An inspired idea hatched more than 32 years ago is finally seeing the light of day.
Down at Tom Rigg’s new home – Watergardens Aged Care – the still-sharp living legend, 84, showed Star Weekly an article from The Western Times dated July 4, 1984. The article detailed Tom’s vision for an underground rail line – and station– at Main Road.
Then the St Albans’ stationmaster, Tom proposed the entire station go underground, with a carpark and shopping centre above. Two years later, a $200 million concept plan went before the then Keilor and Sunshine councils, but failed to gain traction.
Today, Tom’s grand plan has partly been realised, with a 700 square-metre shopping precinct earmarked for the new St Albans station – and the rail line now runs under Main Road.
“In my estimation, it’s the biggest thing that’s happened in St Albans,” Tom said.
