The future of V/Line: V/Line Transporting Victoria Episode 6

V/Line has changed significantly over the past 4 decades and will continue to change into the future. The next decade will likely see continued investment in regional rail, upgrading lines, replacing rollingstock, and introducing new services. So, what could the future of V/Line involve?

00:00 Intro
00:52 Background
01:07 Current plans and projects
02:39 Replacement of V/Line’s classic fleet
04:53 Potential upgrades on the interurban network
07:17 Potential upgrades on the long-distance network
09:03 Expansion of V/Line?
09:10 Mildura service
10:44 Horsham service
11:49 Hamilton/Portland service
12:25 Geelong – Ballarat – Bendigo service
13:48 other long-term service expansions
14:13 Outro & End of the series (almost)
not all images and footage is mine, credit to the original owners.

Music by Mona Wonderlick

[jacintadonadio]

It would be great to see Ballarat to Geelong line used for passenger not just freight

[jackalcrackle]

Would love to see a reconnection of old lines, namely the Mildura, Leongatha, Daylesford and Healesville lines

[smashthings]

Fantastic series mate. Done really well. 👍

[iannosworthy]

Another great post. Well done MMM. Keep up the good work.

[markjones]

Good to have you back MetroMan. Your absence has been noticed.

Perhaps you could turn your attention to the problems of the Ballarat Line. For the previous two years we had a lot of problems caused by a major line upgrade and the need for the train to be replaced by buses while works were conducted. A hassle yes, but f you want to make real improvements to the line it is what you have to put up with. Unfortunately though, the post upgrade service is less than brilliant with most journey times increasing not decreasing.

You see, almost all the new capacity has been used to increase the suburban service out to Melton. Given the expanding population of the west this was sorely needed, but it has meant that there are now several more stops and a few that were usually skipped have now become regular stops. Apart from a few express peak services, journeys are now slower and more crowded. On many runs people are standing in the aisles or perched in the luggage racks. What is needed is electrification of the line out to Melton and a dedicated diesel powered line for those of us traveling further. Better than ninety-nine out of one-hundred regional passengers have no need to use the new stations like the Cobblebank.

Why not try the line yourself? Its very pretty once you get past Bacchus Marsh and even with the new slower service it is only about an hour and twenty-five minutes. Come and see the begonias. You will need to pick up an e-scooter to get there, but the blooms are truly magnificent. (Oh, and excellent craft beer in Ballarat these days. Pity about the general standard of food)

[Lachtrain]

we need more Standard gauge vlocity cmon vline u need more to reintroduce Mildura and Horsham service with these sg vlo, anyway nice video metromanmelbourne and rail rover

[matthewshelbourne]

I have been enjoying this series of Valine videos. I thought I would give you an update on the Traralgon/Gippsland line. There has been work on a number of railway stations between Narre Warren Station and Drouin Station increasing the length of the platforms due to Gippsland trains being potentially longer than the platforms. Also there has been work on building extra platforms at the Morwell and Traralgon Stations. This could mean the duplication of railway track from outside of Moe to Traralgon Station and beyond. Unfortunately there is no sign of duplication of railway track in Moe or building an extra platform at Moe Station.

[Austinniya.]

You remind me of the other Aussie kid/teen: The Train Man, where his voice also changed octave 😂😂 Thank you for the series - I only just discovered you - so watching all 7 eps in one hit certainly brushed me up on my knowledge.

[debshipard]

Ararat via Ballarat to Melb needs to be standard gauge. Thus bringing back the Dimboola train

[aussiegunzel]

Great one Metro! If you know about the V/Line Coaches going to Portland, it would also be cool to see V/Line Trains going there too, if the Portland section for Trains were to come, they would need SG Vlocities to run most of the time, but a few N classes for the weekend ONLY, since the Loco Hauled fleet is currently attempting to be diminished.

[griffinrails]

Very nice! I think that V/Line should buy some XPTs and Xplorers (maybe even a couple Endeavours) for the Standard gague lines when they retire from NSW traffic. XPTs up to Mildura, Albury and Adelaide would be awesome. (Just them taking over The Overland would be great)
An Xplorer could probably head from Melbourne to Ararat via Geelong with stations opening at Inverleigh, Cressy, etc perhaps? Gague converted Endeavours and Xplorers on commuter services? Maybe even Stony Point?
I dunno, I just don't want to see them go. It's sad seeing V/Line expand and expand while our entire fleet will be replaced by cheap plastic garbage from CAF.





also *the government cancelled the vinela*

[DaBigSammieShow]

And they aren’t even running a SINGLE Velocity To Warrnambool! 😂😂

[FromtheWindowSeat]

11:33 As much as I’d like to see more regional train services introduced, would it really be that simple to run a standard gauge Vlocity to Horsham? Getting a path on the ARTC line may be complicated (given freight movements) and probably quite expensive. I also think it’s unlikely the Victoria government would fund such a service while still subsidising the Overland. Will be interesting to see what happens. 🤔

[Low]

Great work. Looking forward to Wally rail

[NicholassTrainChannel]

Nice video mate. Really enjoyed this series. It will be sad to see N class hauled trains go but with more Vlocity trains being built it was bound to happen.

[stefanfrey]

Would have loved to hear your thoughts about Wonthaggi rail, with Anderson station that would service San Remo and Phillip island (with a connecting bus) have a combined population of 15000 and Wonthaggi with a population 18000 means that what is a considerably shorter stretch of track than Mildura but services the same amount of people. Also the corridor still exists but new tracks have to be laid with some stations simply needing to be opened back up and others rebuilt.

[johnlang]

Currently Sth Geelong to Waurn Ponds is being duplicated, as is the outer portion of the Traralgon line.

[davidcollett]

Passing loop location is dependent on a number of factors. Line speed, service frequency and the timetabling of opposing services. So given the variables it's not surprising that passing loop locations are not in the plan.

[neilbeatty]

In the 1970's, electric trains ran to Laverton, coal trains from Gippsland to Geelong, changing locomotives at Laverton.

[benjaminjarrett]

How about rebuilding the Mornington line and upgrade the Stony Point line