Recent happenings on the V/Line system Vlocity and N sets why is this happening?

On 2/12/24 I rode on N12 to Swan Hill 07:40

it was nice summery day hauled by N467 whist shuffling to BRN for drinks when I observed these interesting events:

• BDN50 air conditioning is not working properly may need to go to workshop for repairs blowing hot air it was very stuffy and blowing hot air which later conductor managed to rectify it
• The locomotive no. N467 has a emerging issue this carriage leading car is getting black greasy splashing spots all down the windows whist in motion, this not normal for this to happen whist operating on route.
• Upward leg waiting for departure a click and after the crew rest it I noticed BZN266 air conditioning has failed too blowing hot air.
• As soon the train from Swan Hill returned the Y class was waiting and took the set away to the workshops and as for locomotive status is unknown for now.

VN14 on the Geelong down 16:31 27/12/24

A lot of people rode this train to Geelong and when they were prepping in for it hooked the HEP and power it the light when on as normal ,shunters about walk off and I heard a “click” and exclaimed:

Hey, lights out!!!

The customer service officer looked at me and I said:

The lights in the train just went out!

He peered in and quickly let the driver and shunter a train staff know they rectify it pronto! 16:20 approx. occurrence

• After a nice short run uneventful run to Geelong, I watched the train being shunted in Geelong Yard after seeing the Y class take her away
• After brief wait for the for Warrnambool train that left at 17:06 from Southern Cross, got so comfortable on board in the older BZN carriage despite a heavily loaded train most seats taken that I nearly forgot to get off it at the cross Waurn Ponds!

After a wait I hope on the 18:42 3×2 Vlocity DMU to Southern Cross.

Things took a strange turn on board after Marshall. As before Geelong I thought I smelt a waft of what I guess what diesel fumes in the train!

I had a big sneeze on board shortly after which I naturally blamed the weather and pollen as I normally do on whist my train rides.

Then next thing a PA announcement was made on board and our 3×2 was reduced to 3×1 and I was advised to go the front 3 cars at Geelong!

We were meant arrive 20:04 according to their timetable at Southern Cross that night we didn’t arrive until 20:34

If the newly amended time table from December 1st for the Geelong and Warrnambool Lines was the right decision made why is this being kept from the travelling community ?

I would say this would be just simple travelling advice.

Strangely the V/line app and website for the Geelong line didn’t give any notifications on this particular service being reduced Capacity from Geelong to Southern Cross that night.

I couldn’t understand why recently there have being very limited travelling advice given out online on X regarding the Geelong and Warrnambool routes from their website which appears to a few software issues loading on their app updates recently…

I later learnt the next day whist on of many trips from some who versed on the newer trains operations that the smell of diesel on board I smelt beforehand seemed to indicate a fuel leak when I described the weird events on aboard, as it’s not usual for this happen during a shorter run less than 2 hrs on board.

28-12-24 N12 for Swan Hill

This train appeared to some emerging electrical issue as when they hooked her up there was lag in the power going through the train, lights came on in lead car but took a while to light up the rest of the train.

This later resulted no buffet service on board BOTH ways due to fact I observe there was no caterer staff loading up food and drinks on board the BRN 47 buffet for crew on board to sell on board.

It seems on board catering is being scaled back as it very harsh on people some who get on between stops who goes for up to 3-4+ hrs without food or drinks on board before coach transfers to Mildura and Robinvale etc. shortly after the train arrives as no eating and drinking applies on some coach services!

Which I later heard from some crew staff that there at the time that v/line is thinking doing away buffet service on longer distance train both board gauge and standard gauge Albury if this so, it this a indicator that there some trouble within V/line that the public doesn’t know about?

Vending Machine at Swan Hill that day was not restocked and it didn’t many drinks or food available for purchase.

As when some those people have dietary requirements etc. on board they are disadvantaged severely as for example diabetics cannot go long periods without food or drinks!

And may result in these people at risk of medical emergency on board which forces the crew to hold up the train until Emergency services personnel assistance can assist or taking them off for medical assistance/ treatment delaying the train service.

I and sadly found out they are retiring BRN 47 has been gutted buffet car on VN3, and other carriages too the recent was BZN256 to Vic Goldfield Rly to and other heritage groups in middle of rolling stock shortage as well…..

They could of waited until we got a fit for purpose newer train tested and certified and up and running for the aging N set before retiring them as their replacement!

Most People say bring extra food and drinks what the issue?

On the newer trains Vlocities 3 cars or 6 cars configuration the spaces on board are limited and when all people carry bags and extras on board and and food and drink thermos flask etc. and crew catering for bikes, mobility walker etc.

On board overcrowding OHS issues results and blocking aisles and emergency access for crew and passengers becomes very problematic!

29-12-2024 Swan Hill events on FN9

Earlier before boarding the train at 5A I had opportunity to observe the 07:24 Warrnambool service leave 6A as 3×1 Vlocity Railcar as it was meant to leave 7A but had last minute platform change. I notice the train was very crowded before it left the Southern Cross station on pulling out whist settled in leading carriage of the Swan Hill train waiting for departure at 5A whist watching the Warrnambool services depart from my window.

Pulled out as per normal at 07:40 only to stop briefly at Melb Yard before the fly over and noticed a strange events.

• I could see the signal ahead of the locomotive of my train showing yellow over red, which indicated a train in the next section
• I noticed the 3×2 Vlocity which pulled out beside the grey building at Melb Yard earlier which was now directly in front of the locomotive pulling my train in the next section that day
• Ahead of that train next section I figured out was the 3×1 Warrnambool 07:34 service.

What caused the 3 train to be so close to each other in the sections on the flyover was unknown

But the with current new technology of the signals it allows a train to be directly in front in the next section as required.

That seemed to indicate that particular service in front of the 3×2 Vlocity may suffering mechanical problems on route as from my many trips on route this first time I experienced happen before my very eyes.As I understand many trains use it going in toward Southern Cross and departing from it.

Interurban DMU Vlocity Trains:

• Is for purpose for short durations runs with frequent stops on route with people on board lasting trips 1-2 hrs Seymour, Bacchus Marsh etc.
• but never was designed for longer durations route lasting 3-4+ hrs one way for lengthy periods of high speed operations and less stops made on route ie: Warrnambool, Swan Hill, Ararat etc.
• newer train’s capacity of seats is fixed
• unlike the older loco haul where carriages can be added or reduced according to passenger capacity demand for that period until cost cutting came in!
• Plus due to the constant vibration and roars of traction motor on top the noise of train it’s self moving over the track can result in migraines, headaches and hearing injury as result of prolonged exposure to this riding environment on board considering the passengers are in the same area as the source of noise and vibration unlike the “fluctuating clatter of the older loco haul carriages.
• But word “Noise” is subjective as if a person suffers a hidden condition ie: hearing loss then of cause the constant bombardment of this sort various noises in the same area they are seating on board is not a big issue to them!
• But with some people it can be very overwhelming especially younger children or some passengers special needs on board some with hyper sensitive to certain noises.

Vlocity are good trains for shorter distance routes BUT when forced to operate beyond it’s mechanical capabilities as they now are on the longer distance lines, the occurrence of intermittent faults with mechanical failure aka “Train Faults” increases in time.

As result in time the Vlocity will be no more reliable then a badly maintained older train known as the classic fleet the management of v/line,PTV and DTP are currently seemly are letting go to justify it’s withdrawal.