7/10/26 –was a relaxing ride DN to Swan Hill on N12 & Loco 452 only to be caught in major disruption which was a repeat of Sun 4th Oct chaos on the system on the UP !!!
Whist Earlier, strangely V/Line was having issues with Geelong Line earlier in the morning!!!
Major delay – Geelong line
UPDATE: 09:35
Services are delayed near Lara due to a train fault.
Passengers can board replacement coaches and also board the next departing services to complete their journey.
Services are delayed near Lara due to a train fault.
I was waiting for safety checks to be completed at Swan Hill on the train before boarding when I got pub talk of “Oil Leak” cancelling” the 13:37 Southern Cross Service!
On hearing the info I went to verify what I heard with station staff.
On speaking them at the moment there were problems on the track and more info was to come.
Returning to platform it was confirmed via train crew & staff the train and returning trip was cancelled and at 13:30 the info came out online on X and their website.
Service disruptions
07/10/2026 – Northern Line Suspension
7 Oct 2026
Line suspension – Bendigo line
UPDATE: 13:30
Coaches are replacing trains between Sunbury and Bendigo due to a train fault at Sunbury.
To Bendigo: Passengers are advised to board the next departing Metro train services between Southern Cross and Sunbury and then board replacement coaches between Sunbury and Bendigo to complete your journey.
To Southern Cross: Passengers are advised to board replacement coaches between Bendigo and Sunbury and then board the next departing Metro train services to Southern Cross via Footscray.
Service alterations:
To Southern Cross:
The 10:28 Bendigo – Southern Cross service will end early at Sunbury.
The 11:28 Bendigo – Southern Cross service is will end early at Kyneton.
The 11:17 Echuca – Southern Cross service will end early at Bendigo.
The 13:36 Swan Hill – Southern Cross service will not run today.
The 14:27 Bendigo – Southern Cross service will not run today.
The 15:27 Bendigo – Southern Cross service will not run today.
From Southern Cross:
The 11:02 Southern Cross – Echuca service will end early at Kyneton.
The 12:02 Southern Cross – Bendigo service will not run today.
The 13:02 Southern Cross – Bendigo service will not run today.
The 14:02 Southern Cross – Bendigo service will not run today.
The 15:02 Southern Cross – Echuca service will not run today.
The 18:08 Southern Cross – Swan Hill service will not run today.
General information
In Melbourne, coaches will arrive and depart from the Southern Cross Station coach terminal located on Spencer Street, opposite Little Bourke Street.
No pets allowed on replacement coaches.
There is limited space for bikes on V/Line trains and coach replacement services.
Customers needing special assistance please call 1800 800 007 before travelling.
For the latest up-to-date information, download the V/Line app, follow us on Twitter @vline_bendigo or speak to a V/Line team member.
Coaches are replacing trains between Sunbury and Bendigo due to a train fault at Sunbury.
Well that stuffed it now N12 is stuck at Swan Hill until the line reopens!
I prep for rest of the trip before boarding the coach with food and drink, but went hungry and thirsty due their no eating and drinking polices on board!
In my case I had to the coach with WC which direct to Melbourne Southern Cross….
Coach Trips can be hard on some people not practical for some people & the operator
Within less 2 hr on the coach trip, since the only stop was Kerang to pick up.
I was aware due my on travelling requirements ie: Addressing the “call of nature” often may impact others on board!
Using the WC was awkward unpleasant experience cramped way to move without bumping other people
In Consideration for fallow passengers I aborted the long trip to Southern Cross direct!
At Kerang a short wait to get a stopping all stations coach to Bendigo and train from there if the Line suspension, it was lifted on 16:31. It look I arrived as the line had resumed.
At Bendigo saw all the big line of people long the length of Platform.
Train services have resumed between Sunbury and Bendigo. We anticipate delays of up to 50 minutes following an earlier train fault.
Amongst the crowd saw the students, workers, elderly, children some with cycles, big pulling along bags, walkers etc.
From my observation a 3×2 VLocity rail car, maybe required for this type of crowd but noticed the VL from the yard was 3×1 and thought oh boy this going very crowded train!
The Echuca Service was replace with coaches
I managed to get on board within the big crowd as lot of people were trying get on the 3 car VLocity,it filled very quickly I was lucky to get seat!
Had concerns some of the crowd was left behind at Bendigo to wait for the next service to Southern Cross.
A soon we pulled out settled in had belated lunch and we made our way Southern Cross
It was stopping all stations more people got on board.
some people stood in vestibule areas near door ways and some sat on the floor!
Did not get off until 19:45 eta at Southern Cross, What a mess!
Day 2 -While on VN17 elsewhere more track problems!
Services are held due to a track fault at Southern Cross.
15:22 emerged on Geelong Line X account for it stuff several lines up issues may located near yard exits areas off Southern Cross Platforms to mainline 15:34
Services have resumed following an earlier track fault at Southern Cross with delays of up to 25 minutes.
If that wasn’t enough for the front line shortly after 16:26 Sunshine goes down too!
Services are held due to a rail equipment fault at Sunshine.
All due the notification at 17:35 -Geelong Line as on V/Line X account on Geelong Services are held at Wyndham Vale.
Major delay – Ballarat, Geelong and Bendigo Lines
UPDATE: 18:45
Services are delayed at Wyndham Vale due to an earlier trespasser.
No rest for the weary as shortly after at 19:08 Sunshine goes out again!
This is one worse areas as when those sections suffers rail equipment issues it can impact several lines at once ie: Bendigo, Geelong and Ballarat Services in both directions!
Major delay – Ballarat, Geelong and Bendigo Lines
UPDATE: 18:45
Services are delayed at Wyndham Vale due to an earlier trespasser.
Services are delayed due to an earlier rail equipment fault at Sunshine.
Passengers can also board the next departing services to complete your journey.
Observations:
This has one the most chaotic days for their staff front line to endure as several major disruptions took place halting service in BOTH directions in the same day in the peak!
I don’t understand,what on earth went wrong?
It bad enough for the frontline when in consecutive days major disruptions occurs on the system that suspends several lines that justifys all train service be halted!
The two VLocity units involved the articles below were held due to train faults and they were disabled on route.
This often cause mass disruption of the queue of the other services moving up and down the line during that period causing services to terminated mid route in both direction!
As they had rescue the failed VLocity or IMU and in some cases a clean up the impacted areas is required!
One get a impression and feeling that it was at least 3 times the major disruptions halting train in both directions on several lines.
Including the trespasser incident at Wyndham Vale.
Conclusion:
After getting caught the thick of a Major Disruption I can say what was supposed be a relaxing way to travel was soured due to fact that the coach are not suitable for everyone.
Some people including who travel via rail do it because you can tend to your own need without impacting others indirectly as often some people need several trip to address the call of nature in the WC!
Some who has water work issues may drive other coach users nuts by going up and down the bus to access their very cramped WC at the back.
Whist in the train one’s got more wriggle room to discreetly tend to their needs!
It not nice to have dozen eye balls watching your every move down the cramped narrow passage way of a moving coach!
That why a newly train rolled out train must be fit for purpose of Regional Rail Travel and user friendly for BOTH the staff ie: Driver & Conductors operating it & for people travelling in it!
With the newer trains passenger layout like a commuter bus layout as the seats are impractical to slide your bags under them as they so close together no surprise some people prefer plonk them on seat next to them!
Unlike the older regional classic fleet it was designed so people can slide their stuff under the seats and still stretch out & relax on board unlike the bus-like commuter seat layout of the VLocity!
Are the top people in charge Operating V/Line as a Regional Inter City Train service OR are Suburban Metro Train service?
As For Front line must be commended as they were very helpful under pressure.
The locomotives are approved under Germany’s EBO regulations for internal works traffic and are intended for heavy industrial shunting operations on plant rail networks.
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