SSR BG grainy via Gheringhap https://www.railpage.com.au/f-p2191243.htm#2191243 has the new cadence begun?

Still plenty happening at PeaCo in Donald, clip at Ararat with the returning wagons, thanks, Graeme.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rF1Z3UIoHwE&t=2s

BigShunter.

PN have activated a second BG rake. XR553/557 hauled it empty to Berriwillock today.

Incidentally, lots of 40km/h TSRs between Inglewood and Dunolly. A big sleeper replacement campaign on that very soon.

Would be really handy if that Inglewood to Eaglehawk line was being prepped for a re-opening right about now.

Would be really handy if that Inglewood to Eaglehawk line was being prepped for a re-opening right about now.

If it isnt there will be 90 road trucks for each train that cannot be run off the Sea Lake and Manangatang lines with the expected record grain harvest . Government and responsible Ministers need to get cracking as it is a 10 - 12 week job to get it open again in fit to purpose job to handle garin trains at 40 to 50 kmh.  Main nned is to replace some track washed away in floods NOT replaced by VLP, and tie renewal and re-decking of a bridge at Marong.

Some handy showers throughout the Wimmera & Mallee for the week and in particular last night, so keeping the soil nice and moist all good news for the harvest.

http://www.bom.gov.au/vic/flood/wimmera_mallee.shtml

BigShunter.

PN Up grainy with two XR locos stalled on Warrenheip this morning.  G and BL dispatched from Geelong to rescue it.

They really need to ensure this doesn't keep happening...

PN Up grainy with two XR locos stalled on Warrenheip this morning.  G and BL dispatched from Geelong to rescue it.

They really need to ensure this doesn't keep happening...

Could have been worse.
Gman would have had them on the Bendigo line, perfect place to stall - not.

Two XR class locos that haven't hauled a revenue train in over a year, hauling wagons that are on their first revenue run in even longer running fully loaded up a steep grade in slippery weather.

Wow. Big surprise that didn't go to plan.

PN Up grainy with two XR locos stalled on Warrenheip this morning.  G and BL dispatched from Geelong to rescue it.

They really need to ensure this doesn't keep happening...

Could have been worse.
Gman would have had them on the Bendigo line, perfect place to stall - not.

If Inglewood - Eaglehawk were available the Up loaded bg grain trains would run via Bridgewater and the Down MT via Warrenheip so there would be no stalls on Warrenheip as Ups all via Bendigo, which is actually largely downhill to Melbourne and Geelong . Another benefit of reactivating Inglewood - Eaglehawk.

People forget the Eaglehawk - Inglewood section (opened 1888) and  fed the lines radiating from Korongvale well before the cross link was put in over to Dunolly giving the alternate route South.  The line would still be open and operating today but for the failure of successive Governements to adequately fund mainatenance of the rail freight network, and VLP's failure to lobby Government for funds to re-instate the track damaged by floods. The clear disbenefit of having a passenger operator responsible for maintaining the freight only network.

Meanwhile excellent rains continue in the Sea Lake/Manangatang lines ensuring a bumper harvest but will the Government fund rail in re-opening Inglewood Eaglehawk to allow the lions share of that harvest to be carried by rail  ? We live in eternal hope.

As someone with no knowledge of driving a locomotive, what causes it to stall

PN Up grainy with two XR locos stalled on Warrenheip this morning.  G and BL dispatched from Geelong to rescue it.

They really need to ensure this doesn't keep happening...

Up B/G PN grain 9148 stalled on Warrenheip (2 x XR's) at 0340, a BL+G went to rescue the train seen here at gheringhap with G529+BL29+XR557+XR553.

As someone with no knowledge of driving a locomotive, what causes it to stall

A variety of causes;
overloaded, which I doubt as the train would have come in at something over 2,000t which 6,000hp ought to have lifted easily
loss of traction on greasy rail, which blocked sanders wouldn't help with;' even dry conditions can be a problem with curves and that gradient
loco, complete or partial, failure which, considering these two locos hadn't done much work for at least a year, is possible
leaking brake pipe connections causing a partial brake application

These are the most obvious that come to mind but what actually happened here I don't know

Neil

Thanks for your informative response Neil , I didn't think stalling a loco was similar to stalling a Datsun 120y

As someone with no knowledge of driving a locomotive, what causes it to stall

old age, just like me.....................

PN Up grainy with two XR locos stalled on Warrenheip this morning.  G and BL dispatched from Geelong to rescue it.

They really need to ensure this doesn't keep happening...

Could have been worse.
Gman would have had them on the Bendigo line, perfect place to stall - not.

If Inglewood - Eaglehawk were available the Up loaded bg grain trains would run via Bridgewater and the Down MT via Warrenheip so there would be no stalls on Warrenheip as Ups all via Bendigo, which is actually largely downhill to Melbourne and Geelong . Another benefit of reactivating Inglewood - Eaglehawk.

People forget the Eaglehawk - Inglewood section (opened 1888) and  fed the lines radiating from Korongvale well before the cross link was put in over to Dunolly giving the alternate route South.  The line would still be open and operating today but for the failure of successive Governements to adequately fund mainatenance of the rail freight network, and VLP's failure to lobby Government for funds to re-instate the track damaged by floods. The clear disbenefit of having a passenger operator responsible for maintaining the freight only network.

Meanwhile excellent rains continue in the Sea Lake/Manangatang lines ensuring a bumper harvest but will the Government fund rail in re-opening Inglewood Eaglehawk to allow the lions share of that harvest to be carried by rail  ? We live in eternal hope.

Cobblers.

My point (tongue  in cheek) is that clapped out trains will do just that.
Could have clapped out just as likely on the Bendigo UP, which would be a full on mess.

One reason why putting crap quality services (loco and track) anywhere near Bendigo is a bad idea - argue for good quality and it's a different story.

Ps: a 40kph track or 50 year old engine, is not qualify

cheers
John

Seriously? What a load of rubbish. I mean, why bother at all then? Why not just give the lot over to road and be done with it if that's your attitude. Or more importantly, if that's the government's attitude.

1 train each day on each of the Manang' and Sea Lake lines isn't going to cut it. The roads in rural Victoria are in a bad enough state already, they don't need another 180 B-Double grain trucks driving the 300+km return each day because some incompetent boob within the department can't pull their finger out and fund the damn maintenence that should have been done years ago.

If the state gave a damn about anything other than the Hotel Quarantine stuff up, then maybe somebody would actually notice that the world has continued on its merry way. They may notice that the government need to get a rocket up the department of transport and actually fix the damn line.

When that has been done, then maybe we can worry about the ancient rollingstock that may be hauling this massive harvest, because if the line isn't re-opened, it won't be old diesel locos failing us, it will be an arseload of old Kenworths destroying our roads.

XR557 was built new in 2005. XR553 (X33 rebuilt) entered service about 2003.

XR557 was built new in 2005. XR553 (X33 rebuilt) entered service about 2003.

Not really that recent, according to Vicsig.

XR553 started life as X33 in 1966. Sure a rebuild 2004 but with a 20yo engine ex G class upgrade.(circa 1984)

XR557 sure was "new" in 2005, but again was that really new engine or just another old G class lying around.
Since same engine type that handn't been made for 20 years, more likely 2nd hand.

XR553 is the more tired of the two, but they're both past it. It only takes one failing to stop the train.

cheers
John

I think you'll find PN running a lot of three loco lashups on their 40 wagon grainies now, especially on those that routinely get into strife at Warrenheip, Porcupine Hill, and Taradale....

Seriously? What a load of rubbish. I mean, why bother at all then? Why not just give the lot over to road and be done with it if that's your attitude. Or more importantly, if that's the government's attitude.

1 train each day on each of the Manang' and Sea Lake lines isn't going to cut it. The roads in rural Victoria are in a bad enough state already, they don't need another 180 B-Double grain trucks driving the 300+km return each day because some incompetent boob within the department can't pull their finger out and fund the damn maintenence that should have been done years ago.

If the state gave a damn about anything other than the Hotel Quarantine stuff up, then maybe somebody would actually notice that the world has continued on its merry way. They may notice that the government need to get a rocket up the department of transport and actually fix the damn line.

When that has been done, then maybe we can worry about the ancient rollingstock that may be hauling this massive harvest, because if the line isn't re-opened, it won't be old diesel locos failing us, it will be an arseload of old Kenworths destroying our roads.

@Gman I completely agree that track maintenance is appalling.

My issue with your plea to open the line, is that it's flogging the problem wth a wet lettuce leaf.

Good track and good rolling stock is the minimum required to have any confidence that the BG to Castelemain suggestion will work, and not make the situation worse for both grain and Bendigo pax.
Unfortunately, its only a short-term fix,  so no money is likely to be thrown at bringing up to any decent standard.

The failure of the XRs is a case in point where rescue fron Geelong was not a big deal. Had that been on Bendigo, that would have been much worse.

PS : short term fix is relative.
MRBP is now so bad that medium/long may still be as BG, re-opening Castlemain as a genuine contender.
The decision is up to the Minister to spend some real cash, and as you have consistently argued the clock is ticking.

cheers
John

I'm not sure what Castlemaine has to do with it. Nowhere did I suggest opening the Castlemaine - Maryborough line. That line is dead.

The Inglewood - Eaglehawk line though as has routinely been pointed out, would take relatively little work to bring back to operational.

I fear that too much bureaucratic inertia and detachment from regional Vic will mean that nothing will happen.  One thing that might make it happen is that it gets included in MBRP funding after the Oct 6 Federal Budget, even if it doesn't go SG until 5 years time. (Ie. Make it a serviceable BG track first).

If that is the case (and I suspect it is) than at best it may get sorted out in the early part of next year.

Very poor.

I'm not sure what Castlemaine has to do with it. Nowhere did I suggest opening the Castlemaine - Maryborough line. That line is dead.

The Inglewood - Eaglehawk line though as has routinely been pointed out, would take relatively little work to bring back to operational.

Sorry Gman my bad.

It is of course Eaglehawk that is referenced. Got my Bendigo outer burbs upside down.