“The 06:54 Swan Hill Service will originate from Bendigo at 09:20 and not Swan Hill“
V/Line website & app 05:10
Driven by instinct I went for my usual routine, being mindful of the changing CFA advice I had plan B line up, which by chance I didn’t have use on 14/1/2026!
I was aware of the bushfires around Vic must being bad enough to suspend a railway line for series of days
I had uneasy a feeling and concerns fire must of done major damage to the railway corridor not just Hartcourt Bridge and Ravenwood sections
I was aware via V/Line app the return 06:54 Swan Hill Service was Bus and originated from Bendigo as VLocity rail car to Southern Cross.
- On arriving at the station I notice it was very quite of people still few trains around for Bendigo, Albury and Seymour sitting at platforms
- I went to 5A as the info PID at Southern Cross advise me for Swan Hill Service 07:39 and the platform was empty of people.
- 07:19 N12 and N452 shunt in from the yard and I haven’t ridden that set since the line’s suspension due to those unfortunate bushfire impact the areas.
- PA sound and the VLocity that next me that Epsom lit up on it PID board was cancelled one Echuca service from Southern Cross was cancelled and people had to catch the Swan Hill Service and get off at Bendigo via Bus to Echuca
- When train was being prep the platform had small amount people waiting as though it seem many people were still unaware of the change of travelling advice the suspension of Bendigo Line was lifted!
- 07:34 was boarded sitting in BZN258 awaiting departure and after while the PA sounds advise people to stay on board as the crew was arranging path via Metro further advice to come…
- Some the passengers on board left the train there was only handful in the carriage I was in the leading car
Wow, what rough start “Rail Equipment Fault” at Southern Cross!!!
I observed the Fly Over sections the train normally uses was stuffed up as the train was rerouted via Nth Melb on the Metro Line as we had a Metro trains ahead of us and it will be slow ride!!!
On waking our late running service at Kyneton we waited for the Swan Hill return from Bendigo the VLocity rail car shuffling past.
After went to buffet for drinks & stock up for return leg and saw the train was quite empty as it confirmed on site:
- I noticed shortly after eta 09:00 I put out on X about the Swan Hill resuming at 08:07
- after 09:00 the train was well on it way past Woodend
- When the various media outlets ie: X V/Line Bendigo, FB profiles of local media and MPs started putting out their travel advice to the general public
Was this some sort weird coincidence or what?
I don’t understand!
- 10:23– We started to roll through the fire zones after Castlemaine I have a video footage on this taken from the train….
- but will not post this online due to sensitivity of the issue ie: fire victims and loss of houses along the line.
- I saw the black charred burnt areas next the railway line and it had reached the line not only it stuffed up Harcourt Bridge it reached Ravenwood station.
- on that high speed stretch but the areas burnt near the railway corridor was extensive…..the burnt areas reached right up to the track bed
- It seem the track equipment wires and their communication for signals were impacted too!
- Saw from the window the CFA at the site and cranes and road closures and how extensive the burnt out area.
The train was rolling at reduced speed through the high speed stretch 70-80 km/h through the fire affect zones.
Arrived at Bendigo 10:45 the normal Departure time was 10:00
We rolled onward toward Swan Hill from Bendigo, I notice some crew getting on board beforehand at Bendigo and we made our way….
for some odd reason the carriage windows had black oily spotting on it, someone please give the train a rubella shot again, she’s got measles again!
We arrive at Swan Hill 13:16
I was advised later due to crew shortage they might not be buffet on the return from Swan Hill
No buffet due only one conductor found at short notice!
I had prepared beforehand but it stuffed up me being able to make my lunch on board which I bought from home which required boiling water on site.
but I had few munchies which bought before our arrival in preparation for it..not sure about the other people waiting for the train I suspect some got caught out!
- After a late departure of 13:47 from Swan Hill we rolled our way back again.
- Noticed a few track worker putting some orange pipe along the railway line why? I don’t know.
- Before entering Bendigo sections we wait for Echuca VLocity to arrive & depart Bendigo station before we could make our way to the station.
On arrival at Bendigo the buffet service resumed service
It seem odd that there was no buffet crew at Swan Hill, I like to think it may take away to get the crew back in their respective areas after such unfortunate fire event has taken place near the railway corridor and surrounding areas.
On the return I was sitting on opposite window from going down towards Swan Hill
- saw the burnt areas and the older disused station that impacted rolling by on the way to Ravenwood sections toward Castlemaine
- On Ravenwood toward Harcourt I could clearly see the bushfire burning still in the mountain ranges from my window as we rolled along
- The air was smokey and sun turned orange that afternoon
- I could see the impact of the bushfire on the railway corridor the damage it caused the rail equipment involved.
- V/Line had no choice but to shut down their service as it reach the railway corridor and burnt it too!
We arrive back at 19:00 Southern Cross
interesting ride and it’s great to back on the old loco haul again after the unfortunate events
With fact the buffet service was not operating all the way from Swan Hill to Gisbourne to return on wonder are they trying condition people to going without?
It’s hard not to think so as they did the next thing on Thursday!!!
As it’s current standard on the older loco haul to have buffet on the down to Kerang and on the return from Swan Hill to Gisborne!!!
As some people are aware that the people in top level still want all the older classic fleet replaced ASAP on the Swan Hill Line with not fit for purpose VLocity IMU rail cars in nonsensical concept “One Size Fit All” for Regional Service that requires a “Intercity” rolling stock for Vic railway travelling requirements and boundary conditions!
A big thank you to CFA & Volunteer for your tireless work and keeping people safe in trying times a job well done!
