Saturday 1 February 2014

Spencer Street Station - Melbourne CBD

Location: Spencer Street, Melbourne
Opened: 1859 (rebuilt in 2006)

Now known as Southern Cross Station, The Spencer Street Train Station has been an important part of Melbourne's transport network for over 100 years. Opened 5 years after Flinders Street, the station was only linked to Flinders Street in 1879, with a single track added, opened only at night for goods trains. Passenger services to Flinders Street commenced in the 1880's.

If it hadn't been for the 1890's depression, it is likely that we would see a very different Spencer Street. Plans were laid for a three storey office complex to be built on the site, but these were quashed by financial restraint. It was 1960 before the station was modernised, to fit with the new City Loop construction.

Between 2002 and 2006 and significant redevelopment of the station took place, with the addition of a wave-shaped roof, a bus interchange, food courts, bars and a shopping centre. The station services much of the city's west, including Etihad Stadium which hosts football, cricket and concerts.


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