Chelsea Railway Station, Melbourne
History
Chelsea station opened on 4 February 1907 and, like the suburb itself, was named after Chelsea in London, England. The name was suggested by local farmer Bertha Black, whose mother was originally from Chelsea.
In 1977, boom barriers replaced interlocked gates at the former Chelsea Road level crossing, which was located at the up end of the station. The interlocked frame was also abolished at this time, replaced by a control panel within the former signal box.
In 1984, the overhead wire for a siding at the station was removed and, in 1987, the siding was abolished.
In 2003, the control panel was permanently switched out. In 2004, a crossover that was located at the Frankston end of the station was abolished.
On 4 May 2010, as part of the 2010/2011 State Budget, $83.7 million was allocated to upgrade Chelsea to a premium station, along with nineteen others. However, in March 2011, this was scrapped by the Baillieu Government.
On 9 December 2019, the Level Crossing Removal Project released designs for the removal of the Chelsea Road level crossing and the rebuilding of the station, with contracts for the removal of the level crossing signed two days later, on 11 December. In 2020, construction started and, on 25 July 2021, the station was closed for demolition. On 22 November of that year, the rebuilt station opened to passengers, along with nearby Edithvale and Bonbeach. The line was rebuilt below in a trench, with the level crossing permanently closed to road vehicles, and nearby Thames Promenade extended to the Nepean Highway.
Platforms and services
Chelsea has two side platforms. It is serviced by Metro Trains' Frankston line services.
Platform 1:
- Frankston line all stations and limited express services to Flinders Street, Werribee and Williamstown
Platform 2:
- Frankston line all stations services to Frankston
Transport links
Kinetic Melbourne operates one SmartBus route to and from Chelsea station, under contract to Public Transport Victoria:
- SmartBus 902 : to Westfield Airport West
Ventura Bus Lines operates three routes via Chelsea station, under contract to Public Transport Victoria:
- 706 : to Mordialloc (off-peak only)
- 857 : to Dandenong station
- 858 : Edithvale – Aspendale Gardens
SkyBus also operates a service to Melbourne Airport via Chelsea station.
Gallery
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Station building and Nepean Highway entrance to the former ground level Platform 1, August 2007
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Northbound view from the former ground level Platform 2, September 2007
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Northbound view from the former ground level Platform 1, November 2007
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Southbound view of the former ground level station viewed from the former Station Street level crossing, March 2010
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Northbound view from Platform 1, November 2021
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Station building and entrance from
Nepean Highway, May 2022