Newsrail

04/07/2025

July Newsrail is currently being printed and will be on its way out to subscribers and retailers soon!

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This edition has another interesting mix of current and historic content for all interested in Victorian rail, from our front cover (commemorating 150 years since the opening of the railway to Everton) to our rear cover (commemorating 60 years since the closure of the railway to Warburton).

Our main feature article for July is the first of a two-part history on the industrial railway that branched off from Box Hill Station and ran to the former brickworks that today is the site of Surrey Park. Mark Cauchi’s thoroughly-researched history is illustrated with maps, advertisements and beautiful photographs from the era.

This month’s tourist and heritage rail column features a report from Daylesford Spa Country Railway on their major project to return Leyland Double-Ended Rail Motor 53RM to operation. It’s an ambitious project, but as DSCR’s Barry Fell notes, the DSCR team has already made major progress.

Nick Anchen’s collection of stories from old hands at the former North Melborune Locomotive Depot, published in our June edition, attracted a lot of attention, including some emails and letters with photographs of the depot we’ve never seen before. We’ve published them this month in a special four-page spread.

Also from Nick Anchen, another story from the Whistleblowers series, this time from David Moon remembering the wheat season in the days of steam, running steam locomotives in 100 Fahrenheit (37 Celcius) weather, and trying to sleep in the primitive accommodation provided by Victorian Railways for loco crews.

Trevor Penn presents another most interesting entry for our Photos in focus series. Rounding out our coverage of North Melbourne Loco, Trevor interprets the details in a 1961 image that shows diesel traction usurping steam, with the new North Melbourne flyover under construction as the old steam depot marks time until its demolition.

And our usual other columns are there:
- News and announcements
- Operations and sightings
- General works
- Tramways (including photos of some of the 2025 Melbourne Art - - Trams)
- PTV service quality
- Where is it?

27/06/2025

A little bit of history taking place north of the border tonight.

22/06/2025

From the foreign file: Amtrak’s latest marketing has a real vibe

04/06/2025

June Newsrail has an interesting mix of current and historic content for Victorian railfans to enjoy.

Interested in subscribing? Visit newsrail.com.au/subscribe to see current offers!

Our cover photo by Thomas Hobley features Walker Railcar 22RM at work on the Yarra Valley Railway, which has recently announced the long-awaited commencement of track laying on its planned extension from Yarra Glen back to the current terminus at Tarrawarra. YVR’s Jodi Swinn talks to Newsrail about the project and takes us through the truly impressive engineering work on the track bed that will ensure that the track quality will be of a very high standard.

Also in preservation news, our Tramways column records the transfer of Z3 class leader, Z3.116, into preservation at Ballarat Tramway Museum after 45 years of faithful service to Melbourne commuters.

Our feature article this month is a collection of stories, curated by Nick Anchen, from old Victorian Railways enginemen and others recalling the North Melbourne Locomotive Depot, the massive facility that maintained the steam locomotive fleet operating out of Spencer Street Station. For those who view life on the Victorian Railways through rose-tinted glasses, these stories offer a sharp correction, recounting the dismal working conditions and terrible pay that those who drove and maintained VR’s loco fleet had to endure. Decades later, the honesty and authenticity of these accounts is striking. Naturally, the article is beautifully illustrated with historic photographs of VR’s magnificent steam fleet in and around the shed.

Our News section details rail expenditure funded in the Victorian Budget, and also delves into some of the detail of the Victorian Budget Papers to note projects that are running late, or over-budget. The budget includes $26 million over the next three years to be spent on retiring Comeng trains from service, and we also take a look at the conversion of two three-car Comeng sets into two-car sets specially designed for operation with the Infrastructure Evaluation Vehicle.

And our usual other columns are there:

Operations and sightings
General works
Tramways
PTV service quality
Where is it?

11/05/2025

Of course none of us at Newsrail are this train-obsessed. Oh OK, we are! 😆

They secretly like it.

07/05/2025

Our May 2025 edition is a delight for fans of steam, with two features that present a magnificent collection of photos of VR steam on the main line.

Our cover features a striking image of an X Class locomotive taken by none other than the late great John Buckland. The photo introduces our feature article, an analysis by Max Michell of the events of 31 March 1943, when at the height of World War 2 the North East Line handled 94 freight and passenger trains in a single day, a record unlikely to be eclipsed any time soon. Max takes a look at the infrastructure, rolling stock, motive power and safeworking arrangements that enabled such an extraordinary throughput of freight and passengers in a single 24-hour period. The article is illustrated with a superb collection of photographs from the collections of Newport Railway Museum, John Thompson, Brian Goodwin, and others.

23 May 2025 marks exactly 100 years since the first of the N Class ‘Mikado’ locomotives went into service. We mark this anniversary with a concise article an a beautiful collection of photographs of N Class locomotives over the ensuring four decades, some (if not most) of which we believe have not previously been published.

Our News section leads with details of the recently released ATSB report into the 2020 derailment of a freight train on the North East line, an incident that saw one of the derailed vehicles strike an oncoming V/Line passenger service on the opposite track. We also note the Victorian rail commitments from each of the party leaders on the eve of the federalelection, with Melbourne Airport Rail being the winner.

And our usual other columns are there:
- Operations and sightings
- General works
- Tramways
- PTV service quality
- Where is it?

07/04/2025

After our 1 April 2025 edition got quite a reaction on Facebook, it’s time to take a look at our actual April edition, which has a wonderful mix of historic and contemporary Victorian rail material.

We now have a special $120 April-December subscription option available; visit newsrail.com.au/subscribe to see details of this and other offers!

Our cover photo this month by Daniel Sciberras headlines an eventful month for the Albury Line. It has seen works by Inland Rail that include demolition of the Benalla A signal box and Wangaratta’s Docker Street footbridge, and a series of fires caused by a southbound freight train that at one point threatened the historic Barnawartha Station building. Lastly, March saw the return to Albury of a VR R Class Hudson loco for the first time since 2008, and for the first time ever, it arrived there from Sydney on standard gauge track, rather than from Melbourne on the broad gauge.

Our Tourist and heritage rail column has a fascinating update from the Victorian Goldfields Railway team on the restoration of steam loco K160, which has reached another major milestone in its restoration. VGR’s mechanical engineer Mick Compagnoni takes us through the interesting process of how you reunite a locomotive with its wheels, and it’s by no means an easy or simple process! Mick’s words are accompanied by some amazing photos courtesy of Peter Lorenz.

Our feature article this month is by Ross Rowley, who worked as Area Stations Manager for the Western District of the VR and later V/Line network and was witness to near constant, far-reaching changes to the network. He also has a few interesting stories to tell about vice-regal and royal trains to the district, diesel loco horns been rendered inoperative by snow, a bomb scare for The Overland, and the Ash Wednesday bushfires of 1983. The article is superbly illustrated with photographs from the author, Chris Wurr, Neville Gee, the Geelong and South Western Railway Heritage Society, and other collections.

Our occasional Rolling Stock column makes a return as Michael Menzies details a range of new locomotives (predominantly UGL C44 derivatives) expected to come onstream for several major operators in coming months, and the likely change this will bring in the use of older GM-EMD units such as the X Class and even G/81/BL Classes.

Our News column includes details on the new V/Line timetable that consigns locomotive-hauled Warrnambool trains to history, as well as the recent review of the Suburban Rail Loop business case by Infrastructure Australia, and more details of the new Town Hall Station.

And our usual other columns are there
- Operations and sightings
- General works
- Tramways
- PTV service quality
- Where is it?

31/03/2025

The Victorian Government suffered another embarrassing setback in its troubled delivery of new transport infrastructure with the revelation that one of its new fleet of X'Trapolis 2.0 trains suffered a total steering failure.

A source within the Department of Transport has confirmed that the train's driver noticed the steering wheel become completely inoperative during a test run. The driver was able to bring the train safely to a standstill without incident. After checks of its steering systems, it was towed back to Metro's depot at Newport Workshops for analysis.

When it first announced the X'Trapolis 2.0, the Government proudly promoted the new technology employed in the fleet. That included the "steer by wire" electronic control of the train's steering, with no direct mechanical connection between the wheel in the driver's hands and the wheels contacting the rails.

The Rail Tram and Bus Union has moved quickly to place a ban on the new trains. Spokesperson April Fuwell said that the implications of the failure were potentially terrifying. "Imagine a train travelling at speed with hundreds of people on board, including perhaps your loved ones, and the driver having absolutely no steering control whatsoever."

"It doesn't bear thinking about."

27/03/2025

🚂 2:40PM | After being held up, the Picnic Train is now leaving , bound for with an estimated arrival time of *approximately* 4:00pm.

Unfortunately, however, due to operational requirements, the assisting diesel locomotives will now be leading the train into town, with at the rear. The switch occurred at .

Don’t worry—there’ll still be plenty of opportunities to catch a glimpse of the impressive steam engine in action, hauling its heritage carriages around over the coming week, especially next weekend when it begins its first passenger trips from Junee’s heritage-listed railway station.

The legendary locomotive will spend the night in Junee tonight before departing for in the morning and returning Sunday. You can read more here: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16FtJhgNxt/?mibextid=wwXIfr

🚂 2:00PM UPDATE: Unfortunately, due to operational requirements, the assisting diesel locomotives will now be leading the Picnic Train into this afternoon, with at the rear. The switch occurred at .

🚂 1:00PM UPDATE: is running a tad behind schedule. At 1pm, the locomotive was stopped in and still needing to be turned around before it could depart for . It was initially scheduled to steam into the railway town about 12:45pm.

🚂 HAPPENING TODAY: HISTORY will be made in today as an ex-Victorian Railways R-class steam locomotive arrives in the renowned railway town for the first time, offering locals and visThe Picnic Trainmpse into the golden age of steam travel.

Following an extraordinary 20-year restoration and conversion effort, The Picnic Train’s newest addition—the legendary re-gauged Hudson 4-6-4 —is due to steam into Junee early this afternoon, marking the start of a landmark tour of the region.

It’s the first time an R-class steam locomotive has travelled this far south in New South Wales, with the powerful engine making history as the first Victorian steam locomotive to be converted from broad gauge to standard gauge for operation in the state.

▪️LANDMARK JOURNEY

After completing tours in earlier this month, R766 was scheduled to depart after 7am this morning, passing through , , and before arriving in Junee shortly after midday.

At the time of publication, the train was due to steam into Junee about 12:45pm, however times may change due to operational reasons.

The locomotive will remain in the historic railway town overnight before continuing to on Friday for a weekend run along the border.

Hauling its heritage 1930s carriages, R766 will return to Junee on Sunday, resting at the iconic Junee Roundhouse until next weekend, when it will begin its first passenger trips from Junee’s heritage-listed railway station.

The Picnic Train will operate two return trips between Wagga and Cootamundra on Saturday, April 5, giving passengers the rare opportunity to experience steam travel over the famed, heritage-listed Spiral.

Passengers can board at either Wagga Wagga or Junee. Heritage diesel locomotives will haul the train from Wagga to Junee, where R766 will take over for the remainder of the journey.

On Sunday, April 6, R766 will operate six 60-minute return trips between Wagga and . Ticket information below 👇

▪️A LEGEND OF ITS TIME

The R-class locomotives were built for express passenger services on between 1951 and 1953.

Designed in and constructed by the North British Locomotive Company in , 70 of these powerful steam engines were produced to meet post-war travel demand.

However, delays in construction due to material shortages, coupled with the arrival of first-generation diesel locomotives, led to the R-class having relatively short working lives.

R766 entered service in 1956 and was among the last of its class in operation before being withdrawn in 1968. Fortunately, several R-class locomotives survived, with R766 now emerging as a historic ambassador of ’s steam legacy.

▪️A COLOURFUL HISTORY

The locomotive has changed hands multiple times since its retirement.

Initially stored at Newport Workshops, it was acquired by Australian Vintage Travel in 1981 and restored for luxury rail services.

Over the years, it was leased to Steamrail Victoria and later West Coast Railway, undergoing multiple livery changes, including Brunswick green, Canadian Red, and the WCR corporate scheme.

During this period, the locomotive also received several modernisation upgrades, including an oil-firing conversion under West Coast Railway in 2001.

A pivotal moment came in 2005 when R766 was purchased by the Hunter Valley Railway Trust and later transported across the border to North Rothbury, NSW, for a groundbreaking conversion from broad gauge (1,600 mm) to standard gauge (1,435 mm).

The extensive modifications were completed in 2018, making R766 the only R-class locomotive to undergo such a transformation.

▪️BACK ON THE RAILS

The locomotive was unveiled in its fresh Victorian Railways Red and Black livery in July 2021, before making history with its first test run on the NSW standard gauge mainline in October.

This marked the first time an R-class locomotive had ever operated in this part of Australia.

In 2022, R766 was relaunched as part of The Picnic Train’s heritage fleet and was relocated to Telarah Yard in 2024, which now serves as the main NSW base for the organisation’s heritage rail operations.

Although capable of reaching speeds of up to 115 km/h, the engine is currently limited to 80 km/h.

🎟️ TICKETS & INFORMATION

Demand for tickets has been strong, with multiple seating options available:

▫️Single tickets: $55–$85
▫️Private compartments (seating eight): $240–$440, depending on journey duration

For ticket bookings and further details:

▫️Cootamundra trips: www.picnictrain.com.au/cootamundra

▫️WaThe Junee Bulletintrips: www.picnictrain.com.au/wagga

🚷 REMEMBER: Stay out of the rail corridor and always put safety first.

The Junee Bulletin |

07/03/2025

Something from north of the border, but still very relevant to Victorian rail fans! On 26 February, veteran diesel loco B75 was seen hauling one of the new NSW R sets, the long-awaited and somewhat-overdue XPT replacement, on an early test run. Enjoy the footage!

CAF Civity First Night of TestingJoin the STV Squad to Support us and for extra Perks!https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXraD85Dh_zvmkR4fwuOUpA/join ...

03/03/2025

March Newsrail will soon be on its way out to subscribers and retailers.

If you'd like to subscribe, we have packages that include both our January and Febraury editions (along with a range of other goodies) available at newsrail.com.au/subscribe

1 March 2025 marked 25 years since the Freight Australia brand came into being, and we thought we'd mark the occasion by featuring one of the locomotives still wearing that branding 25 years alter (albeit in a slightly modified form): S301. Photographer Benjamin Boehle-Mitchell snapped our cover photo was the veteran bulldog streamliner lead a Steamrail Victoria tour to Dunolly recently.

Phil Dunn, who recently authored a collection of articles about the Victorian Railways "standard" locomotive designs by Edward Jeffries, has now turned his attention to another state-of-the-art engineering story of the 19th Century Victorian Railways: the Dudley Dynagraph. Way back in 1878, Victorian Railways took delivery of precision machinery to recordthe drawbar pull of locomotives and rolling resistances of various types of carriages over different railway lines, a forerunner of the Victorian and South Australian Railways Joint Stock Dynamometer Car.

Norman Houghton presents another of his fascinating histories of less-well-known railway lines of Victoria, and this month it's the Warrnambool Pier Line. Norman describes the history of the line, the fortunes of which rose and fell with the port, which at one point was one of the busiest in Victoria. Norman also investigates the various industrial sidings running off the line, servicing a range of local industries, including the concrete casting plant used to create the blocks that today form the breakwater.

Our Photo in focus column has attracted much attention, as one of our panel of experts dissects all the detail in a historic VR photo. This month we take a look at Williamstown Station in the year 1961, and whata very different station it was back then.

We also have a delightful couple of shorter stories from old VR railwaymen, as edited by Nick Anchen. This time it's a story about an oily J at Warburton, an a story about being stuck on the Melton Viaduct.

Our News section covers the recent level crossing incident at Kilmany, some surprising political developments regarding the Champion Road level crossing removal, the new CF44 locomotives and an update on the tap and go fare system. Our Tourist and heritage rail section looks at some major recent successes at the Ballarat Tramway Museum.

And our usual other columns are there:
- Operations and sightings
- General works
- Tramways
- PTV service quality
- Where is it?

05/02/2025