I know this is old but I don't think it ever got answered. When Metro are doing works around Nth Melbourne or SCS and access to platforms 1 to 8 is cut off, Seymour trains are run via the Broadmeadows Suburban lines (which branch off just on the UP side of Kensington) and onto the RRL lines at Spion Kop to terminate/originate from platforms 15 + 16. This is fine for Sprinters and Vlocities where you can simply change ends, however you can't run a loco around carriages on 15 or 16 and as all Shepparton trains are loco hauled, the end result is they can't run.

Not exactly.

You can shunt another N Class into P15/P16 from the North Melbourne end to form a down train back to Shepparton if needed.

That was always the way how The Ghan and The Overland terminated when platform 1 was the only dual gauge platform.

I know this is old but I don't think it ever got answered. When Metro are doing works around Nth Melbourne or SCS and access to platforms 1 to 8 is cut off, Seymour trains are run via the Broadmeadows Suburban lines (which branch off just on the UP side of Kensington) and onto the RRL lines at Spion Kop to terminate/originate from platforms 15 + 16. This is fine for Sprinters and Vlocities where you can simply change ends, however you can't run a loco around carriages on 15 or 16 and as all Shepparton trains are loco hauled, the end result is they can't run.

Not exactly.

You can shunt another N Class into P15/P16 from the North Melbourne end to form a down train back to Shepparton if needed.

Can't attach or do brakes on P15 due to the running line for P14 being next to it. P16 is a possibility but I seem to recall there's some other quirk preventing it as well, if I get time I'll try and find an answer.

I know this is old but I don't think it ever got answered. When Metro are doing works around Nth Melbourne or SCS and access to platforms 1 to 8 is cut off, Seymour trains are run via the Broadmeadows Suburban lines (which branch off just on the UP side of Kensington) and onto the RRL lines at Spion Kop to terminate/originate from platforms 15 + 16. This is fine for Sprinters and Vlocities where you can simply change ends, however you can't run a loco around carriages on 15 or 16 and as all Shepparton trains are loco hauled, the end result is they can't run.

Not exactly.

You can shunt another N Class into P15/P16 from the North Melbourne end to form a down train back to Shepparton if needed.

Can't attach or do brakes on P15 due to the running line for P14 being next to it. P16 is a possibility but I seem to recall there's some other quirk preventing it as well, if I get time I'll try and find an answer.

Too close to the bypass track on the outside of the P16 road? Used by empty spark movements and freights quite a bit

Geelong and Ballarat Lines in major trouble

Ballarat line

Major delay

Live Disruptions
Service update - Ballarat lineThe 12:24 Ararat - Southern Cross service will not run today due to boom arm fault in the Deer Park area. Passengers are advised to board a replacement coach to complete their journey [09:46 02/12]

Service update - Ballarat lineUPDATE: Services on the Ballarat line are currently experiencing delays of up to 80 minutes and some services have been cancelled due to an earlier equipment fault. [09:10 02/12]

Service update - Ballarat lineThe 08:16 Southern Cross ? Ararat service will not run today due to boom arm fault in the Deer Park area. Passengers can board replacement coaches to complete their journey. [08:54 02/12]

Service update - Ballarat lineUPDATE: Police and traffic management have now secured the road and services can proceed through the Deer Park area. Services may experience significant delays up to 60 minutes and service changes in both directions. [08:46 02/12]

Service update - Ballarat lineThe 10:13 Wendouree - Southern Cross service will not run today due to boom arm fault in the Deer Park area. Passengers can board the next service from Wendouree to complete their journey. [07:58 02/12]

Service update - Ballarat lineThe 07:36 Southern Cross - Ballarat service will not run today due to boom arm fault in the Deer Park area. Passengers can board the next service from Southern Cross. [07:55 02/12]

Boom gate fault at Deer Park.  Residual delays for much of the rest of today.  A single point of failure that has huge cascading effects.

Incidentally, no chance of diverting Geelong trains via Werribee right now due to LX crossing removal works.

There's a serious...it must be serious because there hasn't been a train to/from Ballarat in around 36 hours. We went to/from Lorne Hotel V/Line bus stop...right outside of Lorne Hotel yesterday for lunch and connected with probably the last DOWN Ballarat train around 19:35 on Saturday evening...but I digress.

https://www.vline.com.au/Service-Changes/Disruptions/2020/Line-suspension-Bacchus-Marsh-to-Ballarat

Yesterday there were a few high speed empty car workings through Ballan, but nothing else except for copious text messages from V/Line regards cancellations and truncated services to/from Bacchus Marsh.

Mike.

This was contributed earlier but not much https://www.railpage.com.au/news/s/ballarat-trains-cancelled-this-morning-to-be-replaced-by-buses

I hear on Saturday night a down Vlocity disappeared off the train control panel between Rowsley and Bank Box. There was a large amount of fairy grass over the track after the strong winds. I take it once train disappeared off the circuits the route dropped out, so it then had a SPAD and TPWS intervention on the next auto. It was then subsequently treated as a wrong side signal failure.

Saturday night the up Qube Ultima and down SSR grain where diverted via Nth Geelong. All day Sunday trains only ran as far as Bacchus Marsh with buses beyond.

Last night the up SSR grain went via the Marsh as a rail scrubbing excercise, which I thought was a prelude to services resuming, but obviously not the case.

I hear on Saturday night a down Vlocity disappeared off the train control panel between Rowsley and Bank Box. There was a large amount of fairy grass over the track after the strong winds. I take it once train disappeared off the circuits the route dropped out, so it then had a SPAD and TPWS intervention on the next auto. It was then subsequently treated as a wrong side signal failure.

Saturday night the up Qube Ultima and down SSR grain where diverted via Nth Geelong. All day Sunday trains only ran as far as Bacchus Marsh with buses beyond.

Last night the up SSR grain went via the Marsh as a rail scrubbing excercise, which I thought was a prelude to services resuming, but obviously not the case.

What an absolute circus!!!

I hear on Saturday night a down Vlocity disappeared off the train control panel between Rowsley and Bank Box. There was a large amount of fairy grass over the track after the strong winds. I take it once train disappeared off the circuits the route dropped out, so it then had a SPAD and TPWS intervention on the next auto. It was then subsequently treated as a wrong side signal failure.

Saturday night the up Qube Ultima and down SSR grain where diverted via Nth Geelong. All day Sunday trains only ran as far as Bacchus Marsh with buses beyond.

Last night the up SSR grain went via the Marsh as a rail scrubbing excercise, which I thought was a prelude to services resuming, but obviously not the case.

Thanks Jack Clark for that info and welcome to the forum.

The 5:38 UP from Ballan operated this morning so I assume the 'fairy grass' formerly another problem at Parwan Loop some years ago has been sorted out.

The below image gives an idea...(may have a paywall)

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9021201/Dozens-families-trapped-homes-giant-TUMBLEWEEDS-Melbourne-housing-estate.html

Mike.

A few minor dramas outside Brooklyn quarry this morning.  Reports of a couple of wagons on the Apex ended up in the dirt alongside Bunting Road.  X31-B74 came to the rescue to extricate the consist.

A few minor dramas outside Brooklyn quarry this morning.  Reports of a couple of wagons on the Apex ended up in the dirt alongside Bunting Road.  X31-B74 came to the rescue to extricate the consist.

Ouch.

Loaded?

A few minor dramas outside Brooklyn quarry this morning.  Reports of a couple of wagons on the Apex ended up in the dirt alongside Bunting Road.  X31-B74 came to the rescue to extricate the consist.

Ouch.

Loaded?

Yes, I believe so.

Major issues at SCS again this evening.

'Service Change - Geelong lineThe 19:34 Waurn Ponds - Southern Cross service will not run today due to a rail equipment fault. Passengers can board replacement coaches from Southern Cross to complete their journey. [18:47 14/12] '
What does this mean?

Once again, I am compelled to compare Melbourne with Sydney. Last Saturday week, I arrived in Sydney to find a huge amount of rail maintenance going on over the weekend. In Melbourne, we wait until there are "track faults", "equipment faults" et al, and then try to fix them.  One system is proactive; the other is reactive. I know which works best.

Once again, I am compelled to compare Melbourne with Sydney. Last Saturday week, I arrived in Sydney to find a huge amount of rail maintenance going on over the weekend. In Melbourne, we wait until there are "track faults", "equipment faults" et al, and then try to fix them.  One system is proactive; the other is reactive. I know which works best.

Maybe when we have a Granville things will change.

Once again, I am compelled to compare Melbourne with Sydney. Last Saturday week, I arrived in Sydney to find a huge amount of rail maintenance going on over the weekend. In Melbourne, we wait until there are "track faults", "equipment faults" et al, and then try to fix them.  One system is proactive; the other is reactive. I know which works best.

Maybe when we have a Granville things will change.

Over the last few years or so there have been a number of wrong side signal and level crossing failures.
How long before a train hits a bus?
I am beginning to wonder in certain areas whether some of our 'talent' exceeds our feet on the ground experience.
The old book Red for Danger should be compulsory reading for EVERYONE even remotely involved in rail.

Over the last few years or so there have been a number of wrong side signal and level crossing failures.
How long before a train hits a bus?
I am beginning to wonder in certain areas whether some of our 'talent' exceeds our feet on the ground experience.
The old book Red for Danger should be compulsory reading for EVERYONE even remotely involved in rail.

Red for Danger is a BRILLIANT read for anyone even remotely interested in Safe Working and should be mandatory for people doing safe working training in the industry.

I read it while I was doing safe working training and it was a real eye opener. Made me pay attention in class I can tell you!

How long before a train hits a bus?.

I think they are waiting for that to happen before acting.

The old book Red for Danger should be compulsory reading for EVERYONE even remotely involved in rail.

Red for Danger is a BRILLIANT read for anyone even remotely interested in Safe Working and should be mandatory for people doing safe working training in the industry.

I read it while I was doing safe working training and it was a real eye opener.

I agree completely with both of you gentlemen. I also read it whilst training for safe working, and every so often I remove my copy from the bookshelf and read through it again.

How long before a train hits a bus?.

I think they are waiting for that to happen before acting.

Government policy!