Hi Kevin,
Per my earlier mail the Cool Stores sidings weren't on the same alignment as the ground level line.
I initiated the discussion in Mark Bau's (sadly lost) forum as it's a topic I have been interested in for some years, and contributed quite a bit to it.
My recollection differs from yours, I don't recall the group coming to a preferred conclusion that the sidings were laid on the old loop.
As I also mentioned in my previous mail, I was kindly sent a copy of VR's own file on the branch. This contains 80+ plans and documents regarding the building and operation of the branch. I received the file after the forum had been ceased so never had the chance to add this in. There's far too much detail to include here, it needs its own study, and is OT for this forum.
In brief, as far as I can ascertain:
* The VR tried to get the market to use the old ground-level loop when the building was proposed
* The Council (owners) requested a change in the alignment to suit their building
* The VR agreed
* The sidings were owned from inception by the Council from a point about mid-way across Spencer St crossing, but operated and maintained by the VR
* They were taken up around 1929
Here's a few of the diagrams that may help:
1. The alignment of the original ground-level crossing loop in regard to where the viaduct was built - note it is near straight and at a tangent to the viaduct:
https://flic.kr/p/DWggCv https://flic.kr/p/DWggCv
2. One of the plans showing the councils requested alignment in relation to the viaduct, this was the alignment that was built - note the position and now curvature, matching the viaduct and the shape of the Cool Stores which were presumably designed by Council to best fit the space
https://flic.kr/p/JDqcCc https://flic.kr/p/JDqcCc
Also may interest :
3. Another document from the file showing the alignment of the ground-level line out of Spencer St yard to the point where the Cold Stores started, and also the later line along Flinders St - it seems the only part of the ground-level line possibly used was a small section across the crossing, if that:
https://flic.kr/p/22vwEX7 https://flic.kr/p/22vwEX7
4. A further map showing where the ground level line entered Flinders Street station which solves that query:
https://flic.kr/p/23xrSPS https://flic.kr/p/23xrSPS
Cheers, Andrew - who rarely contributes to online forums as it's a bit of a hassle