Information for verification of rail equipment faults on Bendigo Line

On 3/08 to Swan Hill and had N12 as they had issues with set rostered for that run 0740 hrs

Downward leg was uneventful and ran like a gem, buffet was operational from Watergardens to Kerang

The return leg was okay but due to staff shortage the buffet didn’t operate!!!

I fortunately noticed the signs with handful who quickly sourced food from vending machine or Hungry Jack near the station but lot people who got off the coaches were caught out this advice came after the train left the station!!!

After that my train was impacted via rail equipment failure earlier noticed rumbling of it 1606 hrs!

• Swan Hill 16:35 was terminated shortly after its arrival at Bendigo 1907hrs
• The staff scrambled to make arrangements two buses were order a express from Bendigo and stopping all stop
• Train starting coming in shortly after the N12 and it loco was turned around to facing toward Eaglehawk, I figured it was returning to Swan Hill after

The 1606 Southern Cross –Bendigo service is delayed 40 minutes due to rail equipment fault!

Well there goes my uninterrupted run on N12 !

if possible prefer train back than a bus!

V/Line staff was understanding they did there best to arrange a train a 3 VLocity to take use back although it was meant to 6 but the knock on effect impacted lot of services!

After a 1 hour wait on platform with other passengers with staff advising the people at intervals of what service are running or not.

We left at 2038 hrs on VLocity stopping all stations back to Southern Cross arrived 22:30 at ground zero, saw VN17 that was also impacted it never made it out so to make a Monday service!

manage to learn more info via on ground zero there are workers stands at risk with potential loss of a job with few others via decisions from seemly uncaring top management of V/Line.

Assist CEO of V/Line is considering making changes on Albury Services & Swan Hill Line!!

This a information I gathered needs verification if this is true it is a concern for all involved as it looking like a rather messy and disjointed way of managing Regional Transport service

1. Albury service:
   • Standard Gauge VLocity are going to replaced with newer VLocity IMU with no buffet!
   • Passengers will have carry extra bags for food and drinks on top other luggage they are carrying on board the VoLcity which reserved seats only.
   • VLocitys are known for their very cramped commuter seating arrangements compared to the older classic fleet which held the acceptable benchmark standards for longer distance Regional Rail services that are being reduced at a rapid rate.

1. Swan Hill line
   • Southern Cross to Bendigo a VLocity for passenger using this both ways to Bendigo and from and change services
   • From Bendigo the passengers will need get off the VLocity and change trains to loco service from Bendigo to Swan Hill without buffet service both ways!
2. With regards at a events of sudden platform changes at Bendigo Station.
   • noticed there are limited mobility access provisions as the overpass the one in the centre of station next to platform 1 which only staircase access
   • Further down on the platform there is a another overpass with lifts for moblity access
   • Disadvantage of this the distance to Platform 2 centre areas

There’s banter amongst the frontline Bendigo and Swan Hill these changes of the Swan Hill are currently being considered!

Does the Acting CEO of V/Line who’s got rail background of metro Operations know what his team are doing?

https://rocketreach.co/warwick-horsley-email_4686914

As a observer there are potential issues with this and doesn’t sit well me with changing a service rolling stock arrangements and operations for the sake of it!

I have few questions a MSM reporter should do instead of following prescribed narrative!!!

Questions is as follows:

1. Does the Assist CEO V/Line and his team on top realise the info that was gathered from ground zero of some the considered changes on the Swan Hill may work well on a “Metropolitan train Services“ BUT not so well on “Regional” train services?
   • I get the feeling that some the frontline in affected areas in this rail corridor are not very happy about these incoming changes
2. I observed the PH Van or power vans to assist classic fleet current operation when it having few electrical issue ie:
   • back up generator in BRN is not working properly this takes it role temporary to enable the train to operate how are they going access it at very short notice when it normal in Melb yard outside Southern Cross?
3. Did they consider they may have get extra shunting staff to accommodate the extra train movement in Bendigo?
   • Plus cleaners and pumping out the WC and cleaning carriages I understand they use pump truck to clear the WCs of the old classic fleet at Southern Cross how are they going get their service in middle of Bendigo?
4. The station platforms at Bendigo are seemly ill equipped limited truck access to accomodate them being driven in those areas unlike Southern Cross, how much $$$ will be spent to bring up to standard of Southern Cross Station they work at currently?
5. Did he consider the impact his decisions of these changes on passengers particular those with bags, big luggage and bike to carry on route and mobility requirement passengers etc on board these services?
   • No buffet after on the connecting service after getting off a not fit for purpose IMU VoLcitys?
6. All passengers will have lug their luggage pack extra pre packed bags for food and drinks to change trains Bendigo Station.
7. To continue on the loco haul service onwards to and from Swan Hill etc!
   • this is unacceptable travelling conditions for Regional Train services operator to even consider as some people even got make train &coach connections after getting off or on at shortly at Swan Hill, are they serious?

Do you get the impression the decisions were considered from a office by advisors and top managers who are seemly too lazy to ride the train all the way to back gather reliable data on route on regular basis?

Conclusion:

I have concerns that the Acting CEO of V/Line maybe out of his depth, as the currently the loco haul arrangement from Southern Cross is direct and clean service one train to and from Swan Hill!!

• The last thing people want to do is stuff around changing trains mid route and I some around me can’t see any benefit of this for the users who use this service to and from Swan Hill and beyond…
• What more it hard enough to source food from a vending machine which 3rd party contacted as at event it broken or empty V/Line management is not responsible for it!
• Some regional terminating stations past the card tap on zones it not so easy to source food and short notice when some get off and get on coach within half and hour!
• Due to cramped conditions on VoLcity due cramped seat limited storage space on board 3×2 or 3×1 this may aggravate the overcrowding issues on board as the day service are often crowded on the current day service that leave 1601hrs with school kids and workers!!!

Now it seems its the time for them to get out of their office for min 2 per week for whole day with PC for a few mths and travel on regular line train services on their own newer trains uncontrolled settings without breaking the journey no tax funded car and see for themselves the damage the former CEO of V/line has done to the longer routes ie:Warrnambool

From my observation:

It seem like a major cost cutting measures being carried out by managment on Swan Hill and Albury

the bio washes are working full tit via info obtained one at Bendigo and Nth Dynon

so it hints to me the backlog remains with the newer trains currently, whist they are trying scale back funding the maintenance for the classic fleet at the same time!

Swan Hill loco haul services should be left and other former loco reinstalled for now

VoLcity IMU cars should be limited to the shorter routes as they were designed for as doing this should ease the backlog of VoLcity out of service if they were not abused by the top management who currently forcing them to operate in rail operating conditions they were never mechanically designed for!

until they are in a stronger financial portion to get a dedicated fleet fit for purpose rolling stock to proven in test of time to take the Swan Hill Line they already compromised the service on the Warrnambool Line and Gippsland etc!

The New CEO of V/Line has being appointed.

Friday 1 August 2025

William Tieppo has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of V/Line following an extensive recruitment process.

https://rocketreach.co/william-tieppo-email_18375403

William Tieppo, based in Victoria, VIC, AU,

• is currently a Deputy Secretary – Network Integration at Department of Transport.
• William Tieppo brings experience from previous roles at Transport for Victoria, City of Greater Geelong and VicRoads.
• William Tieppo holds a 1991 – 1995 Civil in Engineering @ Victoria University. With a robust skill set that includes Project Management, Crisis Communications, Continuous Improvement, Requirements Analysis, Staff Development and more.

Well he got a background of CV of Vic road transport…..I wonder how he will go..

First thing some would suggest he do is ride the VLocity based train to Warrnambool all the way and back without breaking the journey uncontrolled setting and no tax funded car and see the work he had to do before making any decisions….