After a very busy morning I managed to squeeze in a ride on 13:08 Warrnambool on VN14 and settling down in a old former ACZ BZN258 to spend rest of the day resting on my favourite mode of transport. During the journey I witnessed the ex 10:13 Warrnambool Velocity DMU in Boorcan Loop waiting for our train to pass. As it was stationary at speed I was able to look into the DMU to see and oddly enough it looked empty in all 3 cars!
VN14 the loco hauled or known as Warrnambool down 13:08 train was headed toward Terang whist the Velocity DMU Warrnambool up ex 10:13 on the track opposite was facing toward Camperdown on the crossing loop.
From what I understand from 1 December 2024 onward the Vlocities will progressively replace all loco haul on that line starting with 10:15 Service to Warrnambool.
Some questions to consider of that replacing the older loco service in teething stages:
- Why did the Velocity DMU look strangely empty in all 3 cars?
- Did something happen to affect the service deeming it unsafe to carry passengers aboard back to Southern Cross?
- Why does this seem to kept very quite and it seem no one is investigating why this happening?
I have noticed via V/line notification and website travel advice put out to the travelling community on the Geelong Line most common notification recently during the period after Nov 1st recently “Rail Equipment Faults“
Locations are often stated as these same locations Geelong, Wyndham Vale and Waurn Ponds…..
From my observation the term used “Rail Equipment Faults” is very vague description of what is really going on currently on that rail corridor….
As it can be interpreted differently via and questioned out of curiosity from various people who use the system some who seems to familiar with rail operations as a concerned train travellers or a ordinary member of public going to A- B as it could it be seen as a train issue in operational or mechanical issue or something to do with track conditions on route…..
One thing some can’t grasp is the reasoning why the management is so hasty getting rid of N set in middle of rolling stock shortage without ensuring a fit for purpose train was available from Alstom was available ready to roll to take the aging N set place?
Most people after Melb Cup Weekend plus myself wasn’t amused that the Swan Hill was cancelled due their reasoning of “Rolling Stock shortages just find out later online they had retired VN5 a N set of 5 cars off the public roster!
I did notice VN19 5 car set was stabled in Melbourne yard and she looks she have not being out for while too!
What more will it take for them to get the hint that the travelling public in regional areas of Vic are not cattle?
The excuse of the people who make the decisions need be in office at all times with their PC seems to nullified in most situations as since Lap Top PC technology available they can pack food/drinks and their PC and have nice ride on the longer routes and by the end of the days or weeks they do see if they stand by their decisions after riding in uncontrolled setting with other passenger on board a regular long duration service on board ie: Ararat etc…
When the are several designs from Alstom available for various travelling conditions overseas where the motor trailers are isolated away from passengers and can be designed for long duration travel requirements on Vic Railway Conditions on route with buffet and bi directional seating like the aging XPT or QR Tilt Train…
I suggest one closely looks a the above site by clocking on the image above. Alstom manufacture a very popular regional train system that has been consistently ignored by V/Line. Click the image above to learn more.
Not surprised not many on the UP Warrnambool Vlocity the residents already wary of this junk on rails and will not use it. People are speaking but as usual @vline and the Transport Minster are not listening.
NO VLOCITY TRAINS to #warrnambool it is clear. Delay these changes until a proper platform can be found.
Brad, the only way is to try and convince the Transport Minister and her supporters out their offices armed with lap tops, food drinks and invite them all for nice leisurely day outing on the 10:13 Velocities there and back at 18:45 at Southern Cross Station again in uncontrolled setting amongst the passengers on board!!!
As from my humble observation : You cannot make a informed decisions on the regional travellers behalf behind a desk!
And who ever advising them seem not to be doing very good job if they are not on the system collecting data from observing from ground zero at regular basis around the train and on the train in normal operating timetable, not a test train but mingle with those who uses and operate them on the frontline….
Vic doesn’t at the end of the CBD or at end of Myki tap on zones….
Sit for the entire leg to and from and let see if their mindset changes after personally experiencing what most regular long haul regional traveller have to face on those newer train on route!
Great story.
The empty vlocity due to people voting with their feet? I have signed the petition.
It’s unknown but sometime set are deemed unsafe to carry passenger onboard due mechanical failure which seen safety critical problems ie: braking system problem or external door electrical locking system fault etc. when that happens all passenger and conductor are removed put out of service and train is taken away empty car movement to nearest workshop for repairs!
Usually bus transfers for passengers to continue their journey and as for the crew for the train that was put out of service a cab to their next shift location if required….