Toorak railway station

Toorak railway station is on the boundary of Armadale, Toorak, and Prahran suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria. The station is located nearby to the Beatty Avenue shopping precinct, Orrong Romanis Reserve, and Toorak Park. The station is owned by VicTrack, a state government agency, and the station is operated by Metro Trains. The station is approximately 6.5 kilometres (4.04 mi), or an 11-minute train journey, from Flinders Street station. The station features two principal station buildings, both former ticketing offices which are now heritage listed staff facilities. Distinct Edwardian architectural features of the red brick station buildings include ornate parapets, cement banding, tall chimneys with terracotta pots, tiled hip roof with terracotta finials, and stucco walls. The station building, platform, and overpass are largely the same as when originally built, with the main change being updated signage, technology, and the addition of two new platform canopy amongst other minor building and platform upgrades. There is no car parking available at the station. The station is listed as an "assisted access" station on the Metro Trains website, as the access ramp is too steep and would require assistance for wheelchair customers to traverse. ==History==

train arriving at Platform 1, July 2022. This platform was constructed as part of level crossing removal works in 1914. Toorak railway station was opened on 7 May 1879, with the station consisting of a single platform and track for commuter and freight service. The first station buildings were opened on the site between 1881 and 1883 to coincide with the duplication of track between the city and Oakleigh. These calls never eventuated, with Toorak station retaining its name with little conversation regarding its naming taking place since. The station has mostly stayed the same since 1914, with only minor upgrades taking place. In 1972, the island platform (Platforms 2 and 3) was extended at both ends. In 1977, a former goods siding and associated point work were permanently closed before being removed due to limited use. In 1993, major re-signalling works occurred between South Yarra and Toorak stations, with similar works occurring between Toorak and Caulfield stations in that same year. In the mid-2010s, rezoning by Stonnington Council allowed for higher density development next to Toorak station. This allowed for the construction of 446 apartments and 18 townhouses across numerous towers by developer Lendlease. These towers have contributed to an increase in patronage and added density on an otherwise under-utilised site. == Platforms and services ==

Toorak has two side platforms and one island platform with four faces. The station is currently served by the Frankston line—a service on the metropolitan rail network. The Frankston line runs from Frankston station south east of Melbourne, joining the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines at Caulfield station before continuing onto Flinders Street station via the City Loop. ==Transport links==

Toorak station has one tram and two bus connections. The route 72 tram service operates from nearby Malvern Road up towards the city and down towards Camberwell. Bus connections: • : Gardenvale – Anzac station • : Gardenvale – Melbourne CBD (Queen Street) ==References==