional trains were added in 2022
- signal control room and driver facilities
- a power substation
- retarding basin extension.
Creating jobs for the community
Once the works are complete, the Kananook Stabling Yard upgrade will have created more than 100 new jobs in the community. During construction, up to 200 jobs will be created.
Project timeline
Mid 2023
- Site office established
- Works begin
2024
- New substation constructed
- New stabling tracks constructed
Mid 2025
- Train maintenance facility and train wash facility constructed
Late 2025
- Project completion
* Timeline subject to change.
Level crossing-free Frankston Line
We're removing all 27 level crossings on the Frankston line and building 17 new train stations by 2029.
- No level crossings means less congestion on local roads
- Creates a better public transport network allowing more trains to run more often
- The 17 new stations will have better facilities for passengers including more lighting and CCTV
- By 2029, we will have unlocked valuable open space and created at least 14km of new pedestrian and bicycle paths along the Frankston Line.
Why these extra crossings need to go
- About 51,000 vehicles travel through these crossings each day
- Boom gates are down for up to 50 minutes of the morning peak (7am to 9am)
- Up to 43 trains during the morning peak (7am to 9am)
- 51 near misses at these crossings since 2016 and one fatality.
Frankston Line level crossing removals and new stations.