The 13:10 Southern Cross – Warrnambool service is delayed by 25 minutes due to a train fault. We are sorry for the delay in your journey. [14:18 02/12]
Source: v/line notifications on their website this afternoon
Not a good start for the WTT for Vlocities taking over loco hauls……
Yesterday the new working timetable was put in place from progression from the Loco haul N sets to a not fit for purpose rail car a Velocity 3×1 DMU….
Whist rolling around on the NW line on Sunday timetable I noticed the evening Swan Hill down service on 1st of Dec 2024 was reduced from a loco haul to a Velocity that terminated at Bendigo and buses onward to Swan Hill from my carriage on VN14 just after Kyneton 20:00 due at that particular station…..
I later learnt that BZN265 from VN3 was given away by V/line and allocated to Historical Railway Group a operator called Steamrail Vic Inc recently during a rolling stock shortage!
Whist it good that the carriages are finding people to restore it can keep them going for historical purposes and keep them operating.
But I don’t understand V/line management’s logic of hasty withdrawing N sets cars whist there apparently problems still happening with the newer velocities…..
Shouldn’t they keep those older train for substitutes set to cover these newer trains to cover the newer train in a event they fail?
But put it this way until all order are complete for those newer trains and teething problem addressed if possible keep the older sets for now until the state can get more fit for purpose train to replace them to exceed the pervious standard, as relying on one type of design in the test of time for longer distance has proven to be failure the big indicators are 6 cars are reduced to 3 car is proof one need to see happening around the system since they forced to operate on the longer distance runs.
Yes all trains have their issues and it was not so obvious then, it seem more problematic now since a one size fit all concept was applied on all line long distance 2-4+ hrs one way to 1-2 hours one way….
From my observation, keep the Velocities with commuter style seating and WC limited for shorter run ie: Bacchus Mash, Bendigo and Seymour etc. as they are mechanically designed to do with shorter periods of continuous operation between braking application for schedule stops
Whist long duration runs may need a another design suitable DMU for lengthy periods of continuous operations where they are longer duration between braking application for scheduled stops…
The train a 6 Cars set with motor trailers located end of the 6 car set equipped with bi directional seats, USB ample storage space mobility access and buffet onboard for the longer route addressing the people who does coach transfer for longer routes travelling 200-300+ kms in one day to Swan Hill, Warrnambool etc.
A more modern version design which is similar layout of the aging XPT.
This is the end result of getting a Pony to do a Work Horse’s job…..
https://www.alstom.com/solutions/rolling-stock/coradia-regional-trains-accessible-solutions-move-regions
I understand there were 8 set rolling around perviously and will be reduced to 4 sets of 5 N car coach on the public roster….
- VN10
- FN9
- VN14
- VN6
- VN19
- VN17
- N12
- VN3
Whist VN5 now retired for spare parts a shame using a serviceable train as a hulk for spare parts!
I will agree using a train for spare parts when damaged and condemned from use due to cracked under frame etc or involved in accident that damaged it so badly it cannot be savaged.
as v/line management wanted to, they could easily obtain the blue prints for the older components for the older N and Z series cars from the state archives of the railway if they still exist for Alstom SSR who I believe who’s in charge of maintaining them or obtain copies of the blue print of those older carriages that some Tourist Railway groups who has being allocated some those older carriages and still maintaining them and operating them on their tours at the moment
which their engineering dept maybe able reproduce those older parts to keep what left off those older N sets going including the locomotives until the state is in better position to get a fit for purpose train from Alstom to replace them for the longer duration trips in the system!
