Birchip Rail

Early 1982 was a time of depression in the colony of Victoria, but in an unconstitutional decision the Government decided to commence construction of railway lines from Warracknabeal to Beulah and Donald to Birchip.

The railway through Birchip is one that many rail travelers have never seen as they journeyed on overnight trains from Melbourne to Mildura.

Mr George Gould wrote a book “A century of rail” the History of Rail services Birchip and District 1893-1993. This book is available for purchase from the Birchip Historical Society or you can read a photocopy of it here: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10

railway station today

The passenger train no longer stops in Birchip and the station was decommissioned in 1990. It was then leased by the Shire and J & S White operated an electrical business from the building. Since this time it has had many uses including a short period as a youth room.

In 2015 a Railway Station Restoration Committee was formed with members of Birchip Lions’ Club, Birchip Landcare and the Birchip Historical Society under the auspice of the Birchip Lion’s Club.

Victrack were offering grants to restore their stations and this group was successful in receiving funding to put in new flooring, update plaster work, new electrical wiring and roof repairs. They also put in a new toilet and converted the store room into a kitchenette with power, a fridge, sink, benches and storage and chairs were donated by Sharp’s Bakery.

The station is currently used for exhibitions, photo displays, as a pop-up shop, funeral receptions and meetings for the Lions Club, Landcare, North West Rail committee, Buloke Tourism Board, Probus and others.

In 2022 the building was re-painted and repaired following some flood damage, again by Victrack.