Railways - Balmoral line

The Balmoral line was a north-south running cross-country line that connected Hamilton, and ultimately Portland, with Horsham, via the junction at East Natimuk. The line from East Natimuk to Noradjuha officially (and finally) closed in 1986, with the Horsham to East Natimuk closing in October 1988. Noradjuha to Hamilton had been closed since July 1979. There was not much left along the line by this time.
The first part of the line was built from Horsham, reaching Noradjuha in 1887. From there it reached Toolondo in 1912 and Kanagulk in 1917 then Balmoral in 1919. A passenger service survived between Horsham and Balmoral until August 1951.
Natimuk East was the former junction station, splitting the westward Carpolac line and the Hamilton cross-country branch line heading south to Hamilton via Balmoral. Not much trace of the platform remains at East Natimuk but the grain silo is still in place. It is still an important grain receival point with large bunker storage.

The lonesome looking Natimuk East building (WTWS photo)

The short section south from Natimuk East to Noradjuha closed on 8 December 1986, not quite making the century - the line had reached Noradjuha in August 1887, only the silos and platform mound remains. 

Noradjuha (VRS photo)

Horsham bound goods train at Jallumba, 1971 (from "VR stations & stopping places")

 Jallumba is south of Noradjuha, and it opened in September 1912 and has been closed since 1979. In 1986 the goods shed was all that remained of this site. I searched for evidence of the shed in 2012, but there was only waist high phalaris and a few bulokes.

Jallumba shed in 1989, now gone (WTWS photo)

Toolondo the section to Toolondo was completed in September 1912. By 1987 the partly roofed goods shed, some rail and some signals were left, and in 2007 only the shed footings, platform mound and some small silos were in evidence. 

Toolondo freight yard in 1987 (WTWS photo)

Between Toolondo and Kanagulk was Jeffries which opened in December 1917

Tracks to nowhere at Jeffries in 1980 (VRS photo)

Kanagulk was located between Balmoral and Toolondo, and due to wartime shortages the line did not reach Kanagulk (the railway names for Fulham) until 17th December 1917. Photos of the rail bridge at Fulham.

Kanagulk in 1980 (VRS photo)

Further information and photographs at

 Victorian Railway Stations and When there were Stations and Neville Gee's "VR stations and stopping places"