El Zorro derailment, March 2010
9 March 2010
A down El Zorro grain derailed at West Footscray Junction, with T320 and S303 coming off the rails (third and fourth units), along with 12 wagons.
El Zorro grain trains
6 March 2013
El Zorro operates a number of grain trains inside and through Victoria, on both broad and standard gauges, using a mix of hired locomotives and wagons
El Zorro Horsham freight
25 July 2010
For a period during 2009 El Zorro operated a standard gauge freight service between Melbourne and Horsham
El Zorro mineral sands train
18 June 2011
The mineral sands train was operated by El Zorro and runs on an irregular basis between Melbourne and Portland, to transport titanium and zircon mineral sands processed by Iluka Resources at Hamilton
El Zorro to Morwell, October 2008
22 October 2008
On October 22, 2008 El Zorro ran a test train to the Gippsland Intermodal Freight Terminal at Morwell, as a promotional event for local companies interested in using the terminal. The four container wagons were previously used on the Warrnambool contract: CQOY 2393 and three ZQLXs
El Zorro wagon transfer, 2009
1 August 2009
On 1 August 2009 El Zorro ran an empty wagon movement from Adelaide to Melbourne, with FL220 and GL109 hauling a train of CFCLA CQWY well wagons and CQMY container wagons.
El Zorro wagon transfer from Warrnambool, December 2008
18 May 2010
El Zorro sent T376 down to Warrnambool light engine on Wednesday December 3, 2008 to pick up some of their wagons from the yard. The train returned the next day. Back when they had the contract for running the Warrnambool freight they had a wagon with a cage at one end (ZFSX 12K) that got red carded and couldn't be moved. The second wagon (ZDXF 1) was left behind on the last run as the train was too long to fit into the loop at Camperdown.
El Zorro Warrnambool freight
26 September 2008
Between April and October 2008 El Zorro opereated the Warrnambool freight, carrying containers between Melbourne and the Westvic depot in Warrnambool, usually running Monday through Friday. The train length is constrained by short crossing loops and often runs during the day on the down trip due to pathing issues beyond Geelong
Endeavour and Xplorer railcar transfers to Bombardier Dandenong
26 February 2010
The Endeavour and Xplorer railcars are operated by CityRail and CountryLink in New South Wales. Originally built at Dandenong in Victoria, in 2007-2009 they have been undergoing a refurbishment program at the same plant. To transfer the cars they are gauge converted from standard to broad at South Dynon, then hauled as unbraked wagons down to Dandenong. These transfer trains are being run by Pacific National depot at Geelong, with extra wagons for braking purposes which are stored at North Geelong Yard between runs
End to End, Collingwood
11 February 2018
Best known for the trio of Hitachi trains located on the rooftop, 'End to End' is a three story development located at 48 Easey Street, Collingwood. Easey's Burgers is located in one of the trains.
Epping Workshops
20 January 2019
Epping Workshops is the only maintenance facility on the Clifton Hill Group, and serves the fleet of X'Trapolis trains deployed to that corridor.
Essendon Depot
21 October 2020
Essendon Depot on Mount Alexander Road, Travancore supplies trams to routes 57, 58, 59, 82.
Essendon rail replacement buses
7 September 2018
Buses replaced Craigieburn line trains throughout 2018, to allow work to be completed on the Buckley Street level crossing removal project. Trains terminated at Essendon station, connecting with buses towards the city.
ETM devices
6 July 2020
ETM -> 'End of Train Marker' devices are on modern trains used instead of a guards van. Simple types are just a flashing lamp, while fancier devices connect to the brake pipe, and report the air pressure via radio back to a display unit in the cab
Evacuating a failed V/Line train at Albion, November 2015
26 November 2015
On November 26, 2015 a down Bendigo train failed outside Albion station, blocking the Sunbury line for hours. Eventually the V/Line train was limped into the platform at Albion, allowing passenger to wait for buses, with the suburban train behind being eventually evacuated as well
Evacuating Metrol
18 June 2015
On 18 June 2015 the Metrol train control centre was evacuated due to a false fire alarm, which resulted in every train in Melbourne having to stop for 15 minutes until train controllers could return.
Failing infrastructure at Southern Cross Station
14 February 2020
Southern Cross Station was only finished a decade ago, but the building is already starting to fall apart
Failing rail infrastructure of Melbourne
24 October 2020
Melbourne's railway network is held together with bubblegum and duct tape - here are examples of the way that it is falling apart.
Farewell Hitachi Train Tour, April 2014
12 April 2014
On April 12, 2014 the Elecrail division of Steamrail ran a Farewell Hitachi Train Tour around the Melbourne suburbs with 288M-1979T-287M + 274M-1909T-273M. Starting at Craigieburn, the tour headed into the city via the Northern Loop, out to South Morang via the Clifton Hill Loop, then out to Sunbury and back via the Northern Loop, then finally back to Craigieburn.
Fender bender on Elizabeth Street
26 July 2019
On 26 July 2019 a delivery van tried to turn from Elizabeth Street into Little Collins Street, and was cleaned up by tram B2.2034 headed south on route 59
Fire damaged Sprinter 7012, December 2016
8 April 2017
On December 2, 2016 Sprinter 7012 caught fire at Seymour station, with a fault in the electrical cabinet believed to be the cause. The damaged train was transferred to Melbourne the next day.
First day of VLocity operations - Ballarat line launch
22 December 2005
December 22nd 2005 was the entry of V/Line's new VLocity trains into revenue service. I managed to catch the 1406 service to Ballarat, and the 1629 service from Ballarat. In this collection I've got pictures of the VLocity arriving at Southern Cross Station, for the first time with paying passengers on board, as well as the services that I travelled on.
First VLocity Services to Geelong
3 February 2006
On February 3, 2006 the first revenue VLocity services operated to Geelong
Flagstaff station police operation, May 2019
28 March 2019
On 28 March 2019 someone onboard a train mistook a busker with a didgeridoo for someone with a rifle, sparking a full blown police response that shut down the entire City Loop for morning peak.
Flemington Racecourse line
5 November 2019
The Flemington Racecourse line is a short branch off the Broadmeadows line in the inner north-west of Melbourne. It is used for special events at the Flemington racecourse and the showgrounds.
Flinders Street overpass removal
20 November 2005
In June-November 2005 the Flinders Street Overpass at King Street was demolished and the tram tracks rebuilt, with new platform stops provided at Market, King and Spencer Streets.
Flinders Street Station
4 April 2020
Flinders Street Station is the main suburban train station for Melbourne, Victoria
Flinders Street Station upgrade
2 December 2019
In February 2015, the State Government announced a $100 million investment to repair the exterior of the station’s administration building as well as improve access and facilities for commuters. Work started in late 2015 and is due for completion in 2018.
Flinders Street Viaduct
22 February 2020
The Flinders Street Viaduct is made up of six tracks of varying ages, linking Flinders Street Station to Southern Cross Station and forming the main link between the eastern and western parts of the Victorian rail network.
Flipped truck under the Flinders Street Viaduct
1 February 2016
On 1 February 2016 an overheight truck attempted to pass under the Flinders Street Viaduct at Spencer Street but failed, ending up sideways.
Flooded platform at Ascot Vale
11 March 2014
First it leaked, and then it burst - that's what happened to a water main beneath the platform at Ascot Vale station.
Flooded tram tracks on St Kilda Road
14 December 2018
In December 2018 flash flooding hit Melbourne, flooding the tram tracks on St Kilda Road and delaying services.
Footbridges between Flinders Street and Richmond
12 February 2013
Between Flinders Street Station and Richmond a number of footbridges cross the rail corridor.
Free Tram Zone
21 June 2019
In the lead up to the 2014 Victorian state election, Denis Napthine promised to make tram travel free in the Melbourne CBD. The Liberal Government lost the election, but the Labor Party matched the promise, so in January 2015 PTV had to spend a bucketload of money promoting something that cost them even more money.
Free Victorian rail travel, January 2009
30 January 2009
Following a week of train cancellations due to extreme heat, the State Government declared that January 30, 2009 would be a day of free travel for train passengers.
Freight around metropolitan Adelaide
2 October 2019
Freight trains around suburban Adelaide: the arrive from the north and east, and head for Dry Creek and the Lefevre Peninsula. The majority are standard gauge, the exception being the broad gauge Penrice stone train.
Freightgate sheds
10 April 2009
Provided around Victoria in the late 1970s / early 1980s at major stations established as freight centres for the receiving and despatch of small freight consignments
Freight in the Adelaide Hills and Mount Lofty
5 December 2011
Freight action headed west from Adelaide, headed up the hills and east towards Victoria.
Freight west from Adelaide
3 December 2011
Freight trains headed west across the plains from Adelaide bound for Perth and Darwin. With no low bridges or tunnels, there is nothing stopping double stack containers and high cube boxvans from operating.
Furlong Main level crossing removal project
19 February 2020
In 2015 work commenced on the grade separation of the Main Road level crossing at St Albans station, with the Furlong Road level crossing at Ginifer station later being added to the project scope.
Furlong Main rail replacement buses
11 March 2017
Buses replaced Sunbury line trains from 2015 to 2017 to allow work to be completed on the Furlong Main level crossing removal project, with trains terminating at Sunshine.
Galvin train crash, August 2014
18 November 2014
On August 22 2014 an empty VLocity train (VL05-12-39, 7 cars) ran into the rear of a Metro Trains service between Galvin and Paisley on the Werribee line.
Gauge converting PHAY wagons
16 February 2017
In December 2016 Qube Logistics obtained a number of PHAY hopper wagons from South Australia for use on the Apex quarry train in Victoria. Originally running on standard gauge, bogies from WGSY grain wagons were used to convert them to broad gauge. Additional wagons arrived in February 2017.
Geelong - Ballarat Railway 150th
10 April 2012
To celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Geelong Ballarat rail line opening, a special charter train ran from Geelong to Ballarat and return on 10th April 2012. Steamrail's T364 led the train, which included carriages 1BCE, 3ABE and 7ABE
Geelong broad gauge freight
13 October 2019
Miscellaneous broad gauge freight around Geelong - there is stuff all these days