There were some excellent pictures of the new standard gauge set on test this weekend on Twitter/Facebook but I've lost where they were - second generation of V/locity looks quite different from the first.

Still it leaves any MCF unit occupying the train's capacity without operating for an average of 50% of the journey time.  Does the pre-COVID demand of any Albury services comfortably fit into a 3-car train?

Modern Catering Facility (a three-word replacement for buffet).

I demand the V/Line app tell me which car set will have the stale chicken sandwich and chips first. A. smart commuter could board the non serviced set first with a bag of snacks and drinks and cash in first!

I demand the V/Line app tell me which car set will have the stale chicken sandwich and chips first. A. smart commuter could board the non serviced set first with a bag of snacks and drinks and cash in first!

I had a chicken sandwich on wholemeal last Friday morning on the DOWN Swan Hill and though it was made in Queensland, it definitely was not stale.
V/Line have never sold chips, too dangerous having fat/oil slopping about, however V/Line does sell crisps.

Mike.

The long distance vlocity purchase is the biggest missed opportunity in the Victorian era. Many other trains better designed for longer distance and available off the shelf but Victoria just doesn’t get it and will probably never get it.

I now wait for the responses on how wonderful they are and how that is all Victoria could afford and how we have a small population and the costs the usual.

What is your solution then? I am just curious.

Mannie

My solution would have been the option of a reclining seat for passengers. One of the main reasons people take the train on a long-distance service is to have a rest.

If you want reclining seats, take a V/Bus.

Thanks for the offer, but my answer to Mannie's question is going to remain as a train with a reclining seat, like every other regional train operator throughout the nation.

One of the most appealing features of a Velocity is that the seats don't recline, and as such the inconsiderate sod in the seat ahead of you doesn't take your personal space in the wrongful belief that it is their right to rob you of your space, while no doubt protesting against the sod in front of them for invading their personal space.  If you want to lay down, go to a hotel or travel in a sleeping compartment on a night train.

I demand the V/Line app tell me which car set will have the stale chicken sandwich and chips first. A. smart commuter could board the non serviced set first with a bag of snacks and drinks and cash in first!

I had a chicken sandwich on wholemeal last Friday morning on the DOWN Swan Hill and though it was made in Queensland, it definitely was not stale.
V/Line have never sold chips, too dangerous having fat/oil slopping about, however V/Line does sell crisps.

Mike.

V/Line might need to reach into their purse and buy an air fryer then.  Can they manage a sausage roll at least?

In my opinion they really should just make the SG vlocities into 5 car sets. Unlike the BG lines, SG has more infrastructure for 5 car length, which is very convenient. It means that a first class carriage could be installed (I personally don’t think it would be required though).
Importantly it means services can run as a single 5 car set so that the same buffet can always be open, but also allows more maintenance flexibility or increased services.

In my opinion they really should just make the SG vlocities into 5 car sets. Unlike the BG lines, SG has more infrastructure for 5 car length, which is very convenient. It means that a first class carriage could be installed (I personally don’t think it would be required though).
Importantly it means services can run as a single 5 car set so that the same buffet can always be open, but also allows more maintenance flexibility or increased services.

In my opinion they really should just make the SG vlocities into 5 car sets. Unlike the BG lines, SG has more infrastructure for 5 car length, which is very convenient. It means that a first class carriage could be installed (I personally don’t think it would be required though).
Importantly it means services can run as a single 5 car set so that the same buffet can always be open, but also allows more maintenance flexibility or increased services.

Makes sense to me therefore it won't happen.

ARTC might have managed to break a VL in less than 6 months. You have to and it to them, it's impressive considering how generally reliable the trains have been.


https://www.bordermail.com.au/story/7760515/new-train-off-rails-with-damage-but-no-consensus-on-how-it-was-caused/

ARTC might have managed to break a VL in less than 6 months. You have to and it to them, it's impressive considering how generally reliable the trains have been.


https://www.bordermail.com.au/story/7760515/new-train-off-rails-with-damage-but-no-consensus-on-how-it-was-caused/

What a joke.  Shambolic.

RP have posted story in full: https://www.railpage.com.au/news/s/v-line-withdraws-vlocity-after-damage-and-no-timeframe-set-out-for-its-return-as-cause-of-problem-cloudy

ARTC might have managed to break a VL in less than 6 months. You have to and it to them, it's impressive considering how generally reliable the trains have been.

What a joke.  Shambolic.
RP have posted story in full: https://www.railpage.com.au/news/s/v-line-withdraws-vlocity-after-damage-and-no-timeframe-set-out-for-its-return-as-cause-of-problem-cloudy

A source who keeps on eye on these things suggests that all Albury services have been bustituted yesterday and today with the usual lame excuses.

Haven't looked in detail but almost all the SG rolling stock is out of action at the moment. The carriage sets have wheel issues (flats from skidding IIRC) and lunch room gossip suggests that there is a wheel/flange wear issue on the SG Vlo's. Apparently they're running one kitted out with cameras and test equipment to find out what, where and why its occurring. Would seem there is something unique about the Nth East SG that is causing problems that are not found elsewhere.

ARTC might have managed to break a VL in less than 6 months. You have to and it to them, it's impressive considering how generally reliable the trains have been.

What a joke.  Shambolic.
RP have posted story in full: https://www.railpage.com.au/news/s/v-line-withdraws-vlocity-after-damage-and-no-timeframe-set-out-for-its-return-as-cause-of-problem-cloudy

Shambolic agreed. It's not just the VLocity having issues

A source who keeps on eye on these things suggests that all Albury services have been bustituted yesterday and today with the usual lame excuses.

Haven't looked in detail but almost all the SG rolling stock is out of action at the moment. The carriage sets have wheel issues (flats from skidding IIRC) and lunch room gossip suggests that there is a wheel/flange wear issue on the SG Vlo's. Apparently they're running one kitted out with cameras and test equipment to find out what, where and why its occurring. Would seem there is something unique about the Nth East SG that is causing problems that are not found elsewhere.

I wonder how the XPT sets are fareing.

Has anybody said "mud holes" yet?

cheers
John

Ever since they done the ballasting in the last 24 months the Northeast became the best riding track according to most of the V/line drivers I talked too.

Bordermail photographer has some pics of the wheel issue

Bordermail photographer has some pics of the wheel issue

What are we looking at here, for the non wheel engineers amongst us?

Bordermail photographer has some pics of the wheel issue

What are we looking at here, for the non wheel engineers amongst us?

I'm not a wheel engineer, but the bright patches on the side of the wheel tread aren't what I'd expect to see. They look like spalling (slivers of the edge coming off).

To me, it looks like the non flange side of of the wheel is hitting something very close to the rail head somewhere between Melbourne and Albury.

I wonder how *wide* the wheel tread is, and if it is just a shade wider than that on the normal rolling stock using this corridor?

Bordermail photographer has some pics of the wheel issue

What are we looking at here, for the non wheel engineers amongst us?

I'm not a wheel engineer, but the bright patches on the side of the wheel tread aren't what I'd expect to see. They look like spalling (slivers of the edge coming off).

To me, it looks like the non flange side of of the wheel is hitting something very close to the rail head somewhere between Melbourne and Albury.

I wonder how *wide* the wheel tread is, and if it is just a shade wider than that on the normal rolling stock using this corridor?

1. There is rim face damage, perhaps caused by ballast or other foreign material or even a high road surface at a level crossing. This is not a wheel/rail interface issue but caused by some interference outside the rail. Random thought; could this be caused by a worn frog or other perway defect? One for the Roadmasters here on RP. If it was not newly painted would anyone ever know the difference?
2. On enlargement of the photos there seems to me a more serious (?)problem. There appears early flange wear damage leading  to arrises/sharp flanges. One can see steel filings and damage close the the flange root.

1. Strange that everything else (80km/h, 115 km/h freight, XPTs and loco hauled N sets) utilising the NE SG do so more or less successfully wheelwise. The Vlocity being the only exception.
2. Apart from the wheel wear disaster a few years ago we haven't heard of systemic wheel problems of Vlocitys on Vline track.
3. Was damage to the entire train ie every bogie?
4. Is the flange wear on all wheels of all bogies?
5. As has already been suggested run a Vlocity to Serviceton and see what happens?
6. Obviously there is just about 100% that we don't know.