V/Line standard gauge loco fleet replaced in Victoria

FROM July 31, Australian regional rail operator V/Line replaced all its remaining loco hauled trains on the standard gauge parts of its network with new Vlocity DMUs built by Bombardier (now Alstom). V/Line had regauged diesel locos and passenger coaches from 1600mm broad gauge to standard gauge as lines were converted to standard gauge during the last two decades.

However, as it will no longer operate loco hauled trains on these routes it is disposing of all 17 of the spare coaches and generator vans by handing them to preservation groups who run charters on the standard gauge network in Victoria. The four N Class locos that had been regauged to standard will be converted back to 1600mm gauge as V/Line continues to operate some regional loco hauled services on the remaining broad gauge routes – including Melbourne to Warrnambool/ Shepparton/Swan Hill/Bairnsdale, plus commuter services Melbourne to Geelong/Waurn Ponds and Bacchus Marsh. Most of these services will convert to DMU operation in the next 18 months or sooner.

DARREN WOOD V/Line No. N464 with the very last locomotive hauled V/Line train on the Melbourne to Albury standard gauge line, train 8630, the 17.20 from Albury on July 30.

NICK PATON DB TRIES EURODUAL: DB Cargo has leased six Stadler ‘EuroDual’ bi-mode locos from European Loc Pool. The first was delivered in late May and the second, No. 2 159 241-9 in early June. The loco in DB red livery is seen in Duisburg with a training run to nearby Oberhausen on June 14.