The only reason you would SG into Bendigo would be if SSR wanted it to expand North Bendigo Workshop maintenance regime.

And even then, the traffic volumes would be so low that any benefits would me miniscule compared to the costs of providing access. SSR is quite capable of transferring locomotives and rollingstock by road or on transfer bogies to a bogie exchange site like Seymour.

Mind, if anyone in this country was going to pay for a new SG link it would be SSR. They are doing impressive and creative things so who knows!

On a more serious note BG’s comment about a lack of paths to Bendigo is a good point. What that line really needs is double track all the way...

can someone please explain why a long-distance Service (902 to Echuca from SCS) was only a 3-car V/Lo all the way with no split at bendigo when all of the others are 6 as far as Bendigo? There were PLENTY of unused 3-Car sets in the yard this morning. It just boggles the mind

can someone please explain why a long-distance Service (902 to Echuca from SCS) was only a 3-car V/Lo all the way with no split at bendigo when all of the others are 6 as far as Bendigo? There were PLENTY of unused 3-Car sets in the yard this morning. It just boggles the mind

Was it crowded?

V/Line Network Service Plan lists 8071 (09.02 Sat Dn Echuca) as being run by a single 3VL set.

BG

can someone please explain why a long-distance Service (902 to Echuca from SCS) was only a 3-car V/Lo all the way with no split at bendigo when all of the others are 6 as far as Bendigo? There were PLENTY of unused 3-Car sets in the yard this morning. It just boggles the mind

Was it crowded?

V/Line Network Service Plan lists 8071 (09.02 Sat Dn Echuca) as being run by a single 3VL set.

BG

yes it was actually, it was the SUNDAY morning service. from Platform 16 no less

can someone please explain why a long-distance Service (902 to Echuca from SCS) was only a 3-car V/Lo all the way with no split at bendigo when all of the others are 6 as far as Bendigo? There were PLENTY of unused 3-Car sets in the yard this morning. It just boggles the mind

Was it crowded?

V/Line Network Service Plan lists 8071 (09.02 Sat Dn Echuca) as being run by a single 3VL set.

BG

yes it was actually, it was the SUNDAY morning service. from Platform 16 no less

8071 on the Sunday is also scheduled to be a 3VL as well. Only 5 services on the down are scheduled to be 2x3VL on Sundays on the Bendigo line. A common misconception when people see Railcars/loco's/carriages sitting around 'doing nothing' in the Bank and Car sidings is assuming that they're ready to go and usable. Are they fueled? Do they have a fault? Are they scheduled for an exam or maintenance in CMD that day? Do they need to go to the Biowash? Are they running a later service? Even rostering has an effect on what can be used as a driver is required to be rostered on to prep and attach them.

when the train arrived in Bendigo, there were lots of people on the platform waiting for the return/other end of the train and had to wait for I don't know how long. the Echuca down service should always be a 6-car from SCS so that the train splits at Bendigo so there is a return unit ready for expedient services.

when the train arrived in Bendigo, there were lots of people on the platform waiting for the return/other end of the train and had to wait for I don't know how long. the Echuca down service should always be a 6-car from SCS so that the train splits at Bendigo so there is a return unit ready for expedient services.

I'm struggling to see what you have an issue with here? It is always scheduled to be a 3VL, the passengers on the platform were never waiting 'for the other end' as you put it. What does happen is after the Echuca service departs @11:03, 2x3VL (6 cars) are scheduled to depart the Bendigo car sidings @11:06 and be docked at the platform @11:15 . It then departs towards SCS @11:25 as 8030. If the people you saw on the platform couldn't wait the few minutes then there is always the previous UP service (8024) which departs @10:22.

Mind, if anyone in this country was going to pay for a new SG link it would be SSR. They are doing impressive and creative things so who knows!

On a more serious note BG’s comment about a lack of paths to Bendigo is a good point. What that line really needs is double track all the way...

I've mentioned this before on these pages and elsewhere, given the conversion of the line through Inglewood to SG, a rebuild of the Inglewood to Eaglehawk line in SG and then with some DG into Bendigo, would open up access for the Bendigo region to the whole SG network. It may appear a round about way of achieving access but in reality it's only 40km overall. This route in SG would also have the added bonus of not interfering with the Melb/Bendigo BG in it's construction and operational activity!

Mind, if anyone in this country was going to pay for a new SG link it would be SSR. They are doing impressive and creative things so who knows!

On a more serious note BG’s comment about a lack of paths to Bendigo is a good point. What that line really needs is double track all the way...

I've mentioned this before on these pages and elsewhere, given the conversion of the line through Inglewood to SG, a rebuild of the Inglewood to Eaglehawk line in SG and then with some DG into Bendigo, would open up access for the Bendigo region to the whole SG network. It may appear a round about way of achieving access but in reality it's only 40km overall. This route in SG would also have the added bonus of not interfering with the Melb/Bendigo BG in it's construction and operational activity!

Mind, if anyone in this country was going to pay for a new SG link it would be SSR. They are doing impressive and creative things so who knows!

On a more serious note BG’s comment about a lack of paths to Bendigo is a good point. What that line really needs is double track all the way...

I've mentioned this before on these pages and elsewhere, given the conversion of the line through Inglewood to SG, a rebuild of the Inglewood to Eaglehawk line in SG and then with some DG into Bendigo, would open up access for the Bendigo region to the whole SG network. It may appear a round about way of achieving access but in reality it's only 40km overall. This route in SG would also have the added bonus of not interfering with the Melb/Bendigo BG in it's construction and operational activity!

Interesting concept! However it doesn't tell me, or others, why my suggestion hasn't any validity. I cant see the Melb/Bendigo BG line being converted to SG any time soon, seeing the Airport rail looks like it's most likely going to be BG. Whereas the suggested Inglewood to Eaglehawk route could get SG into Bendigo [and beyond], following on from the Murray basin works, if there's a will [and finance] to get the job done.

Mind, if anyone in this country was going to pay for a new SG link it would be SSR. They are doing impressive and creative things so who knows!

On a more serious note BG’s comment about a lack of paths to Bendigo is a good point. What that line really needs is double track all the way...

I've mentioned this before on these pages and elsewhere, given the conversion of the line through Inglewood to SG, a rebuild of the Inglewood to Eaglehawk line in SG and then with some DG into Bendigo, would open up access for the Bendigo region to the whole SG network. It may appear a round about way of achieving access but in reality it's only 40km overall. This route in SG would also have the added bonus of not interfering with the Melb/Bendigo BG in it's construction and operational activity!

I some how like where you're going with this Inland_Sailor and I will match you and up you by $100.

Adding to what you have mentioned, just for a minute, cast your mind forward to a couple of years, post the MBS plan is complete and Standard Gauge V'lo's will be running here and there, hopefully all sorts of where.

How about standardising the line from Bendigo to Swan Hill, passengers change here for Broad Gauge trip to Melb, as per Ararat / Ballarat ( hopefully ) you can run standard gauge grain trains from Piangil and whatever other grain storage up there, run back to Eaglehawk, throw the points or remote, run the train back to Inglewood and off you go, push pull operation.

You have removed some more traffic from the congested Bendigo line and making more use of the MBS network.

Hows that for a Valium Fueled theory  

BigShunter.

Mind, if anyone in this country was going to pay for a new SG link it would be SSR. They are doing impressive and creative things so who knows!

On a more serious note BG’s comment about a lack of paths to Bendigo is a good point. What that line really needs is double track all the way...

I've mentioned this before on these pages and elsewhere, given the conversion of the line through Inglewood to SG, a rebuild of the Inglewood to Eaglehawk line in SG and then with some DG into Bendigo, would open up access for the Bendigo region to the whole SG network. It may appear a round about way of achieving access but in reality it's only 40km overall. This route in SG would also have the added bonus of not interfering with the Melb/Bendigo BG in it's construction and operational activity!

This is such a sensible approach to moving SG into the Northern part of the state including Echuca, but in the short term would provide SG access into the Bendigo area for the benefit of customers and perhaps even into a platform at Bendigo for Passenger rail between Bendigo and the west?

Mind, if anyone in this country was going to pay for a new SG link it would be SSR. They are doing impressive and creative things so who knows!

On a more serious note BG’s comment about a lack of paths to Bendigo is a good point. What that line really needs is double track all the way...

I've mentioned this before on these pages and elsewhere, given the conversion of the line through Inglewood to SG, a rebuild of the Inglewood to Eaglehawk line in SG and then with some DG into Bendigo, would open up access for the Bendigo region to the whole SG network. It may appear a round about way of achieving access but in reality it's only 40km overall. This route in SG would also have the added bonus of not interfering with the Melb/Bendigo BG in it's construction and operational activity!

This is such a sensible approach to moving SG into the Northern part of the state including Echuca, but in the short term would provide SG access into the Bendigo area for the benefit of customers and perhaps even into a platform at Bendigo for Passenger rail between Bendigo and the west?

After the MBRP and Albury line debacles, I don't think there's the political will to do any more standardisation for a very long time in this State.  Great idea, but won't happen....

Besides, I would like to see BG tourist trains still run to Swan Hill and Echuca.

The only possible SG project I could see happening after the MBRP is done would be Seymour heading north to Tocumwal and across to Echuca/Deniliquin via Toolamba. Swan Hill only sees occasional grain trains so there's no point converting that.

Mind, if anyone in this country was going to pay for a new SG link it would be SSR. They are doing impressive and creative things so who knows!

On a more serious note BG’s comment about a lack of paths to Bendigo is a good point. What that line really needs is double track all the way...

I've mentioned this before on these pages and elsewhere, given the conversion of the line through Inglewood to SG, a rebuild of the Inglewood to Eaglehawk line in SG and then with some DG into Bendigo, would open up access for the Bendigo region to the whole SG network. It may appear a round about way of achieving access but in reality it's only 40km overall. This route in SG would also have the added bonus of not interfering with the Melb/Bendigo BG in it's construction and operational activity!

This is such a sensible approach to moving SG into the Northern part of the state including Echuca, but in the short term would provide SG access into the Bendigo area for the benefit of customers and perhaps even into a platform at Bendigo for Passenger rail between Bendigo and the west?

I wasn't thinking so much of passenger movement, rather freight. But with a passenger service to Dunolly now on the cards, extending onto Bendigo could happen. The Rail Revival Alliance are still pushing for a Bendigo, Maryborough, Ballarat, Geelong passenger service and this is one route that could actually achieve that outcome!

Talking of the Echuca line, 3 services in a row have been bustituted since yesterday evening.  Not much of a service at present....

Tonight's Down Echuca pass just through Castlemaine running as a 3 car instead of 6. Said it was running all the way but will it be a coach beyond Bendigo I wonder.

BG

The only possible SG project I could see happening after the MBRP is done would be Seymour heading north to Tocumwal and across to Echuca/Deniliquin via Toolamba. Swan Hill only sees occasional grain trains so there's no point converting that.

Again I stress, I'm not suggesting anything as expansive [or expensive] as the MBRP or the Shepp/Echuca lines being converted to SG, merely the 40km from Inglewood into Bendigo, on what is currently an unused line. Linking a city of close to 100,0000, which also happens to be the 4th largest inland city in Australia, [and a greater region of possibly that number as well] to the SG network, by this route seems a very achievable outcome!

Again I stress, I'm not suggesting anything as expansive [or expensive] as the MBRP or the Shepp/Echuca lines being converted to SG, merely the 40km from Inglewood into Bendigo, on what is currently an unused line. Linking a city of close to 100,0000, which also happens to be the 4th largest inland city in Australia, [and a greater region of possibly that number as well] to the SG network, by this route seems a very achievable outcome!

I am with you as this project should be considered ]with connections to the customer at Bridgewater.

Again I stress, I'm not suggesting anything as expansive [or expensive] as the MBRP or the Shepp/Echuca lines being converted to SG, merely the 40km from Inglewood into Bendigo, on what is currently an unused line. Linking a city of close to 100,0000, which also happens to be the 4th largest inland city in Australia, [and a greater region of possibly that number as well] to the SG network, by this route seems a very achievable outcome!

I am with you as this project should be considered ]with connections to the customer at Bridgewater.

Does anyone know if they actually want rail access though? People keep saying to put the hay traffic on rail, but they are likely quite happy with the current truck method. Out onto the Calder, south to Marong, then via Lockwood, Ravenswood and the freeway to Melbourne. Be a two and a half hour trip via road if that.

To get it via rail, you'd have to replace the wooden trestle bridge at Marong (plus any other trackwork on the line, which hasn't seen a train in ten years), sort out a path through Bendigo and then down the Bendigo line with all the Vlocities, and I'm 99% sure that'd be a night time run. The max speed for a train would be 80kph (compared to the 100-110 of a truck), and could quite easily turn into a four hour trip. Going on the Standard Gauge via a run around at Inglewood and Maryborough would quickly turn into a long 8 hour trip by the time they got through Ballarat (when that gets done), and around via Geelong to Melbourne. It's one hell of a detour.

Again I stress, I'm not suggesting anything as expansive [or expensive] as the MBRP or the Shepp/Echuca lines being converted to SG, merely the 40km from Inglewood into Bendigo, on what is currently an unused line. Linking a city of close to 100,0000, which also happens to be the 4th largest inland city in Australia, [and a greater region of possibly that number as well] to the SG network, by this route seems a very achievable outcome!

I am with you as this project should be considered ]with connections to the customer at Bridgewater.

Again I ask, for what traffic? If there was traffic to be had from that area they would have rebuilt the BG Inglewood line after the washouts, that was back when the MBS project was but a glint in the milkman's eye.

Time and again this idea has been raised but to date no one has come up with any viable reason for the line to be re-opened.

As already stated grain traffic on the Piangil line is minimal and can be handled by night time paths on the BG line. There is no Bendigo Intermodal, no container traffic save some BG containerised hay traffic that Qube have been looking at near Goornong (the difficulty there being access, the plant is on the opposite side of the highway to the rail line) so where is the demand to come from?

Traffic on the line before it was booked out consisted mainly of the Boort Goods and some Bridgewater traffic. Boort will be on the SG network once the Manangatang line is converted so any traffic that is regained by rail would go on the SG via Donald not via Bendigo and as stated numerous times if there was traffic to be had from Bridgewater you would rebuild the Inglewood > Bridgewater section of the line and run back that way to avoid Bendigo altogether.

The recent decision to stop the City of Greater Bendigo compulsory acquiring the Carter family farm for the Marong Business Park means that it will be a VERY long time before there is going to be even the sniff of a need for SG rail access beyond Bridgey.

So long as the reservation is protected for possible future use there is nothing to see here, move on and spend your $$$ someplace where there is traffic to be had.

BG

can someone please explain why a long-distance Service (902 to Echuca from SCS) was only a 3-car V/Lo all the way with no split at bendigo when all of the others are 6 as far as Bendigo? There were PLENTY of unused 3-Car sets in the yard this morning. It just boggles the mind

Was it crowded?

V/Line Network Service Plan lists 8071 (09.02 Sat Dn Echuca) as being run by a single 3VL set.

BG

yes it was actually, it was the SUNDAY morning service. from Platform 16 no less

We've caught it quite a few times and it always seems pretty busy.

We've caught it quite a few times and it always seems pretty busy.

Good to hear, I have only caught it a few times (SC > CME) and it has been less than half full.

I am sure V/Line monitor patronage on all services (I have seen connies taking photos on their phones of overcrowded Bendigo line trains to send to management) and once it gets to a predetermined bums on seats ratio over a period of time they would add a second set.

BG

We've caught it quite a few times and it always seems pretty busy.

Good to hear, I have only caught it a few times (SC > CME) and it has been less than half full.

I am sure V/Line monitor patronage on all services (I have seen connies taking photos on their phones of overcrowded Bendigo line trains to send to management) and once it gets to a predetermined bums on seats ratio over a period of time they would add a second set.

BG

You would think that buuuut.....
look at the first down out of melb on a weekday horribly overcrowded
they know it it has been on the local news and nothing is done.