I shuffled in for the 0740 hrs Loco haul to Swan Hill tabled platform 6A and found out that the service was replace with a VLoctiy IMU rail car!
Usual reason was train fault, as it was confirmed via various source at Southern Cross aka ground zero.
but I from my ride on 13th Aug I was aware that VN17 had problems on route on the return “External Door Fault” of the door lock mechanism in the train, which can be seen as “Safety critical” intermittent fault that can potentially cancel a train service.
Normally when this happens it the current standard operational procedure is as follows:
VLocity IMU Railcar Southern Cross to Bendigo with Coach transfers onward to Swan Hill both way up and down for the day.
Now here’s were things get rather interesting!!!
The info of the new advice given to travellers on that service is as follows:
For Customers travelling beyond Bendigo please change at Bendigo for connecting loco hauled train for passengers going from Bendigo to Swan Hill
Whist the on the V/Line notification at first there no mention on it and it was still listed as loco haul on a normal Sunday timetable and nothing on the Bendigo Line X account
Later after raising questions on this on X the advice came out as follows:
- 0947 hrs UP direction :Swan-Southern Cross Delayed 20 minutes due to a train fault.
- 1030 hrs DOWN direction: Southern Cross-Swan Hill Delayed 20 Minutes due to a train fault
Do it seem by look like by using the reason “Train Fault”discreet way on a Sunday was to a trial of the changes to their working timetable for that service that of V/Line for future Swan Hill services?
- The 3 car VLocity from Southern Cross to Bendigo had a crowd of people waiting on 6A some with big luggage
- VLocity IMU s raill cars are currently free for all non reserved seating for now.
- some people with mobility requirement were waiting to board some people looked confused with rolling stock change.
- Once on board the conductor gave advice of the seating arrangement as some had booked seats reservation on their tickets, and Myki card traveller amongst them as Myki card end at Bendigo as from that point is paper tickets onwards to Swan Hill.
- some people with mobility requirement were waiting to board some people looked confused with rolling stock change.
- It was cramped and some people have big luggage and backpacks on board, as we made our the train filled up toward Kyneton onwards.
- I noticed the Up Service was replaced with VLocity IMU rail car as it passed our train by toward Kangaroo Flat.
In the current setting it was hard to get food or drinks out of the backpack or depose it in the bin receptacle to the cramped seat configuration and layout of the train which is a Glorified Commuter Urban Rail Car
The railcar had 2 WC on board BUT one WC was out of service!
The Conductor was preparing to help assist passenger luggage etc to their connection after doing her PA advice.
Bendigo Platform 2 on time 0957 and went promptly to the waiting loco haul train in front to continue my trip now dwell time started!
The train is scheduled to go at 10:00 from Bendigo!!!
Observations on site:
- I noticed the locomotive approaching to hooked up to the 5 cars 2 V/line staff were standing
- And it was hooked up and train was prepped in the same manner as Southern Cross.
- Continuity test ie: HEP and AG power to ensure electrical power through the train
- Door check to ensure electrical lock system is working properly throughout the train
- Brake test to ensure the brake pipe pressure is working properly to activate the brakes
- Conductor had to store big luggage, cycles in the luggage area in ACN
- Assist mobility access passenger on board
Was seated ready on 1013 in loco haul service to continue to Swan Hill
The train was held up due to train coming into Platform 2
Currently trains to & from Swan Hill, Eaglehawk and Echuca and freight going through at odd times.
Bendigo Railway Workshop is located near by that has trains to be in shopped & out shopped for works to be done or maintenance repairs etc to be considered as well.
- There was no buffet on the train toward Swan Hill.
- was there enough time for those people caught out in this unforeseen changes to the service to access refreshments from the station’s cafe if open if not vending machines?
- some of people who travelled from Southern Cross they were able to access food and drink as required at short notice .
- Those people boarded mid route, getting food from vending machines could be hit and miss if faulty or broken as V/Line are not responsible for them as they are third party contracted.
After a short pleasant trip in the loco haul which manage have a little rest on board and have my refreshments etc
As it was impossible rest properly on board the cramped VLocity on top of the source of the noise relentless roar of continuous traction engines and vibrations noise which can be taxing on some people physically
Compared to the fluctuating clatter of the older trains where the source of was vibration and noise of traction engines isolated from the passengers it was more pleasant setting on board when you travelling for lengthy distances!
Crew apologised passenger onboard for the late arrival at 1301 hrs reason:
Track Congestion!
We arrived at Swan Hill over half hour late as the train was required to arrive 1226 hrs we pulled in 1306 hrs
- a bus load of people had more travelling required boarding coach due to leave 13:02 hrs to Mildura etc. as buses/coach were expect to wait for the train’s arrival.
- The conductor who travelled from Southern Cross to Swan Hill after arrival were flat out getting people luggage out. after a quick run around train was ready for it return to Southern Cross by looked tired and knackered after that shift!
On 1635 it was pleasant and I was glad buffet service was active and the train went all the way back again to Southern Cross!
- The train suffered some sort of emerging electrical connection issue on route which began at Raywood 1827 hrs
- one was hinted by the current spiking or fluctuation current of at odd intervals indicated by the lights in carriages Fluro tubes it had very rapid slight flickering
- We were late arriving and tech guys was ready waiting as I pulled in 2157 hrs
- Whist shuffing out past the loco pulling the train N453 and two tech guys were doing something in the cab of the locomotive!
Conclusion:
It seemed to me that they or top management of V/Line were doing a experiment of the change of rolling stock mid route at Bendigo for future Swan Hill Service!
From what I saw and experienced on route with this operational change for this service it did NOT go as planned!
it can be done and seem to work well when track work are in progress and there is little or no train movement in those areas at Bendigo Station
- With the active working timetable for Weekday or Weekend it’s back to the drawing board for the people who are pushing ahead with this decisions for these changes.
- These changes could be very problematic for the frontline
- Dwell time is main issue at Bendigo for this service due the fact it mid route and has the potential to stuff up the queue of tabled train services moving in and out Bendigo throughout the that period.
- The time it takes to for conductor to assist passengers off the VLocity to their connection along with luggages on board
- Some passengers are elderly and has mobility requirements so they will take longer time to reach their connecting train service
- Plus the amount of luggage to be loaded as some have cycles, walkers etc. to take on board to store in the older ACN, to and from VLocity trains for storage
These train transfer connection may work well in Metropolitan Rail settings
As with Metro trains most people are going from A-B with little or no luggage on board and spend shorter duration on board.
This method does not work so well in Regional Rail Operations
As people pack to travel some with bigger items luggage and backpacks etc. Some bring their surfboard or cycle etc.
With the operational changes it’s no longer One train but TWO trains to catch & a disjointed service!
The Drivers and Conductor currently change mid route normally change drivers and continue onward to and from Swan Hill.
NOW extra staff required to prep another train aka Loco Haul train to continue the service!
The top management of V/Line may better off leaving the working time table for weekend and weekdays alone for now
as for now Vic doesn’t have the currently rail technology be it train or rail infrastructure to provide a suitable designated fleet fit for the purpose for Swan Hill etc as they heavily in debt and broke.
As currently is ONE train all the way and back to Swan Hill loco haul service!
As if this seemly rolling stock change in operations don’t work so well on Weekend setting what make them think it will work on weekday setting when there more train services going in and out Bendigo?
As last thing Regional Travellers beyond Bendigo want to do is stuff around changing service mid route on the way to and from Swan Hill lugging their luggage to and from different trains on the Platforms!
Yet more evidence they are unfit to run a viable and customer focused railway service. They are devious in their attempts to create a disaster for the Swan hill line.