The Koo Wee Rup Swamp historically had many dairy farms and I have written about this and the local milk and cheese factories, which processed this milk, here. However some local dairy farmers sent their milk, in milk cans to Melbourne by train to city processors from stations on the following railway lines-
Gippsland line: Bunyip, Garfield, Tynong, Nar Nar Goon and Pakenham [next stations are Officer, Beaconsfield, Berwick, Narre Warren, Hallam then Dandenong]. Read read about this line here.
Great Southern or the South Gippsland line: Lang Lang, Caldermeade, Monomeith, Koo Wee Rup, Dalmore, Tooradin, Clyde and the next two stops before Dandenong Cranbourne and Lyndhurst. Read more about this line, here.
Strzelecki line: Yannathan, Catani and Bayles (the next stop was Koo Wee Rup). Read more about this line, here.
The Gippsland Line went to Warragul and beyond; the Great Southern line from Dandenong to Nyora, Korumburra and beyond and the Strzelecki line went from Koo Wee Rup to Strzelecki.
Railway map of Victoria, 1936, published by the Victorian Railways.
State Library of Victoria https://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/120405
The following are various newspaper articles connected to the Milk Train mainly from the Koo Wee Rup Swamp, but also the surrounding areas in the Shire of Berwick and Shire of Cranbourne. From the 1880s on there appears to have been dissatisfaction with the Railways - the trains ran late or the trains left too early; freight costs were too high; there was a lack of Sunday trains which held back the growth of the dairy industry and there was poor handling of the milk cans.
1885 - We will start off with this report which looked at various dairy farms in Berwick, which is on the Gippsland line, and ended with a plea for a Sunday Milk Train -
The farms above noted just allow an idea of the capabilities of this district alone in the way of supplying the metropolis with a continuous and abundant supply of milk at a moderate price if they were afforded reasonable facilities. At present there is in town a practically unlimited demand for pure milk and cream, that it is impossible to supply from the limited resources of the dairy men in the suburbs. The consequence is that the hospitals, children and invalids generally, to whom a regular supply of pure milk is an absolute necessity, are precluded from obtaining it, and forced into the hands of unscrupulous dealers, who have no hesitation in making the supply commensurate with the demand. This could be all remedied at once by the establishment of a Sunday milk train, the advantage of which to this district could not be overestimated. At present the producers are in the hands of the dealers, as, unless at great expense, they are unable to come in contact with the consumer, or accept contracts for the supply of any large institution, for the simple reason that they cannot deliver the milk on the Sunday. If a milk train was started, the residents are prepared to form a local milk company, with a city representative and delivery staff if needed. The supply could be increased indefinitely, as it is simply a question of feeding, and the land is rich enough to grow all the crops necessary to this end...... It is hard to understand what the objections are to this train being at once granted, as during a recent interview on the subject, Mr. Speight, the chairman of the Railway Commissioners, stated that a milk train was started in the old country some years ago, the prospects of a revenue being derived from it appearing very doubtful, but that it eventually earned nearly £30,000 per year. Then why not give it a trial under similar circumstances here, as the arguments used in favor of Berwick apply with equal force to the whole of the country between Warragul and the suburbs? (The Leader, July 25, 1885, see here)
Berwick Railway Station, c. 1890s. There are three milk cans beneath the Berwick sign.
Image: unsure, possibly from Berwick Pakenham Historical Society.
1887 - this report is from Narre Warren, two stops before Dandenong on the Gippsland line, which complained the lateness of the trains and the handling of the milk cans -
The important question of providing proper facilities for the conveyance of the milk supply to Melbourne from country stations was recently brought under the notice of the Railway Commissioners in connection with a complaint made by a dairy fanner residing at Narre Warren in a letter published in The Age. A considerable proportion of the milk consumed in Melbourne and its suburbs is drawn from Narre Warren and other places served by the same railway system. The writer of the letter complained that on a hot wind day quantity of milk which he was desirous of forwarding to the metropolis was kept standing on the platform at the Narre Warren station for two hours in consequence of the train being that much late. He also made a specific complaint that on a given date a quantity of milk sent away from the same station at half-past 8 p.m. did not reach the Flinders-street station until 2 o'clock the next morning, the train taking five and a half hours to travel 24 miles. In addition to this the writer complained that very often the milk was put into a dirty goods truck, and more often into a strong smelling close guard's van, where it had to remain from two to five hours. The complaints were brought under the notice of the railway authorities, and a thorough inquiry was made into the matter. It is denied that the trucks in which the milk was placed wore dirty. But on the other hand it is admitted that the 7.45 a.m. train for Melbourne on the 2nd April, the date in question, was 1 hour and 14 minutes late in reaching Narre Warren. In explanation of the delay it is stated that no guarantee can be given as to the running of goods trains to time, and that their running will always be liable to variation. A distinct denial is given to the statement that the night milk train on the 2nd April left Narre Warren at 8.30 p.m., and reached Melbourne at 2 a.m. next morning. The reports show that the train left at 9.30 p.m, and reached the Flinders-street station a few minutes after 11 o'clock the same night. Although the statements made by our correspondent do not appear to have been completely substantiated, the result of the inquiry has been to convince the railway authorities that there is much room for improvement in the arrangements for conveying milk to Melbourne. The commissioners will give consideration to the matter with the view of making more satisfactory arrangements for the transport of the milk supply to Melbourne. (The Age, April 29, 1887, see here)
Narre Warren Railway Station, c. 1900. There are milk cans in the shed on the left and under the verandah on the right.
Photographer: Michael J. Drew. State Library of Victoria image H2012.171/340
1896 - This report is about the irregularity of the trains and the handling of the milk -
The Railway Commissioner at Cranbourne, Mr. Mathieson, Commissioner of Railways, visited Cranbourne to-day. Interviewed as to the advisability of affording additional help to the official at Cranbourne station, more particularly to assist the milk producers in unloading, Mr. Mathieson said that at present, they must help one another. At Clyde, Mr. H. C. Sharp pointed out that milk which left that station at 9.30 a.m. did not reach Melbourne until 3 p.m., unless passenger rates were paid; and that the evening goods train was sometimes cancelled without notice. The Traffic Manager seemed to think that milk should be paid for and sent by passenger trains to prevent delay, and that the evening goods train was not a regular one, but run more to suit the coal traffic. Mr. Mathieson said he would look into the matter and see what could be done. (The Age, August 20, 1896, see here)
1908 - it was reported that there was a need for a Sunday Milk Train for Koo Wee Rup on the Great Southern line -
Koo Wee Rup - Dairy men here would do a lot better if they had a milk train on Sundays, then they could send their milk away every day. In hot weather the rich milk of the district will not keep over Sunday, and farmers have to send it as cream, which means a loss. Nothing brings better returns than milk, and I am sure the train would pay, as most of the farmers here would send milk. If the milk train were run it would be taken advantage of by seekers after pure air, and thus the place would be come known as a health resort. (South Bourke & Mornington Journal, October 21, 1908, see here)
Koo Wee Rup - Dairy men here would do a lot better if they had a milk train on Sundays, then they could send their milk away every day. In hot weather the rich milk of the district will not keep over Sunday, and farmers have to send it as cream, which means a loss. Nothing brings better returns than milk, and I am sure the train would pay, as most of the farmers here would send milk. If the milk train were run it would be taken advantage of by seekers after pure air, and thus the place would be come known as a health resort. (South Bourke & Mornington Journal, October 21, 1908, see here)
Lyndhurst Railway Stations and milk cans (and a dog)
Image: The Great Southern Railway: the illustrated history of the building of the line in South Gippsland by Keith Macrae Bowden (Australian Railway Historical Association, 1970)
1909 - there was another plea for a Sunday train and better time-tabling on the Great Southern line -
A deputation from the Cranbourne Shire Council and dairymen in the district between Clyde and Lyndhurst yesterday waited on the railway commissioners and complained of the poor provision made for reaching Melbourne in the morning. They pointed out that they were only 18 miles from Melbourne yet they could not reach the city before midday. The commissioners promised to have inquiries made to ascertain if anything could be done in the matter. In reply to requests that the Sunday milk train which now leaves Clyde at 5.40p.m., be put back to the former schedule time, 6 p.m., the commissioners explained that owing to the connection that this train has to make with trains from northern suburbs, it would be impossible to grant the request. (The Argus, May 12, 1909, see here)
1912 - a petition was circulated to have the Sunday Milk Train, extended to Bunyip, on the Gippsland line. The petition was presented to the Secretary of Railways by local M.L.A, Mr Keast. -
Pakenham Milk Train - A petition has been circulated, and is being largely signed by residents of Bunyip, Iona, Garfield, Tynong, and Nar-Nar-Goon, asking the Railway Commissioners to run the Sunday milk train as far as Bunyip. At present the train stops at Pakenham, and dairymen on this side are unable to send their milk to Melbourne. (The Argus, October 3, 1912, see here)
Pakenham Milk Train - A petition has been circulated, and is being largely signed by residents of Bunyip, Iona, Garfield, Tynong, and Nar-Nar-Goon, asking the Railway Commissioners to run the Sunday milk train as far as Bunyip. At present the train stops at Pakenham, and dairymen on this side are unable to send their milk to Melbourne. (The Argus, October 3, 1912, see here)
The response from the Secretary of Railways was negative -
I am directed to intimate that the Sunday milk train referred to already caters for both the South Eastern and Eastern line Sunday milk service, and there is unfortunately not sufficient time available in which to extend it on from Pakenham to Bunyip, so as to bring on the milk from the four stations, inclusive, between those two places also, without causing inconvenience to the milk senders which the train already provides for. The cost of an additional train to provide the service desired by the dairymen of Bunyip would be £100 per annum, and as the total number of cans of milk that would be forwarded from stations between Bunyip and Pakenham on a Sunday is only 30, the Commissioners regret that the expense involved would not be justified and they are unable, therefore, to meet the wishes of the petitioners. (South Bourke & Mornington Journal, January 30, 1913, see here)
1914 - Two years later another effort was made to have the Milk Train extended to Bunyip -
A Sunday Milk Train. Brighter outlook for Bunyip.
During the past couple of years the milk producers of Narnargoon, Iona, Tynong, Garfield and Bunyip have been vainly urging the Railway Department to run the Sunday milk train, which now stops at Pakenham, as far as Bunyip. The city retailers will not take the milk unless the producers can supply it on seven days of the week, and the farmers this side of Pakenham cannot do so at present through no fault of their own. On Sunday last the Minister for Railways (the Hon. D. Mackinnon) motored up to Bunyip with Mr. W.S. Keast, M.L.A., and in the course of conversation stated that he saw no reason whatever why the train in question should not be run as far as Bunyip, especially as it had to remain in idleness for several hours at Pakenham. Anyone who travelled by road to Bunyip and viewed the great dairying possibilities of the swamp and district from the township, said Mr. Mackinnon, would certainly be in favor of the Sunday, train being run on to Bunyip. In view of the favorable attitude taken up by the present Minister for Railways, it would be a wise move on the part of those interested to again bring the matter before the Railway Commissioners. Some time ago the Commissioners stated that it would cost £500 per year to run this train to Bunyip. Even allowing this high estimate to be correct, it is considered that the train would pay both from a freight and passenger viewpoint. (Bunyip Free Press, May 5, 1914, see here)
1915 - The Leader reported on the poor handling of milk cans by the Victorian Railway's staff-
Smashing Milk Cans - Whatever tourists may suffer at the hands of baggage smashers, it is mild in comparison with the treatment of milk cans consigned on a railway journey. A chronic complaint expressed by dairymen is centred in the rough handling of their milk cans on the Victorian railways. There is an anecdote of an angry farmer and a rail way porter. The porter was loading produce on to a truck, and with all the freedom of his class, threw a box over a distance of several yards. "Be careful." said the farmer, "there's butter in that box." "Is there," replied the porter, "I thought it was eggs." The same treatment as far as the weight of the milk cans may permit, is given to milk, and the wonder is that city buyers do not receive butter churned from the milk by the roughness of the handling. Makers of milk cans have exhausted their ingenuity in trying to design an unbendable receptacle for the carriage of milk in railway trains, but without success. Any day travellers may see on rail way stations milk cans in many distorted forms, and these grotesque shapes are due largely, if not solely, to reckless handling by railway porters. A Gippsland reader of "The Leader," after complaining repeatedly without redress, has resorted to the camera, in the hope that the reproduction of photographic evidence may shame the railway authorities into a keener appreciation of the claims made by a section of producers who are good customers of the department.
Our correspondent forwards the two photographs reproduced on this page. He describes them briefly but tersely as "Before and After." The first picture represents a milk can as it left his farm, consigned on the Gippsland line to Melbourne. The second picture represents the same can on its return from the local railway station. (The Leader, March 6, 1915, see here)
Cranbourne Railway Station, with a line-up of milk cans (and a dog)
Image: The Great Southern Railway: the illustrated history of the building of the line in South Gippsland by Keith Macrae Bowden (Australian Railway Historical Association, 1970)
Some months ago Cranbourne shire councillors journeyed to Melbourne to interview the Railway Commissioners for an extension of the Sunday milk train, now running to Clyde, to be continued on to Caldermeade - an innovation much desired. The Commissioners promised to enquire into whether sufficient revenue would result to pay for the extension. Apparently the Commissioners are still deep in their investigations, for no reply is yet to hand. When the first service was run on the Pakenham line it scarcely met the bill for axle-grease. We, however find the Commissioners are now considering just how to handle the quantity of milk coming forward, and this already on the basis of a double train Sunday service. We may confidently expect similar conditions to follow if the extension is granted on our southern line, and the Cranbourne council should keep this phase of the case before the Commissioners' notice. (South Bourke & Mornington Journal, July 19, 1917, see here)
In a follow up article it was reported that - It is not surprising to learn that the Railway commissioners proved unsympathetic to the request for the extension of the Sunday milk train from Clyde to Caldermeade. Evidently the commissioners do not want to encourage a milk train from this locality. (South Bourke & Mornington Journal, August 9, 1917, see here)
1923 - The Strzelecki line opened in June 1922, and in April 1923 a deputation from the local area met with Mr Barnes the Minister for Railways urging the introduction of a daily train on this branch line so farmers could get their milk to Melbourne -
One speaker mentioned that dairy farmers living close to the line carted their cans of milk up to ten miles to the main line, so that they could get them to Melbourne the same day. If they used the branch line, it would take three days to get to Melbourne, and return. It was suggested that a train should be run on this line daily for three months as an experiment. (Farmers' Advocate, April 19, 1923, see here)
Four months later in August 1923 a disappointing reply came back, as reported in the Farmers' Advocate -
Strezlecki Railway. Daily Service Wanted. Necessary for Milk Suppliers and Consumers.
At the meeting of Yannathan branch V.F.U., a report was received from Mr. Barnes, Minister for Railways, re deputation's request for a daily service to be run from Strezlecki to Koo-wee-rup. - Request refused on advice of Railways Commissioners. This report led to a long discussion regarding the unsatisfactory way the present service met the requirements of the district. Mr. Warren considered the present service did not suit more than 10 per cent of the population along the line. To help dairymen to get their milk to town it was absolutely useless. Mr. Wildes considered that the requirements of the district would be met if a daily motor rail service was run from Koo-wee-rup as far as Yannathan.
Mr. Bennett said he thought they should go further than just taking steps to get their milk daily to town. Statistics had been gathered quite recently showing there were about 2000 dairy cows between Bayles station and Yannathan station, which proved conclusively that this small area was a compact block lending itself admirably to the dairying industry. With proper outlet facilities many more cows would be kept. Retailers in many instances were only giving dairymen 1/4 per gallon for milk, but were charging the consumers in the city from 2/8 to 3/ per gallon. The dairymen of this district would be well advised if they appointed a committee to go into the question of distribution direct from the dairy farm to the consumer, which, if worked on sound business lines, must be advantageous to both producer and consumer. If a daily motor rail service could be secured, their next objective should be the distribution of their products themselves.
It was resolved, on the motion of Messrs. Warren and R. G. Gardiner, "That as this district is practically a milk producing area, it is considered in its best interest and development, it should have a daily milk service to Yannathan to Koo-wee-rup to meet the main line train; and that Mr. Downward be written to to arrange a deputation to interview the Railways Commissioners with a view to getting this service established." - Carried unanimously. (Farmers' Advocate, August 3, 1923, see here)
Messrs. Bennett and Warren reported having canvassed all suppliers interested, and a promise had been given them that if the daily service was obtained, about 4000 quarts would be delivered daily at Yannathan, Catani, and Bayles stations by district dairymen. Mr. Bennett subsequently interviewed Mr. Miscamble (Railways Commissioner) and Mr. Cook, who have been most sympathetic throughout. They immediately consented to give the service a trial, starting to run the first Monday in November train to leave Yannathan station on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 9.10 a.m., and Monday and Friday at 8.20 a.m. Full time-table will be announced later. (Farmers' Advocate, October 26, 1923, see here)
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Catani Railway Station and two milk cans
Image: Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society
1924 - The Argus published a sympathetic article on the reasons for a Sunday Milk Train, on the Great Southern line, for the soldier settler farmers at Caldermeade -
Sunday Milk Train Wanted.
Assuming that the Government has the vital interest in the welfare of soldier settlers, it is reasonable to expect that efforts should be strained if necessary to give them an increased opportunity of making good. In the Caldermeade Settlement and its immediate neighbourhood where over 80 settlers are working under many disadvantages, their difficulties are greatly increased by lack of facilities for forwarding milk to Melbourne on Sunday. Most of these men supply milk to retailers engaged in metropolitan distribution. At the present time the average daily despatch from the Caldermeade railway
station is 140 cans. On Sunday, the greater portion of this milk must be separated. This involves considerable loss to settlers, amounting approximately to over 1/ for every gallon so treated. Having no regular supply of skim milk, they are unable to engage largely in pig-raising, and therefore this one day's supply cannot be profitably used. Being only casual suppliers of cream to the factories, it is a further inconvenience to the factories to have to deal with this comparatively small quantity once a
week.
But a more serious disadvantage to them is due to the fact that the city retailers give preference to country suppliers who are able to forward milk regularly seven days a week. This is only natural since their customers must be supplied daily. Accordingly, suppliers having the advantage of a Sunday train receive an extra penny a gallon for their milk throughout the week. Upon the present output from the Caldermeade station this extra penny would increase the income of the settlers by over £40 a week. The Sunday train would be still more advantageous, as it would ensure a continuity of their supply for the retail trade throughout the year. During the flush of the milk season the Melbourne retailers are able to obtain more milk than they require. It is therefore customary for them to curtail orders from a number of producers, and naturally those unable to supply on Saturday are again among the first to suffer.
At present a milk train runs on Sunday from Tooradin, 10 miles nearer Melbourne, but application for extension of this service to Caldermeade had been refused by the Railway Commissioners. Fifty per cent additional freight is charged on Sunday, therefore the receipts from this station would be £10/10/-. The three intermediate stations, Monomeith, Koo-wee-rup, and Dalmore would all provide freight, which should reduce the cost of extending the service. No doubt a certain amount of passenger traffic would also be encouraged upon in this line, which is not without attraction for week-end holiday makers and sportsmen. The main consideration however, is help for this important and extensive soldier settlement and if provided this service would almost make the difference between success and failure to some of the settlers. It offers one very practical method by which the Government could improve the conditions for these men while prosperity means so much to them personally and to future settlement schemes promoted by the State.
It is also stated that commencing from August 1, there will be no transfers through from Flinders street to suburban stations on Sunday. This will cause additional loss to many of the producers who are already compelled to bear all the hardships connected with the metropolitan milk supply. Retailers who at present are taking milk at suburban depots are likely to cut off some of the country suppliers if they are obliged to take delivery of milk at Flinders street. Better platform accommodation for loading and unloading goods is also urgently needed at the Caldermeade station. At present with a large number of carts arriving at about the same time, considerable congestion and delay occurs daily. It is to he hoped that the Railways Commissioners will give these matter sympathetic consideration. (The Argus, July 31, 1924, see here)
At present a milk train runs on Sunday from Tooradin, 10 miles nearer Melbourne, but application for extension of this service to Caldermeade had been refused by the Railway Commissioners. Fifty per cent additional freight is charged on Sunday, therefore the receipts from this station would be £10/10/-. The three intermediate stations, Monomeith, Koo-wee-rup, and Dalmore would all provide freight, which should reduce the cost of extending the service. No doubt a certain amount of passenger traffic would also be encouraged upon in this line, which is not without attraction for week-end holiday makers and sportsmen. The main consideration however, is help for this important and extensive soldier settlement and if provided this service would almost make the difference between success and failure to some of the settlers. It offers one very practical method by which the Government could improve the conditions for these men while prosperity means so much to them personally and to future settlement schemes promoted by the State.
It is also stated that commencing from August 1, there will be no transfers through from Flinders street to suburban stations on Sunday. This will cause additional loss to many of the producers who are already compelled to bear all the hardships connected with the metropolitan milk supply. Retailers who at present are taking milk at suburban depots are likely to cut off some of the country suppliers if they are obliged to take delivery of milk at Flinders street. Better platform accommodation for loading and unloading goods is also urgently needed at the Caldermeade station. At present with a large number of carts arriving at about the same time, considerable congestion and delay occurs daily. It is to he hoped that the Railways Commissioners will give these matter sympathetic consideration. (The Argus, July 31, 1924, see here)
Milk by Rail. Complaint From Garfield.
Replying to a paragraph in "The Age" of Wednesday, 8th September, in which it was stated at Garfield that at certain stations in the Gippsland district cans of milk were being loaded in the vans of passenger and goods trains along with hides, skins, calf carcases, crates of fowls, &c., the Railway Commissioners said that such action was contrary to regulations. Definite instructions had been issued that milk must not be loaded with such goods as fish, rabbits, meat, hides, &c., and the inquiries that had been made into the complaint under notice failed to disclose any disregard of these instructions. The Commissioners added that if a specific instance were given of milk being transported in such a manner they would have immediate inquiries made. (The Age, September 16, 1926, see here)
Trove list - I have created a list of newspaper articles connected to Milk Trains on the Koo Wee Rup Swamp, but also the surrounding areas in the Shire of Berwick and Shire of Cranbourne, access it here.
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