Eagle-eyed railway enthusiasts and historians might have noticed the return of the original coping stone “milestone marker” from the former Mont Albert station, which has been integrated into the new Mont Albert heritage plaza area, due to open later this month.
The marker, inscribed “8.25.80”, refers to the distance of 8 miles, 25 chains and 80 links along the railway track to Flinders Street Station. One chain was equal to 20.12 metres and one link represented 20.12 centimetres. In more modern parlance, that’s a total distance of approximately 13.4 kilometres.
These literal milestone markers date from a previous system that measured the distance to Flinders Street Station on urban train lines, and Spencer Street (now Southern Cross) Station on regional lines.
Preservation of the milestone marker forms part of the larger restoration of the heritage station, which was undertaken offsite during the construction blitz earlier this year. The project team carefully repaired damaged sections of the building, and the restored building was lifted back in sections and reassembled.
Locals and visitors to the new station precinct can get a closer look at the historic marker and former station building when the new and upgraded open spaces open to the public later this month, and at Union Picnic on Sunday 12 November, which will celebrate the completion of Union Road and Mont Albert Road level crossing removals.
