Railway Station Exhibition
Step back in time to discover the glory days of Murtoa Railway Station.
Murtoa Railway Station was built and operational by 1878 and was a temporary terminus for the main western line from Melbourne. The line extended to Horsham in 1879 and onwards to Adelaide in various stages. The stretch from Wal Wal to Murtoa is the longest straight stretch of railway in Victoria.
A branch line to Warracknabeal later opened in 1886 and onto Patchewollock in 1894.
Murtoa for a time was the most important and busiest town in the Wimmera.
Many industries and broad acre farming thrived because of the rail network. Murtoa was the distribution centre for grain, livestock and many other industrial and domestic commodities. W C Thomas Flour Mill, the Inland Freezer works, the Railways and Marma Grain storage employed many who lived in Murtoa. Associated businesses and services also grew to meet the needs of the town.
Domestic travel on the railways was in high demand! Many locals retain memories of late returns from Lubeck, Dimboola, Horsham and other local stations after footy games and socialising.
However, over the decades, other forms of transport developed and markets for flour, grain and meat changed.
Passenger train services ceased at Murtoa by August 1993, despite protests and deputations. The Railway Station then fell into disrepair until 2018 when Vic Track refurbished the station as part of a Community Use Program. Murtoa & District Historical Society now lease the building as part of the Museum precinct.
Murtoa Railway Station has become the perfect venue to display and house historic photos and railway memorabilia.

