Station names on Melbourne's Outer Circle line

Last week I did the Inner circle line, so this week I will do the Outer Circle line.


The sections covered are between Fairfield and East Camberwell, and between Alamein and Oakleigh. The currently open section between Camberwell and Alamein was the topic of another blog post that you can find here.

Brief History

The Outer Circle line was opened in stages between March 1890 and March 1891, apparently as an alternative route for Gippsland traffic. This did not occur and the 1890s depression harmed the lines potential, leading to its closure. Fairfield to Riversdale was the first to close in April 1893, followed by Ashburton to Oakleigh in December 1895, and Camberwell to Ashburton in May 1897. 

Camberwell to Ashburton re-opened in 1898 and East Camberwell to Deepdene re-opened in May 1900, although passenger traffic was removed in 1927 due to low patronage. The section of line to Deepdene also so goods traffic, with an extension to East Kew occuring in 1925. This section would finally close to all traffic in 1943.

In 1919, the section of line from Fairfield Park to Fulham Grange re-opened to goods traffic, being extended to the APM siding in order to serve the newly established paper mill. This siding lasted until 1994, and the Paper mill closed in 2012, with the site now being used as a housing estate.

The Camberwell to Ashburton section remains in operation today, with the line being extended to Alamein in 1948.

Much of the line is now used for the Outer Circle rail trail.

Fulham Grange

Fulham Grange was named after a housing estate located near Alphington station. This housing estate was named after a property owned by C. H. James. This is also where Grange Road and Fulham Road both receive their names from.

Willsmere

Willsmere appears to have been named after a property. The property was known as 'Willsmere Park' and was known for its dairy production. Willsmere comes from the last name of a family, as well as the word 'mere', which means lake.

East Kew

East Kew is named after the suburb the station is located in. I'll do a piece on the Kew Line eventually, so until then, it is a mystery (or you can search it up).


Deepdene

The terminus of the Deepdene Dasher, Deepdene apparently comes from Deepdene House. The property is located in Deepdene Place.


Roystead

A later addition to the Outer Circle, Roystead appears to gain its name from the building that now houses Camberwell Grammar School.
 
The original name of Roystead station was 'Stanley' named after Stanley Grove, located west of the former station. It was renamed 'Balwyn' in 1902, which came from a vineyard of Gaelic and Saxon origin.


Shenley

I am honestly not sure where Shenley gets its name from, although it appears to be a significant name in the Camberwell/Canterbury area, considering that there is a Manor and a Tennis Court that both bear the name.

Waverley Road

Waverley Road is named after well... Waverley Road! Big surprise!

The name Waverley is derived from a book series, for more information, please check my blog on the Glen Waverley line. 

Conclusion

That is all for now, see you in the next one!


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