Another Messy day on the V/Line rail system & odd events

Tuesday to Swan Hill run but on arrival I noticed a few thing out of the norm for normal weekday timetable.

I gathered some info on the train platform details and observed a VLocity had taken it spot on the notifications which I later learnt a track fault and congestion on the line causing issues on the system.

Shortly I got notifications on Swan Hill train from V/line Bendigo and via their website:

From info gathered it did not seem address all be of the reasons why this happened

I was uncertain it was just train fault that impacted the 07:39 Swan Hill loco haul to be changed at short notice to VLocity.

I had a feeling there was more to this

Got info from ground zero it was track fault… not train fault!!!

Why would 07:39 service would be impacted too to be changed from loco haul to a cramped VLocity???

@VLine top management?

“Track faults” can be seen a very vague descriptions of events elsewhere, ranging from signal failure, point failures and trains stuck in sections etc!!!

So I went Platform 6A and settled in VLocity Swan Hill terminates Bendigo, Bus transfers onward to Swan Hill and coach to Mildura.

I equipped myself with hearty breakfast which was awkward to eat in the train due to the tighter seating areas and copious bottles of drinks on hand to keep hydrated on route in my little backpack.

1. I noticed the usual crowd of people waiting to for the train looking bewildered with change of rolling stock.
2. That confirmed that the change of rolling stock for the morning service was not due to a train fault as before hand there was no spare N set in the Melb yard at the time they required it to do 07:39 Swan Hill Down
3. Noticed at the cross after Castlemaine the Swan Hill train replacement VoLcity making it way on the return to Southern Cross
4. At Bendigo bought more drinks at the cafe in the station before deciding to go back as I was not fond of rail & coach transfers as It seems to me this is very impractical for people whom use walkers, wheelchairs and who big and tall in stature.
5. Or have medical issues ie: water works, dietary requirements on route that can make bus trip uncomfortable and very impractical.

Returned to Southern Cross and grabbed a wholesome lunch and rode the Wendouree VLocity.

Passing the Siding on the return was VN14 off Bacchus Marsh!

I don’t understand, why it was located and stabled there?

• Was it moved there as a “Empty Car” Movement to make space for the backlog of VLocitys waiting for Bio Wash and inspection for any potential damage after a animal strike?
• Or is there backlog of VLocitys waiting for repairs and they are making room for VoLcitys being rolled out of production ready for service in the main yard?
• Did VN14 require any major maintenance work on it done to that smaller workshop did not have the facilities or space to accomodate it and get done?
• Or done to remove it off the public roster?
• On the way past Melbourne Yard on the return I saw N12 with loco ready for the evening Swan Hill service and I saw another N set in the workshop

I think it time for budding “Investigative Journalist” of MSM to ask few question to the management involved.

The info that really needs to verified if it was true or not if did that a really loco haul train ran out fuel?

Some questions that could be considered can be:

1. Did the maintenance funding for N set and the locomotives pulling them was reduced?
   • Was the of quality control of the work carried out compromised in any way?
2. I understand when a dirty fuel glass in the present in fuel tank it could be obstructing the worker’s view to check how much fuel is left in the tanks of Loco
   • As I understand part of the train operation dept and maintenance dept to ensure it loco fuel tanks are full before the locomotive & train leaving refill point areas.
3. As I understand it the onus is on the driver to ensure the train is has enough fuel for the run if he familiar of the train’s configuration that they are operating.
   • And it was within his authority and right to knock a train out of service when found it did not enough fuel for the journey from Swan Hill after doing his inspection beforehand.
   • By the nature of issue the Swan Hill returning service at 06:54 didn’t leave the station!

is there a possibility that Operations and Maintenance management maybe at fault for allowing this to even reach this point?

After observing these indictors around apparently seems explains why there times was no loco haul for the 07:39 Swan Hill morning service!!!

The concern part was I observed and obtain info from ground zero AKA Southern Cross Station some found it was a regular occurrence they had no rolling stock available to operate that time slot to Swan Hill I being caught few of these changes myself!

It seems now they may not have enough sets available to accommodate the time frame and period required for train movement to available sidings located elsewhere in the Vic Railway System be it Bacchus Marsh,Geelong or Bendigo etc at a event the Melbourne Yard is full or other the set are out for repairs elsewhere or in Melbourne Yard!

I understand It cost a lot money to arrange a crew light engine movement to retrieve a train and loco that that is stuck out of fuel within the system.

Only 4 N set remains : N12,VN10,VN14 and VN17

There was over 6 set in service when Warrnambool and Bairnsdale line was active VN3,VN6,N11,VN5,N13,VN19,FN9 and FN4

[excluding the SN sets of Standard Gauge

I don’t think it was a good decision to reduce Classic Fleet to only 4 maybe 5-6 at the most whist most N class locos were leased to SSR who are currently operating them on Freight trains in the state.

This seems like ill thought out decisions made on the fly based on the high probability that a lot of people involved in those decisions aren’t personally impacted as most of them ride in tax funded car or air travel and only ride for PR campaigns and in controlled settings for short durations on those not fit for purpose IMU cars aka VoLcity, as they are seemly NOT proud enough to use their own rail system they oversee at a regular basis!

I later found that out word that top management seems to already made some sort of arrangement to operate VLocity as far as Bendigo and Loco Haul to Swan Hill!

I was advised from former railway sources around me that the purpose of CEO and team of V/line is was to aim for :

• Reliable = minimal disruption and delays able to get to A-B and the chance or being stranded on route is reduced , how about via regular maintenance infrastructure aka rail works aimed be done in the quite periods at night without impacting day services significantly?
  • Most people can tolerate slow track speeds on route but not total shut down without trains and made do buses transfers lasting short periods a 2 weeks at the most.
  • But not day and night without train services which may be dragging on over 3 weeks at the worse months ahead….
• Efficiently = fit for purpose travel ie: comfortably and safely, enough seat and easily accessible food and drink on board!
  • Currently Vending Machine in Regional towns and cities are hit and mess as 3rd party contractors and V/line is not responsible when passengers find it empty or out of order !
  • Need restocking is delayed or broken and tech of the 3rd party contractor food vendor company need to look come and at to rectify it!
• Cleanly =Less unnecessary last minute changes of service ie: train cancelled for buses or change several train service: Metro & V/line changes
  • As people travelling with numerous luggage items and carrying them and mobility requirement are the first to be impacted with these changes.

As Buses transfers can and should be used as last resort measure.

The message for the head of operation of V/line who’s background qualification outside the rail Industry as Store Logistics transportation manager is:

https://www.vibewire.com.au/?p=143253

*Link above show’s the person CV Regional Manager*

There is different boundary conditions and travelling requirements to be considered designing rail transport between Metro and Regional Travellers!!!

As on the rail services this too involves moving humans NOT only furniture or Commodities around the state!

Do you think it time for the top decision makers to get out of their offices to re evaluate their past decisions made on the Regional Travellers behalf and address the teething problems on those VoLcity IMU cars since forcing them to do routes?

Which beyond the IMU VoLcity rail car’s mechanical and design limitations and maybe accept that it is time to consider a designated longer distance rolling stock fit for purpose for longer duration on board for replacing the aging Loco and N set fleet what’s left of them?

My Conclusion is follows:

As the “One Size Fits All” experiment has failed dismally and the service to the user of the system and those staff workers etc. on the front line has being sadly compromised as I have observed.

As it is very concerning all the changes made to the rolling stock and services progress from what it was seems now in the “Function of Time” is currently showing little results for the people impacted by it with the $ spent on those upgrades for the Rail users in the V/Line system…..