The Kew railway was opened in 1887, and diverged from the main (Box Hill–Lilydale) line about half-way between Hawthorn and Glenferrie. From the point of divergence the line was slightly less than one mile long, and it had only one intermediate station — Barker. There were four road over-bridges and two level crossings, including one over the busy Barkers Road. The line supported a passenger and goods service, and was electrified in December 1922, at the same time as the main line to Box Hill. There were a number of peak hour services which ran from Flinders Street station (Melbourne) to Kew, but in 1938 all but one of these were diverted to the Ashburton line, where traffic was growing. This had an adverse effect on Kew traffic, as passengers from Kew needed to cross over a footbridge at Hawthorn to change trains, and the main line trains were usually already crowded by the time they reached Hawthorn. At about the same time the off-peak trains were replaced by road buses. In 1952 all passenger trains were withdrawn, but the road bus service continued for many years. Goods trains were finally withdrawn in 1957, and the railway was dismantled in 1958-59. (Source: Frank Stamford, 'The Hawthorn - Kew Railway')Small black and white snapshot of the last passenger train at Barker Railway Station in 1952. The photograph, one of 12, is part of a larger album of newspaper clippings, timetables, tickets and photos relating to the Kew Railway Line, taken and compiled by Lachlan Richardson, while a resident of Kew. The album dates from the 1950s. The album is part of a larger subject file on the Kew Line, compiled over time by members of the Kew Historical Society."Last train at Barker Station / 1 August 1952"kew railway line, transport -- railways -- kew (vic.), barker railway station, kew branch line

The Kew railway was opened in 1887, and diverged from the main (Box Hill–Lilydale) line about half-way between Hawthorn and Glenferrie. From the point of divergence the line was slightly less than one mile long, and it had only one intermediate station — Barker. There were four road over-bridges and two level crossings, including one over the busy Barkers Road. The line supported a passenger and goods service, and was electrified in December 1922, at the same time as the main line to Box Hill. There were a number of peak hour services which ran from Flinders Street station (Melbourne) to Kew, but in 1938 all but one of these were diverted to the Ashburton line, where traffic was growing. This had an adverse effect on Kew traffic, as passengers from Kew needed to cross over a footbridge at Hawthorn to change trains, and the main line trains were usually already crowded by the time they reached Hawthorn. At about the same time the off-peak trains were replaced by road buses. In 1952 all passenger trains were withdrawn, but the road bus service continued for many years. Goods trains were finally withdrawn in 1957, and the railway was dismantled in 1958-59. (Source: Frank Stamford, 'The Hawthorn - Kew Railway')Small black and white snapshot of the last passenger train at Barker Railway Station in 1952. The photograph, one of 12, is part of a larger album of newspaper clippings, timetables, tickets and photos relating to the Kew Railway Line, taken and compiled by Lachlan Richardson, while a resident of Kew. The album dates from the 1950s. The album is part of a larger subject file on the Kew Line, compiled over time by members of the Kew Historical Society."Barker Station / August 1952"kew railway line, transport -- railways -- kew (vic.), barker railway station, kew branch line

The Kew railway was opened in 1887, and diverged from the main (Box Hill–Lilydale) line about half-way between Hawthorn and Glenferrie. From the point of divergence the line was slightly less than one mile long, and it had only one intermediate station — Barker. There were four road over-bridges and two level crossings, including one over the busy Barkers Road. The line supported a passenger and goods service, and was electrified in December 1922, at the same time as the main line to Box Hill. There were a number of peak hour services which ran from Flinders Street station (Melbourne) to Kew, but in 1938 all but one of these were diverted to the Ashburton line, where traffic was growing. This had an adverse effect on Kew traffic, as passengers from Kew needed to cross over a footbridge at Hawthorn to change trains, and the main line trains were usually already crowded by the time they reached Hawthorn. At about the same time the off-peak trains were replaced by road buses. In 1952 all passenger trains were withdrawn, but the road bus service continued for many years. Goods trains were finally withdrawn in 1957, and the railway was dismantled in 1958-59. (Source: Frank Stamford, 'The Hawthorn - Kew Railway')Small black and white snapshot of Kew Railway Station, looking south to Barker Station. The photograph, one of 12, is part of a larger album of newspaper clippings, timetables, tickets and photos relating to the Kew Railway Line, taken and compiled by Lachlan Richardson, while a resident of Kew. The album dates from the 1950s. The album is part of a larger subject file on the Kew Line, compiled over time by members of the Kew Historical Society.kew railway line, transport -- railways -- kew (vic.), kew branch line, kew railway station

The Kew railway was opened in 1887, and diverged from the main (Box Hill–Lilydale) line about half-way between Hawthorn and Glenferrie. From the point of divergence the line was slightly less than one mile long, and it had only one intermediate station — Barker. There were four road over-bridges and two level crossings, including one over the busy Barkers Road. The line supported a passenger and goods service, and was electrified in December 1922, at the same time as the main line to Box Hill. There were a number of peak hour services which ran from Flinders Street station (Melbourne) to Kew, but in 1938 all but one of these were diverted to the Ashburton line, where traffic was growing. This had an adverse effect on Kew traffic, as passengers from Kew needed to cross over a footbridge at Hawthorn to change trains, and the main line trains were usually already crowded by the time they reached Hawthorn. At about the same time the off-peak trains were replaced by road buses. In 1952 all passenger trains were withdrawn, but the road bus service continued for many years. Goods trains were finally withdrawn in 1957, and the railway was dismantled in 1958-59. (Source: Frank Stamford, 'The Hawthorn - Kew Railway')Small black and white snapshot of a seven carriage train approaching Barker Railway Station. The photograph, one of 12, is part of a larger album of newspaper clippings, timetables, tickets and photos relating to the Kew Railway Line, taken and compiled by Lachlan Richardson, while a resident of Kew. The album dates from the 1950s. The album is part of a larger subject file on the Kew Line, compiled over time by members of the Kew Historical Society."Seven Carriage Train at Barker Station"kew railway line, transport -- railways -- kew (vic.), barker railway station, kew branch line

The Kew railway was opened in 1887, and diverged from the main (Box Hill–Lilydale) line about half-way between Hawthorn and Glenferrie. From the point of divergence the line was slightly less than one mile long, and it had only one intermediate station — Barker. There were four road over-bridges and two level crossings, including one over the busy Barkers Road. The line supported a passenger and goods service, and was electrified in December 1922, at the same time as the main line to Box Hill. There were a number of peak hour services which ran from Flinders Street station (Melbourne) to Kew, but in 1938 all but one of these were diverted to the Ashburton line, where traffic was growing. This had an adverse effect on Kew traffic, as passengers from Kew needed to cross over a footbridge at Hawthorn to change trains, and the main line trains were usually already crowded by the time they reached Hawthorn. At about the same time the off-peak trains were replaced by road buses. In 1952 all passenger trains were withdrawn, but the road bus service continued for many years. Goods trains were finally withdrawn in 1957, and the railway was dismantled in 1958-59. (Source: Frank Stamford, 'The Hawthorn - Kew Railway')Small black and white snapshot looking along cutting towards Barker Station 22/4/51. The photograph, one of 12, is part of a larger album of newspaper clippings, timetables, tickets and photos relating to the Kew Railway Line, taken and compiled by Lachlan Richardson, while a resident of Kew. The album dates from the 1950s. The album is part of a larger subject file on the Kew Line, compiled over time by members of the Kew Historical Society."Looking along cutting towards Barker Station 22/4/51"kew railway line, transport -- railways -- kew (vic.), barker railway station, kew branch line

The Kew railway was opened in 1887, and diverged from the main (Box Hill–Lilydale) line about half-way between Hawthorn and Glenferrie. From the point of divergence the line was slightly less than one mile long, and it had only one intermediate station — Barker. There were four road over-bridges and two level crossings, including one over the busy Barkers Road. The line supported a passenger and goods service, and was electrified in December 1922, at the same time as the main line to Box Hill. There were a number of peak hour services which ran from Flinders Street station (Melbourne) to Kew, but in 1938 all but one of these were diverted to the Ashburton line, where traffic was growing. This had an adverse effect on Kew traffic, as passengers from Kew needed to cross over a footbridge at Hawthorn to change trains, and the main line trains were usually already crowded by the time they reached Hawthorn. At about the same time the off-peak trains were replaced by road buses. In 1952 all passenger trains were withdrawn, but the road bus service continued for many years. Goods trains were finally withdrawn in 1957, and the railway was dismantled in 1958-59. (Source: Frank Stamford, 'The Hawthorn - Kew Railway')Small black and white snapshot of how the Kew Branch Line was allowed to run down. The photograph, one of 12, is part of a larger album of newspaper clippings, timetables, tickets and photos relating to the Kew Railway Line, taken and compiled by Lachlan Richardson, while a resident of Kew. The album dates from the 1950s. The album is part of a larger subject file on the Kew Line, compiled over time by members of the Kew Historical Society.kew railway line, transport -- railways -- kew (vic.), barker railway station, kew branch line

Ron Setford and his wife Grace Setford lived in Tanner Avenue, East Kew, from c.1946 to c.1995. A keen photographer, he recorded the changing face of Kew over a 20 year period. Apart from 30 photographs of built structures and places in Kew dating from 1960 and 1961, 145 of his 35mm colour slides chronicle the development of the Eastern Freeway through the Yarra Valley over a five year period from c.1972 to c.1977. This important collection was donated to the Society by his granddaughter in 2025.This collection of 175 35mm slides is of local and statewide significance, owing to its subject matter, particularly the major development of road transport infrastructure during the 1970s with the construction of the Eastern Freeway. The photographer also took care to annotate and date most of his slides which enable the researcher to pinpoint temporal and spatial locations.Opened in 1960, the California Motel at 138 Barkers Road, Hawthorn, was located opposite the entrance to Xavier College and built on the site of the former Barker railway station of the closed Kew branch line. The motel was advertised as “away from the hustle and bustle of the city and offering affordable accommodation for the business or leisure traveller”. Special amenities included air-conditioning, a business centre, and swimming pool. The motel had 82 suites. A possibly forgotten, but perhaps essential feature of the motel, was the Caltex Service Station at its entrance. The building was closed in April 2008, extensively vandalised and finally demolished in 2013."California Motel"ron setford, photographs -- kew (vic.) -- 1960s, california motel -- barkers road -- hawthorn (vic.)

Ron Setford and his wife Grace Setford lived in Tanner Avenue, East Kew, from c.1946 to c.1995. A keen photographer, he recorded the changing face of Kew over a 20 year period. Apart from 30 photographs of built structures and places in Kew dating from 1960 and 1961, 145 of his 35mm colour slides chronicle the development of the Eastern Freeway through the Yarra Valley over a five year period from c.1972 to c.1977. This important collection was donated to the Society by his granddaughter in 2025.This collection of 175 35mm slides is of local and statewide significance, owing to its subject matter, particularly the major development of road transport infrastructure during the 1970s with the construction of the Eastern Freeway. The photographer also took care to annotate and date most of his slides which enable the researcher to pinpoint temporal and spatial locations.Opened in 1960, the California Motel at 138 Barkers Road, Hawthorn, was located opposite the entrance to Xavier College and built on the site of the former Barker railway station of the closed Kew branch line. The motel was advertised as “away from the hustle and bustle of the city and offering affordable accommodation for the business or leisure traveller”. Special amenities included air-conditioning, a business centre, and swimming pool. The motel had 82 suites. A possibly forgotten, but perhaps essential feature of the motel, was the Caltex Service Station at its entrance. The building was closed in April 2008, extensively vandalised and finally demolished in 2013.Nilron setford, photographs -- kew (vic.) -- 1960s, california hotel -- barkers road -- hawthorn (vic.), california motel -- barkers road