RAILWAYS OF NORTH-EAST VICTORIA
(www.northeastvictoria.online)
WANGARATTA - PEECHELBA RAILWAY
The Wangaratta - Peechelba Railway was opened in 1927, and actually went to Peechelba East, rather than Peechelba per se, the station being to the east of the Ovens River.
The line had been planned for several years prior to actual construction, and a 1923 report estimated that it would cost about 75,00 pounds to construct. The original plan called for the line to extend all the way to the Murray River, but the final project was for a terminus at Peechelba East, making it a short branch line of about 20km.
The line headed north-west from Bowser Station, and followed the west side of Back Estcourt Road for about 5.5km, and then the east side for the remainder of the 14km journey to Boorhaman.
From Boorhaman, the line followed the west side of the northern section of Boorhaman Road, before swinging over to the east side.
There were only two stations on the line, Boorhaman and Peechelba East, the Boorhaman Station being immediately to the west of the Boorhaman Hotel (Buffalo Brewery) and the Peechelba East Station being close to where Boorhaman Road and Jones Swamp Road meet.
The line closed in late 1986, and during its short life mostly carried agricultural produce, namely timber, livestock, wheat, oats, hay and grapes.
Almost all evidence of the Peechelba Line has now disappeared, however if you drive along Back Estcourt Road, and Boorhaman Road, there are still signs of the railway engineering of the day, some small embankments and some miniscule bridges.
The grain silos at the terminus are still there, albeit serviced by road transport, not steam (nor diesel) locomotives.
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