A dog’s breakfast on Swan Hill Line Mother’s Day and Warrnambool run

A lack of rolling stock and overcrowding was affecting Swan Hill line at 05:40 as it was reduced from Loco Haul to VLocity 3×1 to Bendigo and Bus to Swan Hill 07:40

The 07:40 Southern Cross – Swan Hill service will terminate at Bendigo and no longer run to Swan Hill

More information at https://t.co/MJNRgC0bxC pic.twitter.com/01XmSzxBdC

— V/Line Bendigo Line (@vline_bendigo) May 10, 2025

I started to prepare myself with food and drinks for the VoLcity DMU ride to Castlemaine as I intended to catch the returning Swan Hill service and do a Warrnambool run after.

Events on route toward Castlemaine:

1. The VLocity 3×1 come in platform 6 noticed quite crowd some with big bags waiting some were not happy about the abrupt change of rolling stock and travel arrangements
2. On departure I noticed VN17 was shunted with Y class loco toward the workshop as info shared to me was the N set had some sort of carriage fault.
3. One can safely say it was “Safety Critical” issue to warrant the change of rolling stock used for the Swan Hill service for that day
4. Why is there no other older train set available in Melbourne Yard on stand by for such situations seem very unacceptable for a Rail Operator even to allow it to reach this point.

I settled down in the VoLcity as by seat arrangements it was the older series DMUs with those green seats….with no tables in the middle car.

I arrived at Castlemaine ready for my connecting loco haul run expecting a very loaded service due to Mother day….Noticed Vic Goldfield Railway setting up their train to Maldon with J class in steam.

Swan Hill service returning Melb was VN14 and Loco 452

Events on board.

• This service was heavily loaded I boarded and manage to get a seat in the BZN276 next the Aisle
• Noticed football was on too! I’ve forgotten about putting add to the overcrowding issue onboard too!
• People were standing in Aisle and seating on the floor near WCs any place they could find on board.
• Observed later the whole train were packed as even I wanted to go the buffet for food and drinksI would not able to get through to car B as people were standing in Aisles and vestibule areas through out the train.
• It was hard to get to WC in the carriage with the amount of people in the carriage access areas.
• Train pulls in 11:37 and people flooded out as soon doors disarmed, me I sat back a bit until most had got off and shuffled off…..

After lunch I prep for the 13:10 Warrnambool VoLcity 3×1 run

It was 3×1 DMU newer series had, purple seats without the strengthen frames added to stiffen the seats and table in the middle car as it was different series compared to DMU to Bendigo earlier at platform 6A.

Riding conditions on board

1. I was sitting a seat that was very narrow and the person next me was sitting uncomfortably leaning toward the Aisle.
2. I had massive problem reaching my backpack with drinks and food to make myself comfortable due the seats so cramped together I could not get it without asking the person who saw I was having problem and moved from the seat to allow me to get my stuff from my bag.
3. Heavily loaded 3×1 VoLcity  all seats booked  13:10 Warrnambool down….some people sitting on floor toward Geelong.
4. Corio suspected 55 peg mark big bump spring bottom out rear bogie won’t do springs or electrical components any good in the function of time!!!
5. N set at Geelong yard VN19 and Geelong at the same time I saw a empty car 3×1 VLcity passing by lights off at 14:03
6. Saw the cross at Boorcan the VLocity
7. Pulled in 16:41 at Warrnambool and saw the yard

Sighting at Warrnambool.

• I saw all the machinery at Warrnambool yard whist vigne
• Noticed a in older sidings where loco haul used to stable next the track a was bucket and scrubbing broom which I think was for scrubbing the windscreen of the VLocity.

I settled on board the VoLcity for the homeward leg and made sure I was sitting in area with room to access my bag on board, it was a bit less crowded on the up toward Melbourne.

• Left Warrnambool 17:27 on time
• I saw Vlocity Warrnambool 19:07 down Birregurra Loop
  • 19:37 I do not know what happen but the train seem to have few problems.
  • reduced  a crawl……briefly halted momentary
  • Why was the train seems be slowing to nothing almost stopping  mid section?
  • Was happy the train got going again to arrive at Waurn Ponds!

Just doze briefly just off Waurn Ponds on up before Sth Geelong was woken with bump as I felt the impact from my seat from the track it was not nice feeling….

• As we were on that steel bridge not sure what happen to that upgraded track but that sort of impact won’t do the train much good in the function of time use to shake up the older trains, not sure how the newer VLocity would handle it!
• Traspasser was on the line halted our progress briefly!
• Started again,but heard abnormal noise from the train and seem the train is having problems powering as it seem very sluggish to get going again….
• Pulled in 21:21 and PA announcement came apologising for the delay trasspasser and train faults….
• It seem tech was waiting for my train as we pulled in
• But noticed later that train was tabled go back to Waurn Ponds with passengers

My Concerns is as follows:

How did V/Line management allow the early withdrawal of the classic carriage fleet taking them off the public roster and giving away carriages and leasing away or selling off N Locomotives off to the point they have no spare sets in Melbourne Yard to cover sets that need to fixed at short notice?

It seem maintenance on the older remaining sets is being scaled back to justify their release from public service

From what I am experiencing…. the conclusion is follows:

The system has hit critical mass, not only the newer trains are having problems on the longer routes as the rough track condition has sped up the wear and tear on the those 25+ year old VLocity which is light weight rail car compared with the older trains as in the function time they are now operating like badly maintained N sets!!!

The overcrowding exist everywhere not only on the newer trains, but the on older trains too when sporting events or public holidays are on

The spare N set I saw at Geelong Yard is good but they should have a few of them near by in Melbourne Yard so they can shunted in to take their place at short notice!

From I observe: N12,VN14, VN19 is still around with FN9 that is missing currently.

I understand it maybe scaled back to only 3 set, but from my observation it need at least 5 sets.

4 sets one in use rotated for up or down Swan Hill and one on standby to at events a newer train fails can be run as service on other longer duration lines as a substitute set to cover that service to minimise disruption on the longer distance routes…

Coaches/bus transfers should be used as last resort practices to get people to A-B.

It seems the VLocity DMUS are not withstanding the rigours of the “One Size Fit All Policy” as it being pushed beyond it mechanical limitations and purpose it was intended for!