I'm glad you put in Yarraman and Dandenong, was very surprised Yarraman didn't make your initial top 10 video lol. My favorite memory was waiting at Yarraman station on a Friday evening heading into the city to party, as a young barely out of teens adult usually does.. One of Noble Park's finest stumbles up to me and offers me a sip out of whatever he had in his well loved giant cup from the cinemas, I can't quite remeber the movie.. I think it was Shrek 😂 Anyway, I politely say no and he answers with a nod and he slurs out, "no worries mate. You know, you're alright. You can be anything you want. Even an archaeologist!!" And turns around and walks back up the ramp... I never became an archaeologist but I've never forgotten this man, even 20 years later lol
The lady who works at the Dandy station food kiosk is named Linda. She is there with her husband 5 days a week. Makes one of the best coffees and is always super efficient! She is very friendly and I love seeing her in the mornings! Shout out for her dedication and hard work.
The little booth at Yarraman is an old newspaper stand. A few stations had them back in the 80s, Glen Iris was another from memory. They sold lollies and snacks as well as papers. Edit: I commented before watching the whole video 😊 Glad to see the GI news stand is still there.
@@1BlastTyrant That one at Blackburn station was apparently built as a triangular brick pillar structure which is a part of the current station building and was possibly a prototype for the news stands as it was added in the 1960s/1970s when the current station buildings were built. It’s also still in operation today as a coffee stall that’s open on weekday mornings by what I remember! :)
@@Techno-Universal No it wasn't, it was built for purpose at the same time as the current station building in the early 1980's as a separate structure at the top of the ramp at the entrance to the booking lobby. I worked at Blackburn Station for several years thirty-odd years ago, the main office building on the island platform contains a suburban/regional booking office, signal control panel and staff amenities while the office on the loop track contains a parcel office in a layout which has remained structurally unaltered since its construction.
and the track conditions there are horrible, especially near Burnley and Camberwell, you must hold on. I've gotten rocked out of my seat on express services
I have to defend Macaulay, which has a nice walk along the west side towards Flemington bridge, and Flemington Bridge itself with it's nice bike paths.
Flemington Bridge loses points for no access to it from Racecourse Rd, and also the massive gap between the train and the outbound platform. Feels very unsafe at night if you're trying to get to Racecourse Rd.
I have a book of Melbourne railway stations published in the seventies. It’s amazing how delapidated the stations were (cringeworthy), needing a coat of paint. Seddon stood out with the weather board station building was the most delapidated, now replaced with the current brick building.
It’s hard to believe with all the money spent on crossing removals that some of it hasn’t been spent on upgrades. Some of the new stations are a little overboard on the architecture when compared to the state of some of these stations,or more importantly, the unsafe access conditions. Great video. Thanks 👍
A lot of money has been spent on upgrades as part of the Better Stations Project, which falls under franchise works. This project has accomplished resurfacing works and added many shelters to old and dilapidated stations.
You make an excellent point. The reality of level crossing removals are they are primarily a road project, relying a lot on the cosmetic rather than functional value of stations to appeal to voters. That's not to say that they haven't been worthwhile, but I think they have had a high opportunity cost. The Melton line is still unelectrified, the Upfield line still hasn't been extended to Roxy, and the City Loop still hasn't been reconfigured.
A potential for this one is Keilor Plains on the Sunbury line. Still not quite as bad in terms of shelter (which is at least barely adequate), Keilor Plains is another station where one needs to walk on the tracks themselves to change platforms. Also, it's a fairly dodgy area.
The problem with Ruthven is the closed Keon Park, expected all the passengers that use that station to go to Ruthven, but didn't do anything to prepare for it. Take a look at the traffic chaos on High street for the train replacement busses shuttling people to and from Keon Park, they could have thought for 3 seconds about that and dedicated some space in the mud put, but instead leave busses on the main street during peak hours causing traffic to merge and bank up. Also Keon Park at least had train information displays, they didn't bother to put those in at Ruthven when they "upgraded" it last, they could have just re-located the ones from Keon Park when they demolished that station.
Southern Cross is the worst station ever considering the cost and how relatively new it is, roof leaked, unbearable noise levels, metro and vline service constant platform changes, try getting a vline to Melton from platform 2 only to have platform change to 16, utterly ridiculous design
Thank you so much for putting Yarraman and Dandenong. Yes, Dandenong is a very unsafe station and needs an upgrade to the interior and the station's abandoned siding. When the siding was still there, it was neglected and overgrown. However, when they removed it, I thought it would be much nicer, but it is left abandoned. I support the idea of a fourth platform to take up the abandoned former siding area. The carpark needs resurfacing and new plants. I’m not too far away from Yarraman, but this station is by far-in my opinion-the worst station on the Dandenong line. The walking ramps are long and very tiring. I never liked it! I think the ramps should be taken down and replaced with pedestrian gates like at Laverton station-that would be much nicer. The platform needs to be levelled and resurfaced. Sandown Park is another station I recommend you add to the list. Sandown Parks car park on the platform on the two sides is also gravel, and the underpasses get flooded in rainy conditions. Sandown Park should also be a skipped station. On the Dandenong line, sometimes trains express skip Westall and Yarraman Station. Sandown Park should be included.
@@melbournerailwayvideos True! Sandown Park station is quite ordinary. It was only built in 1965 and is neglected in many ways. The only changes to the station I recommend would be the resurfacing and levelling of the platform, fresh paint, an upgraded underpass, and a new car park. Mate, check out Noble Park station on the Dandenong line. Everything looks great, but while the Level Crossing Removal Authority was constructing there, they abandoned a whole block of land that has been fenced off instead of making it a public open space-that is just absurd. Now, locals have come together and put up signs along the fence asking the Greater Dandenong City Council to utilise the space as an open space. It's about time! Keep up the excellent work, mate, and good luck with your future videos. Best regards!
Always 😂 appreciate your vids, bud. Again, I realise the nth west isn't great. Remember Hoddle st massacre (left that out..or are too young). But, Frankston and Dandenong are atrocious. Glen Waverley and Alamein probably most pleasant.
When is the next installment on Melbourne's WORST Train Stations coming out Melbourne Railway Videos? I am a big fan and novice trainspotter. Love your work 🤟
As someone who's severely afraid of heights I unfortunately have problems with a lot of train stations but oh my god Flemington Bridge... Full panic attack every time I used it (ironically it was the easiest way to get to therapy when i lived in the area). Skyrail before they figured out how to build skyrail. Just shifting your ordinary dodge inner suburban station 10m up and hoping for the best.
6:54 That is weekday morning service. Glen Waverley Trains run to Flinders, while the other trains run via the loop. Maybe the Burnley Loop should run Anti clockwise all day?
Alrighty they made an appearance are this time around, Dande and Yarraman that is, it'll be a long collective effort but I hope they get better in time. I am on the Pakenham line everyday I need to go to work and it's like a time capsule seeing the surrounds, and people for that matter, change over the years. The shot of the current Ruthven carpark reminds me of what Noble Park pre refurb looked like a few years back. These days the landmarks that I can time my journey to are that abandoned General Motors station between Hallam and Dande, and that little 80s Daihatsu relic behind the fences of the old Viridian storehouse between Springvale and Westall.
I recon that st Albans should get an mention as whilst the actual station in itself is fairly modern and updated, some of the people around there are certainly interesting and the bathrooms always have bodily waste on the floors :(
The original St Albans station was a single platform on the north side if Main Rd. The last one and current one are located on the south side of Main Rd.
I had a feeling Ruthven was to be included. The High Street side carpark is gravel which you mentioned, & has been that way for decades now. I use that carpark on occasions, as it provides easy & quick access to the station platform.
On the topic of the Sunbury line diggers rest could use a revamp it's such a small town anyway that it doesn't really matter but if we're talking of ones that are run down, Diggers comes to mind. I only park there because there are never parks at Sunbury. And yes, you do get stuck if a train is arriving.
Ha! That was a bit of a blast from the past. I worked in the railways for a decade 30-odd years ago, including a few shifts at Burnley and Glen Iris. The round buildings at Yarraman and Glen Iris were newspaper kiosks which used to be run by the local newsagents who would sell newpapers during the morning peak at every station on weekdays. Burnley used to be a real hole, there was this weird old dude that used to work on the down (from Melbourne) platform, he had a locker full of really old p-rn books in the booking office. There was this old chick that used to work at Glen Iris who used to get on the Metrol Control Phone in a panic on many weekday afternoons because the boys from De La Salle College would piss in the booking office window at her. A whacko tried to mug me when I walked out of the office one night at Glen Iris so I beat the living bejesus out of him. Fun times.
Pretty much at Macaulay station they could put the crossing and station under the road but would need to construct solid watertight retaining walls on each side of the structure with the entrances being at the same height as the existing road which should also be the height of the retaining walls to reduce flooding. It would however still need extremely good stormwater drainage to prevent flooding from rainwater.
One thing you forgot about Yarraman is that the station is supposedly haunted by a man who died when he was hit by a freight train back in the late 60’s
i have an issue with craigieburn, solely because it took me 90 secs to reach p2 from p1. add a footbridge or something? also general motors. it hardly sees any trains stop there and the structure is old and unusable
Middle Footscray is not that bad. The entrance is not bad either and is all lit up at night. They could just do with some additional shelter down the far end of the platform.
Officer station is terrible. Walking there from station street is soo dangerous during peak hours. A lot of pot holes and hardly much shelter. The only thing that’s good is the police booth for safety
Always need to remind myself that they are upgrading various stations, but golly. Many of these desperately need some love. Feels like they've not been touched since the 90s.
I would say, even after its recent upgrade, Hoppers Crossing leaves much to be desired. Little to no shelter on the platform, and with the Princess hwy right there.. it's not exactly quiet. Not to mention the adjoining bus terminal is somewhat.. sketchy, even during the day. Newport is not exactly great either, what with its narrow underpass (which is a nightmare at peak hour) and limited shelter. Although the overall environment is much nicer with big trees both sides.
Whenever I've been to Glen Iris station it has always smelled really terrible. There is some kind of garden supplies yard next to the station which must have stockpiles of fertiliser or manure or something.
I actually quite liked Burnley station when I lived there. Not because of the facilities, but the connections. Because it is on 4 train lines, trains were incredibly frequent, you were never really there for more than 3-5min. You could get to the city and back so fast.
Was gonna mention Upwey before you did just at the end. It's quite a noticeable drop from the train down to the platform when you disembark and there's hardly any shelter. The view onto Upwey's main street is mediocre albeit there's a bit of greenery around.
Glen Iris is so dangerous - several times vehicles have been stuck on the rails. And if there are inbound and outbound trains around the same time, motorists sit there for 5 minutes! Since they can't build down because of the freeway, they need to do an overpass (similar to Tooronga I guess).
No excuse for being "stuck on the rails". Road users are obliged to keep the crossing clear at all times. Pretty simple. Police should take regular enforcement action at busy crossings like these IMO. What a pity Labor's "dangerous and congested crossing" projects didn't actually progress down the ranked list hey? Those tram squares at Riversdale and Kooyong really need to go, as do Burnley and Glen Iris, long before you consider reaching the nether regions of the Frankston, Pakenham, and Werribee lines.
Used to use Flemington Bridge station a lot when I was living in Flemington, and from what I remembered the platforms was not wide enough and when passengers disembarked the train, the gap between the platform and the train door is a bit too wide which is somewhat dangerous. Have they fixed this yet? If you asked me the entire Upfield line needs attention and is one of the most neglected lines in terms of frequency and the huge amount of level crossings featured on that line. Not sure how they are going to remove the Macaulay level crossing due to the CityLink bridge and it close to the Moonee Ponds Creek, if it is ever going to be considered due to those two factors.
The Upfield line was slated for closure for decades so got no improvements and had the best collection of manually operated wooden gates and there were no trains after 7pm. And Coburg only had one platform. Steam specials coming from Somerton would hit the platform at Coburg.
Might I add Sandown Park station to the list? It’s pretty rundown and as it’s sandwiched between Noble Park sky rail and Yarraman (another station on your top 20 list) it likely won’t be getting any upgrades anytime soon.
I don't know if I just happened to be at Burnley on particularly windy days. But almost every time I've been there waiting for a train there has been so much wind going through the station, with nowhere to really escape it. not a great station to be waiting for a train for 15 minutes :/
I feel like Officer station should get a position in the 3rd or 4th list. It has no public transport nearby aside from the very infrequent 926 bus, there are some businesses nearby but if you're going to them, you'll have to walk down Station street, along Bridge road and up Siding avenue just to get to them. If they allowed better access to those shops via a second entrance, it would definitely be improved.
Beaconsfield station on the Pakenham line needs to be on the list. Feels very remote. One bus connection. Level crossing. Felt unsafe at the train station, on top of there not being staff there.
Could they build a tunnel from the City loop portal near North Melbourne to the Upfield Line at Royal Park. We can replace McCauley with an interchange to Metro tunnel at Arden than replace Flemington Bridge with a new Station nearby called Flemington Road. These platforms would be directly below the metro tunnel platforms at Arden. It only has two constraints. One being you will have to make sure you don't accidently tunnel into the new Arden station and two, the city loop connection. But the City loop would be reconfigured as part of this expensive project. Current plans for the City Loop Configuration see the Frankston and Craigeburn lines connect through the city loop and the Glen Waverly and Upfield lines connect through Flinders Street, but if we built it using my idea and building that extra 3.81km of tunnel from Flagstaff City Loop to the Upfield line near Royal Park. then Frankston would through run with Upfield through the city loop and this new tunnel and Craigebrun would through run to Glen Waverly via Flinders Street. And McCauley level crossing would be gone and this will be the last piece to upgrading the Upfield Line. I am estimating roughly $3 Billion for this new rail project.
i will say that on the Mernda line, Thomastown is a bad one, though it doesn't look like it. with one elevator on each side of the rail, when one goes down, its a nightmare for disabled people to cross the tracks, requiring them to travel to the level crossing. on top of that, the stairs for the overpass are angled in such a way that they seem straight until you are walking down and every fourth step or so, you have to move either left or right to keep a hold of the hand rail.
Back in the 90s I regularly used two of the 'worst' stations. Albion and Glen Iris. One critique of Albion made in the video was the abandoned grain elevators, I disagree, I find old industrial structures to be fascinating - far more interesting than a modern office block. Also Tottenham yard back in the 90s was great for spotting V/Line freight locomotives. Glen Iris was bland but functional, it was really only my destination because it was the closest station to the AMRA club rooms.
Macaulay Rd at Macaulay station would actually be pretty easy to remove, just buy the buildings and land to the east, a lot of it is empty and some of the buildings are actually for sale now, could remove Arden St too Macaulay Rd at Kensington station, now that's the hard one to remove
Dandenong Station should be in the top 10, l live in Noble Park and avoid getting a train to Dandenong, I find the station to be smelly and I feel unsafe there, I also find Westall Station to be the same too and most of the time the lift doesn't work. The round grey thing at Yarraman Station was a kiosk that used to sell snacks, newspapers and magazines. What are your thoughts on Sandown Park station?.
I think that if you stuck a police station at Dandenong station there would still be crime. I have never had a problem when I have used it but I use Yarraman which is basic but serviceable but needs more shelters..
Yarraman is so forgettable tbh, maybe because most trains on the line usually skip it especially during peak hour. It’s too close to both Noble Park and Dandenong to really bother using, though if you want to avoid Dandenong (and you should) then Yarraman isn’t that far away and isn’t the worst place on the planet. Thanks for including my comment about Dandenong in the video, appreciate it. Glad I’m not the only one who shares that sentiment about Victoria’s least favourite crack den.
@@74_pelicans Its normally the East Pakenham services that regularly skip Yarraman and Westall. Cranbourne services seem to stop there regularly as it is a shorter line than East Pakenham probably.
It's a pity Laburnum was dropped and modernised before your list. The only use for Laburnum was telling the ticket inspector that you got on there and that's why you don't have a ticket. It was notorious for being unmanned and always having non-working metcard dispensers.
Totally agreed with how awful Merlynston is!! I was stuck there on the way home from a mates in the rain and it was BEYOND miserable!! As someone the Werribee line, I have to slightly defend Aircraft in that it's biggest crime is it's useless because of how it's within a kilometer from Laverton station - it's actually quite nice after the level crossing removal, at least aesthetically. A bit more shelter and it would even be nice.
Ruthven is not really a major station, it’s kinda like a secondary station in guess. it is near homes unlike Reservoir or Keon Park so having a station between the two is an alright idea. I do get that it can be hated because of the entry way and how it looks, the car park can be kinda crap depending on condition. I do like how they made some changes to the station although it didn’t change the entry or the car park much. I do live near this station so hearing the trains go past during the night can impact my sleep as well, but i am getting used to it over time. Great to see the roof of my house in one of the shots as well lol
also my local, and it's fine for what it is honestly. not sure it ever gets so rammed that it needs another shelter. I would like them to take the paper that has clearly been painted over off the wall in the underpass down though, absolutely gross.
What about Officer? It’s kinda got an upgrade now. Not sure as it’s past where I’ve gotten off. It had dirt/mud/gravel entry to the station and car park and it’s so isolated from the main part of officer. Narre Warren is FINALLY in the middle of a makeover at the tail end of the removal project (of course 🙄 😒) but it was bad with the traffic through Webb Street where cars cross over the tracks and people running for the bus unsafely coz it was to far to go to the actual peds crossing plus you had to run up the ramp just after crossing over the tracks by foot rushing for your train. Ugh 🤦🏻♀️ it was a pain in the morning rush. Hallam has been done up now but it was completely isolated apart from the main road next to it Hallam South Rd. You wouldn’t want to be there at night back then.
i can confirm as someone not from melbourne that it has rained every single one of the three times i have been to burnley and i have slipped on that awful underpass every single time
To me there is some sort of charm to Macaulay I don't know if it is just bias as it local to me (though not my closest station) or if it is running under the freeway making me think all those sucker up there could have caught the train.
Lilydale had received and continues to receive numerous substantial upgrades, including brand new stations - with more works in the pipeline. Belgrave on the other hand….isn’t looking so flash. I guess the new Belgrave car park is good?
I am not going to lie but I think Beaconsfield is also a pretty bad station since it doesn't have too much shelter and it doesn't even have the PIDS for the next train information which is really annoying.
I don't think I'll make a part 3 anytime soon, because I think I've flogged this horse enough. I was thinking about doing the worst V/line stations though! I'm glad you've been enjoying the videos!
Dandenong is ok. Its mostly crime thats the issue. It seems to me that its one of those stations on the metro network that needs to be policed regularly, especially during School hours, and late nights. As for that vacant land, you are spot on about new platforms. There is also a fair bit of vacant land between Cheltenham road and the station. A Park and Ride setup could possibly go in there as the current parking area fills up quickly. Also Transit oriented development like some apartments and that could also go into that nearby vacant area. I am talking about Cheltenham Road and Keneally Street to be exact. But I am not a local to that area so I do not know exactly whats best for them.
If you think the current Tottenham station is poor, you should have seen the old Tottenham station which was at Street level between the current station and Sunshine Rd. Where the station was, is now a small car park.
I’ve always despised Melbourne central station. It so dirty and grimy, you have to walk through a shopping centre, it’s impossible to find and the entire station smells of the kfc next door
Have you thought of doing a best of highlighting passenger amenities e.g. toilets, water for drinking and proximity to food and drink (incl. vending machines). 🔱🏳🌈
Thanks, really great review and summary. Hope you get a job advising the Vic government on improving the system. Metro rail is really crap 💩 Thanks Chairman Dan for blowing the Victorian budget so nothing will happen for at least a century.
I will be controversial and suggest Berwick deserves to be in the top 20 worse. Whilst it’s near by facilities have been upgraded ( multi level car park and new bus interchange) the station hasn’t been touched and for its patronage ( good luck finding the actual recent usage figures !) it’s deplorable in terms of facilities and cover. Uneven surfaces, little shelter and buzzed by vline sprinters regularly
How on earth did you miss West Richmond station??? The horrific screeching of the trains as they enter / exit the station. When it rains the overflowing gutters from the station shelters cause a waterwall for you to walk through as you step onto the train. Lastly, goodluck getting some luggage or a pram onto the train with that 1 foot gap between the train and the platform in certain areas of the platforms.
Yeah good call. I certainly considered it. I quite like the old station building, but lack of safety + the sharp curvature are two very valid reasons for it to be on this list.
I agree fot glen iris station. I depends which which direction i come from when i visit my dad. He lives inbetween glen iris ans gardner stations. I feel it is hard to exit the station. I have to walk through thecar pARK to cross tbe road and never trust the cars going in and outof the street. As they speed and it is responsible close to the corner. I am saying it is not pedestrian friendly station. I have also moved alot and like the past video. I have had experienced many of the stations for one reason or another. I am at Dandenong station everyday because of work and i have to disagree a little. I feel safe there. The is a lotof security there to make me feel safe. I just dont like the stairs that lead to chandler rd exit. They aretoo steep and no shelter. I had a friend who slipped down those stairs in the wet and shattered her leg.
They should have rebuilt Yarraman station as an elevated station on the east side of Chandler Road. This could greatly increase the catchment area of the station.
I'm glad you put in Yarraman and Dandenong, was very surprised Yarraman didn't make your initial top 10 video lol.
My favorite memory was waiting at Yarraman station on a Friday evening heading into the city to party, as a young barely out of teens adult usually does..
One of Noble Park's finest stumbles up to me and offers me a sip out of whatever he had in his well loved giant cup from the cinemas, I can't quite remeber the movie.. I think it was Shrek 😂
Anyway, I politely say no and he answers with a nod and he slurs out, "no worries mate. You know, you're alright. You can be anything you want. Even an archaeologist!!" And turns around and walks back up the ramp...
I never became an archaeologist but I've never forgotten this man, even 20 years later lol
Wise words like that are unforgettable!
Maybe he was going to tell you he had a "large bone for you to examine" but forgot how the line goes.
The lady who works at the Dandy station food kiosk is named Linda. She is there with her husband 5 days a week. Makes one of the best coffees and is always super efficient! She is very friendly and I love seeing her in the mornings! Shout out for her dedication and hard work.
Kudos to Linda then!
The little booth at Yarraman is an old newspaper stand. A few stations had them back in the 80s, Glen Iris was another from memory. They sold lollies and snacks as well as papers.
Edit: I commented before watching the whole video 😊 Glad to see the GI news stand is still there.
yep, had one at Blackburn station. When I was working in that area (2008) from memory an old bloke was running it.
What was ironic about the newspaper stand was after the stations became unmanned, they started to sell scratch tickets.
@@1BlastTyrant
That one at Blackburn station was apparently built as a triangular brick pillar structure which is a part of the current station building and was possibly a prototype for the news stands as it was added in the 1960s/1970s when the current station buildings were built. It’s also still in operation today as a coffee stall that’s open on weekday mornings by what I remember! :)
I love them and I have a folder about them
come take a ride! (at folder 2) :))
🚅🚈🚞🚝🚂🚃🚄
trains, trams, aren't they all beautifull
@@Techno-Universal No it wasn't, it was built for purpose at the same time as the current station building in the early 1980's as a separate structure at the top of the ramp at the entrance to the booking lobby. I worked at Blackburn Station for several years thirty-odd years ago, the main office building on the island platform contains a suburban/regional booking office, signal control panel and staff amenities while the office on the loop track contains a parcel office in a layout which has remained structurally unaltered since its construction.
Flemington Bridge, Gowrie, Fawkner, old St.Albans, old West Footscray, Patterson, Aspendale, Hoppers Crossing, Aircraft, Richmond.
Burnley was my work commute station for years. Every time there was a decent downpour that underpass would flood, making the station unusable
Great insight mate!
and the track conditions there are horrible, especially near Burnley and Camberwell, you must hold on. I've gotten rocked out of my seat on express services
I have to defend Macaulay, which has a nice walk along the west side towards Flemington bridge, and Flemington Bridge itself with it's nice bike paths.
You are right. The Moonee Ponds Creek walk is quite nice. It's a great bike ride too!
hugely agree
Flemington Bridge loses points for no access to it from Racecourse Rd, and also the massive gap between the train and the outbound platform. Feels very unsafe at night if you're trying to get to Racecourse Rd.
Good point. Taitset really exposed this aspect well!
Yes the little building on yarraman station was a newspapers and other stuff . I did use this station in the 80s and 90s.
I have a book of Melbourne railway stations published in the seventies. It’s amazing how delapidated the stations were (cringeworthy), needing a coat of paint. Seddon stood out with the weather board station building was the most delapidated, now replaced with the current brick building.
What is the book called?
It’s hard to believe with all the money spent on crossing removals that some of it hasn’t been spent on upgrades. Some of the new stations are a little overboard on the architecture when compared to the state of some of these stations,or more importantly, the unsafe access conditions. Great video. Thanks 👍
A lot of money has been spent on upgrades as part of the Better Stations Project, which falls under franchise works. This project has accomplished resurfacing works and added many shelters to old and dilapidated stations.
You make an excellent point. The reality of level crossing removals are they are primarily a road project, relying a lot on the cosmetic rather than functional value of stations to appeal to voters. That's not to say that they haven't been worthwhile, but I think they have had a high opportunity cost. The Melton line is still unelectrified, the Upfield line still hasn't been extended to Roxy, and the City Loop still hasn't been reconfigured.
A potential for this one is Keilor Plains on the Sunbury line. Still not quite as bad in terms of shelter (which is at least barely adequate), Keilor Plains is another station where one needs to walk on the tracks themselves to change platforms. Also, it's a fairly dodgy area.
The problem with Ruthven is the closed Keon Park, expected all the passengers that use that station to go to Ruthven, but didn't do anything to prepare for it. Take a look at the traffic chaos on High street for the train replacement busses shuttling people to and from Keon Park, they could have thought for 3 seconds about that and dedicated some space in the mud put, but instead leave busses on the main street during peak hours causing traffic to merge and bank up. Also Keon Park at least had train information displays, they didn't bother to put those in at Ruthven when they "upgraded" it last, they could have just re-located the ones from Keon Park when they demolished that station.
Southern Cross is the worst station ever considering the cost and how relatively new it is, roof leaked, unbearable noise levels, metro and vline service constant platform changes, try getting a vline to Melton from platform 2 only to have platform change to 16, utterly ridiculous design
Plus the toxic fumes constantly filling the joint. I feel very sorry for the staff there.
No rubbish bins is a joke
I love Southern Cross, but design wise it's horrible yeah
Thank you so much for putting Yarraman and Dandenong. Yes, Dandenong is a very unsafe station and needs an upgrade to the interior and the station's abandoned siding. When the siding was still there, it was neglected and overgrown. However, when they removed it, I thought it would be much nicer, but it is left abandoned. I support the idea of a fourth platform to take up the abandoned former siding area.
The carpark needs resurfacing and new plants.
I’m not too far away from Yarraman, but this station is by far-in my opinion-the worst station on the Dandenong line. The walking ramps are long and very tiring. I never liked it! I think the ramps should be taken down and replaced with pedestrian gates like at Laverton station-that would be much nicer. The platform needs to be levelled and resurfaced.
Sandown Park is another station I recommend you add to the list. Sandown Parks car park on the platform on the two sides is also gravel, and the underpasses get flooded in rainy conditions. Sandown Park should also be a skipped station. On the Dandenong line, sometimes trains express skip Westall and Yarraman Station. Sandown Park should be included.
You raise a lot of good points. I definitely thought long and hard about including Sandown Park. It is also a pretty ordinary station!
@@melbournerailwayvideos
True! Sandown Park station is quite ordinary. It was only built in 1965 and is neglected in many ways. The only changes to the station I recommend would be the resurfacing and levelling of the platform, fresh paint, an upgraded underpass, and a new car park.
Mate, check out Noble Park station on the Dandenong line. Everything looks great, but while the Level Crossing Removal Authority was constructing there, they abandoned a whole block of land that has been fenced off instead of making it a public open space-that is just absurd. Now, locals have come together and put up signs along the fence asking the Greater Dandenong City Council to utilise the space as an open space. It's about time!
Keep up the excellent work, mate, and good luck with your future videos. Best regards!
Always 😂 appreciate your vids, bud. Again, I realise the nth west isn't great. Remember Hoddle st massacre (left that out..or are too young). But, Frankston and Dandenong are atrocious. Glen Waverley and Alamein probably most pleasant.
I think he is too young to remember the Hoddle St massacre.
I've definitely heard of it. I just didn't think it was relevant to this train video.
When is the next installment on Melbourne's WORST Train Stations coming out Melbourne Railway Videos? I am a big fan and novice trainspotter. Love your work 🤟
Tottenham reminds me of Macdonaldtown in Sydney. Bare platform alongside a huge set of sidings etc
As someone who's severely afraid of heights I unfortunately have problems with a lot of train stations but oh my god Flemington Bridge... Full panic attack every time I used it (ironically it was the easiest way to get to therapy when i lived in the area). Skyrail before they figured out how to build skyrail. Just shifting your ordinary dodge inner suburban station 10m up and hoping for the best.
6:54 That is weekday morning service. Glen Waverley Trains run to Flinders, while the other trains run via the loop. Maybe the Burnley Loop should run Anti clockwise all day?
Another great video. I recently discovered this channel and I’m loving these videos. Keep up the great work!
Alrighty they made an appearance are this time around, Dande and Yarraman that is, it'll be a long collective effort but I hope they get better in time.
I am on the Pakenham line everyday I need to go to work and it's like a time capsule seeing the surrounds, and people for that matter, change over the years.
The shot of the current Ruthven carpark reminds me of what Noble Park pre refurb looked like a few years back.
These days the landmarks that I can time my journey to are that abandoned General Motors station between Hallam and Dande, and that little 80s Daihatsu relic behind the fences of the old Viridian storehouse between Springvale and Westall.
I recon that st Albans should get an mention as whilst the actual station in itself is fairly modern and updated, some of the people around there are certainly interesting and the bathrooms always have bodily waste on the floors :(
The old St Albans station definitely would have made the list!
The original St Albans station was a single platform on the north side if Main Rd. The last one and current one are located on the south side of Main Rd.
I had a feeling Ruthven was to be included. The High Street side carpark is gravel which you mentioned, & has been that way for decades now. I use that carpark on occasions, as it provides easy & quick access to the station platform.
Worked there in 1987, quiet place, especially on a Sunday.
On the topic of the Sunbury line diggers rest could use a revamp it's such a small town anyway that it doesn't really matter but if we're talking of ones that are run down, Diggers comes to mind. I only park there because there are never parks at Sunbury. And yes, you do get stuck if a train is arriving.
Ha! That was a bit of a blast from the past. I worked in the railways for a decade 30-odd years ago, including a few shifts at Burnley and Glen Iris. The round buildings at Yarraman and Glen Iris were newspaper kiosks which used to be run by the local newsagents who would sell newpapers during the morning peak at every station on weekdays. Burnley used to be a real hole, there was this weird old dude that used to work on the down (from Melbourne) platform, he had a locker full of really old p-rn books in the booking office. There was this old chick that used to work at Glen Iris who used to get on the Metrol Control Phone in a panic on many weekday afternoons because the boys from De La Salle College would piss in the booking office window at her. A whacko tried to mug me when I walked out of the office one night at Glen Iris so I beat the living bejesus out of him. Fun times.
Pretty much at Macaulay station they could put the crossing and station under the road but would need to construct solid watertight retaining walls on each side of the structure with the entrances being at the same height as the existing road which should also be the height of the retaining walls to reduce flooding. It would however still need extremely good stormwater drainage to prevent flooding from rainwater.
Hey, Macauley! The one station I use when I’m in Melbourne (besides Flinders). Makes me think of friendship.
One thing you forgot about Yarraman is that the station is supposedly haunted by a man who died when he was hit by a freight train back in the late 60’s
I never heard about that before and I’ve been there many times haha 😂 maybe not in the dark but still...
As someone who traverses Dandenong Station they can do some serious upgrades to the bus interchange and possibly the platforms
Does this come under the criteria of "perceived safety"? 😂
Hey man, love your work! Just wondering what camera you use to film your videos? 😊
im suprised that heyington wasnt included as it is the only one without disability access, except on pl 1, into St Kevins
Yeah, there's definitely a case there. I like Heyington for its greenery, so that's what saved it.
As soon as I saw this video I thought 'Ruthven better be on there.'
i have an issue with craigieburn, solely because it took me 90 secs to reach p2 from p1. add a footbridge or something?
also general motors. it hardly sees any trains stop there and the structure is old and unusable
I like Yarraman. You can find a car park more easily than at other stations if I'm heading for Melbourne, and it's close to Dandenong.
Middle Footscray is not that bad. The entrance is not bad either and is all lit up at night. They could just do with some additional shelter down the far end of the platform.
Yes part 2!!! 🎉
Officer station is terrible. Walking there from station street is soo dangerous during peak hours. A lot of pot holes and hardly much shelter.
The only thing that’s good is the police booth for safety
its called officer for a reason
Yeah Officer is very lucky to miss out!
I saw some works being done at Yarraman today actually, but I think they were just doing some maintenance work
The Aircraft station underpass at 5:20 looks so liminal and eerie
Always need to remind myself that they are upgrading various stations, but golly. Many of these desperately need some love. Feels like they've not been touched since the 90s.
I would say, even after its recent upgrade, Hoppers Crossing leaves much to be desired. Little to no shelter on the platform, and with the Princess hwy right there.. it's not exactly quiet. Not to mention the adjoining bus terminal is somewhat.. sketchy, even during the day.
Newport is not exactly great either, what with its narrow underpass (which is a nightmare at peak hour) and limited shelter. Although the overall environment is much nicer with big trees both sides.
Whenever I've been to Glen Iris station it has always smelled really terrible. There is some kind of garden supplies yard next to the station which must have stockpiles of fertiliser or manure or something.
I believe that the smell comes from the distillery which is just across from the station :)
I actually quite liked Burnley station when I lived there. Not because of the facilities, but the connections. Because it is on 4 train lines, trains were incredibly frequent, you were never really there for more than 3-5min. You could get to the city and back so fast.
Was gonna mention Upwey before you did just at the end. It's quite a noticeable drop from the train down to the platform when you disembark and there's hardly any shelter. The view onto Upwey's main street is mediocre albeit there's a bit of greenery around.
Upwey has had some work done since the late 2000’s. It has improved.
Glen Iris is so dangerous - several times vehicles have been stuck on the rails. And if there are inbound and outbound trains around the same time, motorists sit there for 5 minutes! Since they can't build down because of the freeway, they need to do an overpass (similar to Tooronga I guess).
No excuse for being "stuck on the rails". Road users are obliged to keep the crossing clear at all times. Pretty simple. Police should take regular enforcement action at busy crossings like these IMO.
What a pity Labor's "dangerous and congested crossing" projects didn't actually progress down the ranked list hey? Those tram squares at Riversdale and Kooyong really need to go, as do Burnley and Glen Iris, long before you consider reaching the nether regions of the Frankston, Pakenham, and Werribee lines.
Used to use Flemington Bridge station a lot when I was living in Flemington, and from what I remembered the platforms was not wide enough and when passengers disembarked the train, the gap between the platform and the train door is a bit too wide which is somewhat dangerous. Have they fixed this yet? If you asked me the entire Upfield line needs attention and is one of the most neglected lines in terms of frequency and the huge amount of level crossings featured on that line.
Not sure how they are going to remove the Macaulay level crossing due to the CityLink bridge and it close to the Moonee Ponds Creek, if it is ever going to be considered due to those two factors.
The Upfield line was slated for closure for decades so got no improvements and had the best collection of manually operated wooden gates and there were no trains after 7pm. And Coburg only had one platform. Steam specials coming from Somerton would hit the platform at Coburg.
Might I add Sandown Park station to the list? It’s pretty rundown and as it’s sandwiched between Noble Park sky rail and Yarraman (another station on your top 20 list) it likely won’t be getting any upgrades anytime soon.
I don't know if I just happened to be at Burnley on particularly windy days. But almost every time I've been there waiting for a train there has been so much wind going through the station, with nowhere to really escape it. not a great station to be waiting for a train for 15 minutes :/
It is pretty windswept!
Those boarded up places. Use to be where you would buy the morning paper and magazines.
The Macauley Rd bridge next to Macauley station has the narrowest bike lane in not just Melbourne but the world,!!!!!!!!!
Would love to see you do a list of the 10 worst country stations!
I've definitely thought about doing it. We'll see...
@@melbournerailwayvideos If you do - there's three stations on the Geelong line I can suggest!
I feel like Officer station should get a position in the 3rd or 4th list. It has no public transport nearby aside from the very infrequent 926 bus, there are some businesses nearby but if you're going to them, you'll have to walk down Station street, along Bridge road and up Siding avenue just to get to them. If they allowed better access to those shops via a second entrance, it would definitely be improved.
Beaconsfield station on the Pakenham line needs to be on the list. Feels very remote. One bus connection. Level crossing. Felt unsafe at the train station, on top of there not being staff there.
Could they build a tunnel from the City loop portal near North Melbourne to the Upfield Line at Royal Park. We can replace McCauley with an interchange to Metro tunnel at Arden than replace Flemington Bridge with a new Station nearby called Flemington Road. These platforms would be directly below the metro tunnel platforms at Arden. It only has two constraints. One being you will have to make sure you don't accidently tunnel into the new Arden station and two, the city loop connection. But the City loop would be reconfigured as part of this expensive project. Current plans for the City Loop Configuration see the Frankston and Craigeburn lines connect through the city loop and the Glen Waverly and Upfield lines connect through Flinders Street, but if we built it using my idea and building that extra 3.81km of tunnel from Flagstaff City Loop to the Upfield line near Royal Park. then Frankston would through run with Upfield through the city loop and this new tunnel and Craigebrun would through run to Glen Waverly via Flinders Street. And McCauley level crossing would be gone and this will be the last piece to upgrading the Upfield Line. I am estimating roughly $3 Billion for this new rail project.
i will say that on the Mernda line, Thomastown is a bad one, though it doesn't look like it. with one elevator on each side of the rail, when one goes down, its a nightmare for disabled people to cross the tracks, requiring them to travel to the level crossing. on top of that, the stairs for the overpass are angled in such a way that they seem straight until you are walking down and every fourth step or so, you have to move either left or right to keep a hold of the hand rail.
Back in the 90s I regularly used two of the 'worst' stations. Albion and Glen Iris. One critique of Albion made in the video was the abandoned grain elevators, I disagree, I find old industrial structures to be fascinating - far more interesting than a modern office block. Also Tottenham yard back in the 90s was great for spotting V/Line freight locomotives.
Glen Iris was bland but functional, it was really only my destination because it was the closest station to the AMRA club rooms.
"even Ange Postecoglou would struggle to fix this joint" lmfaoooo
I'm glad someone got it!
Having moved from Dandenong to Clayton station, the difference is night and day!
Macaulay Rd at Macaulay station would actually be pretty easy to remove, just buy the buildings and land to the east, a lot of it is empty and some of the buildings are actually for sale now, could remove Arden St too
Macaulay Rd at Kensington station, now that's the hard one to remove
Even if you exclude V/Lines stations, most suburban stations in Melbourne still have outdated diesel trains pass through it.
Dandenong Station should be in the top 10, l live in Noble Park and avoid getting a train to Dandenong, I find the station to be smelly and I feel unsafe there, I also find Westall Station to be the same too and most of the time the lift doesn't work.
The round grey thing at Yarraman Station was a kiosk that used to sell snacks, newspapers and magazines.
What are your thoughts on Sandown Park station?.
What about Williams landing station, it’s right next to a freeway which is noisy as heck when it’s peak hour and on the weekend.
I think that if you stuck a police station at Dandenong station there would still be crime. I have never had a problem when I have used it but I use Yarraman which is basic but serviceable but needs more shelters..
The live vid from before was fire
Glad you liked it!
Not one of these was on Craigieburn like 😊
You're right, but you should check out the first part (worst to tenth worst), and it will make more sense.
Yarraman is so forgettable tbh, maybe because most trains on the line usually skip it especially during peak hour. It’s too close to both Noble Park and Dandenong to really bother using, though if you want to avoid Dandenong (and you should) then Yarraman isn’t that far away and isn’t the worst place on the planet.
Thanks for including my comment about Dandenong in the video, appreciate it. Glad I’m not the only one who shares that sentiment about Victoria’s least favourite crack den.
Only a select few PKM Skip yarraman in peak, its not many.
@@74_pelicans Its normally the East Pakenham services that regularly skip Yarraman and Westall. Cranbourne services seem to stop there regularly as it is a shorter line than East Pakenham probably.
It's a pity Laburnum was dropped and modernised before your list.
The only use for Laburnum was telling the ticket inspector that you got on there and that's why you don't have a ticket.
It was notorious for being unmanned and always having non-working metcard dispensers.
In Brisbane my local station (edens landing) is murdersville
i think i found something melbourne and perth have in common, the yellow lines are the most dangerous lol
i mean worst
If you are going to do a 3rd one could u do Beaconsfield on the Pakenham line?
I think Beaconsfield would definitely be considered!
I was thinking the same thing. I felt unsafe here. There are limited bus connection, and it feels very remote.
Totally agreed with how awful Merlynston is!! I was stuck there on the way home from a mates in the rain and it was BEYOND miserable!!
As someone the Werribee line, I have to slightly defend Aircraft in that it's biggest crime is it's useless because of how it's within a kilometer from Laverton station - it's actually quite nice after the level crossing removal, at least aesthetically. A bit more shelter and it would even be nice.
Ruthven is not really a major station, it’s kinda like a secondary station in guess. it is near homes unlike Reservoir or Keon Park so having a station between the two is an alright idea. I do get that it can be hated because of the entry way and how it looks, the car park can be kinda crap depending on condition. I do like how they made some changes to the station although it didn’t change the entry or the car park much. I do live near this station so hearing the trains go past during the night can impact my sleep as well, but i am getting used to it over time. Great to see the roof of my house in one of the shots as well lol
also my local, and it's fine for what it is honestly. not sure it ever gets so rammed that it needs another shelter. I would like them to take the paper that has clearly been painted over off the wall in the underpass down though, absolutely gross.
@@awesomeduder the underpass is pretty horrid they need to clean it...
What about Officer? It’s kinda got an upgrade now. Not sure as it’s past where I’ve gotten off. It had dirt/mud/gravel entry to the station and car park and it’s so isolated from the main part of officer.
Narre Warren is FINALLY in the middle of a makeover at the tail end of the removal project (of course 🙄 😒) but it was bad with the traffic through Webb Street where cars cross over the tracks and people running for the bus unsafely coz it was to far to go to the actual peds crossing plus you had to run up the ramp just after crossing over the tracks by foot rushing for your train. Ugh 🤦🏻♀️ it was a pain in the morning rush.
Hallam has been done up now but it was completely isolated apart from the main road next to it Hallam South Rd. You wouldn’t want to be there at night back then.
Yeah Officer was definitely considered and not far off. There's not much there at all!
i can confirm as someone not from melbourne that it has rained every single one of the three times i have been to burnley and i have slipped on that awful underpass every single time
Guys we have 38 minutes for the video to premiere on Monday 8 April 2024, 5pm!
Get hyped!
@@melbournerailwayvideosUh huh
@@melbournerailwayvideosI sure will and I wonder what other worst stations are
🚆🚆🚆🚆 TRAINS ARE GETTING STUCK BETWEEN STATIONS THESE DAYS😮😮
To me there is some sort of charm to Macaulay I don't know if it is just bias as it local to me (though not my closest station) or if it is running under the freeway making me think all those sucker up there could have caught the train.
Yarraman and Sandown Park are almost twins in my mind. I may be wrong, but they just feel like carbon copies.
i am waiting for part 3 .... to many lilydale belgrave line stations are being given a free pass :)
Lilydale had received and continues to receive numerous substantial upgrades, including brand new stations - with more works in the pipeline. Belgrave on the other hand….isn’t looking so flash. I guess the new Belgrave car park is good?
I am not going to lie but I think Beaconsfield is also a pretty bad station since it doesn't have too much shelter and it doesn't even have the PIDS for the next train information which is really annoying.
Yeah, it definitely wasn't far off these lists!
@ I also really wish you could make a similar video but for the worst tram stops in Melbourne or a part 3 since I really enjoy these videos.
I don't think I'll make a part 3 anytime soon, because I think I've flogged this horse enough. I was thinking about doing the worst V/line stations though!
I'm glad you've been enjoying the videos!
We need a part 3
I lived near ruthven for 5 years and it takes thus long just for an upgrade?
Dandenong is ok. Its mostly crime thats the issue. It seems to me that its one of those stations on the metro network that needs to be policed regularly, especially during School hours, and late nights. As for that vacant land, you are spot on about new platforms. There is also a fair bit of vacant land between Cheltenham road and the station. A Park and Ride setup could possibly go in there as the current parking area fills up quickly. Also Transit oriented development like some apartments and that could also go into that nearby vacant area. I am talking about Cheltenham Road and Keneally Street to be exact. But I am not a local to that area so I do not know exactly whats best for them.
If you think the current Tottenham station is poor, you should have seen the old Tottenham station which was at Street level between the current station and Sunshine Rd. Where the station was, is now a small car park.
They wanted to close Aircraft after Williams Landing was built. There was a wave of protests.
Lalor has recently had an upgrade. A new shelter (woo hoo!)
Would you ever do a ranking of every station?
glen iris still doo doo water and the ramp above east malvern kills me every time i have to cycle or walk above it
Doo doo water?
@@melbournerailwayvideos Just like a chocolate milkshake only crunchy
I’ve always despised Melbourne central station. It so dirty and grimy, you have to walk through a shopping centre, it’s impossible to find and the entire station smells of the kfc next door
Have you thought of doing a best of highlighting passenger amenities e.g. toilets, water for drinking and proximity to food and drink (incl. vending machines). 🔱🏳🌈
Thanks, really great review and summary. Hope you get a job advising the Vic government on improving the system. Metro rail is really crap 💩 Thanks Chairman Dan for blowing the Victorian budget so nothing will happen for at least a century.
your videos are great
Thanks!
Aircraft yet to take off love the pun
I will be controversial and suggest Berwick deserves to be in the top 20 worse. Whilst it’s near by facilities have been upgraded ( multi level car park and new bus interchange) the station hasn’t been touched and for its patronage ( good luck finding the actual recent usage figures !) it’s deplorable in terms of facilities and cover. Uneven surfaces, little shelter and buzzed by vline sprinters regularly
How on earth did you miss West Richmond station??? The horrific screeching of the trains as they enter / exit the station. When it rains the overflowing gutters from the station shelters cause a waterwall for you to walk through as you step onto the train. Lastly, goodluck getting some luggage or a pram onto the train with that 1 foot gap between the train and the platform in certain areas of the platforms.
Yeah good call. I certainly considered it. I quite like the old station building, but lack of safety + the sharp curvature are two very valid reasons for it to be on this list.
Change the number 1 on the thumbnail to a 2
Great call! I'll do that! I knew that I didn't like the 1, but I couldn't work out why.
@@melbournerailwayvideos Thx
I agree fot glen iris station. I depends which which direction i come from when i visit my dad. He lives inbetween glen iris ans gardner stations. I feel it is hard to exit the station. I have to walk through thecar pARK to cross tbe road and never trust the cars going in and outof the street. As they speed and it is responsible close to the corner. I am saying it is not pedestrian friendly station. I have also moved alot and like the past video. I have had experienced many of the stations for one reason or another. I am at Dandenong station everyday because of work and i have to disagree a little. I feel safe there. The is a lotof security there to make me feel safe. I just dont like the stairs that lead to chandler rd exit. They aretoo steep and no shelter. I had a friend who slipped down those stairs in the wet and shattered her leg.
Huntingdale ain't pretty. A dodgy underpass to get to the platforms, I avoid it on my way home at night.
You missed Officer, lack of shelter and opposite an industrial complex.
Good call. Officer is poor!
They should have rebuilt Yarraman station as an elevated station on the east side of Chandler Road. This could greatly increase the catchment area of the station.
Nice!
Thanks!
Beloved Cragie can only be the finest of worse
Craigie isn't that bad tbh.