View source for Belgrave line

{{good article}}
{{Short description|Passenger rail service in metropolitan Melbourne, Victoria, Australia}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Use Australian English|date=January 2012}}
{{Infobox rail service
| name            = Belgrave line
| color           = {{rcr|Melbourne|Belgrave}}
| logo            = {{ric|Melbourne|Belgrave|size=100px}}
| image           = File:Belgrave Railway Station Buildings.jpg
| image_width     = 250px
| caption         = [[Belgrave railway station|Belgrave station]], the terminus of the Belgrave line, which provides an interchange with heritage railway [[Puffing Billy Railway|Puffing Billy]].
| type            = [[Commuter rail]]
| status          = Operational
| system          = [[Railways in Melbourne|Melbourne railway network]]
| locale          = [[Melbourne]], [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]], [[Australia]]
| predecessor     = 
| first           = {{Start date and age|1889|12|4|df=y}}
| last            = <!-- {{End date and age|yyyy|mm|dd|df=y}} -->
| successor       = 
| operator        = [[Metro Trains Melbourne|Metro Trains]]
| formeroperator  = {{Plainlist|
* [[Victorian Railways|Victorian Railways (VR)]] (1889–1974)
* VR as VicRail (1974–1983)
* [[Metropolitan Transit Authority (Victoria)|MTA (The Met)]] (1983–1989)
* [[Public Transport Corporation|PTC (The Met)]] (1989–1998)
* [[Connex Melbourne|Hillside Trains]] (1998–2000)
* [[Connex Melbourne]] (2000–2009)
}}
| ridership       = 
| ridership2      = 
| website         ={{official website}} 
| start           = {{rwsa|Flinders Street}}
| stops           = 31 (including City Loop stations)
| end             = {{rwsa|Belgrave}}
| distance        = {{Convert|41.386|km|abbr=on}}
| journeytime     = 1 hour 7 minutes (not via City Loop)
| frequency       = {{blist|15–30 minutes weekdays peak|30 minutes weekdays off-peak|20 minutes weekend daytime|30 minutes nights|60 minutes [[Night Network (Melbourne)|early weekend mornings]]|Double frequency between Flinders Street and Ringwood in combination with [[Lilydale railway line|Lilydale line]]|Extra services run between Flinders Street and either Blackburn or Ringwood on weekdays}}
| class           = 
| access          = 
| seating         = 
| baggage         = 
| otherfacilities = 
| stock           = [[X'Trapolis 100]]
| gauge           = {{Track gauge|1600 mm}}
| el              = 1500 [[Volt|V]] [[Direct current|DC]] [[Overhead line|overhead]]
| owners          = [[VicTrack]]
| routenumber     = 
| maintenance     = 
| map             = {{Belgrave Metro Service|inline=yes}}
| map_state       = collapsed
}}
The '''Belgrave line''' is a [[Commuter rail|commuter railway]] line on the [[Railways in Melbourne|Melbourne metropolitan railway network]] serving the city of [[Melbourne]] in [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]], [[Australia]].<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Belgrave Line |url=https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/route/2/belgrave/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180907155122/https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/route/ |archive-date=7 September 2018 |access-date=27 February 2023 |website=Public Transport Victoria |language=en-GB}}</ref> Operated by [[Metro Trains Melbourne]], the line is coloured [[Dark blue (color)|dark blue]] and is one of the four lines that constitute the [[Metro Trains Melbourne#Burnley Group|Burnley group]]. It is the city's fourth-longest metropolitan railway line at {{convert|41.8|km}}. The line runs from [[Flinders Street railway station|Flinders Street station]] in central Melbourne to [[Belgrave railway station|Belgrave station]] in the cities east, serving 31 stations via [[Burnley railway station|Burnley]], [[Box Hill railway station, Melbourne|Box Hill]], [[Ringwood railway station, Melbourne|Ringwood]], and [[Upper Ferntree Gully railway station|Upper Ferntree Gully]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=3 September 2017 |title=Metro's paper timetables mess |url=https://www.danielbowen.com/2017/09/04/metro-paper-timetable-issues/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209095505/https://www.danielbowen.com/2017/09/04/metro-paper-timetable-issues/ |archive-date=9 December 2022 |access-date=9 December 2022 |website=Daniel Bowen}}</ref> Beyond Belgrave, the narrow-gauge line has been restored as the [[Puffing Billy Railway]], which runs tourist services to the original terminus of [[Gembrook railway station|Gembrook]]. 

The line operates for approximately 19 hours a day (from approximately 5:00 am to around 12:00 am) with 24 hour service available on Friday and Saturday nights. During peak hours, [[Headway|headways]] of up to 15 minutes are operated, with services every 20–30 minutes during off-peak hours.<ref name=":32">{{Cite web |date=1 March 2021 |title=New timetable train line information – Public Transport Victoria |url=https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/more/the-new-timetable-for-victorias-train-network/new-timetable-train-line-information/?line=cranbourne-and-pakenham |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301102536/https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/more/the-new-timetable-for-victorias-train-network/new-timetable-train-line-information/?line=cranbourne-and-pakenham |archive-date=1 March 2021 |access-date=18 December 2022 |website=}}</ref> Trains on the Belgrave line run in a two three-car formations of [[X'Trapolis 100]] trainsets.<ref name=":182">{{Cite web |last=Carey |first=Adam |date=7 November 2014 |title=Trains are working better but seating not guaranteed |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/trains-are-working-better-but-seating-not-guaranteed-20141107-11ifm4.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230206070133/https://www.smh.com.au/national/trains-are-working-better-but-seating-not-guaranteed-20141107-11ifm4.html |archive-date=6 February 2023 |access-date=6 February 2023 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}</ref>

Sections of the Belgrave line opened as early as 1889, with the line fully extended and re-gauged to Belgrave by 1962. The line was built to connect [[Melbourne]] and Ringwood with the rural towns of [[Bayswater, Victoria|Bayswater]], [[Boronia, Victoria|Boronia]], [[Upper Ferntree Gully, Victoria|Upper Ferntree Gully]], and [[Belgrave, Victoria|Belgrave]], among others. 

Since the 2010s, due to the heavily utilised infrastructure of the Belgrave line, significant improvements and upgrades have been made. Different packages of work have upgraded the corridor to replace [[Railroad tie|sleepers]], upgraded signalling technology, introduced new rolling stock, and removed seven of the nine remaining [[Level crossing|level crossings]].<ref name=":4" />

== History ==

=== 19th century ===
[[File:Puffing_billy_in_action_2003.jpg|left|thumb|The Monbulk Creek trestle bridge remains a feature of the Gembrook line, now used for the [[Puffing Billy Railway|Puffing Billy]] tourist line]]
A rail branch was constructed from Ringwood to Upper Ferntree Gully in December 1889. A narrow-gauge {{RailGauge|762mm}} line was opened from Upper Ferntree Gully to Gembrook station in December 1900, the second of four [[Narrow-gauge lines of the Victorian Railways|experimental narrow-gauge lines]] built by the [[Victorian Railways]].<ref>A Victorian Narrow Gauge Railway ''[[The Railway Magazine]]'' issue 480 June 1937 pages 429–432</ref> These two lines would become joined and standardised to form the Belgrave railway line in the 20th century.

=== 20th century ===
In 1921, the narrow-gauge section from Upper Ferntree Gully to Belgrave was converted to automatic signalling, the first such instance on single track in the [[Southern Hemisphere]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Heritage on this day |url=http://www.puffingbilly.com.au/fan/heritage/on_this_day.htm |access-date=13 November 2016 |archive-date=2 October 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091002173929/http://www.puffingbilly.com.au/fan/heritage/on_this_day.htm |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref> This section was then reverted to [[token (railway signalling)|Staff and Ticket]] [[safeworking]] in 1930. [[railway electrification system|Electrification]] of the railway to Upper Ferntree Gully was implemented in November 1925.

Following a [[landslide]] in 1953, the narrow-gauge line was formally closed in April 1954, although services resumed as far as Belgrave for some "farewell specials", and then for the [[Puffing Billy Railway#Puffing Billy Preservation Society|Puffing Billy Preservation Society]] until services ceased again in February 1958.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=12 December 2017 |title=History & Heritage – Puffing Billy |url=https://puffingbilly.com.au/about/history-heritage/ |access-date=27 February 2023 |website=puffingbilly.com.au |language=en-AU |archive-date=27 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627080928/https://puffingbilly.com.au/about/history-heritage/ |url-status=live }}</ref> 

The line was partly duplicated between Bayswater and Lower Ferntree Gully (now Ferntree Gully) in February 1957.<ref name=":2" />

The closing of the narrow-gauge line to Gembrook enabled the first stage of its planned rebuilding to Emerald as part of the [[Railways in Melbourne#Electrification|suburban electrified system]] to proceed. This first stage, as far as Belgrave, of the new, broad-gauge, electrified extension opened in February 1962.<ref name=":2" /> It initially operated on the [[Token (railway signalling)#Staff and Ticket|Staff and Ticket system]] but was converted to automatic signalling in March 1964, with the section from Ferntree Gully to Upper Ferntree Gully being converted the following day. Ringwood to Bayswater was converted to automatic signalling in June 1974, as was Bayswater to Ferntree Gully in July 1977. In December 1982, Ringwood -Bayswater was duplicated.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Belgrave, VIC |url=https://www.aussietowns.com.au/town/belgrave-vic |access-date=27 February 2023 |website=Aussie Towns |language=en-US |archive-date=29 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221029194951/https://www.aussietowns.com.au/town/belgrave-vic |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[Comeng (train)|Comeng]] trains were introduced to the Melbourne railway system in 1981, alongside the opening of the [[City Loop]]. Initially, along with the Belgrave line, they were only allowed to operate on the [[Alamein railway line|Alamein]], [[Pakenham railway line|Dandenong]], [[Glen Waverley railway line|Glen Waverley]] and Lilydale lines due to the trains 3.05-metre width.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=August 1981 |title=Traffic |magazine=Newsrail |publisher=Australian Railway Historical Society |page=185}}</ref> 

=== 21st century ===
{{Main articles|Belgrave railway line#Future}}
[[File:Preserved Victorian Railways Tait train at Belgrave Station on March 8, 2022.jpg|alt=An old train that is red at a station|thumb|A preserved [[Victorian Railways]] [[Tait (train)|Tait train]] at [[Belgrave railway station|Belgrave station]] on 8 March 2022.]]
A 2007 restructure of train ticketing in Melbourne involved the removal of Zone 3, with these stations being re-classified to Zone 2.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moynihan |first=Stephen |date=3 March 2007 |title=No more Zone 3 lifts load on commuters |url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/no-more-zone-3-lifts-load-on-commuters-20070303-ge4cc2.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221229011957/https://www.theage.com.au/national/no-more-zone-3-lifts-load-on-commuters-20070303-ge4cc2.html |archive-date=29 December 2022 |access-date=29 December 2022 |website=The Age}}</ref> This brought the cost of train fares down, improving system accessibility for the public.

In April 2016, plans to potentially run a regular revenue [[Tait (train)|Tait set]] service on the Belgrave line was announced. This came following [[Division of La Trobe|La Trobe MP]] [[Jason Wood (politician)|Jason Wood's]] push for the idea as part of the greater "Puffing Billy master plan". The Tait service would be aimed at tourists visiting [[Puffing Billy Railway|Puffing Billy]]. In November 2016, $1 million was committed to restoring a Tait set currently stored at the [[Newport Workshops]]. The Tait service is expected to originate at Flinders Street station as a direct service to Belgrave bypassing the City Loop.<ref>{{cite news |date=April 2016 |title=Traffic |newspaper=Herald Sun |url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/push-for-return-of-red-rattler-carriages-in-puffing-billy-upgrade/news-story/7bafa814551ca132c87bd46ee490a83c}}</ref>

== Future ==

=== Level Crossing Removals ===
[[File:New Bayswater Railway Station under construction, Melbourne.jpg|alt=A train station in the distance|thumb|The rebuilt [[Bayswater railway station, Melbourne|Bayswater station]] viewed from the removed level crossing.]]
The [[Level Crossing Removal Project]] has announced the removal of seven level crossings between the city and [[Ferntree Gully railway station|Ferntree Gully station]], to be completed in stages from 2016 to 2025. In 2016, two level crossings were removed at [[Mountain Highway]] and Scoresby Road, [[Bayswater, Victoria|Bayswater]],through lowering the rail line under the road.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Victoria’s Big Build |date=13 June 2022 |title=Goodbye Scoresby Road level crossing |url=https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/news/level-crossing-removal-project/goodbye-scoresby-road-level-crossing |access-date=24 February 2023 |website=Victoria’s Big Build |language=en |archive-date=24 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224100153/https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/news/level-crossing-removal-project/goodbye-scoresby-road-level-crossing |url-status=live }}</ref> These two removals also included a rebuilt Bayswater station and upgraded stabling facilities.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Victoria’s Big Build |date=21 June 2022 |title=Mountain Highway, Bayswater |url=https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/projects/level-crossing-removal-project/projects/mountain-highway-bayswater |access-date=24 February 2023 |website=Victoria’s Big Build |language=en |archive-date=24 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224100144/https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/projects/level-crossing-removal-project/projects/mountain-highway-bayswater |url-status=live }}</ref> A further two crossings were removed at Blackburn Road, [[Blackburn, Victoria|Blackburn]], and Heatherdale Road, [[Ringwood, Victoria|Ringwood]] in January 2017.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=The level crossings at Blackburn Road and Heatherdale Road are now gone. {{!}} Premier of Victoria |url=http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/site-4/level-crossings-blackburn-road-and-heatherdale-road-are-now-gone |access-date=24 February 2023 |website=www.premier.vic.gov.au |language=en |archive-date=24 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224094833/https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/site-4/level-crossings-blackburn-road-and-heatherdale-road-are-now-gone |url-status=live }}</ref> Both of these removals also involved lowering the rail line under the road, with a rebuilt [[Heatherdale railway station|Heatherdale station]] built as part of the project.<ref name=":0" /> Union and Mont Albert Roads were also been removed by lowering the rail line in May 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Victoria’s Big Build |date=2 February 2023 |title=Union Road, Surrey Hills |url=https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/projects/level-crossing-removal-project/projects/union-road-surrey-hills |access-date=24 February 2023 |website=Victoria’s Big Build |language=en |archive-date=18 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230218044632/https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/projects/level-crossing-removal-project/projects/union-road-surrey-hills |url-status=live }}</ref> The removals also included closing [[Mont Albert railway station|Mont Albert]] and [[Surrey Hills railway station|Surrey Hills]] stations, with a new station built in-between called "[[Union railway station, Melbourne|Union]]."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Victoria’s Big Build |date=22 June 2022 |title=Final designs for the new Union Station and precinct |url=https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/news/level-crossing-removal-project/final-designs-for-the-new-union-station-and-precinct |access-date=24 February 2023 |website=Victoria’s Big Build |language=en |archive-date=24 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224100143/https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/news/level-crossing-removal-project/final-designs-for-the-new-union-station-and-precinct |url-status=live }}</ref> The final crossing to be removed on the corridor was at Bedford Road in Ringwood by also lowering the rail line, completed in March 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Victoria’s Big Build |first= |date=2024-03-25 |title=Bedford Road level crossing chalks up big milestone |url=https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/news/level-crossing-removal-project/bedford-road-level-crossing-chalks-up-big-milestone |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240326224110/https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/news/level-crossing-removal-project/bedford-road-level-crossing-chalks-up-big-milestone |archive-date=2024-03-26 |access-date=2024-04-15 |website=Victoria’s Big Build |language=en}}</ref> At the conclusion of these removals, only two crossings remain, both in the section between Ferntree Gully and Upper Ferntree Gully.

== Network and operations ==
=== Services ===
Services on the Belgrave line operates from approximately 5:00 am to around 12:00 daily.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Belgrave Line timetable |url=https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/route/ |access-date=16 August 2023 |website=Public Transport Victoria |language=en-GB}}</ref> In general, during peak hours, train frequency is ~7 minutes on the Ringwood corridor (combined with the [[Lilydale railway line|Lilydale line]]) and 15 minutes in the AM peak on the Belgrave Line while during non-peak hours the frequency is reduced to 20–30 minutes throughout the entire route.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=1 March 2021 |title=New timetable train line information – Public Transport Victoria |url=https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/more/the-new-timetable-for-victorias-train-network/new-timetable-train-line-information/?line=cranbourne-and-pakenham |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301102536/https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/more/the-new-timetable-for-victorias-train-network/new-timetable-train-line-information/?line=cranbourne-and-pakenham |archive-date=1 March 2021 |access-date=18 December 2022 |website=}}</ref> During certain periods of the day, services operate as a shuttle to Ringwood due to lower demand. On Friday nights and weekends, services run 24 hours a day, with 60 minute frequencies available outside of normal operating hours.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022 |title=Melbourne Weekend Night Network Train Map |url=https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/assets/PTV-default-site/Maps-and-Timetables-PDFs/Maps/Night-Network-maps/Night-Train-Map-SEPT-2021.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230112114049/https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/assets/PTV-default-site/Maps-and-Timetables-PDFs/Maps/Night-Network-maps/Night-Train-Map-SEPT-2021.pdf |archive-date=12 January 2023 |access-date=18 December 2022}}</ref>

Train services on the Belgrave line are also subjected to maintenance and renewal works, usually on selected Fridays and Saturdays. Shuttle bus services are provided throughout the duration of works for affected commuters.<ref>{{Cite news |date=15 November 2016 |title=Where do train replacement buses come from? |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-11-15/where-do-train-replacement-buses-come-from/8018532 |url-status=live |access-date=18 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221214224815/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-11-15/where-do-train-replacement-buses-come-from/8018532 |archive-date=14 December 2022}}</ref>

==== Stopping patterns ====
'''Legend — Station status'''
* ◼ [[Premium station|Premium Station]] – Station staffed from first to last train
* ◻ [[Host station|Host Station]] – Usually staffed during morning peak, however this can vary for different stations on the network.

'''Legend — Stopping patterns'''<br>Some services do not operate via the City Loop
* ● – All trains stop
* ◐ – Some services do not stop
* ▼ – Only outbound trains stop
* | – Trains pass and do not stop

{{Table alignment}}
{| class="wikitable defaultcenter col1left"
! colspan="8" style="background:#{{rcr|Melbourne|Belgrave}};" |<span style="color:white;">Belgrave Services<ref>{{cite web |last1=Public Transport Victoria |title=Belgrave Line |url=https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/route/timetable/2/belgrave/ |website=Public Transport Victoria |access-date=24 February 2023}}</ref></span>
|+
!Station
!Zone
!Local
!Ltd Express
!Blackburn
!Ringwood
!Upper<br>Ferntree<br>Gully
!Shuttle
|-
|◼ {{rwsa|Flinders Street}} || rowspan="13" | 1 || ● || ● || ● || ● || ● || rowspan="22" | 
|-
|◼ {{rwsa|Southern Cross}} || ◐ || ◐ || ◐ || ◐ || ● 
|-
|◼ {{rwsa|Flagstaff}} || ◐ || ◐ || ◐ || ◐ || ● 
|-
|◼ {{rwsa|Melbourne Central}} || ◐ || ◐ || ◐ || ◐ || ● 
|-
|◼ {{rwsa|Parliament}} || ◐ || ◐ || ◐ || ◐ || ● 
|-
|◼ {{rwsa|Richmond|m}} || ● || ● || ● || ● || ● 
|-
|{{htxt|◻}} {{rwsa|East Richmond|m}} || ◐ || {{Pipe}} || ◐ || ◐ || {{Pipe}} 
|-
|◼ {{rwsa|Burnley}} || ● || {{Pipe}} || ◐ || ◐ || {{Pipe}} 
|-
|{{htxt|◻}} {{rwsa|Hawthorn|m}} || ● || {{Pipe}} || ◐ || ◐ || {{Pipe}} 
|-
|◼ {{rwsa|Glenferrie}} || ● || ◐ || ● || ● || ▼ 
|-
|◻ {{rwsa|Auburn|m}} || ● || {{Pipe}} || ◐ || ◐ || {{Pipe}} 
|-
|◼ {{rwsa|Camberwell|m}} || ● || ◐ || ● || ● || ▼ 
|-
|{{htxt|◻}} {{rwsa|East Camberwell}} || ● || ◐ || ● || ● || {{Pipe}} 
|-
|{{htxt|◻}} {{rwsa|Canterbury|m}} || rowspan="3" | 1/2 || ● || ◐ || ● || ● || {{Pipe}} 
|-
|{{htxt|◻}} {{rwsa|Chatham|m}} || ● || ◐ || ● || ● || {{Pipe}} 
|-
|◼ {{rwsa|Union|m}} || ● || ◐ || ● || ● || {{Pipe}} 
|-
|◼ {{rwsa|Box Hill|m}} || rowspan="15" | 2 || ● || ● || ● || ● || ● 
|-
|{{htxt|◻}} {{rwsa|Laburnum}} || ● || ◐ || ◐ || ◐ || ▼ 
|-
|◼ {{rwsa|Blackburn|m}} || ● || ● || ● || ● || ● 
|-
|◼ {{rwsa|Nunawading}} || ● || ◐ || rowspan="12" |  || ● || ● 
|-
|◼ {{rwsa|Mitcham|m}} || ● || ● || ● || ● 
|-
|◻ {{rwsa|Heatherdale}} || ● || ◐ || ● || ● 
|-
|◼ {{rwsa|Ringwood|m}} || ● || ● || ● || ● || ● 
|-
|{{htxt|◻}} {{rwsa|Heathmont}} || ● || ◐ || rowspan="8" |  || ● || ● 
|-
|◼ {{rwsa|Bayswater|m}} || ● || ● || ● || ● 
|-
|◼ {{rwsa|Boronia}} || ● || ● || ● || ● 
|-
|◼ {{rwsa|Ferntree Gully}} || ● || ◐ || ● || ● 
|-
|◼ {{rwsa|Upper Ferntree Gully}} || ● || ● || ● || ● 
|-
|{{htxt|◻}} {{rwsa|Upwey|m}} || ● || ◐ || rowspan="3" |  || ● 
|-
|{{htxt|◻}} {{rwsa|Tecoma}} || ● || ◐ || ● 
|-
|◼ {{rwsa|Belgrave}} || ● || ● || ● 
|}

=== Operators ===
The Belgrave line has had a total of 6 operators since its opening in 1889. The majority of operations throughout its history have been government run: from its first service in 1889 until the 1999 privatisation of Melbourne's rail network, four different government operators have run the line.<ref>"Melbourne's Rail Network to be Split" ''[[Railway Digest]]'' November 1997 page 12</ref> These operators, [[Victorian Railways]], the [[Metropolitan Transit Authority (Victoria)|Metropolitan Transit Authority]], the [[Public Transport Corporation]], and Hillside Trains have a combined operational length of 110 years. Hillside Trains was privatised in August 1999 and later rebranded [[Connex Melbourne]]. [[Metro Trains Melbourne]], the current private operator, then took over the operations in 2009. Both private operators have had a combined operational period of {{Age|1999|08|28}} years.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cooper |first=Mex |date=25 June 2009 |title=New train, tram operators for Melbourne |url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/new-train-tram-operators-for-melbourne-20090625-cxgx.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230101122206/https://www.theage.com.au/national/new-train-tram-operators-for-melbourne-20090625-cxgx.html |archive-date=1 January 2023 |access-date=1 January 2023 |website=The Age}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|+Past and present operators of the Belgrave line:
!Operator
!Assumed operations
!Ceased operations
!Length of operations
|-
|[[Victorian Railways]]
|1889
|1983
|94 years
|-
|[[Metropolitan Transit Authority (Victoria)|Metropolitan Transit Authority]]
|1983
|1989
|6 years
|-
|[[Public Transport Corporation]]
|1989
|1998
|9 years
|-
|[[Hillside Trains]] (government operator)
|1998
|1999
|1 years
|-
|[[Connex Melbourne]]
|1999
|2009
|10 years
|-
|[[Metro Trains Melbourne]]
|2009
|''incumbent''
|{{Age|2009|11|30}} years (ongoing)
|}

=== Route ===
{{Belgrave Line|float=right|collapse=yes}}{{maplink
|frame=yes
|frame-lat=-37.8675
|frame-long=145.1675
|frame-width=800
|frame-height=300
|frame-align=right
|text=Interactive map of the Belgrave line in eastern Melbourne (click to view)
|zoom=11

|type=line
|id=Q52468593
|stroke-colour=#{{rcr|Melbourne|Belgrave}}
|stroke-width=5
|title=Belgrave line

}}{{Infobox rail line
| name                            = Belgrave (physical track)
| other_name                      = 
| color                           = 
| logo                            = 
| logo_width                      = 
| logo_alt                        = 
| image                           = 
| image_width                     = 
| image_alt                       = 
| caption                         = 
| type                            = 
| system                          = 
| status                          = Operational with passenger services from Flinders Street to Belgrave
| locale                          = [[Melbourne]], [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]], [[Australia]]
| start                           = {{rwsa|Flinders Street}}
| end                             = {{rwsa|Belgrave}}
| continuesfrom                   = 
| continuesas                     = [[Puffing Billy Railway|Gembrook]] ([[2 ft 6 in gauge railways|narrow gauge]])
| connectinglines                 = {{Plainlist|
* All metropolitan, regional, and interstate
* [[Puffing Billy Railway|Gembrook]]
}}
| formerconnections               = {{Plainlist|
* [[Kew railway line|Kew]]
* [[Outer Circle railway line|Outer Circle]]
}}
| stations                        = {{ubl|31 current stations|5 former stations}}
| routes                          = Belgrave
| daily_ridership                 = 
| ridership2                      = 
| planopen                        = <!--{{Start date|YYYY|MM|DD|df=y}}-->
| open                            = {{Plainlist|
* Princes Bridge to Richmond on {{Start date|1859|2|8|df=y}}
* To Pic-nic on {{Start date|1860|9|24|df=y}}
* To Hawthorn on {{Start date|1861|4|13|df=y}}
* Flinders Street to Princes Bridge on {{Start date|1865|12|18|df=y}}
* Hawthorn to Camberwell on {{Start date|1882|4|3|df=y}}
* To Ringwood on {{Start date|1882|12|1|df=y}}
* To Upper Ferntree Gully on {{Start date|1889|12|4|df=y}}
* To Belgrave as [[2 ft 6 in gauge railways|narrow gauge]] on {{Start date|1900|12|18|df=y}}
}}
| yearcommenced                   = {{Start date|1889|12|4|df=y}}
| yearcompleted                   = {{Start date|1962|2|18|df=y}}
| close                           = Upper Ferntree Gully to Belgrave as [[2 ft 6 in gauge railways|narrow gauge]] on {{End date|1954|4|30|df=y}}
| event1label                     = Reopen
| event1                          = Upper Ferntree Gully to Belgrave as [[5 ft 3 in gauge railways|broad gauge]] on {{Start date|1962|2|18|df=y}}
| event2label                     = Electrified
| event2                          = {{Plainlist|
* Flinders Street to Box Hill on {{Start date|1922|12|19|df=y}}
* To Ringwood on {{Start date|1923|1|30|df=y}}
* To Upper Ferntree Gully on {{Start date|1925|10|12|df=y}}
* To Belgrave on {{Start date|1962|2|18|df=y}}
}}
<!-- Farewell tours: Upper Ferntree Gully to Belgrave on {{Start date|1954|12|11|df=y}}–{{End date|1958|2|23|df=y}} -->| event3label                     = 
| event3                          = 
| owner                           = {{Plainlist|
* [[Victorian Railways|Victorian Railways (VR)]] (1890–1974)
* VR as VicRail (1974–1983)
* [[Metropolitan Transit Authority (Victoria)|MTA (The Met)]] (1983–1989)
* [[Public Transport Corporation|PTC (The Met)]] (1989–1997)
* [[VicTrack]] (1997–Current)
}}
| operator                        = 
| character                       = 
| depot                           = 
| stock                           = 
| linelength                      = {{convert|41.8|km|mi|2|abbr=on}}
| tracklength                     = 
| tracks                          = {{Plainlist|
* Twelve tracks: Flinders Street to Richmond
* Four tracks: Richmond to Burnley
* Triple track: Burnley to Box Hill
* [[Double-track railway|Double track]]: Box Hill to Ferntree Gully
* [[Single-track railway|Single track]]: Ferntree Gully to Belgrave (passing loops at Upper Ferntree Gully and Upwey)
}}
| gauge                           = {{Track gauge|1600 mm}}
| old_gauge                       = Upper Ferntree Gully to Belgrave: {{Track gauge|2ft6in}}
| load_gauge                      = 
| minradius                       = 
| maxincline                      = {{Incline|30}}
| electrification                 = 1500 [[Volt|V]] [[Direct current|DC]] [[Overhead line|overhead]]
| speed                           = {{Convert|80|km/h|abbr=on}} – Electric{{!}}
| signalling                      = [[Automatic block signaling]]
| elevation                       = 
| website                         = 
| map                             = 
| map_state                       = collapsed
| embedded                        = 
}}

The Belgrave line forms a mostly curved route from the [[Melbourne central business district]] to its terminus in Belgrave. The route is {{convert|41.8|km}} long and predominantly double-tracked, however, between Flinders Street station and Richmond, the track is widened to 12 tracks, narrowing to 4 tracks between Richmond and Burnley before narrowing to 3 tracks between Burnley and Box Hill. Finally, the line narrows to two tracks between Box Hill and [[Ferntree Gully railway station|Ferntree Gully]] before narrowing to a single track to its terminus.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carey |first=Adam |date=4 June 2015 |title=Multimillion-dollar Richmond railway station revamp in limbo |url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/multimilliondollar-richmond-railway-station-revamp-in-limbo-20150604-ghgyos.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221212123654/https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/multimilliondollar-richmond-railway-station-revamp-in-limbo-20150604-ghgyos.html |archive-date=12 December 2022 |access-date=12 December 2022 |website=The Age}}</ref> After Ferntree Gully, [[passing loop]]s and [[island platform]]s are present at [[Upper Ferntree Gully railway station|Upper Ferntree Gully]], [[Upwey railway station, Melbourne|Upwey]], and Belgrave. After departing from its terminus at Flinders Street, the Belgrave line traverses both flat and hilly country, with some curves (more towards the end of the line) and fairly significant [[Earthworks (engineering)|earthworks]] for parts of the line. Sections of the line have been elevated or lowered into a [[Cutting (transportation)|cutting]] to [[Level Crossing Removal Project|eliminate level crossings]].<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |last=Wong |first=Marcus |date=10 May 2021 |title=Level crossing removals in 1920s Melbourne |url=https://wongm.com/2021/05/melbourne-1920s-level-crossing-removals/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221212120708/https://wongm.com/2021/05/melbourne-1920s-level-crossing-removals/ |archive-date=12 December 2022 |access-date=12 December 2022 |website=Waking up in Geelong}}</ref> Despite some removals, there are a small number of level crossings still present, with no current plans to remove them.

The line follows the same alignment as the Alamein, Glen Waverley, and Lilydale lines, with the four services splitting onto different routes at Burnley. The Alamein, Belgrave, and Lilydale services continue till the Alamein line splits off at Camberwell, with the two services continuing together till Ringwood. After departing [[Ringwood railway station, Melbourne|Ringwood station]], the Belgrave line heads south, with the Lilydale line heading in an eastern direction.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |last=Wray |first=Tyson |title=Melbourne's train lines definitively ranked from best to worst |url=https://www.timeout.com/melbourne/blog/melbournes-train-lines-definitively-ranked-from-best-to-worst-011917 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221212120710/https://www.timeout.com/melbourne/blog/melbournes-train-lines-definitively-ranked-from-best-to-worst-011917 |archive-date=12 December 2022 |access-date=12 December 2022 |website=Time Out Melbourne}}</ref> Almost all of the rail line goes through [[Urban agglomeration|built-up]] suburbs, however, the rail line becomes [[Peri-urbanisation|peri-urban]] towards its terminus in Belgrave.<ref name=":8" />

=== Stations ===
The line serves 31 stations across the 49-kilometre (30-mile)-long track. The stations are a mix of elevated, lowered, underground, and ground level designs. Underground stations are present in the City Loop and Box Hill, with the majority of elevated and lowered stations being constructed as part of level crossing removals.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Lee |first=Robert S. |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/224727085 |title=The railways of Victoria 1854–2004 |date=2007 |publisher=Melbourne University Publishing |others=Rosemary Annable, Donald S. Garden |isbn=978-0-522-85134-2 |location=Carlton, Vic. |oclc=224727085 |access-date=29 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508063019/http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/224727085 |archive-date=8 May 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Major Construction Begins On First Level Crossing Removal {{!}} Premier of Victoria |url=http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/major-construction-begins-first-level-crossing-removal |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230106120403/https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/major-construction-begins-first-level-crossing-removal |archive-date=6 January 2023 |access-date=17 February 2023 |website=www.premier.vic.gov.au |language=en}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
!Station
!Accessibility
!Opened
!Terrain
!Train connections
!Other connections
|-
|[[Flinders Street railway station|Flinders Street]]
| rowspan="5" |Yes—step free access
|1854<ref name=":112">{{Cite web |title=What year did your railway station open? {{!}} Public Transport Users Association (Victoria, Australia) |url=https://www.ptua.org.au/2018/08/03/railway-stations-years-opened/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209095505/https://www.ptua.org.au/2018/08/03/railway-stations-years-opened/ |archive-date=9 December 2022 |access-date=9 December 2022}}</ref>
|Lowered
|{{Collapsible list
| title = 16 connections|
* {{RouteBox|Alamein line|Alamein railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Alamein}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Craigieburn line|Craigieburn railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Craigieburn}}|black}}
* {{RouteBox|Cranbourne line|Cranbourne railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Cranbourne}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Flemington Racecourse line|Flemington Racecourse railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Flemington Racecourse}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Frankston line|Frankston railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Frankston}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Gippsland line|Gippsland V/Line rail service|#{{rcr|V/Line|Gippsland}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Glen Waverley line|Glen Waverley railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Glen Waverley}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Hurstbridge line|Hurstbridge railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Hurstbridge}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Lilydale line|Lilydale railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Lilydale}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Mernda line|Mernda railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Mernda}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Pakenham line|Pakenham railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Pakenham}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Sandringham line|Sandringham railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Sandringham}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Sunbury line|Sunbury railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Sunbury}}|black}}
* {{RouteBox|Upfield line|Upfield railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Upfield}}|black}}
* {{RouteBox|Werribee line|Werribee railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Werribee}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Williamstown line|Williamstown railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Williamstown}}|white}}
}}
|{{Symbol|Melbourne tram logo.svg|30|Trams|link=no}} {{Symbol|Victoria bus logo.svg|30|Buses|link=no}}
|-
|[[Southern Cross railway station|Southern Cross]]
|1859<ref name=":112" />
|Ground level
|{{Collapsible list
| title = 27 connections|
* {{RouteBox|Alamein line|Alamein railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Alamein}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Albury line|Albury V/Line rail service|#{{rcr|V/Line|Albury}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Ararat line|Ballarat V/Line rail service|#{{rcr|V/Line|Ararat}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Ballarat line|Ballarat V/Line rail service|#{{rcr|V/Line|Ballarat}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Bendigo line|Bendigo V/Line rail service|#{{rcr|V/Line|Bendigo}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Craigieburn line|Craigieburn railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Craigieburn}}|black}}
* {{RouteBox|Cranbourne line|Cranbourne railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Cranbourne}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Echuca line|Deniliquin railway line|#{{rcr|V/Line|Echuca}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Flemington Racecourse line|Flemington Racecourse railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Flemington Racecourse}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Geelong line|Geelong V/Line rail service|#{{rcr|V/Line|Geelong}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Gippsland line|Gippsland V/Line rail service|#{{rcr|V/Line|Gippsland}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Glen Waverley line|Glen Waverley railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Glen Waverley}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Hurstbridge line|Hurstbridge railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Hurstbridge}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Lilydale line|Lilydale railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Lilydale}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Maryborough line|Ballarat V/Line rail service|#{{rcr|V/Line|Maryborough}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Mernda line|Mernda railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Mernda}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|NSW TrainLink Southern|Main Southern railway line|#{{rcr|NSW TrainLink|Southern}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Pakenham line|Pakenham railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Pakenham}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Seymour line|Seymour V/Line rail service|#{{rcr|V/Line|Seymour}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Shepparton line|Tocumwal railway line, Victoria#Shepparton services|#{{rcr|V/Line|Shepparton}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Sunbury line|Sunbury railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Sunbury}}|black}}
* {{RouteBox|Swan Hill line|Bendigo V/Line rail service|#{{rcr|V/Line|Swan Hill}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|The Overland|The Overland|#{{rcr|Journey Beyond|The Overland}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Upfield line|Upfield railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Upfield}}|black}}
* {{RouteBox|Warrnambool line|Warrnambool V/Line rail service|#{{rcr|V/Line|Warrnambool}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Werribee line|Werribee railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Werribee}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Williamstown line|Williamstown railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Williamstown}}|white}}
}}
|{{Symbol|Melbourne tram logo.svg|30|Trams|link=no}} {{Symbol|Victoria bus logo.svg|30|Buses|link=no}} {{Symbol|Victoria coach logo.svg|30|Coaches|link=no}} {{Symbol|Melbourne skybus logo.svg|30|SkyBus|link=no}} 
|-
|[[Flagstaff railway station|Flagstaff]]
|1985<ref name=":112" />
| rowspan="3" |Underground
| rowspan="3" |{{Collapsible list
| title = 10 connections|
* {{RouteBox|Alamein line|Alamein railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Alamein}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Craigieburn line|Craigieburn railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Craigieburn}}|black}}
* {{RouteBox|Cranbourne line|Cranbourne railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Cranbourne}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Glen Waverley line|Glen Waverley railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Glen Waverley}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Hurstbridge line|Hurstbridge railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Hurstbridge}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Lilydale line|Lilydale railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Lilydale}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Mernda line|Mernda railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Mernda}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Pakenham line|Pakenham railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Pakenham}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Sunbury line|Sunbury railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Sunbury}}|black}}
* {{RouteBox|Upfield line|Upfield railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Upfield}}|black}}
}}
|{{Symbol|Melbourne tram logo.svg|30|Trams|link=no}}
|-
|[[Melbourne Central railway station|Melbourne Central]]
|1981<ref name=":112" />
|{{Symbol|Melbourne tram logo.svg|30|Trams|link=no}} {{Symbol|Victoria bus logo.svg|30|Buses|link=no}}
|-
|[[Parliament railway station|Parliament]]
|1983<ref name=":112" />
|{{Symbol|Melbourne tram logo.svg|30|Trams|link=no}}
|-
|[[Richmond railway station, Melbourne|Richmond]]
|No—steep ramp
|1859<ref name=":1122">{{Cite web |title=What year did your railway station open? {{!}} Public Transport Users Association (Victoria, Australia) |url=https://www.ptua.org.au/2018/08/03/railway-stations-years-opened/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209095505/https://www.ptua.org.au/2018/08/03/railway-stations-years-opened/ |archive-date=9 December 2022 |access-date=9 December 2022}}</ref>
|Elevated
|{{Collapsible list
| title = 8 connections|
* {{RouteBox|Alamein line|Alamein railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Alamein}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Cranbourne line|Cranbourne railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Cranbourne}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Frankston line|Frankston railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Frankston}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Gippsland line|Gippsland V/Line rail service|#{{rcr|V/Line|Gippsland}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Glen Waverley line|Glen Waverley railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Glen Waverley}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Lilydale line|Lilydale railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Lilydale}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Pakenham line|Pakenham railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Pakenham}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Sandringham line|Sandringham railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Sandringham}}|white}}
}}
|{{Symbol|Melbourne tram logo.svg|30|Trams|link=no}} {{Symbol|Victoria bus logo.svg|30|Buses|link=no}}
|-
|[[East Richmond railway station, Melbourne|East Richmond]]
|Yes—step free access
|1860<ref name=":1122" />
| rowspan="2" |Ground level
| rowspan="2" |{{Collapsible list
| title = 3 connections|
* {{RouteBox|Alamein line|Alamein railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Alamein}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Glen Waverley line|Glen Waverley railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Belgrave}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Lilydale line|Lilydale railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Lilydale}}|white}}
}}
| rowspan="2" |{{Symbol|Melbourne tram logo.svg|30|Trams|link=no}}
|-
|[[Burnley railway station|Burnley]]
| rowspan="8" |No—steep ramp
|1880<ref name=":1122" />
|-
|[[Hawthorn railway station, Melbourne|Hawthorn]]
|1881<ref name=":1122" />
|Lowered
| rowspan="4" |{{Collapsible list
| title = 2 connections|
* {{RouteBox|Alamein line|Alamein railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Alamein}}|white}}
* {{RouteBox|Lilydale line|Lilydale railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Lilydale}}|white}}
}}
|{{Symbol|Melbourne tram logo.svg|30|Trams|link=no}} {{Symbol|Victoria bus logo.svg|30|Buses|link=no}}
|-
|[[Glenferrie railway station|Glenferrie]]
| rowspan="3" |1882<ref name=":1122" />
|Elevated
|{{Symbol|Melbourne tram logo.svg|30|Trams|link=no}}
|-
|[[Auburn railway station, Melbourne|Auburn]]
|Ground level
|{{Symbol|Victoria bus logo.svg|30|Buses|link=no}}
|-
|[[Camberwell railway station, Melbourne|Camberwell]]
|Lowered
|{{Symbol|Melbourne tram logo.svg|30|Trams|link=no}} {{Symbol|Victoria bus logo.svg|30|Buses|link=no}}
|-
|[[East Camberwell railway station|East Camberwell]]
|1900<ref name=":1122" />
|Ground level
| rowspan="11" |{{Collapsible list
| title = 1 connection|
* {{RouteBox|Lilydale line|Lilydale railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Lilydale}}|white}}
}}
|
|-
|[[Canterbury railway station, Melbourne|Canterbury]]
|1882<ref name=":1122" />
|Elevated
|{{Symbol|Victoria bus logo.svg|30|Buses|link=no}}
|-
|[[Chatham railway station, Melbourne|Chatham]]
|1927<ref name=":1122" />
|Ground level
|
|-
|[[Union railway station, Melbourne|Union]]
| rowspan="12" |Yes—step free access
|2023<ref name=":1122" />
|Lowered
|{{Symbol|Victoria bus logo.svg|30|Buses|link=no}}
|-
|[[Box Hill railway station, Melbourne|Box Hill]]
|1882<ref name=":1122" />
|Underground
|{{Symbol|Melbourne tram logo.svg|30|Trams|link=no}} {{Symbol|Victoria bus logo.svg|30|Buses|link=no}} {{Symbol|Victoria coach logo.svg|30|Coaches|link=no}}
|-
|[[Laburnum railway station|Laburnum]]
|1958<ref name=":1122" />
|Elevated
| rowspan="2" |{{Symbol|Victoria bus logo.svg|30|Buses|link=no}}
|-
|[[Blackburn railway station, Melbourne|Blackburn]]
|1882<ref name=":1122" />
|Ground level
|-
|[[Nunawading railway station|Nunawading]]
|1888<ref name=":1122" />
| rowspan="3" |Lowered
|{{Symbol|Victoria bus logo.svg|30|Buses|link=no}} {{Symbol|Victoria coach logo.svg|30|Coaches|link=no}}
|-
|[[Mitcham railway station, Melbourne|Mitcham]]
|1882<ref name=":1122" />
| rowspan="2" |{{Symbol|Victoria bus logo.svg|30|Buses|link=no}}
|-
|[[Heatherdale railway station|Heatherdale]]
|1958<ref name=":1122" />
|-
|[[Ringwood railway station, Melbourne|Ringwood]]
|1882<ref name=":1122" />
| rowspan="2" |Ground level
|{{Symbol|Victoria bus logo.svg|30|Buses|link=no}} {{Symbol|Victoria coach logo.svg|30|Coaches|link=no}}
|-
|[[Heathmont railway station|Heathmont]]
|1926<ref name=":1122" />
| rowspan="8" |
| rowspan="8" |{{Symbol|Victoria bus logo.svg|30|Buses|link=no}}
|-
|[[Bayswater railway station, Melbourne|Bayswater]]
|1889<ref name=":1122" />
| rowspan="2" |Lowered
|-
|[[Boronia railway station|Boronia]]
|1920<ref name=":1122" />
|-
|[[Ferntree Gully railway station|Ferntree Gully]]
| rowspan="2" |1889<ref name=":1122" />
| rowspan="5" |Ground level
|-
|[[Upper Ferntree Gully railway station|Upper Ferntree Gully]]
| rowspan="4" |No—steep ramp
|-
|[[Upwey railway station, Melbourne|Upwey]]
|1901<ref name=":1122" />
|-
|[[Tecoma railway station|Tecoma]]
|1924<ref name=":1122" />
|-
|[[Belgrave railway station|Belgrave]]
|1900<ref name=":1122" />
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable 
|+ class="nowrap" | Station histories
!Station
!Opened<ref name="Anderson">{{Anderson-All Stations}}</ref>
!Closed<ref name="Anderson"/>
!Age
! scope=col class=unsortable | Notes<ref name="Anderson" />
|-
| {{rwsa|Parliament}} || {{TAC2|22 January 1983}} || 
|-
| {{rwsa|Melbourne Central}} || {{TAC2|26 January 1981}} || 
* Formerly Museum
|-
| {{rwsa|Flagstaff}} || {{TAC2|27 May 1985}} || 
|-
| {{rwsa|Southern Cross}} || {{TAC2|17 January 1859}} || 
* Formerly Batman's Hill
* Formerly Spencer Street
|-
| {{rwsa|Flinders Street}} || {{TAC2|12 September 1854}} || 
* Formerly Melbourne Terminus
|-
| rowspan="2" | {{rwsa|Princes Bridge}} || {{TAC2|8 February 1859|||1 October 1866}} || rowspan="2" |  
|-
| {{TAC2|2 April 1879|||30 June 1980}}
|-
| {{rwsa|Botanic Gardens|m}} || {{TAC2|2 March 1859|||April 1862||c}} || 
|-
| Punt Road || {{TAC2|8 February 1859|||12 December 1859}} || 
* Replaced by Swan Street (200m further along line)
|-
| {{rwsa|Richmond|m}} || {{TAC2|12 December 1859}} || 
* Formerly Swan Street
|-
| {{rwsa|East Richmond|m}} || {{TAC2|24 September 1860}} || 
* Formerly Church Street
|-
| {{rwsa|Burnley}} || {{TAC2|1 May 1880}} || 
* Formerly Burnley Street
|-
| {{rwsa|Pic Nic}} || {{TAC2|24 September 1860|||6 October 1895}} || 
|-
| {{rwsa|Hawthorn|m}} || {{TAC2|13 April 1861}}
|-
| {{rwsa|Glenferrie}} || {{TAC2|3 April 1882}} || 
* Formerly Glenferrie Road
|-
| {{rwsa|Auburn|m}} || {{TAC2|3 April 1882}} || 
* Formerly Auburn Road
|-
| {{rwsa|Camberwell|m}} || {{TAC2|3 April 1882}} || 
|-
| {{rwsa|East Camberwell}} || {{TAC2|14 May 1900}} || 
|-
| {{rwsa|Canterbury|m}} || {{TAC2|1 December 1882}} || 
|-
| {{rwsa|Chatham|m}} || {{TAC2|1 April 1927}} || 
|-
| {{rwsa|Surrey Hills}} || {{TAC2|13 August 1883|||17 February 2023}} || 
|-
| {{rwsa|Union|m}} || {{TAC2|22 May 2023}} || 
|-
| {{rwsa|Mont Albert}} || {{TAC2|11 August 1890|||17 February 2023}} || 
|-
| {{rwsa|Box Hill|m}} || {{TAC2|1 December 1882}} || 
|-
| {{rwsa|Laburnum}} || {{TAC2|13 July 1958}} || 
|-
| {{rwsa|Blackburn|m}} || {{TAC2|25 December 1882}} || 
|-
| {{rwsa|Nunawading}} || {{TAC2|4 June 1888}} || 
* Formerly Turnstall
|-
| {{rwsa|Mitcham|m}} || {{TAC2|25 December 1882}} || 
|-
| {{rwsa|Heatherdale}} || {{TAC2|7 September 1958}} || 
|-
| {{rwsa|Ringwood|m}} || {{TAC2|1 December 1882}} || 
|-
| {{rwsa|Heathmont}} || {{TAC2|1 May 1926}} || 
|-
| {{rwsa|Bayswater|m}} || {{TAC2|4 December 1889}} || 
|-
| {{rwsa|Boronia}} || {{TAC2|16 June 1920}} || 
|-
| {{rwsa|Ferntree Gully}} || {{TAC2|4 December 1889}} || 
* Formerly Lower Ferntree Gully
* Also spelt Lower Fern Tree Gully / Fern Tree Gully
|-
| rowspan="2" | {{rwsa|Upper Ferntree Gully}} || {{TAC2|4 December 1889}} || 
* Also spelt Upper Fern Tree Gully
|-
| {{TAC2|18 December 1900|||30 April 1954}} || 
* As narrow gauge interchange
|-
| rowspan="2" | {{rwsa|Upwey|m}} || {{TAC2|3 June 1901|||30 April 1954}} || 
* As narrow gauge
|-
| {{TAC2|19 February 1962}} || 
* As broad gauge
|-
| rowspan="2" | {{rwsa|Tecoma}} || {{TAC2|1 February 1924|||30 April  1954}} || 
* As narrow gauge
|-
| {{TAC2|19 February 1962}} || 
* As broad gauge
|-
| rowspan="2" | {{rwsa|Belgrave}} || {{TAC2|18 December 1900|||30 April 1954}} || 
* As narrow gauge
* Formerly Monbulk
|-
| {{TAC2|19 February 1962}} || 
* As broad gauge
|}

== Infrastructure ==
=== Rolling stock ===
[[File:Metro Trains Melbourne Xtrapolis at Mitcham.jpg|thumb|A [[Metro Trains Melbourne]] [[X'Trapolis 100]] train arriving at [[Mitcham railway station, Melbourne|Mitcham station]]]]
The Belgrave line uses [[X'Trapolis 100]] [[electric multiple unit]] (EMU) trains operating in a two three-car configuration, with three doors per side on each carriage, and can accommodate up to 432 seated passengers in each six car configuration.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=1 March 2014 |title=Partnership agreements. Train Franchise Agreement |url=http://ptv.vic.gov.au/assets/PTV/PTV%20docs/Partnership-agreements/Train-Franchise-Agreement-Vol-2-of-2.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301010405/http://ptv.vic.gov.au/assets/PTV/PTV%20docs/Partnership-agreements/Train-Franchise-Agreement-Vol-2-of-2.pdf |archive-date=1 March 2014 |access-date=17 February 2023 |website=Public Transport Victoria}}</ref> The trains were originally built between 2002 and 2004 as well as between 2009 and 2020, with a total of 212 three-car sets constructed. The trains are shared with 7 other metropolitan train lines and have been in service since 2003.<ref name=":1" />

Alongside the passenger trains, Belgrave line tracks and equipment are maintained by a fleet of engineering trains. The four types of engineering trains are: the shunting train, designed for moving trains along non-electrified corridors and for transporting other maintenance locomotives; for track evaluation; designed for evaluating track and its condition, the overhead inspection train; designed for overhead wiring inspection, and the infrastructure evaluation carriage, designed for general infrastructure evaluation.<ref name=":17">{{Cite web |date=1 February 2011 |title=NETWORK SERVICE PLAN {{!}} Addenda |url=https://www.vline.com.au/pdf/networkaccess/networkserviceplan/addenda.pdf/addenda |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110307165249/https://www.vline.com.au/pdf/networkaccess/networkserviceplan/addenda.pdf/addenda |archive-date=7 March 2011}}</ref> Most of these trains are repurposed locomotives previously used by [[V/Line]], Metro Trains, and the [[Southern Shorthaul Railroad]].<ref name=":17" />

===== All passenger rolling stock =====
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"
|+
!Picture
!Name
!Operational Years on line
!Reason of Retirement
!Notes
|-
|[[File:Melbourne Tait Train (20230923) (53321133315).jpg|thumb]]
|Tait/Red Rattler
|1923 - 1984
|Unfit for City Loop and 
growing in age. Comeng
was the final nail in the coffin.
|1923 - 1964 only to Upper Ferntree Gully
|-
|[[File:Harris 795M Newport Railway Museum 25-09-2022.jpg|thumb|At Newport Railway Museum]]
|Harris
|1956 - 1988
|Blue/White Asbestos found in roofs, buried in Clayton mine
|1956 - 1964 only to Upper Ferntree Gully
|-
|[[File:Refurbished-Hitachi-train-42m.jpg|thumb]]
|Hitachi/Martin and King
|1972 - 2013
|Lacking modern electrical equipment and cheaper to retire them
|For the VR, The Met, Connex and Metro
|-
|[[File:Metro Trains Comeng at McKinnon.jpg|thumb|Unrefurbished Comeng, most common]]
|Comeng
|1981 - 2017 (approx 10 beyond 2017)
|For use on other lines, as they were permitted on all lines, unlike X'Trapolis
|For Connex and Metro. Only 1 life-extended set ever ran to Belgrave.
|-
|[[File:Metro X'trapolis at Box Hill.jpg|thumb|At Box Hill, possibly from Belgrave.]]
|X'Trapolis EMU
|2002 - Present
|N/A
|For Connex and Metro
|}

=== Accessibility ===
[[File:Union station 28 May (8).jpg|thumb|The rebuilt [[Union railway station, Melbourne|Union station]] features elevators alongside stairs]]
All stations that are new or rebuilt are fully accessible.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Accessibility – Public Transport Ombudsman Victoria |url=https://www.ptovic.com.au/improving-pt/accessibility |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103084345/https://www.ptovic.com.au/improving-pt/accessibility |archive-date=3 January 2023 |access-date=3 January 2023 |website=www.ptovic.com.au}}</ref> Projects improving station accessibility have included the Level Crossing Removal Project, which involves station rebuilds and upgrades, and individual station upgrade projects.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 June 2022 |title=Left behind: the fight for accessible public transport in Victoria |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/jun/13/left-behind-the-fight-for-accessible-public-transport-in-victoria |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103084335/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/jun/13/left-behind-the-fight-for-accessible-public-transport-in-victoria |archive-date=3 January 2023 |access-date=3 January 2023 |website=the Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Victoria’s Big Build |date=17 October 2022 |title=Urban design framework |url=https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/projects/level-crossing-removal-project/about/urban-design-framework |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103084334/https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/projects/level-crossing-removal-project/about/urban-design-framework |archive-date=3 January 2023 |access-date=3 January 2023 |website=Victoria’s Big Build}}</ref> These works have made significant strides in improving network accessibility, with more than 58% of Belgrave line stations classified as fully accessible.

=== Signalling ===
The Belgrave line uses three-position signalling with automatic block signalling (ABS) and automatic and track control (ATC) safeworking systems.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 2010 |title=Rail Safety Investigation Report No 2010/05 |url=https://dtp.vic.gov.au/-/media/tfv-documents/chief-investigator/2010-03-21-sideswipe-collision-train-ringwood-station.pdf?la=en&hash=23E3709017674A98BA8B06C3286F3D7D |website=Department of Transport}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=21 April 2016 |title=Signals Passed at Danger by passenger train TD3050 at Upwey and Upper Ferntree Gully, Vic on 12 April 2015 |url=https://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2015/rair/ro-2015-008 |website=Australian Transport Safety Bureau}}</ref> Three position signalling was first introduced on the line in 1919, with the final section of the line converted to the new type of signalling by 1960.<ref>{{Cite web |date=3 November 1998 |title=SRS Showday Tour Notes Box Hill – Lilydale & Belgrave |url=https://vrhistory.com/Locations/T1998.PDF |website=VR History}}</ref> Automatic and track control are used with the centre line between Burnley and Box Hill, and between [[Ferntree Gully railway station|Ferntree Gully]] and the line's terminus in Belgrave.

== See also ==

* [[Ringwood–Belgrave Rail Trail]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/route/timetable/2/belgrave/ Belgrave line timetable]
* [https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/more/maps/#networkmaps Network maps]
* {{commonscat-inline|Belgrave railway line}}

{{Portalbar|Victoria|Trains|Transport}}
{{Victorian Railway Lines|selected=melbourne}}

[[Category:Railway lines in Melbourne]]
[[Category:Railway lines opened in 1889]]
[[Category:2 ft 6 in gauge railways in Australia]]
[[Category:5 ft 3 in gauge railways in Australia]]
[[Category:1889 establishments in Australia]]
[[Category:Transport in the City of Yarra]]
[[Category:Public transport routes in the City of Melbourne (LGA)]]
[[Category:Transport in the City of Boroondara]]
[[Category:Transport in the City of Whitehorse]]
[[Category:Transport in the City of Maroondah]]
[[Category:Transport in the City of Knox]]
[[Category:Transport in the Shire of Yarra Ranges]]