A disabled V/Line Service on the mainline at Sunbury Stn after I saw a red signal ahead of the loco N460 on the curve via lead carriage is not good look during peak hr!
All on a wet, cold Wed on 10/6/2026
Things took a weird turn after I sighted the red signal ahead of the train on the curve from the lead carriage BZN273
- 08:19– from my carriage I saw the signal was top red bottom red ahead of the Locomotive:
- In railway safeworking Sthe train had stop before it.
- This indicated the next section was occupied with a train stationary or moving in the section ahead
- Home signals are often before stations are more compicated:
- Crossing loop allowing train through it either direction to both platforms.
- In railway safeworking Sthe train had stop before it.
- Shortly after passing the signal the train came to abrupt halt on the mainline before Sunbury
Sunbury is a small station but has 3 tracks before home signal either end.
These platforms that allow trains or make scheduled to stops pick up and set down. Middle track train to”express” through both directions to and from the CBD.
At the time I felt had seen malfunction occur first hand as we rolled past was aware Metropol oversaw the train movement.
From ground zero decided to tag metro train on X social media to get some understanding what was emerging.
08:27– @Metrotrains went pass a red signal?
Signal malfunction before Sunbury?
08:19 VN17 Loco N460 stopped
Metropol/Centro oversees the train movement through the rail corridor at Sunbury
A good array of train use the rail corridor ranging from:
Next to the mainline a holding yard at Sunbury for the HCMTs, Semiens
- Metro Train’s
- CMUs aging *Comeng*are being withdrawn from service
- HCMTs are their replacmeant
- V/line
- VLocity IMU rail car service
- Twice a day a goes loco hauls both ways to Swan Hill
- Freight
- Shorthaul Southern Railway most V/Line N class are still in use.
- Heritage tour
- Steamrail Vic, 707 Ops, Seymour Rail Heritage Center
- Steamrail Vic, 707 Ops, Seymour Rail Heritage Center
PA sounds,train is being held due to red signal.
will be on the way shortly will advise when more info become available.
Train starts rolls again only to be stopped at Sunbury on the middle road between it all went down from there!
The service to Swan Hill was tabled to run express through without stopping.
Train control, Metropol sometime set the path for the Swan Hill service in centre rd. or the platform on down direction toward Watergardens.
- We stopped on the middle road, I could see people at the platforms outside waiting for their Metro Service toward the city
- Across from my seat from opposite window I could see people line up waiting for their Services to Watergarden
Via PA on board 08:38 Driver & Metropol sorting out technical issues with signals
Oh golly, I see….I guess that confirmed my sighting and feeling about it beforehand!
- 08:45 PA sounds again that the Driver was waiting for 2nd driver come up to assist him.
- Until the driver arrives at Sunbury the train cannot move
- Well it looked like the train is disabled.
- Could the been a problem with the track/signal issue has caused a issue with the TPWS = Train Protection & Warning system?
- The system works in two parts:
- when a signal is at ‘stop’ the TPWS applies the emergency brake if a train proceeds past the signal
- when the signal is at ‘proceed’ it will not apply the emergency brake when the train travels past the signal.
- I understand the loco can has two overide buttons that can over ride TPWS BUT can only be used with authority from above.
- Was one of them button in the cab near the driver defective?
Being in centre road no one could disembark safely and make other travel arrangements at time so I made myself comfortable and watched the trains get rerouted around our train ie: Metro/V/Line service in both directions.
Having a train disabled on the mainline occurred at worse time possible during peak hour!
This was a royal headache for all crew and for the Train Control involved that day!
07:38 Swan Hill service was terminated at Kyneton and two buses was arranged for passenger heading toward Bendigo and beyond.
- one bus express to Swan Hill limited stops
- one buse stopping all stops the train was meant to stop at as to it’s timetable!
10:21 the new updated advice comes on V/Line website for Bendigo Line and X
The 07:38 Southern Cross – Swan Hill service will end early at Kyneton and no longer run to Swan Hill.
More information at vline.com.au
I got off at Kyneton with the others, to me some look rather annoyed and put off whist making travelling via the buses. As I shuffled off wait to catch a VL Eaglehawk as I watch VN17 on the platform across with no loco.
I had prepared a plan B as result of change of travelling arrangements due the loss of the path and the knock on affect messing up the line other services to and from Bendigo in that corridor!
I thought oh yes, turn her around Loco and empty cars to Melb.
As a I had abrupt forced last min change to go back to the plaform where I came from.
I found out by luck the 11:12 Southern Cross was the loco I just got off back to Melb!
I was very bemused and happy about it, as I felt it was a once off!
Wasting no time I boarded it when the advice was given to board. I made the most of what was a Goose Egg of day for all involved !!
I can say this trip to Swan Hill was far from boring and it was full on!
It was a stopping all stations service from Kyneton and after relaxing little run to Southern Cross , I decided after getting some chow go for Sprinter run and had some rest whist rolling to Seymour and SG VLocity run to complete my day out on the system!
Conculsion:
This was one those days when the frontline wished they could go back to bed and start the day all over again!
