# Pakenham railway station

Pakenham railway station is a commuter and regional railway station on the suburban Pakenham line and regional Gippsland line, part of the Melbourne and Victorian railways networks. It serves the south-eastern Melbourne suburb of Pakenham in Victoria, Australia. Pakenham is an elevated premium station, featuring an island platform with two faces. It opened on 8 October 1877, with the current station provided in 2024.
Stabling facilities were located on the south side of the station, until their removal in 2022.

## History

Pakenham station opened when the railway line from Dandenong was extended. Like the suburb itself, the station is named after Sir Edward Michael Pakenham, a major general who served in the Peninsular War.
In 1938, flashing light signals were provided at the former Main Street level crossing, which was located at the up end of the station.
Initially a single track, the line between Pakenham and Nar Nar Goon was duplicated in 1954. In 1955, the line between Pakenham and Officer was duplicated and an island platform was provided in 1959, when duplication occurred through the station.
On 19 January 1975, electrified suburban services were extended to the station. A crossover was also provided at the up end of the station around that time. During 1979–1980, the former ground level pebbledash station building was constructed.
On 16 April 1980, Pakenham was the scene of a collision between Hitachi carriage 353D and guards van 286ZL. The guards van was destroyed in the collision and the Hitachi carriage was later scrapped.
In 1986, boom barriers were provided at the Main Street level crossing.
On 15 March 1997, Pakenham was upgraded to a premium station. Between 2001 and 2024, it was the terminus of the Melbourne electrified rail network.
On 9 March 2011, a Siemens train over-ran No. 5 road near the station, crashing into a stanchion.
In March 2014, it was announced that a new train servicing facility would be built at Pakenham East, to maintain the new High Capacity Metro Trains.
In May 2024, the Main Street level crossing was grade separated, as part of the Level Crossing Removal Project. A rail bridge was built over the road, and included a new, rebuilt elevated station. As part of the project, Pakenham line services were extended by approximately 2 km (1.2 mi) to a new station at East Pakenham.
On 17 May 2024, McGregor Road, Main Street and Racecourse Road level crossings were eliminated. On the same night, the old ground-level Pakenham station was closed and demolished. The rebuilt Pakenham station and new East Pakenham station opened on 3 June 2024. At the time of reopening, the northern side of the station building (including platform 2) was only partially finished, with the platform only accessible via temporary stairs. Works will continue on the northern side for the construction of permanent stairs and lift until late 2024.

## Platforms and services

Pakenham has two side platforms. It is served by Pakenham line trains, and V/Line Traralgon and Bairnsdale line trains.
Platform 1:
* Pakenham line all stations and limited express services to Flinders Street
* Gippsland line V/Line services to Southern Cross
Platform 2:
* Pakenham line all stations services to East Pakenham
* Gippsland line V/Line services to Traralgon and Bairnsdale
In 2025, it is planned that trains on the Pakenham line will be through-routed with those on the Sunbury line, via the new Metro Tunnel.

## Transport links

Ventura Bus Lines operates six routes via Pakenham station, under contract to Public Transport Victoria:
* 840 : Gembrook – Pakenham
* 925 : to Lakeside (Pakenham)
* 926 : to Westfield Fountain Gate
* 927 : to Pakenham North (via The Avenue)
* 928 : to Cardinia Road station
* 929 : to Pakenham North (via Army Road and Windermere Boulevard)
Warragul Bus Lines operates one route to and from Pakenham station, under contract to Public Transport Victoria:
* to Garfield station
Westernport Roadlines operates one bus route to and from Pakenham station, under contract to Public Transport Victoria:
* to Koo Wee Rup (unnumbered route and does not show on the relevant Public Transport Victoria local area map)

## Gallery

* Eastbound view of former ground level Platform 2 and station building, December 2006
* Eastbound view of former ground level Platform 2 and station building, July 2018
* Eastbound view of former ground level Platform 2, showing new elevated station under construction, March 2024
* Westbound view from former ground level Platform 1, showing elevated station under construction, March 2024
* Westbound view from Platform 1 with a HCMT arriving at Platform 2 on an East Pakenham-bound service, June 2024
* Southbound view of the newly-rebuilt elevated station, showing the uncompleted north side, June 2024