Bell railway station, Melbourne

Bell railway station is located on the Mernda line in Victoria, Australia. It is located adjacent to the Bell Street level crossing, and serves the northern Melbourne suburb of Preston. The station opened on 8 October 1889 as Preston-Bell Street, being renamed Bell on 1 August 1905.[1]

Bell
Northbound view from Platform 2 in March 2007
Location	Garnet Street, Preston Australia
Coordinates	37°44′44″S 145°00′01″E
Owned by	VicTrack
Operated by	Metro Trains
Line(s)	Mernda
Distance	11.70 kilometres from Southern Cross
Platforms	2 side
Tracks	2
Connections	Bus
Construction
Structure type	Ground
Parking	75
Bicycle facilities	6
Disabled access	Yes
Other information
Status	Premium station
Station code	BEL
Fare zone	Myki zone 1
Website	Public Transport Victoria
History
Opened	8 October 1889
Electrified	Yes
Previous names	Preston-Bell Street
Services
Preceding station Metro Trains Following station Thornbury towards Flinders Street Mernda line Preston towards Mernda

There are crossovers at both ends of the station, and a signal box on Platform 1, which has a panel to control lights and switches in an emergency.[2]

The station once had a goods yard, which was removed in 1986, leaving only a siding at the Up end of the station.[3]

On 17 April 1988, the double line block signalling system between Bell and Reservoir was abolished, and replaced with automatic three position signalling.[4] Pedestrian gates were also provided at the Bell Street level crossing during April 1988, in combination with the road boom barriers.[4] On 25 August 2008, Bell was upgraded to a premium station.[5]

In January 2016, it was announced by the Level Crossing Removal Authority that the Bell Street level crossing would be removed by grade separation. At the time, it had not been decided how the separation would be achieved,[6] but the rail-over option was later chosen.[7]

Platforms & services

Bell has two side platforms. It is served by Metro Trains' Mernda line trains.[8]

Platform 1:

• Mernda line: all stations and limited stops services to Flinders Street

Platform 2:

• Mernda line: all stations services to Mernda

Transport links

Dysons operates three routes via Bell station, under contract to Public Transport Victoria:

• 513: Eltham station – Glenroy station[9]
• 552: North East Reservoir – Northcote Shopping Plaza[10]
• 553: Preston – West Preston[11]

References

1. Preston Vicsig
2. "Bell Signal Box". Vicsig. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
3. "General News". Newsrail. Australian Railway Historical Society. July 1986. p. 213.
4. "Works". Newsrail. Australian Railway Historical Society. July 1988. p. 220.
5. "Bell Station Becomes a Premium Stop for Commuters". Media Release: Premier of Victoria, Australia. premier.vic.gov.au. 25 August 2008. Retrieved 27 August 2008.
6. Carey, Adam (31 January 2016). "End of the line for older Melbourne stations being torn down and rebuilt". The Age. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
7. "Bell Street, Preston". Level Crossing Removal Project. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
8. "Mernda Line". Public Transport Victoria.
9. "513 Eltham - Glenroy via Greensborough or Lower Plenty". Public Transport Victoria.
10. "552 North East Reservoir - Northcote Plaza via High Street". Public Transport Victoria.
11. "553 Preston - West Preston via Reservoir". Public Transport Victoria.

External links

• Media related to Bell railway station, Melbourne at Wikimedia Commons
• Melway map at street-directory.com.au