Full Heat Timetable in use VLocity DMU’s assigned started to fail

A unfasten seat in BZN262 as seat no.54 moves without warning when sat on causing the cushion and person to go sliding forward!

1. 07:15– N458 I heard some noticeable fluctuation in frequencies coming from within
2. 07:40 -A faint “Click” was heard on doing so blurted Oye!  Lights out!!!
   • lead car stayed lit up Lost light, air condoning and power the rest of and the carriage I was in
3. 11:36-Vic track worker seen at Pyramid station why, remains unknown.
4. On the return leg :14:41 Flag men & track workers seen on the way to Pyramid
   • Are they are trying to install a Another rail line  next to  the existing Swan Hill line with crossing loops?
5. 50-80 km/h speed Restrictions  before Sunbury  before the Freeway overpass as rough sections it really shakes up the older N you can hear the bogie spring working!

Disclaimer :

The speedo app can get the estimated speed but compared to the black box in the driver cab it’s not fit for purpose as signal is flakey.

Speedo apps can a be inaccurate and need to be verified.

I was aware the day before VN10 went for repairs for a potential safety concern:

21/1/2025–VN14 was rostered on the Swan Hill 07:39

Before boarding time I was interestingly intrigued with the VLocity next me that was tabled for 07:02 Echuca Service no.1256 5A

Noticed it was sounding very jagged in the moving parts, it seems to be Chugging a little at intervals!

VN14 was coupled to loco N453 at 07:05

07:12 PA sounds advising the customers of platform change for the Echuca service and was now departing from 5B!

Oh dear, they failed the VLocity for that run!

• 07:22– After settling in BZN266 tell tale signs of electrical spike in fluctuation in train took place ie:flickering of fluro tubes

PA on board advised the Swan Hill service was behind a late running Echuca service!

Service Delay – Bendigo line

07:02 Southern Cross – Echuca service is delayed by 28 minutes due to a train fault. We are sorry for the delay in your journey. [08:04 22/01]

arrived at Bendigo on time despite the late running VLocity ahead of us the in the next section!

Another Electrical fluctuation spike 10:05 took place after they armed the door on departure made me abruptly stop what I doing beforehand!

PA advised there was issues with the locomotive and the driver was going reset something in the Locomotive!

Our locomotive N453 got hiccups!!! 

As when some intermittent faults occurs on route is deemed as safety critical that affects operating the train service in safe manner

1. It’s justified reason to cancel train service at short notice when the faults cannot be resolved in set timeframe.
2. This often prevent blocking the mainline to minimise the delay to the other services on the same line making their way to and from Bendigo and hiccups with their working timetable
3. 10:26 the train was rolling again toward Eaglehawk onward to Swan Hill PA advised the Driver had reset the locomotive and took 15 min to reboot it!!

like frozen computer app the reset in my opinion it worked rather well it prevented a cancelled train service!

Being warm day I don’t think the train load of people who are pressed for time will take too kindly to waiting in the heat/in the tiny waiting room for V/Line to arrange transport ie: coaches at short notice!

VN14 looked tired and needed of repairs and 3x N series car had their communication door isolated which indicted the door engine, pulleys that operated the doors were faulty as it like was being let go!

• As earlier 10:24 I seem to hear it seeming the moving parts within it is not sync & spiking irregularly at regular intervals …
  • When I was at buffet waiting while train was in motion to served amongst people BRN  AG [back up generator ]sounded abnormally loud inside the carriage

After boarding power interruption at Swan Hill 13:32

Most the ride was uneventful and the train rolled back and near Sunbury those rough areas the train slowed for those rough areas and Watergarden flashed by now in Metro Rail system inductive of the overhead and EMU’s rolling past…

1. 18:04  VN14 over one heck of Mudhole near Ginifer station and other one was felt later smaller one before Albion on the up direction toward Sunshine.
   • I felt and heard the wheels go over the 1st mud hole “CLUNK!” in track area and it shook up the people sitting in the carriage!
2.  As I am aware it don’t do the bogies any good as it had potential of damaging springs other components in the train
3. it’s often electrical connections in and between carriages are often first to get damaged!!!
   • As these finer components within the train don’t like severe impact and constant vibration in the function of time.
   • Ie: fluro tubes blowing due to the vibrations and force transmitted throughout the carriages physical structure. the train pulled in on time that night
   • Is the Metro Rail areas as far WaterGarden on that rail corridor are maintained are overseen via Metro train?
4. If so I think I those track need those rough areas to addressed.
   • as I wonder V/Line top mangers would say if they knew the track conditions in those section could be damaging the trains both old and new?

Full Heat timetable chaos as the 10:26 Southern Cross from Bendigo was disrupted via Signal Failure at Castlemaine 24 Jan Fed

Service Delay – Bendigo line

24/1/25- 07:39 VLocity Swan Hill service users due to full heat timetable halting the use of older classic fleet

I observed the people of the service boarding via 3 coaches to continue their journey beyond at Bendigo.

In my case I decided to take next service 10:26 Southern Cross.

While waiting for the train I heard toot in distance and was aware a loco on the move and VL at the same time rolls in and shortly board advice was announced train was read so boarded it sat by the window I saw N460 go shuffling past!

I get a feeling there something emerging within and not just hot weather and bushfire issues!!!

Huh? Full heat timetable N set not operating to see N460 operating why does it seem it was doing yard work if not what going on?

Train depart on time good crowd on board as Free Travel Weekend all seemed well until we reached Castlemaine!

I saw out my window & I could clearly see the signal on two reds which meant train was on the section arriving shortly.

The VLocity toward Bendigo arrives at Castlemaine and the service I was on were pulling out at low speed only come to abrupt stop!

Peered out the window and saw the signal was against the train!

On dear, Signal issues!!!

It held up the train 11:02 shortly after PA from crew advised
Signal fault

• 11:06- It was rectified was the service under a special train order to pass that signal that didn’t operate is it should?

11:35 the website gave it’s travelling advice

The 10:26 Bendigo – Southern Cross service is delayed by 30 minutes due to an earlier equipment fault. We are sorry for the delay in your journey. [11:35 24/01]

All went well but late running service due that signal issue….the train was filled to point some people standing around and sitting on the floor.

2:34 a noticeable bump was felt before Water Gardens …. 

I hate think of the impact and force transmitted  throughout the VLocity  at non heat timetable periods as these train go over 100km/h!!!

The force of the impact subjected to train structure maybe be bad enough to damage the Electrical connection & bogies!

These rough areas the N set slowed down for it as often bashed the bogies spring around in those areas and blew lights in carriage due the excessive jarring vibration on those sections!

1. 25/1/25 is prime example I rode this VLocity 10:47 to Bendigo grabbed as soon I arrived a late start down leg was uneventful train was rolling as it should a rather laid back day for me being Sun!
   • Up direction all went well until after 15:00 hrs
   • 15:32 -those rough sections before Sunbury and past the freeway overpass I felt that and concerns we stuffed something as we hit those mud hole and rough area pretty hard as we were really moving!!!!

I felt it and heard it too!!!

1. I felt the bump and felt the train seem to slow down in pace
2. Heard slight noise shortly after underneath near the as my seat was located near where the bogies are mounted on the king pin to the body of the IMU
3. I heard in background of racket of the train moving it sounded like “Clong”

Huh? I don’t think that was meant to heard whist the train was in motion!

We pulled in 16:03 and saw my train was tabled to go to Seymour and good crowd was present waiting for it!

some were so eager to get on the crew had tell them and advise to wait with the customer staff at Southern Cross on arrival!

On pulling in I saw two Sprinter Car rolling beside me to 7A at the same time!!!

Took note of VL no.
2326

Was near by off 6-7 deciding what train to go for next and heard PA they had platform change from 7B -7A!!!

I saw the all disgruntled travellers bags and all a good line them heading their way down from 7B to the train 7A!

On hearing this it just confirm my concerns might been correct as they failed the train I got off from as it looks like it got bounced too hard on the return and it seem sustained some sort of damage that rendered not fit for service!

Now 2x Sprinters Rail Cars has taken its place!!!

Wasting no time I boarded the service and rode it a rare treat riding a older railcar….haven’t rode this for years as I happened by chance be onboard when it blew a air bag and we crawled all the way to Seymour! But was realise this rectified and now it lovely little rail car that zips along at 100-125 on route….

very nice for older rail technology and the seat are bit narrow but very comfortable compared with VLocity put the cherry on top for the day!

Australia Day 26/1/25

I had treat on the older Sprinter Rail Cars both directions to start the day

On the return while pulling in at 13:42

• I saw in the siding where there old train wash next to mainline on pulling I saw the VLocity sitting with Alstom technical personnel looking with torch at the bogie areas on one the carraiges
• As we rolled past the no. VL2326  was amongst the 3 car set in the siding
• it confirmed my concerns with track conditions in that area damaged something the day before!
• Went on Waurn Ponds 14:10 service, rolled there uneventful returned back
• Things took funny turn on return at 15B on getting off I saw it was returning to Waurn Ponds at 17:03
• On leaving I past Alstom technical personnel heading toward the train I just got off as I was heading toward the station exit near 15 A & B

From V/Line website:17:20

The 17:10 Waurn Ponds will not run today.

On checking reason: Train Fault!

Conclusion:

After seeing and experiencing this it seem not only the newer train VLocity have having issue with their on board design for Regional inter city setting for them but the most concerning part test of time had proven too they are too NOT fit purpose for how the top management are operating them as blanket “One Size Fits all train design” which it looks as in heat of summer in Vic and the Vic Regional Track local conditions is damaging them!

These modern European trains from Alstom or Bombardier rail transport manufactures I understand were built for their local track and weather conditions : Semi Polar –Temperate adapted rail infrastructure overseas often has these feature for high speed rail: concert track bed, sleeper and steel clips to and rubber elastomer pad to absorb, noise and vibration and reduce the stress on train.

I have noticed AUS must be one the few countries that still uses “Dog Spikes” and timber sleepers as I noticed on some lines ie: Geelong there is mixture of Concert and Wood sleepers in the tracks!!!

Does by any chance does anyone know these feature seen on route on the rail corridors it’s self changes the impactive forces exerted on the older and newer trains alike?

I don’t know they going sort this out….

As the older train were made locally and the older skill for it is gone along with infrastructure to enable this to continue. As it was made for Vic local & regional track conditions.

it seem it look they might need converse with what remain of older railway engineer in the profession who has being exposed and versed to local rail conditions and help modify the rolling stock advise theTransport Provider from overseas to adapt the newer trains to our weather condition and track conditions down under, this means no more off the shelf rolling stock!

As I understand the trains provider trains that are assembled in VIC are outsourced via tender and skills for rail are overseas ie: Lima Agreement that both parties signed ended local manufacturing in AUS not only trains….

It seems some them on the top level who making decisions on our behalf may not don’t know either…

• As just because it look good on the train manufacture transport provider’s website doesn’t mean it will be realistic or fit for purpose for train crew on the front line who operate it and the travellers who use it in the long run!!!
• I was advised via some mentors who seen service in rail industry that SOME consultants who don’t ride it to get feel of the train design they approve on the system in uncontrolled settings regular all the way and back again on regular basis during the week as part of their role.
• To some of the train crew who is subjected to these riding conditions & events whist working on them and those travellers on onboard it like them borrowing our watches and telling us the time!

Why was the heat table amendeded 1/12/2025 Partial Heat Timetable SOP [Standard Operational Procdure] for longer train routes the same as “FULL” Heat timetable?

It was VoLcity and coaches connections for longer lines ie:Shepparton, Swan Hill, Euchca.

When last summer the Partial Heat timetable of 2023-2024 the older/newer train was still allowed to operate on these longer routes at slower speeds?

I wonder if it was updated to accommodate the Not fit for purpose Rail Cars VLocitys that seem play up in hot local Rly conditions?

• If so, it would maybe better to limit their operation to shorter urban commuter routes
• Maybe considering refurbising, refurbishing the N set carriages
• And start reconditoning and overhauling the N Class locos and take those leased out back again for longer Regional City route until the State is in stronger financial postion to get designated set for that purpose!

It can be done but very costly and but it’s nothing compared all 100 Billions tossed away by both parties funding things outside AUS ‘s control with little return!

My mentor taught me:

If one country is not in a postion of strength how can we help others?