TramTracker across Melbourne
Tuesday 30 January 2024
tramTRACKER screens across the Melbourne tram and rail networks provides real time departure and disruption information to passengers.
Flooded tram tracks on St Kilda Road, December 2018
Friday 14 December 2018
In December 2018 flash flooding hit Melbourne, flooding the tram tracks on St Kilda Road and delaying services.
The Overland open day
Saturday 5 May 2007
On 5 May 2007 an open day was held at Southern Cross Station, giving Melbourne a first look at The Overland following a $4 million facelift to the carriage fleet.
VLocity transfers on the Geelong-Ballarat line
Tuesday 11 December 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
Tuesday 11 December 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.
HCMT set 1 delivery transfer, November 2018
Thursday 29 November 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 hoppers 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
Saturday 8 December 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 partying along the way
SRHC - Albury Standard Gauge Tour, November 2018
Saturday 24 November 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
Monday 18 January 2021
The Reservoir level crossing will be removed by building a rail bridge over High Street and constructing a new Reservoir Station.
Mernda Rail
Sunday 1 September 2019
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
Monday 19 November 2018
On 19 November 2018 T363 lead T385 with power van BVDY52 transferred X'Trapolis train55M-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
Sunday 18 November 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
Saturday 17 November 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
Saturday 17 November 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
Friday 15 March 2024
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
Thursday 26 January 2023
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
Tuesday 17 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
Thursday 14 December 2023
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
Tuesday 30 October 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
Sunday 28 October 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
Saturday 27 October 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
Sunday 21 October 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
Saturday 20 October 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
Saturday 20 October 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.
Melbourne Royal Tram 2018
Thursday 18 October 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, 2018
Saturday 13 October 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
Saturday 13 October 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.
SRHC - LXRA 'Corridor Carnival' 2018
Saturday 13 October 2018
On 13 October 2018 the Level Crossing Removal Authority chartered a train from the Seymour Railway Heritage Centre as part of the 'Corridor Carnival' to celebrate the completion of the Caulfield - Dandenong level crossing removal project. B74 and X31 run the train push pull, which also featured observation car 'Yarra'.
Melbourne Art Trams 2018
Sunday 8 September 2019
As part of the 2018 Melbourne Festival eight trams have been decorated in designs by eight Melbourne artists: https://www.festival.melbourne/2018/events/melbourne-art-trams/
X'Trapolis delivery transfer, October 2018
Wednesday 3 October 2018
On 3 October 2018 brand new X'Trapolis train 281M-1441T-282M + 283M-1442T-284M was transferred from the Alstom factory at Ballarat North to Epping Workshops, behind SSR T classes T386 & T385. The two locomotives and power van BVDY52 arrived at Ballarat from South Dynon the day before, travelling via Newport and North Geelong.
Photoshopped three car VLocity trains
Friday 10 November 2006
V/Line announced the construction of centre cars for the two-car long VLocity units in 2006 - here are photo-manipulations of what these trains could look like.
Avalon Airshow 2011 buses
Sunday 6 March 2011
Shuttle buses operate between Lara station and Avalon Airport to transport patrons to the Avalon Airshow. This year Kastoria, Sita and Mitchell Transit supplied the buses.
Avass electric bus
Thursday 13 September 2018
Avass is a company based out of Avalon Airport that manufactures electric buses.
Steamrail - Maldon Experience, September 2018
Saturday 8 September 2018
On 8 September 2018 Steamrail ran their 'Maldon Experience' tour from Melbourne to Bendigo, connecting with a Victorian Goldfields Railway train to Maldon at Castlemaine. R761 and R711 led the train, made up of carriages 18CE, 12AE, 14BRS, 600BK, 68BW, 3ABE, 17BE, 38BE and 1BCE
Portarlington Bayside Miniature Railway
Sunday 2 September 2018
The Portarlington Bayside Miniature Railway is a miniature railway located on eight hectares of parklands overlooking Port Phillip Bay at Point Richards. The dual 7.25 and 5 inch gauge track forms a single loop around the site, with a four road yard with full semaphore signalling pneumatically controlled by an elevated signal box, a six road engine shed in the centre, and an elevated turntable and locomotive stabling yard to one side.
V/Line - A66 transfer to Bendigo
Saturday 1 September 2018
On 1 September 2018 A66 was transferred light engine from Melbourne to the SSR Workshops at Bendigo for long term storage
Steamrail - Cruise Express to Castlemaine, September 2018
Saturday 1 September 2018
On 1 September 2018 Steamrail operated a charter train for 'Cruise Express' from Southern Cross to Castlemaine with A2 986 & K153.
Mornington Railway
Sunday 11 August 2019
The Mornington Railway is a heritage railway on the Mornington Peninsula, operating along the former Mornington rail line from Moorooduc station
707 Operations - Steam and Streamliner, August 2018
Sunday 26 August 2018
707 Operations ran their 'Steam and Streamliner' tour from Newport to Berwick and Stony Point on 26 August 2018, featuring steam locomotive R707 and recently retired V/Line diesel locomotive A66.
Steamrail - Maldon Weekender, August 2018
Sunday 19 August 2018
K153 and K190 led T395 on a weekend trip from Southern Cross to Maldon and return, via Castlemaine.
Steamrail - Snow Train, August 2018
Sunday 5 August 2018
On August 5, 2018 R711 and R761 led Steamrail's annual Snow Train from Southern Cross to Traralgon and return. The consist was PCP292, 11AS, 2BS, 9BRS, Moorabool, 600BK, 25BE, 12AE, 68BW, 17BE, 38BE, 14BRS, 46BE, 1BCE.
707 Operation - Redwood Rattler Tour to Maryborough, August 2018
Sunday 5 August 2018
707 Operations ran their 'Redwood Rattler Tour' from Melbourne to Maryborough and return via Bacchus Marsh on August 5, 2018. The train was led by H5 and P12, a replacement for a failed T413, carriages included PCP294, ACZ255, BZ270, BS205, BRS224, BK708 and Club Car 1.
Steamrail - Snow Train, July 2018
Saturday 28 July 2018
On 28 July 2018 R711 and R761 led Steamrail's annual Snow Train from Southern Cross to Traralgon and return. The consist was PCP292, 11AS, 2BS, 9BRS, Moorabool, 600BK, 25BE, 12AE, 3ABE, 17BE, 38BE,14BRS, 46BE and 1BCE.
707 Operations - Seymour transfer, July 2018
Saturday 28 July 2018
On 28 July 2018 T413 and H5 worked a train made up of PCP294, NAM2336, Club Car 'Victoria', BS216, Avoca, BS219 and VAM1 from Newport Workshops to Seymour, the BS carriages earmarked for restoration at the Seymour Railway Heritage Centre. The train returned a day later, with F202 and H3 in the consist and minus a few carriages.
SRHC - B74 65th Birthday Tour to Geelong, July 2018
Saturday 21 July 2018
On July 21, 2018 SRHC ran a special train from Seymour to Geelong and return to celebrate the 65th birthday of diesel locomotive B74. T357 and X31 also came along for the ride.
DERMPAV - Colac trip, July 2018
Saturday 21 July 2018
On July 21, 2018 diesel electric railcar RM58 headed from Southern Cross to Colac and return. After failing near Winchelsea station N470 was sent light engine to assist, returning the railcar to Newport via Southern Cross.
X'Trapolis transfer, July 2018
Wednesday 18 July 2018
On 18 July 2018 brand new X'Trapolis train 273M-1437T-274M and 275M-1438T-276M was transferred from the Alstom factory at Ballarat North to Epping Workshops, behind SSR T classes T381 and T363. The two locomotives and power van BVDY52 arrived at Ballarat from South Dynon the day before, travelling via Newport and North Geelong.
High Capacity Metro Trains at Newport Workshops
Tuesday 2 April 2024
The new High Capacity Metro Train (HCMT) fleet is being assembled by Downer at the Newport Workshops in Melbourne's west, with the body shells assembled by CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles in China.
Myki failures and breakdowns
Sunday 7 April 2024
A galley of the many ways that Melbourne's 'Myki' smartcard ticketing system can let passengers down.
High Capacity Corridor Upgrade project
Sunday 7 April 2024
The High Capacity Corridor Upgrade project (previously the Cranbourne Pakenham Line Upgrade project) is being delivered by the Level Crossing Removal Authority to support the new High Capacity Metro Train (HCMT) fleet. The work includes track duplication on the Cranbourne line at Dandenong South, minor platform extensions, and the replacement of signalling, overhead wires and traction substations along the Cranbourne and Pakenham railway lines.