In March 1928, despite strong resistance from the Railways Commissioners, the state government ordered the reopening of the section from Fawkner to Somerton for passengers. Services were provided by an AEC railmotor, which connected with electric trains at Fawkner. Later in 1928, the section of line from North Melbourne to Macaulay was converted to automatic signalling. The rest of the line continued to use double line block and staff and ticket systems for many more years.
