A little update: As predicted in this video, the H sets have now been withdrawn, with the last one running an evening service to Waurn Ponds on 2/2/24.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 the Seymour Railway Heritage Centre for preservation, so it will very likely be possible to ride them again one day. 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: ruclips.net/video/Y1tCY-X-TB0/видео.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.
@@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 😂
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)
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.
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)
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. :)
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 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
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!
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.
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 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.
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!
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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!!!
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.
The obvious antidote to a lot of the problems you raise about running VLos on the longer routes is: let's gets serious about improving infrastructure and cutting journey times. The VLos would actually be capable of 200kmh with upgrades if and where track speeds allowed it, meaning they would theoretically have 80% higher top speeds than the loco hauled consists. Particularly on the Albury and Shepparton runs I think we should finally get serious and upgrade these to 200kph running (currently mostly 115-130) and convert the whole corridor to Standard Gauge (currently due to the Broad Gauge sharing the corridor a source of delays and slow timetables is passing loops and the significant freight which will increase with Inland Rail); which would also be a step towards competitive Sydney-Melbourne train times (then it's on NSW to bypass the crap steam-age alignment from Wagga to Sydney via Canberra/Goulburn and the single track section from the border to Wagga) and help make these centres much more attractive particularly with higher frequency service Albury and Shepparton could take far more population growth. Agree about the buffet car but I'll add that they're actually not that pleasant on the Cline sets in my experience, compared to the dining and bar cars on some of the trains in Europe or even the tilting trains on the Brisbane-Cairns long distance route - we can do a LOT better.
While I'm not a resident of Australia, I'd say upgrading the whole network to allow for higher speeds better suited for VLocitys especially longer routes would not only improve journey times and reliability, but also make it much more viable for further extensions. I also hope that eventual electrification of those lines will happen in the future.
@@randomscb-40charger78 I actually don't think many extensions are that viable anyway, basically all cities and regions with more than 20,000 residents have access to rail except Mildura which is 480km away with not much between so likely that bit too far to make it worth it. Not that I wouldn't love to see that, I just think it's a long way off and many places would be better served by good coach services connecting with the rail main lines. Another thing to look at with the upgrades is progressively extending electrification out to main centres (Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Seymour) then the next round of rolling stock being equipped with both electric and diesel traction which is what NSW are doing, allowing trains to run on overhead for half their journeys and for most passengers the entirety of their journeys as most of the patronage comes from the ring of larger regional cities around Melbourne.
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.
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.
It'll be a sad day when the N sets run for the final time. Yes, they're aging and are in need of a replacement, but for all of the advantages of a VLocity, running on the long distance network is not it. They are an excellent DMU and do a fantastic job on the parts of the network to which they were originally designed for. Personally, I'd like to see new locomotives and carriages with the same (and more) features as the N set, but with more modern takes and improvements in both practicality and comfort, with additional network upgrades to allow higher speeds. Sadly it doesn't look like we'll be seeing that anytime in the near future.
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!
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...
There have been a few H sets stored at Echuca for the past few months. They are getting quite beaten up sadly. The Wongm rail gallery website has some photos, although they looked significantly worse for wear last time I was there.
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.
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?
Your videos have become fun Easter egg hunts for gems like “free coffee for taitset subscribers”. Keep up the in-jokes! It’s rewarding my otherwise nonsensical obsession with the Victorian rail network.
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 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.
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.
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!
I loved the AZ cars which were built in the late ‘40s to ‘50s The Sprinters were purchased in time before Kennett could cancel them. Last year, a steam special could not proceed beyond Frankston, is that because locos cannot run around at Stony Point? Soon it will not be possible to run a loco around the train, heritage trains have a second loco so no running around in necessary.
You neglected to mention that the VLocity fleet is the only train type in Australia fitted with a Mobile Phone Network Repeater that allows passengers phones and other devices to work even when a decent distance away from the nearest Mobiles Base Station.
Except when they regularly don’t work and you’re stuck with no signal for your 4 hour long trip, except for when you are right next to a phone tower or the doors are open at a station. This is thanks to the tinted windows. They’re also extremely slow. I’d rather the N’s. Even on the Swan Hill services coverage is mostly good.
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!
As an Albury local, I don't really mind the Vlocity on my line, I find them bearable enough for the 3-4 hours it takes to get to Melbourne, They're basically the victorian version of the NSWTrainLink Xplorers, I do think they need to build more Long-distance Vlocities for the Albury line. 6 three-car units is only enough assuming there won't be any breakdowns. The Albury line needs at least two more sets for today's circumstances or double what we currently have so the Albury line can get more services and there is a spare six-car train in case of an emergency. they should also build more VS Vlocity units for the Broad gauge lines. (I'd say order about 30 long-haul three-car sets.)
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.
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.
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.
Great video! As a regular v/line user on the gippsland line I definitely agree that trains beyond Traralgon need to be fitted for the longer routes, instead of just the one buffet N set that runs daily. Does anyone know long has it been since they ran sprinter cars on the Gippsland line? I distinctly remember catching sprinters everyday after school until about circa 2020ish.
Glad you enjoyed it! I'm not sure when Sprinters last ran down there, the last time they show up in my photos is 2012. I think they appeared intermittently on a handful of peak runs until fairly recently, so you might have got lucky with that. As far as I'm aware it doesn't happen at all any more.
ive used the v/line a few times from Melbourne- Bendigo its long and it got pretty croweded after Sunbury but that was one time during when they had to close a small section
Gee, I've been to Bairnsdale on Vlocity trains only and it's been a real shame not having a spot to buy food from. I agree completely that what they largely use is not unsuitable for that long of a distance. Where abouts can you see the scheduling for N class trains?
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 the Seymour Railway Heritage Centre for preservation, so it will very likely be possible to ride them again one day.
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: ruclips.net/video/Y1tCY-X-TB0/видео.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.
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 💀🙏😭
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
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)
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.
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)
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
A66 in the orange and grey scheme, brings back so many memories of catching the train to Melbourne as a child
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.
Gotta say a 1 carriage Sprinter is pretty funny to look at LOL
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
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.
Being able to buy coffee on long journeys is much appreciated.
5:52 - Ole mate giving a wave to the photographer there...
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.
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
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!
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.
Everyday = 🗑️
But there’s one exception…
When Taitset Uploads 😎🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳
That’s true
Real
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!
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. :)
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 😬
the scene with the wooden trains is so cute yet effective
VLocity sets may be everywhere, but they’re not comfortable for longer journeys! Definitely prefer the N-sets.
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
Great video Martin. Really well produced! 👌
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.
Finally someone not saying Vlocitys are oh so good. Great Video Taitset
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
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!
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.
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 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.
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!
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.
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.
12:02 Today the last N class service ran on the Bairnsdale line. Now it is entirely run by Vlocitys starting from tonight.
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.
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
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.
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! 😄
5:53 hehehe !! Also the single car sprinter looks so odd in a funny way. Thanks for the video.
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.
The obvious antidote to a lot of the problems you raise about running VLos on the longer routes is: let's gets serious about improving infrastructure and cutting journey times. The VLos would actually be capable of 200kmh with upgrades if and where track speeds allowed it, meaning they would theoretically have 80% higher top speeds than the loco hauled consists. Particularly on the Albury and Shepparton runs I think we should finally get serious and upgrade these to 200kph running (currently mostly 115-130) and convert the whole corridor to Standard Gauge (currently due to the Broad Gauge sharing the corridor a source of delays and slow timetables is passing loops and the significant freight which will increase with Inland Rail); which would also be a step towards competitive Sydney-Melbourne train times (then it's on NSW to bypass the crap steam-age alignment from Wagga to Sydney via Canberra/Goulburn and the single track section from the border to Wagga) and help make these centres much more attractive particularly with higher frequency service Albury and Shepparton could take far more population growth. Agree about the buffet car but I'll add that they're actually not that pleasant on the Cline sets in my experience, compared to the dining and bar cars on some of the trains in Europe or even the tilting trains on the Brisbane-Cairns long distance route - we can do a LOT better.
While I'm not a resident of Australia, I'd say upgrading the whole network to allow for higher speeds better suited for VLocitys especially longer routes would not only improve journey times and reliability, but also make it much more viable for further extensions. I also hope that eventual electrification of those lines will happen in the future.
@@randomscb-40charger78 I actually don't think many extensions are that viable anyway, basically all cities and regions with more than 20,000 residents have access to rail except Mildura which is 480km away with not much between so likely that bit too far to make it worth it. Not that I wouldn't love to see that, I just think it's a long way off and many places would be better served by good coach services connecting with the rail main lines.
Another thing to look at with the upgrades is progressively extending electrification out to main centres (Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Seymour) then the next round of rolling stock being equipped with both electric and diesel traction which is what NSW are doing, allowing trains to run on overhead for half their journeys and for most passengers the entirety of their journeys as most of the patronage comes from the ring of larger regional cities around Melbourne.
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.
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.
It'll be a sad day when the N sets run for the final time. Yes, they're aging and are in need of a replacement, but for all of the advantages of a VLocity, running on the long distance network is not it. They are an excellent DMU and do a fantastic job on the parts of the network to which they were originally designed for. Personally, I'd like to see new locomotives and carriages with the same (and more) features as the N set, but with more modern takes and improvements in both practicality and comfort, with additional network upgrades to allow higher speeds. Sadly it doesn't look like we'll be seeing that anytime in the near future.
Amazing video! Travelling on a N Set to Castlemaine tomorrow!
We travelled on an N Set from Castlemaine yesterday!
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!
Wonder if you'll ever do a video about 'Operation Phoenix' and the impacts that had?
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...
There have been a few H sets stored at Echuca for the past few months. They are getting quite beaten up sadly. The Wongm rail gallery website has some photos, although they looked significantly worse for wear last time I was there.
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.
Those purple seats are wild. I want a set of those at home! 😆
Hey Martin, I absolutely love your videos. Very informative and explained beautifully.
I've been on the vline trains a lot both the Sprinter and VLocity. I vaguely remember the N sets
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.
Your videos have become fun Easter egg hunts for gems like “free coffee for taitset subscribers”. Keep up the in-jokes! It’s rewarding my otherwise nonsensical obsession with the Victorian rail network.
Another day, Another amazing taitset 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.
7:28 I think 707 operations is gonna have a passenger train to Mildura, I think
Why do I enjoy these videos so much 🤯
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!
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.
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.
Yes Martin! Been waiting for so long😊. Big fan, keep it up!
8:40 the D vans were taken to Bendigo a year or so back. IIRC the movement was restricted to 40kph and thus happened overnight.
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!
seems like an impressive operation I like the purple
I loved the AZ cars which were built in the late ‘40s to ‘50s
The Sprinters were purchased in time before Kennett could cancel them.
Last year, a steam special could not proceed beyond Frankston, is that because locos cannot run around at Stony Point?
Soon it will not be possible to run a loco around the train, heritage trains have a second loco so no running around in necessary.
He probably get Pacers
You neglected to mention that the VLocity fleet is the only train type in Australia fitted with a Mobile Phone Network Repeater that allows passengers phones and other devices to work even when a decent distance away from the nearest Mobiles Base Station.
Except when they regularly don’t work and you’re stuck with no signal for your 4 hour long trip, except for when you are right next to a phone tower or the doors are open at a station. This is thanks to the tinted windows. They’re also extremely slow. I’d rather the N’s. Even on the Swan Hill services coverage is mostly good.
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!
As an Albury local, I don't really mind the Vlocity on my line, I find them bearable enough for the 3-4 hours it takes to get to Melbourne, They're basically the victorian version of the NSWTrainLink Xplorers, I do think they need to build more Long-distance Vlocities for the Albury line. 6 three-car units is only enough assuming there won't be any breakdowns. The Albury line needs at least two more sets for today's circumstances or double what we currently have so the Albury line can get more services and there is a spare six-car train in case of an emergency. they should also build more VS Vlocity units for the Broad gauge lines. (I'd say order about 30 long-haul three-car sets.)
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.
Great video. It was a lot more complicated than I thought. I dont know my V/Line fleet too well.
Sprinters are occasionally used on the Bairnsdale line. I saw one on Sunday when I went in to the city.
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.
Excellent video. Thanks heaps
Man I love your videos. They’re great stuff! Wish I could find someone doing videos like yours about up here is Brisbane. Keep up the great work.
Thankyou! I would like to make a few videos on Brisbane at some point.
@@Taitset If you ever need some local footage up here let me know, I have a decent selection of stuff I’ve also shared with RM Transit.
@@Vitally_TrivialThanks very much! It's been quite a while since I've been up there.
the VLocitys also have electric cousins in Adelaide as the 4000 class
Enjoyed this. Good presentation.
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.
Awesome video. Very informative. Thanks 👍
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 >.
Great video. You go from strength to strength with you videos.
I love your jokes too. Oh and the toy train..
Thankyou, glad you're enjoying them!
Love the lad waving at 5:53😂😂😂😂
@Taitset you should do you Auckland city rail link/subway project as a change
Very interesting video. Thank you.
Can you do a video on diesel locos? Like where do diesel locos get the letter in their number from? What's inside them? How do they work?
Another great video mate!
Fantastic video once again
Great video! As a regular v/line user on the gippsland line I definitely agree that trains beyond Traralgon need to be fitted for the longer routes, instead of just the one buffet N set that runs daily. Does anyone know long has it been since they ran sprinter cars on the Gippsland line? I distinctly remember catching sprinters everyday after school until about circa 2020ish.
Glad you enjoyed it! I'm not sure when Sprinters last ran down there, the last time they show up in my photos is 2012. I think they appeared intermittently on a handful of peak runs until fairly recently, so you might have got lucky with that. As far as I'm aware it doesn't happen at all any more.
ive used the v/line a few times from Melbourne- Bendigo its long and it got pretty croweded after Sunbury but that was one time during when they had to close a small section
Huh! I never knew there were V/locity buffet cars. 🤯
Great video. So the two types of train is why some trains to Geelong have the fold out tables on the back of the seat and some don't?
Nah that's just a variation within the VLocity fleet, the later built ones have the tables.
Gee, I've been to Bairnsdale on Vlocity trains only and it's been a real shame not having a spot to buy food from. I agree completely that what they largely use is not unsuitable for that long of a distance.
Where abouts can you see the scheduling for N class trains?
V/line publishes the master timetables which show the type of train rostered: corporate.vline.com.au/Network-Access/Network-service-plan