22th Feb -8th Mar 2026 Swan Hill line are out with Bendigo Line due to Annual Track Maintenance suspending all train service on Bendigo, Epsom, Echuca and Swan Hill now operating coaches!
I had preplanned trip to Albury on Standard Gauge VLocity to Albury on the 25/2/2026 during that period of track works as made sure I had booked two full windows facing the direction of travel as I am aware some the seats face backwards!
- I arrived early to see the VLocity roll in as it departed at 07:08 Southern Cross Platform 1.
- On it’s arrival I strolled next to VLocity to check out the seats
- Saw the Cater stocking the Buffet for the trip.
- I notice 3 crew…….one driver, one conductor and buffet staff conductor same as the older N set.
- Near After 06:45 we board I settled in my allocated seat next to the window started my breakfast!
- On pulling out I saw N12 and VN14 tucked away out of use in Melb yard
- Shuffled through Dynon Yard, Totterham Yard and turned toward Broadmeadows
- 08:45 – Broad Meadows the train started to fill up In seat a person came to sit in their booked seat next to me.
- The seats are too narrow and not wide enough for both of us and not enough leg room for this person.
- I found it hard not take up too much space when a person took their allocated seat!
- I jammed myself next the wall and window as it was hard not to spread into other person’s seat!
- The table in front was useful put my stuff back in my backpack which I eventually use the luggage rack above me, kept my cup, drinks and charging stuff on the table in front of me
This person was working on lap top and was very cramped on board, whist I sitting back resting on board after the pervious day’s physical exertions!
I was drinking my usual drinks aboard and keeping hydrated on board and rested
- Later on I reluctantly excuse myself person to get out of the seat whist I took care of something on route.
- the person moved and let me out of my seat.
- Which I found it awkward out the seat areas due to table anchored to the floor
- which I slide across and haul myself out with my arms which attracted some unwanted looks from other traveller near by.
- Came back and excused myself to access to the seat and this person had to stop their work and let me back in my seat again!
Soon after this person left their allocated seat and shifted seats elsewhere
From my observation this case she was lucky as the train was not full to the rafters as being cramped in her seat and trying the work was too uncomfortable for her and I don’t blame her for moving!
Returned and sat settled down and shortly after I got a painful cramp in the left shoulder /back area on board!
I treated it on board by using the handrails in the train stretched the affected areas, it released and went back to resume what I was doing beforehand.
The person next to me in the allocated seat next to me was forced to move due the cramped riding conditions on board.
Myself is not a big, tall person but the lack of space in this train is diabolical and unacceptable!
Events on route
- Track very rough, could be a clue why they have issues a sharp kick towards my right was felt near Euroa 08:59!
- TWD was heard x 3 times and outer flagman on duty seen 09:01
- The Great Southern Train from Journey Beyond Rail was passing by before ViolTown
Arrived at Albury on time sad sight was the old Yard has being removed but it seem lot of machinery there at the moment, is this for Inland Rail Project?
I saw two PN locomotive sitting in yard on arrival Albury, a nice surprise tossed in as well!
On arriving I found out there are track work in NSW impacting the XPT to Sydney as it coach and train both ways at the moment at Feb in their system ie:NSW Train Link.
Melb- Albury is Train and Albury – Sydney coach to Central
Put ice on top the XPT was 45 mins late due to late departure from Southern Cross
Whist waiting for VL 3×2 to be prep one could see storm developing toward the Sth end of Albury from where we pulled in from…..wind turn and yes it was a humid sort of a day!
12:51 SG VLocity Departs Albury Buffet service was in action on board
The SOP for the crew catering the passengers as follows:
- From Albury -Seymour buffet caters passengers ABC
- After Seymour – Board Meadow it caters passengers in DEF
Conclusion is follows:
After riding this train or Inter Urban Rail Motor I can say these trains although a slight improvement with a buffet Module for refreshments on board like the train they replaced!
- Plus in seats cushion quality which softer then the newer VLocity with those hard Metro Grade cushion and foam padding on them.
- still not quite fit for purpose for the servicing the Regional Areas due the fact the seat are fixed and not many people like facing against the direction of travel for long duration trips!
- Not only they fixed but the seat are too closely spaced together and too narrow for some:
- One type traveller who want to work on their lap top whist travelling
- Two the bigger, broader framed traveller who want to relax while riding long durations some may hidden medical conditions which requires them have bit more wriggle room between the seats!!!
- Not only they fixed but the seat are too closely spaced together and too narrow for some:
- The mobility access users, notice their seats in VoLcity IMU rail cars excluding the side seats that lift up for wheel chairs etc. which compared older train ie:BZN are unreasonably cramped!
Questions to be considered….
- I wonder if the advisor or oversee who approved these seating configurations knew that VoLcity both standard and broad gauge VLocity is only suitable for inter commuter urban metro setting when people are not on board for long durations under two hrs to their terminating stops and are lightly packed for it?
- Have they ever ridden on those newer seat the upright Metro Urban seat with Metro grade foam cushion for trips as long as Shepparton etc?
- If, not how can they approve the design of such uncomfortable cramped rolling stock seating configurations and their use for a one size fits all when they themselves and consultants won’t ride it for that length of time?
- As for the buffet module it nice make nice touch to a long trip to Albury etc. but did they consider the issues occurring when the operator want to turn a 3 cars into 6 cars?
- It is due to the fact the buffet can only cater for 3 cars of passengers at time.
- Due to the restriction of IMU VoLcity design for Regional Travel as there is driving cab at both ends of 3 cars.
- Why not try Intercity rolling stock model for Regional Travel, refer to the aging XPT and QR High Speed trains as one is aware Bombardier and Alstom makes these rolling stock configuration to cater for both the user on board and the crew on board?
If they can do buffet for Albury they can do it for all longer lines but the tired old reason the people on top & DOT uses ie: loss 42 seats which blocking it superfluous!
Why not change the train use of the current operation and configuration design framework?
- How about revert the use of VLocity to the purpose it was designed seating wise and mechanically for mid to short distance commuter urban runs?
- Until Vic can get a designated longer distance rolling stock how about getting those XPT NSW are off loading which design for long haul rail operations mechanically and catering for Inter city operations aka Regional City ie: Swan Hill, Albury etc?
- Or refurbish and overhaul recondition old N loco and N cars for their use until Vic in better Financial Position for it.
Really well written and excellent overview of the line I have not yet used but sounds poorly managed.
Hi Petra,
This line has had few issue and I wanted to see for myself how it was going…….it seem I was lucky that day as it often replace by buses due issue with tracks or trains ….but again tech guys were waiting at the end of the day to look at it….why it is unknown,….
But alot of trackwork happening up there atm….