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

The 9-car 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.

The $650 million Melton Line Upgrade also includes building a new train stabling yard in Cobblebank, 700 metres east of the new Melton Station.

The new stabling yard will allow the new trains to be at Melton Station, ready for first services to the city.

In the first stage of electrification of the Melton Line and a rail line to Melbourne Airport, the new $4 billion Sunshine Station Superhub will start early next year, with the job done by 2030.

A new fleet of VLocity trains, built in Dandenong, will start rolling out on the Melton Line in 2027, one year ahead of schedule.

Project benefits

• Longer 9-car VLocity trains running on the Melton Line from 2027
• Increasing passenger capacity by 50%
• 9-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

Construction on the Cobblebank stabling yard and platform extensions is expected to start early next year, with the Cobblebank train stabling yard open and nine-car VLocity trains running on the Melton Line from 2027.

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

Project timeline

2022

• Project announced

2024

• Cobblebank train stabling yard announced
• Community engagement

2025

• Site investigations
• Melton Line Upgrade fast-tracked
• Community 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
• 9-car VLocity trains run on the Melton Line and platform extensions complete

* Timeline subject to change.