State Library Victoria collection: Transporting Victoria

People waiting for an Essendon train, circa 1941

A woman conductor on the St Kilda-Brighton Line during WWII, circa 1942-43

Train inspector, unidentified man and district superintendent at a station in 1888

Three men on a gauger's trolley. State Rivers and Water Supply Commission photographer, circa 1900-1940

Old photographs on display in wooden frames — Photo: James Henry

A person walks past old photographs on display in wooden frames — Photo: James Henry

Two people walk past old photographs on display in wooden frames — Photo: James Henry

This collection of images from State Library Victoria spans 1875 to the mid-1950s. The images capture the spirit of the time, as much as an insight into the rail infrastructure of the day.

We’ve come a long way in our rail journey, since the first steam railway line in Australia was launched in 1854, running from Flinders Street to what is now known as Port Melbourne.

From these first trains to the underground X’Trapolis, the advent of trams with conductors to automated ticket machines, light rail and electric trains, our rail network has expanded as the city has grown.

The new Metro Tunnel will create a new end-to-end rail line from Sunbury in the west, to Cranbourne/Pakenham in the south-east, with high-capacity trains and 5 new underground stations. Due to open in 2025, it will enable more than a half a million additional passengers per week across Melbourne’s train network to use the rail system during peak periods. And, of course, one of the new stations will be located right next to the State Library Victoria.

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