Sunday sampled the newly allocated set N11 that was taken off the public roster from V/Line.

Old N11 a surprise treat for locals and tourist rail fans who are intrigued with old railway technology.

27th Jul 2025 myself and a mate travelled to Mornington which to tourist railway tucked away near the Metro area toward the SE of Melbourne CBD known to me as “Branch line” operator not unlike Vic Goldfield Rly

This begins at Castlemaine Station which still is connected to the mainline but branches off to Maldon.

Peninsula Tourist Railway Tourist Rly is currently isolated due it being cut off from the mainline of the suburban metropolitan rail system from I do believe the closest station Baxter which on the Stoney Point line which currently in service using the aging “Sprinter” Rail cars.

The unfortunate disconnection rail line of Moorooduc – Mornington where the small Tourist Railway Operators is located happened sometime years ago.

• The weather was fairly cool and partial cloudy and I had booked online on their website portal for ticket to ride their “Reto Train”
• these older train which is pulled by locomotives is currently progressively being scaled back on the Public Rail System on V/line.
  • I booked was the last train 1345 hrs for the day
  • The had 3 time slots to choose from to ride their train and featured the recently retired “Classic” Fleet N set no. N11 that had 3 cars operating all air conditioned with heating for winter and cooling for summer
• It was being pulled by T411 & “Flat topped” T334 in VR Livery from the Vic Railway era blue and gold
  • The cab of T334 he drivers limited view from their cab for watching out shunters or other people moving around their train etc.
• T411 I guess was it modified to have raised areas in the cab design to enable the drivers better to have better view around the train.

Before lunch and near by cafe we checked in and collect the tickets from the ticket office

A very nice little paper tickets old style ticket: “Mornington To Moorooduc Return“

• When we arrived before lunch I noticed a good amount people and some rail fans on site.
• Waited for runaround and notice few number of people wanting to ride the train.
• Watch them do the safety check beforehand
• PA announcements was made for boarding

We settled in ACN33 on N11

1. This was former “First” class on the Regional Rail Service was retired from active public service on the Regional trains Services mid last year approx.
   • when started scaling down the amount of carriage 5 sets available on the public roster used for Warrnambool and Swan Hill services.
   • This has the standard facilities common in 1st Class red seat, bi directional and tables attached to the back of seats.
   • The seats are wider than the ones in BRN,BN,BZN,BTNs cars which “economy” class seats.
2. Old N11 has now had it PTV Livery taken off and now have dark grey areas where the odd livery decals were present.
   • In my own humble observation I fondly saw this particular livery by the nickname “Pizza Shapes” after seeing some meme on FB poking humour hinting it was potential sponsor or advert for “Arnott’s” Biscuits” by V/Line and PTV!

I often called it “Pizza Shapes” because of those odd purple pattern on the train itself and some on their seats around for its odd appearance compared to the older livery as this one really stood out!!!

After nice little ride in ACN which is rare for me.

I observed the N compared with the Z series cars I noticed these features

• very square edge window frames because of old window sills inside
• N cars are younger with softer curved tampered edged frames and bigger window with no sills inside

It was a great run and enjoyed riding on N11 once more since it was removed from the public service I noticed it was not all 5 cars but it was good to see her roll again!!!

I felt the trip was not long enough in my case the buffet in BRN was not even active yet! LOL.

This Tourist Rly running days at most Sun for tour trips please see link for info.

https://morningtonrailway.org.au/