Bulk Grain Storage
Marmalake is a large bulk grain storage facility and sidings attached to the yard at Murtoa, 296 km (185 miles) from Melbourne on the main western line to Adelaide.
[Editor’s note: Bushel measurements have been retained in this article, but cited tonnages apply to wheat only.]
When the Second World War broke out, wheat that would have been exported had to be stored for domestic use. Murtoa and Dunolly were selected as the places to build large wheat storage sheds. The Murtoa site was located just south of the railway yards. No. 1 shed measured 265 m (870 ft) long by 60 m (198 ft) wide holding more than 81.6 thousand tonnes (three million bushels). No. 2 shed measured 405 m (1330 ft) long by 73 m (242 ft) wide holding about 204 thousand tonnes (7.5 million bushels). No. 2 shed was the largest in the southern hemisphere at the time of construction. One of these historically significant sheds (No. 1 shed) has been saved and restored, for more information.)
