Passengers in Melbourne’s booming west will benefit from longer trains and improved journeys when 9-car VLocity trains start services on the Melton Line from 2027, one year ahead of schedule.

Running longer trains will boost passenger capacity by 50% during peak services.

The 9-car VLocity trains will provide more doors for boarding, reducing crowding in aisles during peak periods.

The new 9-car VLocity trains will run between Melton and Southern Cross.

To allow the longer trains to stop at some of the busiest stations on the line, platforms are being extended at Cobblebank, Rockbank, Caroline Springs and Deer Park stations.

The new Melton Station is being built as part of works to remove 4 dangerous and congested level crossings and will include longer platforms for the 9-car VLocity trains.

As part of the $650 million Melton Line Upgrade, we'll build a new train stabling yard in Cobblebank, 700m east of the new Melton Station, to house the new trains.

The new train stabling yard in Cobblebank will enable new trains to be at Melton Station, ready for first services to the city.

Construction will start on the new Cobblebank train stabling yard and platform extensions in 2026, ready for the 9-car VLocity trains to run on the Melton Line from 2027.

Make a planning submission on the Cooblebank train stabling yard.

Project benefits

• Longer 9-car VLocity trains running on the Melton Line from 2027
• Increasing passenger capacity by 50%
• Nine-car VLocity trains servicing Melton, Cobblebank, Rockbank, Caroline Springs and Deer Park stations
• New Victorian-built VLocity fleet

A new train stabling yard in Cobblebank

When the 9-car VLocity trains roll out on the Melton Line, they’ll be stabled at a new facility in Cobblebank.

A train stabling yard is where trains are stored and internally cleaned, ready to begin service the next day.

The Abey Road location, approximately 700m east of the new Melton Station will enable services to begin efficiently at Melton Station and reduces the need for new train tracks and other disruptive works.

The Cobblebank train stabling yard will be future proofed for Metro trains in preparation for the electrification of the Melton Line.

The Cobblebank train stabling yard will include:

• stabling tracks for 6 9-car VLocity trains and future proofed for Metro trains
• staff facilities and utilities buildings
• landscaping around perimeter
• vehicle access off Abey Road
• CCTV and lighting
• connection to the Melton Line
• access roads and parking for workers and train drivers
• signalling and communications systems, including train radio tower
• water retention basin

Click the images below to zoom in.

Make a planning submission

We're seeking planning submissions for the new Cobblebank train stabling yard.

Planning approvals for the construction of the Cobblebank train stabling yard, will be sought from the Minister for Planning under Clause 52.03 (Level Crossing Removal Project) of the Melton Planning Scheme.

The Level Crossing Removal Project is delivering the project on behalf of the Victorian and Australian governments, and seeking planning submissions upon a range of planning matters including:

• project boundary
• construction-related impacts
• environmental impacts and management
• amenity
• trees and vegetation removal
• any other relevant matters.

In addition to these planning matters, we welcome submissions related to any aspect of the Cobblebank train stabling yard.

Make a planning submission and view the project boundary

Visit Engage Victoria by 11.59pm, Sunday 5 October 2025.

If you would like a form sent to you, please call us on 1800 105 105 or email contact@levelcrossings.vic.gov.au

All submissions received will be summarised in a consultation report to inform the Minister for Planning's assessment of the project.

What to expect

Construction

Timeline and impacts

Construction will begin in 2026, with the Cobblebank train stabling yard open and 9-car VLocity trains running on the Melton Line from 2027.

Where possible we’ll minimise construction impacts for the local community.

To minimise impacts to passengers, we’ll align construction works with the Melton level crossing removal project.

To build the new train stabling yard, we’ll undertake earthworks to construct the yard's foundations and to install the stabling tracks.

We’ll also need to install underground electrical and train signalling services, as well as build staff and utilities buildings.

During construction there may be minor traffic impacts on Abey Road and surrounding streets as equipment and materials are transported to and from the site.

We’ll keep the local community informed in advance of any impacts and we’ll provide more information about the construction timeline closer to works starting.

Operations

The new stabling yard will operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to allow for trains to be internally cleaned and stabled when they are not in use, ready to return to service.

Noise

During operations there will be noise generated at different locations within the new stabling yard associated with:

• trains accessing the stabling yard, including the use of train horns
• trains starting up and shutting down
• staff and vehicles moving around the yard.

Lighting

For safety, the stabling yard will require lighting 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

We’re designing the stabling yard to avoid unnecessary lighting and light spill beyond the boundary of the yard, including directional lighting focused within the yard and around the yard facilities.

Project timeline

2022

• Project announced

2024

• Cobblebank train stabling yard announced
• Community engagement

2025

• Site investigations
• Melton Line Upgrade fast-tracked
• Cobblebank train stabling yard planning approvals consultation

2026

• Construction starts on Cobblebank train stabling yard and platform extensions
• New Melton Station opens

2027

• Construction continues
• New Cobblebank train stabling yard open
• Nine-car VLocity trains run on the Melton Line and platform extensions complete

* Timeline subject to change.