Poor “Classic Fleet” availability and no spares left in the yard to cover unscheduled maintenance!

Consecutive days on site and some thing happen around me that seemed out of the norm.

These events that led me to being concerned of a potential collapse of the train regional service to Swan Hill if ignored too long.

1. 26/10/25 VN17 with loco N458
   • BZN 252 Door light external ex 07:40-07:42
   • Bendigo siding N460 in it with red flag on the coupler!!!
   • BRN 31 AG [auxiliary Generator] is spiking and sounding a little jagged here and there, I wonder if it seems it need to be looked at soon?
   • When it returned it need to return to workshop to address a few things.
2. 29/10/25 VN14 with loco N465
   • Before Kanagroo Flat were heard, rough areas track works in progress on this sections, as flange squeals were heard last week I rode.
   • Very rough riding on sections after the detonators a “safety warning device” was heard from the carriage.
     • Normally used to alert the workers further down a train was approaching their section or areas.
   • When it returned it need to return to workshop to address few thing with it.
3. 1/11/25 N458 & VN14
   • somehow seem hear separate cycles in the locomotive whist it’s idling.
   • Later after the spike fluctuations inside were not so obvious as it was happening very rapidly after starting up the HEP.
4. 08:16 lost light/power in the train I was peering out the window before occurrence….

Somehow I turned my head just in time see lights go out in the carriage whist in motion!

LIGHTS OUT!

Train crew quickly restored light and power in the train at 08:17

• Arrived at Bendigo 09:58 and watched the crowd of passenger getting off the service and those standing outside boarding the service. when all of sudden..
  • 10:00 before departure a “click” was heard and the train lost the lights/power at Bendigo!!!

I abruptly turned my head “lights out!”

Some of the people who entered the carriage looked surprised paused whist walking past in the carriage

As a “Concerned train traveller” I advised them so they would not get alarmed.

Oh they just will just reset something & restore the light/power for the train.

It took two attempts for the crew the restore power in the train and we rolled onward from Bendigo shortly after.

• later on I shuffled to the buffet for my cup of coffee and noticed the next carriage was stuffy and still.
  • whist in the buffet I notice a brief, rapid electrical spike taking place indicated by fluro tubes of light in the carriage 10:27
  • I noticed after getting my refreshments walking back to my carriage the air was blowing in BN14, but was WARM air not COOL air

Arrived Swan Hill 12:32

The crew was prepping the train and a crowd of the passengers headed for the coach connection to Robinvale and Mildura.

I watched the runaround of the loco N458 changed ends while there was driver and conductor change at Swan Hill

A big crowd was forming waiting for boarding call for the 13:35 Southern Cross train from Swan Hill on the platform being the weekend

I understand the train had HEP aka “Head End Power” problems

To me it seem to look like electrical connection issues within the locomotive or the train after being bounced badly to point I can hear the internal in the carraige rattling whist rolling on those rough sections V/Line /Metro areas day in and day out!

I felt this train is in no state to take the Evening Service, as on a Saturday Timetable the day service often make up the evening 18:43 Service.

1. I observe on the return service Air conditioning in 14BN was now working with BOTH communication/ passenger saloon door isolated set by crew on “Manual” setting.
   • Therefore the passenger was subjected to noisy riding conditions due to the ends of the carriage were currently doors now in open position whist train was in motion
   • But still needs to be looked at to figure out why is was blowing hot air earlier with communication doors on “Auto” setting self opening/closing mode
   • Was Thermostat set wrong or was it something else?
   • On arrival at 18:32 the train was taken away to yard and workshop
2. I saw VN17 ready for boarding with loco standing at 5A after arriving at 3B
3. 2/11/25 VN14 with loco N467 and BRN41 sounded better not so rough and jagged, most the trip was good air was cooling the train as it should.
   • 14BN communication door was still isolated in “manual”
   • It was warm during day and cooler by dusk the train roll on nicely and air conditioning didn’t skip a beat

I don’t know it what it was but at on the up leg after going over those rough areas after Gisborne

heard a faint crackle just looked in time to see a small bluish arc flash opposite me from ceiling somewhere in the carriage what it was I don’t have clue!!!

Coincidentally the light in the carriages had very quick flicker briefly moments later!!

4-5/11 Stormy evening, sampling the “Red Eye Special” VN17 & N458 18:08

VN10 was in Melbourne yard and VN14 was returning as we were rolling out of towards the flyover..

peak hr has commenced of workers etc. good no. on the service amongst me travelling home or to away for the long weekend I settled down and had wholesome dinner on the train.

• From my window I saw the storm clouds gather with rain on the way to Castlemaine about 19:43
• forked lightning over seen in the storm clouds striking the N-NE mountain ranges whist toward sunset shone from the W as the train was rolling Nth at the time.
• Bendigo 20:20 and people got off and more got on from Bendigo
• 22:20 Rapid Spikes  took place in fluro tubes in light at far spaced erratic intervals.
  • Something emerging in the function of time like VN10?
  • N458 did she get bounced too hard?
• 20:39 light brightness in the carriages sort faded briefly and  back to full brightness at odd intervals.
  • Why is this happening? seems odd and it seems not normal!

VN17 rolled in Swan Hill 22:55 in the most interesting manner, we were came to rough stop!

All I knew was that someone was tired!!!

06:05 at Swan Hill ready for 06:54 service expecting big crowd as it was Melb Cup Day!

1. 06:06 the was crew prepping their train and loco shortly earlier as arrived and strolled toward the loco for better loco a “click” was heard.
   • The whole train lost it’s lights is this meant to happen ?
   • In the country you can really hear that circuit breaker or connector activate, it was reset again by crew.
2. Now in quieter setting in the country station compared to noisy Southern Cross station it seem N458 was bit unwell
   • The frequencies in N458 seem to a spiking is very rapid sort of goes up a bit in frequency and revert back to lower frequency slightly a breaking the rhythm.
   • It’s a very intriguing sound known to me the electrical of signature of a locomotive and train!
   • If possible as I would like to be enlighten a bit more what does this means by mentor who are willing to share their expertise in the industry
     • As I wonder often what a spark or loco technical person etc. would say about this?
3. External door lock issues occurring Water gardens, it seem confirmed there were problems with the train 11:17 Crew went to rectify it!

5/11/25 mad scramble to get a train & Loco set up for the Swan Hill Service!

After watching the Albury and couple VLocity pull in and roll out, I noticed the set for Swan Hill 07:39 was late well after 07:00

Crew, catering for buffet were waiting well after 07:00 for the Swan Hill service to be shunted for them to prep for the service!!!

1. At 06:58 VN14 was seen first thing in the morning push pull configuration and loco N467 was facing me at 3B briefly and lead away on the mainline ,empty cars by another N class no. unknown.
2. VN10 was hastily brought in by Y class where loco N456 was coupled and we were boarded as soon the crew finished the safety checks.
3. We lost our path departed 07:55 etd and VN17 was seen at Castlemaine 09:58
4. Arrived Swan Hill 12:53

Train depart on time 13:35 but suffer external door fault at Kerang delaying the service.

14:20 BZN262 got external door fault was reported and was isolated

On arrival back 18:28 to Southern Cross a Alstom tech personnel were waiting to address the train’s issues I understand that VN10 was booked for the workshop for repairs.

Observations:

• As the younger VLocity they too getting knocked around too due to the rough riding conditions on some lines
  • as I was asked when are the getting more VLocitys as there is shortage of trains?
  • I replied I do not know, but I understand 134 on order via state gov statement
    • but as I understand if true that any payment on the transport rail manufacturer & provider for new rolling stock are outstanding I guess it within their right to withhold orders until the money comes in!
  • As that day I saw several VLocity that was lit up ready to go some was taken away without passenger at times people were meant to be on them departing the stations operating as a service!

1. I happened to be aware N set at Bendigo Rly Workshop amongst the withdrawn VN sets it included N12 which was recently retired!
   • 3 sets left public service :VN10,VN17 and VN14 with a handful of N classes locos left for use.

• There currently are two Swan Hill service during the day 4 sets are in action providing the service due to rough riding conditions on certain areas both Metro/V/Line from what I am seeing and experiencing on route it speeding up wear and tear on these trains!
• Why does it seem they/top management look like they are determined to withdraw all order classic fleet at the expense of the service in quality and ultimately safety for regional train travellers?
  • With only 3 sets and handful of loco, when the other two sets are booked for repairs they only got ONE train available for use!

Conclusion:

Could this mess stems the advice given from Rolling Stock and Ticketing of DOT, the person is versed on Metro rolling stock and smaller rail networks in Sth Australia and Western Australia where a “One Size Fits All”?

The DOT Rolling stock and ticketing who approves the rolling stock CV states:

https://au.linkedin.com/in/ben-phyland-52b48313?trk=public_post_feed-actor-image

https://rocketreach.co/ben-phyland-email_21051197

Sun 16/2/25 on the rails: from rolling stock shortages and odd train movements

I looked the DOT advisor of rolling stock ticketing link of his CV and past employment history on rocket reach and just and compared it to the article earlier this year I wrote when I found it….I have got few questions:

1. I wonder why did Ben change or edit his CV on this link of it?
   • On comparing this why look the part he used to work and manage Adelaide Metro and Western AUS Railways is missing?

A concept seems to work well in those states BUT not so well in states with an more extensive rail networks and requires several rolling stock design for various rail traveller requirements!

1. Metropolitan 1-2 hrs
2. Inter Urban 2-3hrs
3. Regional 3-5+ hrs to terminating points with coach connections.
4. Interstate more then 5-10+ hrs or days

It look they need recommission/reinstall at least 2 extra VN sets to at event 2 set are booked out for repairs to cover the four set operating

And make sure there enough train to provide a service despite the rough riding condition on route speeding up the wear and tear on these trains

To me it could seen as prudent preparation to accommodate the risk of unforeseen delays to the regular periodic maintenance of tracks via Metro or V/Line delayed from the planned dates etc. after all the state is broke and heavily in debt!

Not all people can manage to ride a commuter urban car aka VLocity with no food and drink in cramped settings on board and catch bus at short notice!