Wendouree's V/Line station was officially opened 10 years ago, on June 12, with the first train departing for Ballarat on June 14.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A lot has changed since then - a multi-million dollar plan to upgrade the station is underway, helping to support the rapid growth west of Ballarat.
See how it has changed here, from 2009 to 2019.
The city's second station was part of a state government push to add extra capacity in the regions.
In the near future, there'll be a second platform at the station, allowing for more frequent services, while council has plans for a public plaza and hundreds more parking spaces to be built.
READ MORE:
But 10 years ago, on a Sunday morning, there were about 30 people, from young families to trainspotting gunzels, waiting at the platform just to take the very first trip on the 9.02am service from Ararat.
The Courier reported the first driver was Darren Westbrook.
"Several passengers got off at Ballarat to wait for the return trip to Wendouree at 9.45am - just to say they had done it," it was reported at the time.
In the last financial year, more than 150,000 people used Wendouree station, with more than 500 return journeys taken each day.
Statistics reveal train usage figures have increased by tens of thousands of people in recent years at Ballarat and Wendouree stations.
There's also now more than 250 trains stopping at Wendouree station each week, up from 63 when it first opened.
That number will increase when the second platform opens, which is due to be completed by the end of the year.
Right now, foundations for an accessible pedestrian overpass are taking shape.
Last year, another 200 car parks were added at the station, with lighting and CCTV, to cater for the demand.
On Tuesday morning, to celebrate the occasion, former Premier Steve Bracks and local politicians will cut a special birthday cake for the station, after handing out free fruit to early morning commuters.
Work on the Regional Rail Revival project on the Ballarat line continues through winter, with coaches to replace services from June 24 to July 7 for another V/Line construction blitz, and interruptions due to night works from Sunday.
Have you signed up to The Courier's variety of news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in Ballarat.