No joke (see attached picture from TDU Archives).
This was the building that replaced the 'old Fish Market' on the corner of
Flinders and Swanston Streets, which was demolished to make way for the
present Flinders Street Station.
This one was built on the (SE) corner of Flinders and Spencer Streets,
squeezed between Flinders Street and the railway viaduct; long gone, and
for a few decades a vacant lot, it was well-used by the Melbourne City
Council as a pound for illegally parked cars. (Many a time on the City
Circle, a puzzled motorist would jump-on and asked if I knew where his car
was. I would ask "Where did you leave it ?" The car-less motorist would
then point to the side of the road, to which I would reply something like
"Next to that 'Clear Way, Tow Zone' sign ?" At least they could get a free
ride to the impounded vehicle.). However, I digress: presently a 10
year-old multi-storey apartment block occupies the site - it might be a
gunzle's dream, but I wonder how the residents cope with almost 24/7
foundation-rattling by all the trains passing within metres of the building.

The shunt referred to is (or was) situated in Spencer Street, between the
Yarra and the Railway Viaduct.

X=X=X

p.s. A search will reveal more similar photos in TDU archives, and on the
internet.

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