Enjoying the Overland Train plus interesting events on the way

I shuffled in Southern Cross station formerly known to me as “Spencer St. Station and watched out for 0805 hrs train service ” The Overland” to Adelaide

I checked my luggage in for storage in PCO3 to Adelaide. And went to platform 2 to await the docking and couple up of the train.

It normally arrives from Nth Dynon yard near Pacific National siding/workshop areas where its normally stored overnight during its brief stay in Melb.

• Observed at Platform 1 next to 2 which is the only platform at Southern Cross currently has “dual gauge”
• The tracks 5 ft,3 inch Broad Vic Gauge with 4ft, 8 1/2 inch Standard Gauge NSW,SA and NT are in use on the flyover.
  • Many years ago dual gauge served both BOTH SA and Vic for the passengers trains:
    • The Overland & Daylink via Ballarat, Ararat etc.
    • Spirit Of Progress via Tottenham Yard, Craigieburn etc.
    • The Southern Aurora
    • Inter capital Daylight
    • Twin City Ltd.
    • Melb Ltd [private co. Tourist train]

Do note: these former train services interstate are not chronological order.

The XPT and Broad and a number of Standard Gauge Freight train operators still use the line to NSW and around Vic although old Tottenham yard is a shadow of it’s former self now track siding torn up here and there and the old tower seems to be disused currently now stables a few SSR, PN and ex v/line loco & freight wagons, some disused.

Y class shunter running train movements from the yard in & out of no.1 with VN14 07:17 hrs after Overland shunted in no.2 at 07:07 hrs before the XPT from Sydney arrived

I checked in for my seat allocation and 07:30 I was well settled in “Car D seat 9” behind the powervan PCO3 and loco NR13

Observations on route

1. Departed 08:00hrs on time, past Melb Yard VN14 and another N set. no. hidden from view
2. 08:55 hrs Express way SG route from Newport rough sections present in metropolitan areas toward Werribee
   • 50 – 55 peg it really shook up the train!
3. One of main light in the carriage I was riding in the   fluro tube blew and went out!
   • The vibrations of rough riding conditions of the track must being quite severe on board as it occurred at 09:14hr before Nth Shore
4. Ararat the weather was mushy light drizzle
   • Murtoa – Horsham was very brutal on those bogie spring underneath!!!
     • Was having lunch on board and meal service and it was shaking up the crew who was going back and forth 1242 hrs

After Vic/SA border off Kanvia the riding conditions changed

It seem the train was not shaking so badly and was not as rough whist moving through the train as we made our way to the Adelaide Hills after Murray Bridge.

A noticeable “kick” was felt toward the left in Adelaide Hill sections whist leaving one of the two tunnels whist approaching Belair Station after 1726 hr.

I wondered if it was kink in the rail or something else that caused that?

At the time it happen were rolling toward our destination the former Adelaide “Keswick” Terminal or Adelaide “Parksland” Terminal

After a short stop over for Fri and Sat night and sampling more the EMU’s in Adelaide I rode this train all the way home again!

I enjoyed the same service on the homeward leg, The Matilda Car buffet on this consist was nice surprise as normally it RBJ, but I understand it having it regular maintenance program done on it as it get used quite often!

Observation the riding quality on route

• Noticed heard the “shuddering” in the train phyical structure in the carraiges whist rolling on route to and at odd times during the journey to and foe
  • I felt that not from it the carriages itself as when it heard when it occurring whist rolling on route it was very localised and short in duration.
  • As if the issue was from the train it’s self it the shuddering in the train it self would being constant though out the whole trip.
    • For example: The carriage I was riding in was suffering wheel flats, very slight but the banging noise of the wheels will be persistent whist the train was in motion.
• I wonder if it was the track conditions that caused it, ie:“scolloped rails”?
  • Is it possible potential issue occurring when the hard casing of the rail head is grounded away after a period of time after re profiling the rails?
  • As eventually when the harden steel layer of the railheads removed could it eventually expose the softer steel to friction and wear?

I understand due to wear and weight of various trains ie: freight & passenger rail heads may eventually loses it’s shape in accordance to conical flange of trains

The main fluro light tube of the old carriage I was riding was shaken so badly on route it was blown mid trip, not once BUT twice!!!!

• as I happened to be rolling past on board Adelaide Metro EMU to Seaford the day after I arrived
  • I sighted the empty rack of carriages was stabled at the platform at Adelaide Parksland Terminal
• At Sun when I was returning back to VIC I noticed after boarding their train.
• I was thinking their maintenance team had fixed it on the day after Friday
• Vic leg was rough as on the Ararat Section Vic toward Horsham really shook her up badly.
  • this occurred at 15:55hrs when the light blew again!!!
  • Strangely it was the same area as before when travelling from Southern Cross above seat no.9!

The train was on time and the service exceptional

The train may be old and outdated compared to some overseas countries BUT was comfortable and fit for its purpose:

Designed by mechanical rolling stock engineers who climbed the ranks of the railways & manufacturing was overseen by carriage builders of VR&SAR era locally

Designed to cater for a long distance rail travel “Interstate” Rolling stock

By some trades that are no longer in widespread use the railways ie: boiler making, carpenters and upholstery ie: stuffing the leather seats with horse hair etc. and few more old trades I may not have listed used in that era.

A shadow of its former self with had sleepers, passenger cars, buffet, Club Lounge Car and you could even take your car on it!

I understand there’s banter from pro VoLcity crowd that a standard gauge VoLcity could be done that route from Melb and extend from Ararat to Horsham within the Vic Border.

From what I have experienced on route on board top standard rolling stock available on the pecking order at the moment.

I can’t see it happening at the moment for now, As the states/AUS is heavily in debt and the current track conditions may not allow its operation without damaging the lighter built for speed modern VLocity rail cars!

it is very long distance & time from Melb 3-4+ hrs for people to spend on board this type of rollingstock as it is not fit for purpose!

As it’s just one up the rolling stock design’s pecking order:

• ” CMU aka Commuter Multiple Unit” Metro suburban commuter train
• Compared with “Inter Urban Multiple Unit“ aka VLocity currently used as blanket one size fits all concept!

The “lowest of the low” to cater to the various boundary conditions required to carrying passengers on board for X amount of time and distance via rail which much slower then air travel!

Do you feel our MPs & their PTV or PT Advisors who make decisions on newer trains at the moment on rail user’s behalf are confusing Rail Travel with Air Travel?