A little update: As predicted in this video, the H sets have now been withdrawn, with the last one running an evening service to Waurn Ponds on 2/2/24.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 heritage groups for preservation, so it will still be possible to ride them in the future. 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: th-cam.com/video/Y1tCY-X-TB0/w-d-xo.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
there are now very purple N sets without PTV to V/Line branding at the South Kensington Yard, I think SSR might have acquired one as it was shunting SSR cars when I sped past on the Sunbury line.
I just saw on FB today that V Line has donated a 6 car H set over to Steamranger Heritage Railway in SA, looks like the trains aren't going away at all!
@@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.
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 😂
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.
Echuca resident here. I find it disappointing how there aren’t more services from Echuca all the way to Southern Cross. It’s either get the early train or get the earlier coach to Murchison East. I have to admit, despite there not being many services each day, it’s amazing how simple it is to get to Melbourne now. I’m taking the train to Melb twice a month now because of how easy it is. I also think that Echuca to Elmore should also get a myki tap on/off station because I hate having to book tickets online. 😂
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)
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 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)
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.
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.
The upgraded traction motors make the N's a bit more powerful. They also use field and armature chopper control, which is better than the comeng or Hitachi.
I’m not a diesel mechanic, but some years ago when I had my own truck I rebuilt an 8v92 2 stroke Detroit diesel from sump to supercharger at home 😊, as car mechanic in my very young days. , that was a good challenge let me tell you 😊. At one stage I got a job to pick up loco engine from I think it was 4 east Swanson dock back in those days , or was it Conaust? I’m too old to remember, anyway I had to take this oversized box weighing about 20 ton to Tottenham rail yards work shop , which was really cool. The crane company that was going to lift the box off the low loader did not have a spreader big enough on hand to lift the box off , so I had t to wait around while they went back to their depot and picked up the appropriate spreader . That turned out really good, because I got talking to one of the young train engineers and he gave me a tour around the workshop and a bit of a look at on one of the loco’s. The diesel I had on truck was a 4000 horsepower unit , apparently in the US they have them tuned to 4400 HP. That was a good day.
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.
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!
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 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.
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.
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.
The N's are also quieter. V/Locity generators make a racket, the engines used to really shake the cars too, though from memory some engine mounts were incorrectly instslled.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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. :)
V/Line has gradually improved over the last 20 years whilst the ticket prices have regularly been reduced even despite inflation over that time. Regional passengers really have had a good deal from the government over that time, maybe except for Geelong passengers being re-routed though the RRL
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.
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
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.
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.
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!!!
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!
Great video as always. I really hope an N Class loco and either an N Set or H set get preserved and returned to their orange and grey livery. Great childhood memories seeing that colour scheme around the country side.
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!
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
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 :)
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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...
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 🚊
I commute regularly on the Traralgon line from Warragul to Melbourne and even by Pakenham I get a bit restless using a Vlocity, probably because it has to run so slow on the Metro part of the network as it’s sharing the line with the overly busy Pakenham and Cranbourne lines. The Vlocitys are good trains but definitely not suitable for anything further than Traralgon, let alone Bairnsdale or other long distance lines. I did once have to get a train back from Benalla to the city as our car broke down on the way to Sydney, so we had to go back to Melbourne and get a flight. Didn’t realise it was on the Albury line so we got the Vlocity with the buffet car and it was pretty cool. In addition to the buffet car, this version of the Vlocity has a few extra things like USB charging ports between the seats and extra tray tables on seats grouped into four which is pretty cool. Don’t understand why they don’t just make more of these trains with the broad gauge setup for use on the other long distance lines as it shouldn’t be too hard as they’ve already put the effort into designing the train for Albury.
I think VLine ought to look into electrifying their country mainlines. Yes, a diesel train is better for the climate than anything other than a ship, but that's not an excuse. EMUs would be so much better at providing service on VLine's network.
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
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!
I caught a V/line train for the first time in October. Pleasantly surprised I could travel from Southern Cross to Ararat, then coach to Halls Gap, all for a tenner.
Me to anyone in earshot: wake up babe new Taitset video has dropped! I hope i get to ride the N set when I travel to Bacchus Marsh in a couple of weeks!
Since young I have enjoyed watching train videos. Yesterday, I went to the location of one of those videos. It was a down Warrnambool service passing through Cudgee recorded 16 years ago. I was able to recreate the same video and now I want to Recreate other videos like that in the future. Some of those videos I think were created by you as well. 3:45 I believe that original video was one of them.
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.
You can sit in the N-set first class car only if you reserved your ticket in advance which doesn’t cost you anything and you should do it, I’ve seen conductors walking people without reserved tickets to the back a few time on the Bendigo line.
The best part of vline was spotting your home town loco in the southern cross rail yard! Don't miss the sore bum after a 4 hour one way school trip home tho!
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.
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.
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
I personally like the V Line Blue and Red livery. That's the livery I remember seeing growing up (When me and my family went to North Melbourne to watch trains).
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.
That was very comprehensive. Some of the H sets are stored at Echuca, I think I remember the unions having something to do with the buffets. People hate the system because the train isn't walk-through, and apparently people don't know which one the reserved unit is so it causes a mess. Now with flat fares statewide they will have less money to upgrade tracks to 160km/h so I don't think that's going to improve.
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?
Great video! Definitely agree that the standard VLocity fitout sucks for long distances. I used to be travelling frequently to Sale and Bairnsdale (though poor train frequency often forced a drive to Traralgon) and going beyond Traralgon on that fitout is not appropriate. It doesn’t have to be a buffet, if there were drink and snack vending machines and an extra toilet in each 3 car set, it’s probably good enough for long distance. A buffet takes up a lot of space and the problem with the VLocity is if you are in the wrong 3 car set on a long 6 car run, you can’t access the buffet while the train is underway. Might be a long wait until a station to switch sets.
Kiwi here, I have family in Melbourne, and really enjoyed travelling around the metro network. They live in Sunbury, so right at the end of the Metro line, I was thinking maybe on my next visit on just going on a day or over night trip out to the periphery on VLine, but I'll have to make sure I go on one with buffet, pitty most of the lines don't have them, but it's understandable I guess considering they're made from individual sets that you can't walk between, so on the 2 or 3 set trains they'd need to be potentially operating 3 buffets? Also, if there is only one conductor how does he check tickets on the length of the train if the full length of the train isn't walkable?
Great video, very informative. I visited Victoria recently and caught my first two VLocity sets. I was surprised the seats were different - one had trays in the seat backs and the other didn't, so I wondered whether this was a way to tell how old the sets are.
I honestly hope a H car does get allocated to a heritage group for preservation, seeing the Hs were once Melbournes Blue Harris trains and we only have 4 Harris motors left, one of them being in original blue condition. It would be nice to see the Hs preserved alongside the already surviving Harrises.
I’ve only caught N set once and it was my favourite experience of Victorian regional rail. I don’t mind the VLocity but there’s something about a Friday hauled carriage set
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 heritage groups for preservation, so it will still be possible to ride them in the future.
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: th-cam.com/video/Y1tCY-X-TB0/w-d-xo.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
there are now very purple N sets without PTV to V/Line branding at the South Kensington Yard, I think SSR might have acquired one as it was shunting SSR cars when I sped past on the Sunbury line.
I just saw on FB today that V Line has donated a 6 car H set over to Steamranger Heritage Railway in SA, looks like the trains aren't going away at all!
@@phillip1604They also got PH454 with the H set
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 😂
@@tomjenkins0573 💀
@@tomjenkins0573 💀🙏😭
Thats very relatable 😭
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?
Echuca resident here. I find it disappointing how there aren’t more services from Echuca all the way to Southern Cross. It’s either get the early train or get the earlier coach to Murchison East.
I have to admit, despite there not being many services each day, it’s amazing how simple it is to get to Melbourne now. I’m taking the train to Melb twice a month now because of how easy it is.
I also think that Echuca to Elmore should also get a myki tap on/off station because I hate having to book tickets online. 😂
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)
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 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)
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.
Vline seats are absolute class
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
The upgraded traction motors make the N's a bit more powerful. They also use field and armature chopper control, which is better than the comeng or Hitachi.
I’m not a diesel mechanic, but some years ago when I had my own truck I rebuilt an 8v92 2 stroke Detroit diesel from sump to supercharger at home 😊, as car mechanic in my very young days. , that was a good challenge let me tell you 😊.
At one stage I got a job to pick up loco engine from I think it was 4 east Swanson dock back in those days , or was it Conaust? I’m too old to remember, anyway I had to take this oversized box weighing about 20 ton to Tottenham rail yards work shop , which was really cool.
The crane company that was going to lift the box off the low loader did not have a spreader big enough on hand to lift the box off , so I had t to wait around while they went back to their depot and picked up the appropriate spreader .
That turned out really good, because I got talking to one of the young train engineers and he gave me a tour around the workshop and a bit of a look at on one of the loco’s.
The diesel I had on truck was a 4000 horsepower unit , apparently in the US they have them tuned to 4400 HP. That was a good day.
A66 in the orange and grey scheme, brings back so many memories of catching the train to Melbourne as a child
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!
Being able to buy coffee on long journeys is much appreciated.
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!
Gotta say a 1 carriage Sprinter is pretty funny to look at LOL
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
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.
babe wake up new taitset video just dropped
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
Everyday = 🗑️
But there’s one exception…
When Taitset Uploads 😎🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳
That’s true
Real
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.
The N's are also quieter. V/Locity generators make a racket, the engines used to really shake the cars too, though from memory some engine mounts were incorrectly instslled.
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.
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.
14:36 Thank god I’m a taitset subscriber, I need that free coffee!
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.
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 scene with the wooden trains is so cute yet effective
As a Victorian I love seeing these videos, every day I learn something new about the Metro Trains I see all the time.
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. :)
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!"
VLocity sets may be everywhere, but they’re not comfortable for longer journeys! Definitely prefer the N-sets.
V/Line has gradually improved over the last 20 years whilst the ticket prices have regularly been reduced even despite inflation over that time. Regional passengers really have had a good deal from the government over that time, maybe except for Geelong passengers being re-routed though the RRL
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.
V/Locitiy to Bairnsdale. 4 hours, no buffet cars, short haul seating layout, and quite loud.
@@liam3284 oh the horror 😬
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
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.
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.
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! 😄
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!
4:13 Look closely at that poster above the seat
Great video as always. I really hope an N Class loco and either an N Set or H set get preserved and returned to their orange and grey livery. Great childhood memories seeing that colour scheme around the country side.
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!
Great video Martin. Really well produced! 👌
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 >.
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
I don't now why but there's something really fun about going on a v-line
12:17 The last H set service was run yesterday on the 2nd of February 2024 at 18:12. Rest in peace H set.
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 :)
Thanks for a really clear and detailed explanation. I have been on the Stony Point line. 👍👍👍⭐️⭐️⭐️
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.
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!
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.
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.
Finally someone not saying Vlocitys are oh so good. Great Video Taitset
I’ve been in an N class cab and honking at a crossing is really cool experience
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.
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
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.
@@tonydarcy7475 How are you going to do that? High Speed Trains to Geelong using the RRL means that Wyndhamvale and Tarneit will have less trains.
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...
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 🚊
I commute regularly on the Traralgon line from Warragul to Melbourne and even by Pakenham I get a bit restless using a Vlocity, probably because it has to run so slow on the Metro part of the network as it’s sharing the line with the overly busy Pakenham and Cranbourne lines. The Vlocitys are good trains but definitely not suitable for anything further than Traralgon, let alone Bairnsdale or other long distance lines.
I did once have to get a train back from Benalla to the city as our car broke down on the way to Sydney, so we had to go back to Melbourne and get a flight. Didn’t realise it was on the Albury line so we got the Vlocity with the buffet car and it was pretty cool. In addition to the buffet car, this version of the Vlocity has a few extra things like USB charging ports between the seats and extra tray tables on seats grouped into four which is pretty cool. Don’t understand why they don’t just make more of these trains with the broad gauge setup for use on the other long distance lines as it shouldn’t be too hard as they’ve already put the effort into designing the train for Albury.
I think VLine ought to look into electrifying their country mainlines. Yes, a diesel train is better for the climate than anything other than a ship, but that's not an excuse. EMUs would be so much better at providing service on VLine's network.
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
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!
I caught a V/line train for the first time in October. Pleasantly surprised I could travel from Southern Cross to Ararat, then coach to Halls Gap, all for a tenner.
Love the lad waving at 5:53😂😂😂😂
5:53 hehehe !! Also the single car sprinter looks so odd in a funny way. Thanks for the video.
Sprinters are occasionally used on the Bairnsdale line. I saw one on Sunday when I went in to the city.
Me to anyone in earshot: wake up babe new Taitset video has dropped! I hope i get to ride the N set when I travel to Bacchus Marsh in a couple of weeks!
Those purple seats are wild. I want a set of those at home! 😆
Since young I have enjoyed watching train videos. Yesterday, I went to the location of one of those videos. It was a down Warrnambool service passing through Cudgee recorded 16 years ago. I was able to recreate the same video and now I want to Recreate other videos like that in the future. Some of those videos I think were created by you as well. 3:45 I believe that original video was one of them.
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.
You can sit in the N-set first class car only if you reserved your ticket in advance which doesn’t cost you anything and you should do it, I’ve seen conductors walking people without reserved tickets to the back a few time on the Bendigo line.
Wonder if you'll ever do a video about 'Operation Phoenix' and the impacts that had?
Great work and well explained to us non train buffs !
The best part of vline was spotting your home town loco in the southern cross rail yard! Don't miss the sore bum after a 4 hour one way school trip home tho!
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 gotta visit Vic before the N’s are gone.. also another great video!
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.
Amazing video! Travelling on a N Set to Castlemaine tomorrow!
We travelled on an N Set from Castlemaine yesterday!
Thanks for posting, very informative.
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.
@@TrainsForNSWVlogs Vlocity Railcars are great for intercity travel, but are quite bad for long distance travel.
Hello from your American viewers! Love your videos and can’t wait for the next one! If you ever need some footage of American trains, hit me up!
Thanks very much, I will keep that in mind!
seems like an impressive operation I like the purple
I personally like the V Line Blue and Red livery. That's the livery I remember seeing growing up (When me and my family went to North Melbourne to watch trains).
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.
That was very comprehensive. Some of the H sets are stored at Echuca,
I think I remember the unions having something to do with the buffets. People hate the system because the train isn't walk-through, and apparently people don't know which one the reserved unit is so it causes a mess.
Now with flat fares statewide they will have less money to upgrade tracks to 160km/h so I don't think that's going to improve.
couple weeks ago i saw some h sets out in north bendigo as well. not knowing they are withdrawing them i was thinking they were there for maintenance
@@dylsatron3466no those H sets were there to be scrapped.
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.
Great video! Definitely agree that the standard VLocity fitout sucks for long distances. I used to be travelling frequently to Sale and Bairnsdale (though poor train frequency often forced a drive to Traralgon) and going beyond Traralgon on that fitout is not appropriate.
It doesn’t have to be a buffet, if there were drink and snack vending machines and an extra toilet in each 3 car set, it’s probably good enough for long distance. A buffet takes up a lot of space and the problem with the VLocity is if you are in the wrong 3 car set on a long 6 car run, you can’t access the buffet while the train is underway. Might be a long wait until a station to switch sets.
Kiwi here, I have family in Melbourne, and really enjoyed travelling around the metro network. They live in Sunbury, so right at the end of the Metro line, I was thinking maybe on my next visit on just going on a day or over night trip out to the periphery on VLine, but I'll have to make sure I go on one with buffet, pitty most of the lines don't have them, but it's understandable I guess considering they're made from individual sets that you can't walk between, so on the 2 or 3 set trains they'd need to be potentially operating 3 buffets? Also, if there is only one conductor how does he check tickets on the length of the train if the full length of the train isn't walkable?
The conductor generally checks tickets in one set, then moves to the next set while stopped at a station.
The Stony Point line seems interesting, I'd love to see a video about that sometime
Yes I do plan to do that at some point!
Great video, very informative. I visited Victoria recently and caught my first two VLocity sets. I was surprised the seats were different - one had trays in the seat backs and the other didn't, so I wondered whether this was a way to tell how old the sets are.
I've been on the vline trains a lot both the Sprinter and VLocity. I vaguely remember the N sets
I honestly hope a H car does get allocated to a heritage group for preservation, seeing the Hs were once Melbournes Blue Harris trains and we only have 4 Harris motors left, one of them being in original blue condition. It would be nice to see the Hs preserved alongside the already surviving Harrises.
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!
I’ve only caught N set once and it was my favourite experience of Victorian regional rail. I don’t mind the VLocity but there’s something about a Friday hauled carriage set
Very interesting video. Thank you.
I remember riding on a 1 carriage sprinter on the Ballarat line back before the velocities it was a long and rough ride....