FOR the first time in 42 years, Goornong residents have been able to jump on board passenger rail to travel between Bendigo and Echuca.
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Goornong Train Station officially opened over the weekend and many local residents were excited about the arrival of the new train service.
Goornong Farm and Diesel managing director Sam Walker said the new station would only be a positive addition to the town.
"This means a number of things for us and our business," he said.
"It brings a number of people from Bendigo and into regional towns and lots of residents will also benefit from it.
"I am originally from Huntly and there used to be a train station (at Goornong) and I can remember it being here.
"It has definitely been a long time coming. We should start to see more houses going up in Goornong and it will be a big benefit for everyone."
Mr Walker hoped the rail service could help businesses in regional towns.
"The café down the road here sadly closed but we hope with the addition of this, things can open again," he said.
Goornong is the first of three new stations to be built as part of the Bendigo Metro 3 project, which aims to give people in growing communities better train access.
The station will run 18 weekly services - with two daily services on weekdays and four daily services on weekends.
Bendigo East MP Jacinta Allan said the train station was a great addition for Goornong.
"From 1864-1979, trains ran through Goornong and stopped in Goornong. Train services provide a really vital connection for country communities," she said.
"(Services allow people to have access) to jobs, to people and provides access to a broader range of educational facilities.
"It has been 42 years since trains services stopped here and it's really easy to close train lines and train services.
"That's why we have a commitment to upgrade regional rail across the state but also looking where we can to bring more services to country communities, it's such a vital connector."
Ms Allan said opening the station also sent back a positive message to the town itself.
Rail Projects Victoria Delivery Director of Regional Rail Revival Ben Henshall said the service was about giving passengers access to more reliable and faster journeys.
"Connecting regional Victoria to its bigger centres is really important," he said.
Other news:
"Rail Projects Victoria is a $4 billion program that is delivering upgrades to every regional passenger line in Victoria."
The delivery of the Huntly Station is expected to completed in mid-2022 and Raywood Station should follow late next year.
The Bendigo and Echuca line upgrade is part of the $4 billion Regional Rail Revival program.
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