Intelligence is Swan Hill Service was not going be loco haul VLoctiy /Bus from Bendigo – Swan Hill wet, cold Sunday for travellers
The train in use for the Morning Service to Swan Hill was having problems on route at 24/10 at 08:24
The 07:40 Southern Cross – Swan Hill service is delayed by 20 minutes.
More information at www.vline.com.au
Previously the carriage set and loco that made the day run that made the evening run but recently that was amended.
Morning service from Swan Hill is now shunted to the siding and yard at the end it’s journey.
Another set of carriages and locomotive is tabled to run the evening service due to High probability of the track congestion via Albion and Sunbury delaying that service arrival making hard for the crew/ caters etc to prep that same train for the evening run.
But late night the 18:40 was terminated mid route:
I found out N452 pulling N12 24/10 why did they use a loco which had past indictors of faults emerging within?
The last run I had with this locomotive N452 7/10 with N12 she was showing some weird indicators something was not right….
- Whist rolling on route why did it feel that the driver with N452 was experiencing rough handling?
- I notice with “Stepping up” the carriage I was riding felt it “run in” toward the locomotive” ,
- Dynamic applied or slowing the train I felt the carriage “run out” slightly
- Brake applications whist arriving at scheduled stops rough arrival carriages felt it ” run in” against the locomotive.
- Departure carriages felt it had “run out” away from locomotive.
The meaning of the terminology of “Run In”and “Run Out” as follows:
- Run in is when the train rolls against the locomotive
- run out is when the train rolls away from the locomotive
later on had concerns found out by chance the evening service had issue on route & blocked the line for the morning service was unable to operate:
This was confirmed 05:11 Sun Morning via V/Line
Well there goes my quite run on the N set as it’s VLocity and Bus for Sun!
Both direction were impacted indicated the train had problem and now is stuck near Swan Hill Loco and carriage set needed be rescued in the quieter periods and inspected & repaired at Southern Cross
On confirmed this rolling stock with staff earlier on arrival I quickly made other plans to defer until they sort their issues on the Swan Hill Line.
It was very wet cold Sunday and I notice a good crowd building on 5A waiting for their Swan Hill Service!
Why did V/Line let them know about the change so late 07:36?
By then the 3 car VLocity came for them.
I had already wandered off to catch Ararat Service on 3A to spend my day elsewhere and keep warm out the horrible wet weather the VLocity I got was the newer series VL railmotors the one with those nasty metro train style seats narrow, hard and uncomfortable!
One seeing older series VLocity rail motor next me with the older softer seats layout I said wishfully can we swap?
Beside a short little ride to Ararat on the VL on arrival the VLocity sounded she was chugging a bit strangely…
Later after resting in warm location at 15:50 I videoed The Overland pulling in Ararat a bit late I then boarded her and rode back to Southern Cross to end a day.
I had found out N452 had to rescued by N467 with N12 over the weekend.
- 10/10 VN17 had a sick AGS [auxiliary back generator system]
BRN 31 has a AGS little whine intermittently, bit louder then usual but synchronised rhythm- N467 & VN17 is bit unwell as last week electrical spikes 21/10 09:55 at Kangaroo Flat.
- 22/10 lost the light in train 1st occurrence 07:41 on departure & 2nd 08:15
- VN14 is MIA last seen at Bendigo 12/10
Recent events with Loco N452
- 27/10/26–N452 why does it sound something is out of sync from within?
- A little spike occurs intermittently a odd interruption of rhythm occurring.
- It seem sound metal on metal seems catching briefly somewhere?
- Shortly after power interruptions occurred in VN17 on departure 07:39,07:40 & 08:19
- At Bendigo what look like V/Line staff in hi vis boarded and headed for the loco things had settled down.
- On returning BZN252 from N12 hooked up with N485 in Melb yard, this hinted to me it was reduced back to 4x cars again.
26-10 –N485 is in sidings near Bendigo Station BZN252 now moved, it is possible heading for repairs?
It would be a waste if it met the same faith as BZN258 as it has MIA since 9th Apr 26!
26-10 was on board N12 reduced to 4 cars BZN252 out of service led by N452
- N452 -Still got those odd fluctuation in frequencies from within Intermittent after returning from Dynon with N453 on 28/2026.
- Was roused from rest by electrical fluctuation spike [minor] 07:47 & 08:06
BZN266
As 07:24 before boarding call was made whist waiting and safety checks were completed I thought heard faint continuous hissing.
Was there air leak somewhere underneath: Air Hoses,hose bags, brake rigging etc?
Was this signs of something emerging?
- Whist rolling along route braking & handing process of underneath was more noticeable for some reason
- why did it seem a bit nosier & rougher then usual in the carraige?
- Does it sounded like the brake rigging etc. need a bit of lubrication ?
- The coupler draw bar & draft gear springs were they worn under the led end of the carraige ?
- Why did sound and felt more obvious the usual that carraige running in and out more driver drove to the conditions of the track?
08:52 It felt as something was wrong it looked it was confirmed by the Poor riding quality!
It rode so rough and we got bounced so hard the I heard that internals areas of the carraige were shuddering!
As I was aware such riding conditions may in time can damage wire connections within the carriages and locomotives causing electrical issues that has potential to cancel services!
All went well until after boarding
Swan Hill BZN266 suffered a major electrical fault!
13:14 – On boarding I noticed the lights were out and emergency light were on air-conditioning inactive.
After I settled in and conductor came to had banter to others and myself before commencing flag procedure duties as a concerned train traveller I made a query “Err why are the train lights out?”
Shortly after, a flurry of activity takes place!
I saw the conductor looked up at the lights in carraige spun around glanced at the carriages and dashed off.
As I understand there was crew change new conductor on shift with Driver to Bendigo from Swan Hill.
- To be fair them staff & Crew who just clocked in for the UP service are under the pump having met other staff who took the train to terminating point.
- not sure if briefing took place of events on DN route
- Whist they prepping the train things can happen whist they are BOTH busy attending other duties before boarding time ie: Unloading luggage, Turning seats in ACN.
- Other safety checks pending after two staff & Driver clocks off to their accomodation until next morning shift.
- Shortly after I saw out the window the 2x staff and driver heading past the carraige checking the tail lights a safety critical item.
- As I understand it was designed with it own isolated circuit breaker etc.
- For situations if a carraige power outage occurs ie: main light and air cooling/heating system and facilities onboard is seperate from this with this design feature: the tail lights stays on.
The crew took action Isolated the carraige BZN266 due to suspected “Short” causing the power outages.
Now the train was reduced to 3 Cars like with the carraige out of use and locked off!
We were advised to leave the carraige and go the next car BN23 I moved & settled down at 13:40 I heard a click at the same time I blurted, Huh? Lights out!
3rd car from the front that I and other travellers just advised move to lost power too!!!
I wasn’t impressed as I was aware that “Cancelled Service” was on the cards if the crew couldn’t resolve the power issues on board!
Fortunately, they were able to isolate the issue and train pulled out a bit late but better then having get of and Bus it to Bendigo and VL back to Southern Cross!!!
We arrived 18:21 back to Southern Cross!
BZN266-was used on 1/11 I am happy to say the electrical issues were fixed and thank you to those who involved!
- On hearing the other carriages whist passing through them for refreshments noticed they did not have those crashes and bangs underneath them whist the trains slowing down or powering.
- Why 09:27 the “high pitched whine: from underneath whist train is rolling along with no brake application at was done by the driver?
Does this indicates the carraige need to go over the pit to this looked at?
Questions to be considered.
- What is going on, why does it look they are cutting back maintenance on the classic fleet?
- Are they are deliberately running it down into ground to justify to retire it saying it too expensive to recondition?
- How are they going address the rolling stock availability concerns & overcrowding on the system 140 sets are now being stretched to the limit?
- Geelong Line ie: they need 3×3 VLocity sets to Wyndham Vale but they often reduced to 3×2 VLocity due issue hooking a extra 3 cars on 6 car set
- Warrnambool Line: requires several 2×3 sets for that route.
- Albury Line they got limited Standard Gauge sets 3×2 serving that line reconfigured with buffet on board.
- Gippsland Line: 3×1 set to Traralgon & Bairnsdale is often 3×2 but sometime reduce to 3×1.
- Ballarat Line & Maryborough: 2×3 VLocity split at Ballarat to 3×1 on the return hooks up to 3×1 at Ballarat refer WTT given to train staff & crew.
- Southern Cross –Wendouree often 3×1 and 3×2 VLocity
- Bendigo Line: is often 3×1 or 3×2
- Echuca is often 3×1 to 3×2
- Swan Hill is still Loco haul service two full train service to and from Southern Cross Morning -Evening for now.
It’s being reported via media with some MPs various parties are promising extra trains service with increased capacity but to do that they need more trains manufactured to do that, since State Election coming up in VIC how are they going carry this out?
Observations:
Does the Fleet in current use whist reducing the Loco Haul use accommodate these unforeseen factors?
- Backlog of train waiting for attention.
- Animal Strikes which puts 3 cars at out of service at time.
- Logistic issues empty car movements to and from bio wash facilities and the time and distance to access them Bendigo & Dynon railyards.
- Time out of service for diagnostics of faults and rectification by maintenance staff
- periodic maintenance requirements rolling stock ie: brake certification, carriage lifts etc.
- Standby sets available ready to go:
- Train out of action due safety critical faults
- Train is required to take it place of a failed set on run at short notice at ie: Southern Cross.
It look like BZN252 was put out of service by mistake when it was BZN266 that had the issues!!!
29/10 -On riding N12 still has electrical issues despite BZN252 with N452 being taken off!
- As for Loco N452 it seems look although by the patten observed whist riding it was not VN17 or N12.
- it look like two factors to be addressed via the technical staff that now narrowed to BZN266
- N452 as it seems this loco that had before failed Sat before the Cox Plate on Sun last week and had rescued recently with N467 pulling N12!
As for N467 she too is getting long the tooth with others as she got electrical spikes recently but not to the point it causes problems for crew
After what was messy weekend the front line & crew did their best in pressing times…
Was aware of the unfortunate incidents requiring emergency services on the Geelong Line on 24/10 condolences to those involved within the frontline and those involved that day.
Am no specialist or expert but thinking it through the only reason why the train would fail it poor maintenance and management of the train rolling stock. V/Line cutbacks?