Rockbank railway station

The station opened as Mount Atkinson on 2 April 1884, at the same time as the Serviceton line though it, and was renamed Rockbank in 1889. Being on a single track railway line, it provided a crossing loop for trains, and continues to do so today. By 1914, it had a three road yard, a passenger platform on the southern track, a goods platform on the northern track, and an interlocked signal box.[3] The station served the local farming community. With a chaff mill established in the 1890s, and the recreation reserve and tennis club located nearby, the station became the focus of the Rockbank community.[4]

In 1960, the crossing loop was extended for longer trains of up to 730 metres, and a short platform was provided on the loop road. In 1976, centralised traffic control was provided on the line from Sunshine to Rockbank. By the 1970s, the mill was disused, and the station building was demolished circa 1985. In 1986, the yard was rationalised to main line and crossing loop, and in 1990, the mechanical signals and points were removed, and replaced by remotely controlled signalling, operated from the Bacchus Marsh signal box. The current northern platform (Platform 2) was not added until 1992,[5] replacing the former short platform. As part of the Regional Fast Rail project, control of the signals was transferred to the Ballarat signal box in 2005.[3]

In March 2018, as part of Ballarat line upgrade under Regional Rail Revival project,[6][7] work began on station's reconstruction. Two side platforms were completely rebuilt to fit 6-carriage VLocity trains and an accessible pedestrian overpass was installed over the tracks with lifts, ramps and stairs. Also, station will have a new sealed car park for over 350 cars, new bus and taxi bays, secure bike storage areas and drop-off zones.

The upgraded station was opened to passengers on 26 August 2019.[8]

Rockbank has two side platforms. It is serviced by V/Line Ballarat line services.[9] Platform 1 is located on the main line, with all stopping services scheduled to use this platform. Platform 2 is located on a crossing loop, permitting trains up to 750 metres long to cross.[10] The former short platform is located at the Down end of the station, located on the crossing loop.

Platform 1:

•  Ballarat line  V/Line services to Southern Cross
•  Ararat line  V/Line services to Southern Cross

Platform 2:

•  Ballarat line  V/Line services to Bacchus Marsh & Ballarat
•  Ararat line  V/Line services to Ararat

Sita Buslines operates two routes via Rockbank station:

• 444: Aintree
• 456: Sunshine station – Woodgrove Shopping Centre (Melton)[11]

• Media related to Rockbank railway station, Melbourne at Wikimedia Commons
• Rail Geelong gallery
• Victorian Railway Stations gallery
• Melway map at street-directory.com.au