The V/line Fleet // Regional Passenger Rail In Victoria!
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- čas přidán 24. 06. 2024
- A look at Victoria's regional rail fleet operated by V/line. V/line operates an extensive network centered around Melbourne, using a variety of diesel locomotive hauled trains and DMUs.
Want to help support the channel, get early access to new content and exclusive behind the scenes videos? Join me on Patreon: / taitset
My voiceover in this video was recorded with the assistance of my brother Cian, who happens to be a sound recordist and musician. Check out his music here: hyperfollow.com/cianbennetmusic
All photographs and video are taken by Martin Bennet (me). The network maps are the official ones from PTV and V/line.
Chapters:
00:00 - What is V/line anyway?
01:00 - Some general stuff about trains
02:28 - The carriages: H sets & N sets & bonus Z cars
06:00 - East end and West end
06:27 - The N class
07:44 - The Y class
08:04 - Vans
08:44 - Sprinter DMUs
10:06 - VLocity DMUs
11:33 - Fleet use in Jan 2024
12:41 - VLocity creep
14:19 - Bye Bye Buffet
15:32 - Multi-gauge drifting
15:53 - Heritage operations
16:33 - The end
#trains #transport #australia #melbourne #transit
A little update: As predicted in this video, the H sets have now been withdrawn, with the last one running an evening service to Waurn Ponds on 2/2/24. Some H cars have been transferred to the Seymour Railway Heritage Centre for preservation, so it will very likely be possible to ride them again one day.
Some of the stored N class locos have also now been hired out to freight operator Southern Shorthaul Railroad, you can watch a video of them on their first run here: czcams.com/video/Y1tCY-X-TB0/video.htmlsi=ydIazeBv2OHaU11d
Want to help support the channel, get early access to new content and exclusive behind the scenes videos? Join me on Patreon: www.patreon.com/Taitset
Sad to see them go, I don't think I've ever been on one, but used to see them often when I was younger
1:01 Love the derailed XPT in the background of the shot representing Pacific National
Pfft i just realised that
How did that derailment happen and when did it happen?
@@JuliansTrainsandGames 2014, it was the first XPT to run after RRL opened. The points on the northern end of the flyover were poorly designed and the train derailed travelling over them.
Wasn't the XPT fleet originally #MadeInBritain?... 🚄🇬🇧🤔
#ThatExplainsIt 😉
@@dieseldragon6756 built by comeng using a design based on the British intercity 125s
I’ll never forget googling v line on the school computers to show my teacher my favourite loco and getting a very very different set of search results 😂
The gods have blessed us once again with a new Taitset video, keep up the great stuff Martin!
Taitset is now god we worship him
@@KatoombaTourGuidefr
Pretty sure it’s Taitset that blessed us once again with a new Taitset video
Yes
YAY!! V/Line content!!! I totally agree about the Buffets needed for long distance services.
Whenever my train (Echuca resident here) arrives into Bendigo, there are always people waiting to get off the very first car to try and get a drink in the 5 or so minutes it takes the drivers to get everybody off the Echuca originated service, couple the 2 sets together and get everybody BACK onto the train before it leaves.
I also think it must be MANDATORY for every single service going beyond Bendigo/Warragul/Geelong/Ballarat to have 2 sets together, because everybody may not get on at SCS, but get on further down the line and cramming more people onto an already full 3-car seat is not only stupid, it's also very dangerous.
So they simply don’t run enough service?
I assume I collect my Free Coffee (For being a Taitset Subscriber) in that BRN Buffet car there? I'll give it to that kid giving you the friendly finger gesture 😜
(Every Taitset video has Easter Eggs in them, look for them folks!)
Great video and a great summary of the V/Line operation and services, quite an extensive operation in the scheme of things! My first ever trip on V/Line was visiting Melbourne from Wagga Wagga in 2007, and it was aboard the Albury locomotive hauled V/Line service with the N Class locomotive and N Cars. It was something very novel to me at the time to travel on a locomotive hauled train in revenue service, but those journeys, like for me, have made up the memories and experiences of many Victorians who've travelled on them over the decades. Sad to see them ceasing progressively this year, but they have served the state well!
The V/Locities, although not as charming as a locomotive hauled N Class set, really brought ridership back onto the rails particularly for regional customers and in conjunction with the RFR upgrade project, they're a great train for what they've been designed to do and continue serving the legacy of the locomotive hauled trains they've replaced. I do agree with the video's sentiments that they're probably not best for those longer 3-4hr trips without some food onboard! Still the real winner at the end of the day is the Victorian taxpayer and ridership who have economic and comfortable transport to get them to the big end of town, and back home again.
(Btw.... I ecnourage you all to become a Patreon peoples! It's a great way to view these videos in advance and have your say to the creator in advance before it gets released to the masses)
Being a diesel mechanic, I like the N class locomotives. Turbocharged EMD engines sound great. They also have a decent horn. The railcars have wimpy horns. I guess the locos are the "tough guys" of the fleet. 100 tonnes of presence.
Truck or train? I'm a diesel mechanic but not trains, I love the n and g class EMD sets, but more because of my dad being a train driver.
well they are pretty much bricks ie Broadmeadows runway
Gotta say a 1 carriage Sprinter is pretty funny to look at LOL
I remember reading a press release from Cummins last year (the people who made the engines on the Vlocity) bragging about how those engines have made the Vlocity the most reliable DMU in the world (in terms of mean kms between failures). We do actually have a very nice, very modern and very efficient train in our state! There is also a white paper to replace those power units with electric battery or hydrogen (if they ever become proven in use or economically viable)
As someone who has travelled long distance routes to both Bairnsdale and Swan Hill, I can confirm the N class loco hauled services with N/Z sets are far more comfortable for long distance routes. The thin seats coupled with lack of buffet car make the VLocity very uncomfortable for 4/5 hour train journeys.
That restored A66 orange and grey V/Line is beautiful. I remember taking that exact loco on the Stony Point line when I was a kid. I would nag my mum to sit in the first car, just so I could watch the loco leading the way. I reckon I was about 5-6 years old then, I am 32 now. Great memories ❤ great video mate.
I'm so glad you coverd the country trains as I'm a weekly travler on them. I realy miss the N sets that ran on my line with the comfy plush seats and bufete car that served useful when you got hungry. I've been disapointed with how thing the seats are on the VLocity trains and the 2+2 seats can be anoying when traveling with a large grpup also the horn is nowhere near as good as the mighty n class locomotive. I love your work Martin keep it up.
A66 in the orange and grey scheme, brings back so many memories of catching the train to Melbourne as a child
Vline seats are absolute class
I always liked the Sprinters, ever since they were rolled out. The interesting thing about that is that they initially had TheMet livery, at least the one I rode did.
Being able to buy coffee on long journeys is much appreciated.
14:36 Thank god I’m a taitset subscriber, I need that free coffee!
What goes around comes around, the N sets were the first VR sets with a buffet car (other than the Overland and Spirit of course), and this coincided with the closure of the railway station refreshment rooms, and the corresponding timetabled rest breaks being removed. Perhaps V/Line should consider reopening the refreshment rooms, and timetable stops at them once again.
I remember the old wobbly and rough ride from melbourne to lara when going to the airshow back in the early 2000's. The vlocity trains and the improved trackwork made a big difference. Also, from experience going down to sydney on the xpt's having the buffet car is always a nice thing - made even better when i could snag the 1 row that was just a single seat. Never had to worry about being leant on, or stuck in my seat but still had the window view!
Everyday = 🗑️
But there’s one exception…
When Taitset Uploads 😎🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳
That’s true
Real
As a teen I caught a refurbished red rattler from Bittern to Frankston on the stony point line. Most comfortable seats and was so cozy. Never knew at the time that we'd miss it so much now.
I took a few of those red dog box cars in the 80’s , they were really good
Hey Martin! Love the videos, you actually convinced me to go to Melbourne during Christmas and it was amazing! (Of course i took a lot of picture of trains😂) Anyway, thanks for making these lovely videos.
That's awesome!
babe wake up new taitset video just dropped
VLocity sets may be everywhere, but they’re not comfortable for longer journeys! Definitely prefer the N-sets.
as someone who has done some communting with V/line, I prefer the loco hauled set,
As you mentioned the N sets are quieter,
I also find the seats are way better for longer trips too, not to mention the buffet is a great place to ask questions, I've had many V/line trips where you dont see the conductor at all only checking the tickets. and then they hide in the cab of the DMU's which I hate.
Numerous times they haven't even checked tickets.
Loco hauled trains are quieter for the passengers which is why for Interstate travel the XPT is good. The replacement for the XPT will be DMUs - not so good for a quiet 11 hour ride if going end to end.
4:13 Look closely at that poster above the seat
VLocity are fine if you're in them for about 90 minutes tops. Sitting in them for the 3+ hours from Albury is just awful and makes you seriously consider getting a coach or paying more for the XPT. No curtains on the massive blazing windows, cant even rest an elbow on the window ledge to prop your head up. The seats have clearly been designed for eventual repurposing as car jack stands. In the six car sets usually only one buffet is open and if you're in the wrong three car set tough luck. I really, really miss the N class locos and carriages.
4:11 OMG that was a clever Easter egg; Thought for a second that was legit and thought "Wow, you have a lot of pull at VLine- the world is saved!"
On topic with the withdrawl of the N sets (and buffets) Deutsch Bahn - The national operator of germany - quite recently removed all bistro/buffet of the IC 1 sets, leaving the faster ICE sets as the only with a dedicated bistro/buffet car. The newer IC 2 sets only have a small snack area and from what I've heard the IC 1 sets should get one as well. But don't quote me on that
Finally someone not saying Vlocitys are oh so good. Great Video Taitset
I really miss the A class that use to run on the Stony Point line my grandmother use to take me on it to see the pelicans there every few weeks as a kid
I love your videos they started my love for trains and love for learning the history about the melbourne network thank you for making such informitive and interesting videos.
That's really cool!
me to just in the last day or 2
I had to rewind at the demonstration, that is GOLD! And the many promises made for Shep....If you have ANY influence towards VLine, please let them know they are missing an opportunity to uplift the buffet to a foodies delight towards their actual regional foodie tour.
The End, priceless as it brought back memories of traveling up and down from Naarm/Melbs in 80s. :)
Just to add to the VLocity, Whilst in operation is max speed is 160km/h, they are designed for up to 210km/hr, so any increase in line speed won't imediatly need new stock
210KM/h would be great for the Geelong line! And I'm sure it will be a lot quicker and a lot cheaper to build than the Geelong Fast Rail project that was proposed and then canned. It might be good for the Ballarat line too, but I think it requires all crossings to be grade separated, so I'm not sure whether it has the passenger numbers to justify it. That being said, I'm sure a lot of the level crossings can just be closed as most of them get very little traffic as almost all of the major level crossings have already been removed on the Ballarat & Geelong lines.
@@tonydarcy7475 GFR was to use VLocitys at their design speed. Wasn’t gonna have new stock. Ballarat needs full duplication prior to getting any benefit from higher speeds. And would need to bypass the Bacchus Marsh horseshoe.
@@johnno1246 I'm not too familiar with the Ballarat line, but I'd imagine it would save quite a bit of time even if the train could only run faster for a few sections (i.e. where the track is duplicated and there are no level crossings). I understand the GFR project focused on creating a more direct route rather than running trains faster. My point was more around that I think it would be cheaper to save 8 minutes by making trains that use the existing tracks move faster rather than adding additional tracks to the Werribee line to enable trains to travel on a more direct route.
VLine trains slow down significantly after Tarneit station and slow to a crawl after Sunshine station, so I think that is something that should be looked at, in addition to increasing train/line speeds between about Wyndham Vale and just before Lara so they can go faster than 160KM/h, since the VLocity trains are capable of going faster, they just aren't allowed to under current policy.
@@tonydarcy7475the passenger numbers will increase if you remove the grade crossings and speed up service not a day before.
12:17 The last H set service was run yesterday on the 2nd of February 2024 at 18:12. Rest in peace H set.
the scene with the wooden trains is so cute yet effective
Yo Martin, I was literally just in Melbourne for my 18th birthday, 10th to 12th of January 2024. With the 11th being my birthday. Keep up the amazing content. Your videos were probably half the reason i went to Melbourne, and your videos have almost single handedly convinced me to move to Victoria from Queensland in the near future.
That's really cool! Happy birthday!
5:52 - Ole mate giving a wave to the photographer there...
The first two sprinter units were fully fitted out at Goninan Broadmeadow, with the other 20 units internally fitted out at the PTC North Bendigo workshops. I did some work on them as a kid.
Another great video, thanks Martin! I also like the Sprinters, I would really like to see them used to re-open the Ballarat-Geelong line, possible video?
Yes definitely!
i love the ballarat-geelong line and i love sprinters! if that was re-opened i would go on it a lot
Ballarat to Geelong is a great idea. I think the state should actually get serious and run a regional loop line. Start in Geelong, go through Ballarat, Bendigo, Shepparton and then connect with the Sydney-Melbourne line at Benalla or Wangaratta.
An extra nerdy detail not mentioned: The reason the N cars and Z cars look so similar (and S cars, interior excepted) is that they were all evolutions of the same design. There was also a planned R type carriage stock that was a further evolution in the 90s, along with an R class diesel, but neither proposal appears to have made it far beyond the initial drawing board.
Would like to see about this.
I remember taking A-class hauled trains to Albury to visit my grandparents in the 80’s and 90’s. My mother would walk me up to see the loco, very exciting!
Awesome video, As someone born and raised in Sydney I know a lot more about the Sydney network but have learnt good some good information from this video
I agree on the Sprinters. I think they are cool little units and very interesting in their appearance and branding, like Australian siblings of the British Class 153 Sprinter.
I basically grew up on the sprinters on they seymour line, as well as catching the shepp lines to get to and from seymour, they're such nostalgic trains for me and it's kinda saddening to hear they'll be getting replaced eventually, especially since i don't live on that line anymore and get the VLocity trains only now. Guess it had to happen eventually.
Won't say no to a free coffee! ☕ 😁
As a Victorian I love seeing these videos, every day I learn something new about the Metro Trains I see all the time.
Some of the VLocity have the really thin/uncomfortable seats you find in suburban buses. What were they thinking? Sometimes they are on the Bendigo line; 2 hour trip.
Very well done. Loved every moment.
Great video and extremely accurate info! The one thing I would say is, I don't think you will see VLocities running the Swan Hill trip for quite a long time, unless the government finds the money to get all of the level and occupation crossings sorted. Everyone will have a chance to ride N-sets for quite a while if they want to go from Bendigo to Swan Hill :-) Love your work though!
Thanks so much taitset, love your videos and have been waiting for this video for a while now, nice video and keep up the great work!
Damn I will miss the H sets :(
I loved that the H sets are (or were) the last remaining pull door carriages that still had the original door knob rather then the comeng style handles that replaced them around 2015 (I think).
I remember getting late night Shepparton services in them around 2022 to see my ex at the time.
5:53 Did no one notice the guy in the shot where he’s showing the roof of the N cars flipping off the person who took the photo, it may be photoshopped in but still hilarious 😂😂. Anyway great video!!!
Not photoshopped, that was just his immediate reaction seeing me with a camera! 😄
Thanks for posting, very informative.
Yes Martin! Been waiting for so long😊. Big fan, keep it up!
It'll be a sad day when the N sets run for the final time. Yes, they're aging and are in need of a replacement, but for all of the advantages of a VLocity, running on the long distance network is not it. They are an excellent DMU and do a fantastic job on the parts of the network to which they were originally designed for. Personally, I'd like to see new locomotives and carriages with the same (and more) features as the N set, but with more modern takes and improvements in both practicality and comfort, with additional network upgrades to allow higher speeds. Sadly it doesn't look like we'll be seeing that anytime in the near future.
Very good. Thanks for your excellent work.
Always learn so much from these videos. Great stuff as usual
Great video Martin. Really well produced! 👌
Great explainer. Thanks!
Hey Martin, I absolutely love your videos. Very informative and explained beautifully.
Excellent video. Thanks heaps
Another day, Another amazing taitset video
Fantastic video once again
Thanks for a really clear and detailed explanation. I have been on the Stony Point line. 👍👍👍⭐️⭐️⭐️
Awesome video. Very informative. Thanks 👍
been waiting for this one
Having relatively recently moved to Donnybrook and regularly commuted from Donnybrook station, I rapidly became aware of the difference between the Sprinter and VLocity trains and carriages. During the afternoon peak times, the Sprinters are typically standing room only, which during summer makes for a not very pleasant trip home following slow stop / start Metro trains!
Why do I enjoy these videos so much 🤯
Another great video mate!
YIEW VLINE VIDEO THANKS MARTIN
Enjoyed this. Good presentation.
seems like an impressive operation I like the purple
Very interesting video. Thank you.
Regularly travel from SCS to Warrnambool and the N Class/N Sets are great, comfy, quiet, and pleasant. Couldn't do that on a VLocity unless the line speed was 160 for decent time save. Great video as per usual
Having just completed two 3.5 hour trips on an N set I am very glad to have had this experience. The difference in noise and vibration is very stark, especially on a journey of that length, and it's a real shame the powers that be want to move away from it. There is still something so romantic about buying food and eating it while galloping through the south west at 115 kph.
The way I see it loco hauled carriages are 100% the way to go for any long distance service that isn't electric, and even still electric multiple units only make sense for stop start or high speed running.
Very well informed and quite accurate summary of the the current state of play. Keep it up. I particularly like your tone and balanced view point . Well done, and keep it up. A senior operator who appreciates those of the younger set who know what they are talking about.
Good Stuff!
Ahhh, my daily commuter trains. Purple is my favourite colour, and I *adore* their branding.
It's nice to see some content on regional Victoria. Thanks very much, Taitset :)
Aha! The "lack of first class" issue! I thought people were being ripped off when i walked past a few H or N cars recently and was like "? First class?" That explains it, with the fare cap!
Another great video from the land down under.
I took an N set on Friday to Warrnambool, definitely needed the Buffett for a coffee on the trip. I've got memories of going on a cab ride in a sprinter when i was 4 or 5, around 1994 from bendigo back to Melbourne with my Dad, which means it wasn't that old at the time. I hope the sprinters are kept together just like the derms are.
That was really enjoyable
Yay Melbourne train videos!
5:53
That man…
12:49 I am in complete agreement with you here. I'm glad that you have bought up the noise issue because as a NSWer it's a lament up here that the XPT trains are soon going to be replaced with DMUs and this is what is going to make this new fleet suck on the Sydney - Melbourne and Sydney - Brisbane runs specifically...
Love the lad waving at 5:53😂😂😂😂
I’ve been in an N class cab and honking at a crossing is really cool experience
Sick vid!
Love you work 👍🏼👍🏼
Thankyou. 🙂
I really hope the N class trains and sets stay with us. They would be good for trains to Mildura in the future. Curtains and buffet cars as well as first class is perfect
They may as well keep them for all long distance services if they do that. They should replace them with new locos and cars though.
@@aidanthomas2510unfortunately railcards are more economical
@@TrainsForNSWVlogs Vlocity Railcars are great for intercity travel, but are quite bad for long distance travel.
@@JuliansTrainsandGames True the Nsw XPLorers arent great for the Broken Hill trip and should use the Dubbo XPT instead.
Watched the video, got off a cranbourne line train and watched a VLocity train roll through. I could tell it’s from the older stock due to the front shape, so I’ve definitely learned something 🚊
Ngl this shot at 6:53 is perfect
An N class hauling its N set passing by a heritage train hauling E type carriages. Its like the present is passing by the past.
Very good shot taitset.
Once again, great video. Agree with you on the SG V/Lo's as well, they really should replace them with newer suitable locos and cars. Glad you mentioned the retired fleet as well, the A's were a great loco and I'm glad A66 is still going strong. Would have also mentioned that 2 of V/Line's 4 A class locos have been preserved and A70 got sold to SSR, so all 4 will be back in traffic which is good.
i will never not be pissed that my town used to be served by rail, but they removed it ages ago
and the response to people being asses on the train is literally nothing >.
The obvious antidote to a lot of the problems you raise about running VLos on the longer routes is: let's gets serious about improving infrastructure and cutting journey times. The VLos would actually be capable of 200kmh with upgrades if and where track speeds allowed it, meaning they would theoretically have 80% higher top speeds than the loco hauled consists. Particularly on the Albury and Shepparton runs I think we should finally get serious and upgrade these to 200kph running (currently mostly 115-130) and convert the whole corridor to Standard Gauge (currently due to the Broad Gauge sharing the corridor a source of delays and slow timetables is passing loops and the significant freight which will increase with Inland Rail); which would also be a step towards competitive Sydney-Melbourne train times (then it's on NSW to bypass the crap steam-age alignment from Wagga to Sydney via Canberra/Goulburn and the single track section from the border to Wagga) and help make these centres much more attractive particularly with higher frequency service Albury and Shepparton could take far more population growth. Agree about the buffet car but I'll add that they're actually not that pleasant on the Cline sets in my experience, compared to the dining and bar cars on some of the trains in Europe or even the tilting trains on the Brisbane-Cairns long distance route - we can do a LOT better.
While I'm not a resident of Australia, I'd say upgrading the whole network to allow for higher speeds better suited for VLocitys especially longer routes would not only improve journey times and reliability, but also make it much more viable for further extensions. I also hope that eventual electrification of those lines will happen in the future.
@@randomscb-40charger78 I actually don't think many extensions are that viable anyway, basically all cities and regions with more than 20,000 residents have access to rail except Mildura which is 480km away with not much between so likely that bit too far to make it worth it. Not that I wouldn't love to see that, I just think it's a long way off and many places would be better served by good coach services connecting with the rail main lines.
Another thing to look at with the upgrades is progressively extending electrification out to main centres (Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Seymour) then the next round of rolling stock being equipped with both electric and diesel traction which is what NSW are doing, allowing trains to run on overhead for half their journeys and for most passengers the entirety of their journeys as most of the patronage comes from the ring of larger regional cities around Melbourne.
Nice video!
I have always loved the N sets and often would plan journeys to include them but I only travelled in first class as I hated sitting facing someone else in economy. The buffet was the best part. I agree there needs to be a proper long distance VLocity train that has a buffet and forward facing rotateable but reclining seats. H sets are something I rarely travelled on as they were more of a peak hour thing and I don't commute on vline.
I recently took a VLine to Geelong for the first time in a while. The previous time was at the start of 2017 and I absolutely loved it because the seats were so dang comfortable. This recent trip was on board the VLocity and I found it to be nowhere near as good as the N-Class. The plastic bucket seats were uncomfortable and it just wasn't the same.
Watching this while on a VLocity train 😅 Great video Martin!
really wish i got to see vline when they had the G and S class and were running freight. My dad grew up in warrnambool and whenever we go down we take the train. Love the old vibes of the N class but still comfort of it. Love the old classic train carriage feel. Sadly probably the last i’ll ever feel of it. He also used to mention West Coast Railways and the R class they used to have. Have you ever looked into or made a video of WCR?
I may well do a video on WCR at some point, I did travel with them a couple of times, and saw R711 in service a few times.