Before the extension of the line to
Noarlunga Centre in 1978, the
Willunga line ran from
Hallett Cove station on a different route through
Reynella,
Morphett Vale and
Hackham to
Willunga (south-east of Noarlunga). It closed in 1969 and in September 1972 a track-removal train removed the tracks, and for six years Noarlunga had no train service. The
South Australian Railways and its successor, the
State Transport Authority, extended the current railway southwards in stages from Hallett Cove to cater for increasing residential development in the southern area. Opening dates for passenger services were:
Hallett Cove Beach on 30 June 1974;
Christie Downs on 25 January 1976 (This was a temporary terminus just north of Beach Road and adjacent to Hyacinth Crescent, and was in a different location to the current Christie Downs station, which opened in November 1981.); and
Noarlunga Centre on 2 April 1978. Prior to 2014, most trains were operated by
3000 class railcars augmented at times by
2000 class railcars. Since the electrification of the line, the latter are no longer authorised to operate on the line. Most services are now operated by
4000 class electric multiple units. A number of railcars needed for peak-hour services are now stabled overnight in secure sidings at
Port Stanvac, north of
Lonsdale station, and at a much bigger facility adjacent to
Seaford Meadows. The last freight trains on the line, to and from
Port Stanvac Refinery, ceased in the late 1990s.
Re-sleepering and electrification In 2008, the State Government announced a plan to upgrade and
electrify the Seaford line with the Federal Government also to provide funding. In December 2009, Stage 1 of the Noarlunga line upgrade was completed between
Adelaide and
Brighton. This work saw the track removed, with the track bed and track renewed.
Dual gauge sleepers were laid to allow for the line to be converted to
standard gauge at a future date. Stage 2 commenced in February 2011 with the line closed for six months and continued the upgrade works between
Oaklands and
Noarlunga. Most stations (
Brighton,
Seacliff,
Marino,
Marino Rocks and
Lonsdale) received a minor upgrade due to the presence of asbestos in many station shelters, necessitating their replacement. On 2 January 2013, the line closed to allow for its electrification and extension, with trains being replaced by bus services. Rail services resumed on 1 December 2013. The completed project was opened by the South Australian Transport and Infrastructure Minister
Tom Koutsantonis on 18 January 2014. Electric train services commenced in February 2014 after testing was completed on the line. In July 2008, a feasibility study was commissioned by the government into extending the line. This extension was given approval after the
federal government announced a $291 million investment in the project as part of the 2009/10 Federal Budget. Construction started in 2011 with the extension opening on 23 February 2014. The extension included a new elevated rail bridge over the
Onkaparinga River, a rail bridge over Old Honeypot Drive, and new railway stations at
Seaford Meadows and
Seaford. New road bridges were also constructed over the extension at Goldsmith Drive, Seaford Road and Lynton Terrace.
Future extension On 16 March 2025, South Australian Premier
Peter Malinauskas announced that a corridor of land has been reserved for a possible future extension of the Seaford line to
Sellicks Beach. ==Route==