VLocity transfers on the Geelong-Ballarat line
December 11, 2018
In December 2018 empty VLocity trains were transferred to/from Melbourne and Ballarat via the freight only Geelong-Ballarat railway, so they could access the Bombardier maintenance facility at Ballarat East. The usual route via Bacchus Marsh was closed to allow work on the Ballarat Line Upgrade to be completed.
X'Trapolis transfer, December 2018
December 11, 2018
On 11 December 2018 T381 and T386 with power van BVDY52 transferred X'Trapolis train 965M-1683T-966M and 935M-1668T-936M from Newport Workshops via North Melbourne and North Geelong to the Alstom plant at Ballarat North for modification works.
High Capacity Metro Train transfer to Pakenham
November 29, 2018
On the morning of 29 November 2018 the first completed High Capacity Metro Train set was transferred from the Downer facility at Newport Workshops to the future HCMT depot at Pakenham East, stopping multiple times along the way to inspect the new train was moving safely.
Southern Shorthaul Railroad run the transfer, with S302 in the lead, followed by a mix of 20 SSR grain wagons usually used on the Kensington grain service, then by S317, T385 and T363, generator van BVDY51, and finally the HCMT set. The emergency brake was operational onboard the new train, but the ECP service brake was not, hence additional braking wagons were required to accompany the movement.
Steamrail - Christmas charters, 2018
December 08, 2018
Each year Steamrail runs a series of charter trains in the later half of the year for Dreamscape Tours, taking party goers from Melbourne of an evening out to the Macedon Ranges and return, with plenty of booze and parting along the way
SRHC - Albury, November 2018
November 24, 2018
On 24 November 2018 the Seymour Railway Heritage Centre ran their first public tour on standard gauge, from Seymour to Albury and return, via Southern Cross Station.
Reservoir level crossing removal project
November 21, 2018
The Reservoir level crossing will be removed by building a rail bridge over High Street and constructing a new Reservoir Station.
Mernda Rail
November 21, 2018
In August 2018 the 8 km long railway extension from South Morang to Mernda was opened to passengers, with new stations at Mernda, Hawkstowe and Middle Gorge.
X'Trapolis upgrade transfer, November 2018
November 19, 2018
On 19 November 2018 T363 lead T385 with power van BVDY52 transferred X'Trapolis train
55M-1328T-56M + 107M-1354T-108M from Newport Workshops via Sunshine and Bacchus Marsh to the Alstom plant at Ballarat North for modification works.
Steamrail - Essendon-Broadmeadows shuttles, November 2018
November 18, 2018
On 18 November 2018 A2 986 and K190 ran suburban shuttles between Essendon and Broadmeadows, running push-pull with 17 BE, 38 BE, 46 BE, 25 BE and 1 BCE.
SRHC - Strawberry and Cherry Festival, November 2018
November 17, 2018
On 17 November 2018 the Seymour Railway Heritage Centre ran a special train to the Strawberry and Cherry Festival at Bacchus Marsh, with B74 and X31 hauling Parlor Car, Dining, Mitta Mitta, 3 AS, 3 BS, 30 AE, 14BE, 1 BE and Yarra.
707 Operations - Strawberry and Cherry Festival, November 2018
November 17, 2018
On 17 November 2018 707 Operations ran a special train to the Strawberry and Cherry Festival at Bacchus Marsh, with R707 leading Y127 and T413 along with PCP 294, ACZ 255, BZ 270, BRS 224, Club 1, BS 205, JTA 6 and D 318.
Melbourne Underground Rail Loop Upgrade Project
December 07, 2018
The Melbourne Underground Rail Loop Upgrade Project includes the installation of new platform smoke extraction systems, upgraded station sprinklers and alarm system at Parliament, Melbourne Central and Flagstaff stations.
Rail creep monuments
Rail creep monuments are used by track maintenance staff to monitor the movement of the rails due to the passage of trains. Three posts are usually provided - the middle post is used as a reference for the rail creep, with a string being placed across the tracks and compared to a punch mark in the head of the rail.
Siemens train door failure, July 2012
On 17 July 2012 the doors of Siemens train 794M failed while running a down Craigieburn service at Newmarket station. As a result the entire train load passengers had to be turfed off the train.
Route 109 'City Express' bus
During cruise ship season a route 109 'City Express' bus operates between Station Pier and the Melbourne CBD, reducing the load placed on the normal route 109 tram services to Port Melbourne.
X'Trapolis upgrade transfer, October 2018
October 30, 2018
On 30 October 2018 T385 and T386 with power van BVDY52 transferred X'Trapolis train 31M–1316T–32M and 923M–1662T–924M from Newport Workshops via Sunshine and North Geelong to the Alstom plant at Ballarat North for modification works. The initial movement from Newport Workshops to the GEB sidings at Sunshine was push pull, due to an inability to reverse the train at Newport, with T386 being shunted onto the front of the train to lead it west to Ballarat.
Steamrail - Castlemaine charter, October 2018
October 28, 2018
On 28 October 2018 Steamrail ran a charter train from Melbourne to Castlemaine and return, with R761 leading PCP292, Moorabool, 708BK, 25BE, 17BE, 18CE and water tank VZVF1.
Altona Miniature Railway
October 27, 2018
The Altona Miniature Railway is located in Altona North and has a 1.5 km long dual 7.25 and 5 inch gauge track.
Steamrail Victoria - Geelong 'Rail and Sail' October 2018
October 21, 2018
On October 21, 2018 Steamrail ran a 'Rail and Sail' trip from Melbourne to Geelong and return behind R761. 600 BK, 14 BRS, 17 BE, 68 BW, 38 BE, 46 BE and 1 BCE made up the train.
SRHC - Cruise Express charter, October 2018
October 20, 2018
On the morning of 20 October 2018 the Seymour Railway Heritage Centre ran a special train from Southern Cross to Seymour to convey passengers on a 'Cruise Express' tour. B74 and X31 led the train, with Parlor Car, Dining, Mitta Mitta, 3 AS, 3 BS, 30 AE and 1 CS in the consist.
707 Operations - Tastes of the Goulburn, 2018
October 20, 2018
707 Operations ran a special train from Melbourne to Seymour and return on 20 October 2018 to transport passengers to the 'Tastes of the Goulburn' festival in Seymour. R707 and H5 led the train, with carriages PCP 294, ACZ 255, BZ 270, BS 205, BRS 224, BK 708 and BS 212 in the consist.
Royal tour 2018
October 18, 2018
On 18 October 2018 Prince Harry and Meghan Markle headed to South Melbourne to ride a Melbourne tram as part of their Australian tour.
DERMPAV - Rail Revival Alliance charter to Dunolly
October 13, 2018
On 13 October 2018 the Rail Revival Alliance chartered DERMPAV's rail motor RM58 for a trip to Dunolly, to make the case for expanded country rail services in the leadup to the 2018 State Election. The charter ran from Newport to Dunolly and return, via Geelong, Ballarat and Maryborough.
Steamrail - Echuca Explorer October 2018
October 13, 2018
On 13 October 2018 Steamrail Victoria ran their 'Echuca Explorer' from Melbourne, featuring double headed steam as far as Seymour with A2 986 and R761, with the A2 taking the train the rest of the way to Echuca.