The usual approach from V/Line is to remove as much infrastucture as possible when making any changes to the network. There are dozens of cases of the past 5 years where changes to the network from V/line have made freight operations impossible or near impossible. I will write a separate article on the near 25 negative changes V/Line have made to the network to make it harder to use for operators.
Their next assignment or attack on the rail network is to remove a lot of Warrnambool rail yard that is currently in excellent condition and available for steam and locomotive hauled trips to the coastal city. The yard is fully concrete sleepered and well maintained, so why does it need to be removed?
What is proposed to replace the yard is a sad reflection on how V/Line want less and less rail network available for customers and to ensure locomotive hauled trains will never be used again on the line to Warrnambool.
The above diagram shows the imminent unnecessary, ill informed, poorly designed and costly damage to Warrnambool Yard removing capacity in the yard (completely uncessary) and making it impossible to marshall tourist trains at Warrnambool. This is a massive step backwards for a location that does not need changing and has capacity available when it is required.
V/Line really are a poorly functioning rail operator. Reflect on how they have taken what was a popular and comfortable rail journey to Warrnambool to now being an uncomfortable and overcrowded service. Not content, they now wish to ensure no other operators can run trains to the city other than their Vlocity buses.
In an additional misguided change the locomotive turntable used by visiting rail operators is being disconnected which will not be a popular change with those who bring joy to communities around the state. V/Line just don’t seem to get it and neither does the local member for Warrnambool.
The Management at V/Line do not strike me as a team with any comprehensive rail experience. They have actually reduced passenger capacity on the services to Warrnambool and now reducing rail capacity at Warrnambool.
What is most disturbing is the local state member for Warrnambool Jacinta Ermacora is content to allow this to happen even advising the travelling public they were adding capacity when it is clear to everyone it has been reduced. It was the same member who had been advocating for the removal of more comfortable locomotive hauled trains for suburban noisy diesel trains in the form of Vlocity a 25 year old train never designed for distances like Warrnambool, Bairnsdale, Swan Hill or Albury. They are no better than a route bus on steel wheels.
One only needs to read the comments on the article V/Line announces the end of comfortable travel to Warrnambool to experience the feelings of passengers on the rail line completely at odds with her view of the world and the view of belligerent V/Line management who are far from being customer focused.
I think it narrow minded and give contempt for people who want a comfortable reliable rail network and train to regional Victoria..
I wonder if anyone in Parliament are giving bribe to pandering to powerful road and air transport lobbying groups???
Time for an independent review of the operation of V/Line including the management of the network as a whole. Too many costly decisions impacting rail freight and passneger operations not in the best interests of Victorians.
Micheal this so called butchering of the rail yard and Warrnambool might impact Rail Heritage Train Operators Like Steamrail Vic and Seymour Heritage Railway Center who use the siding and to marshal their long trains more than 5 cars and to shunting movement to run turn their steam locomotives on the turntable!
It may impact on tourism in this areas!
I for one agree with this and that is I think one of the other major issues. V/Line are trying to stop loco hauled trains from using the Warrnambool line. They have also disconnected the major freight customer on the line from the network.
V/Line do not want freight to work in Victoria.