There is pressing issues of “Fleet Availability” that need conveyed by public transport advocates to V/Line’s top managers for suffering users in regional town/cities.
Please escalate the case to V/Line manager to resolve rolling stock availability issues on Swan Hill Line Services.
It appears that in this period 17/7/2026, 13/8/2026 , 27/8/2026 and 2/8/2026
the Swan Hill Service suffered aburpt travel arrangment changes and one date 25/8/2026 was a reasonable reason to fail the train and change the travel arrangement as I understand it failed back up generator on the VN14 as it was safety issue which was understandable reason.
But with other days why is their rolling stock arrangement changed abruptly with little warning to the cater, condutor on site?
When in the time of the occurence there was 2x-3x locomotive and at least two set of carraige avaiblible whist the other loco and set was used on the return service that day and strangley one loco and set was lit up athough they are ready to go?
By coinidence, it seem one the Snr manger were around the area and the promptness being able to source a VLocity and driver at almost straight away can be oddly strange seems a bit suss to me and other people who observes and uses the service on regular baisis.
Why do they do this to people? As I observed most people got work an their time is important to them find this very concerning and can be very stressful phyically on all involed myself included!
They are there to run train service not a bus service and some people can’t ride buses due medical issues!!!
About those other that v/line gave carraige to it could be said SOME group could seen be as hoarding carraiges, for example: there are 3x near castlemaine Maldon Goldfields Railway and Yarra Valley Railway has x3 set helping the grass grow!!!
What a waste! why not take them back so the they have spare carriages available relive the pressure on the maintenance staff in the workshop to allow more time diagnose and rectify faults on the remaining set VN10 now 5 cars, N12 still 4 cars , VN14 5 cars and VN17 5 cars more effectively?
How about the 3x set from Yarra Valley could be leased back to cover those 4 remaining set on the Swan Hill Service?
In return it will allow those group to set up if V/Line leased it off them and in turn can allow them to set up for their future use in their heritage rly?
Once or twice is understandable, but this is becoming a distubing trend and one some and myself get the feeling that V/line trying drive people away from the train currently being uses and use it “Train fault” as reason
When the past year the funding for periodic maintance reduced so it’s reliabity falters as sneaky way withdraw the last remaining classic fleet in the system!
It would be nice if the top exces cared about the user’s comfort and service they provide on top of their bonuses!!! Just increase the maintance one the older classic fleet and locos.
Hypotheisis:
As when 120 year old Overland service which it rolling stock in the same era as the N set and loco and run as regular service which I ridden several times which still serves it purpose, seem too look like as proof with regular periodic maintenance and could do the same thing too!
Another example is SSR N loco that V/Line gave, the being reconditon and put to heavy use in pulling heavy freight which is peanuts to passenger on tonnage on regular baisis so it can be done!
When I see yard full of newer VLocity IMUs scattered around Melb Yard, Dynon and Bendigo and other areas it concerns me as the one size fit all operation concept has sped up its wear and tear and other lines too have fleet availability issues too on the longer routes that are now non loco haul so this not a once off event!
Refer to link below some suggestion that could used to replace the aging N set.
https://www.alstom.com/solutions/rolling-stock/traxx-locomotives-superior-performance-every-environment
As the Railway Commissioner Harold Clapp who’s name on a Locomotive Spirit Of Progress knew the state of the Vic Rail System operating currently he’d be horrified!
Observation and questions.
- Why was this allowed to reach to a point that now the election is coming soon all parties are pushing extra trains and service without enough rolling stock to support their promises?
- I understand the train they are pushing seem good like buffet on the VLocity on the Warrnambool Line since the mass withdrawal of classic fleet But to do they understand that Alstom is no longer produce this current design they are promoting to the masses?
- Just because of upcoming election why are they pushing what seem to me is as fantasy?
- Where were they all those MPs of various parties when their locals who were crying out for stop of these ill thought out decisions to push One Size Fit All operational concept of a mid to short distance modernised rail motor aka VLocity IMU’s which is just a Metro Urban standard rollingstock via DOT & V/Line?
- Why was there not any recommendation from any of these MPs to discuss in the chambers a need designated fit for purpose fleet designed for long duration Regional Rail Travel to support the existing fleet of VLocity left festering since the rolling stock change?
It looks these out of touch MPs in all parties that are MEANT represent their areas be it Regional or Metro areas were caught out sleeping on the job!