Donnybrook (Pub), Victoria « modelrail.otenko

3Feb/260

Donnybrook (Pub), Victoria

Since around November last year, I've been choosing to enjoy Saturday lunch times at Donnybrook Pub, adjacent to Donnybrook Station in Donnybrook Victoria. It the first diesel-only V/Line station on the main-south (main-north?) line out of Melbourne. The station is only served by V/Line broad gauge, having the standard gauge pass by without any platform connectivity.

From the platforms, you have a great view in both directions... as well as the smoking garden at the pub.

Both directions are very easy to frame, north (southbound) from the platform and south (northbound) from inside the fence at the level crossing. Let's start with the standard services which will (usually) pass through on a 2025/2026 Saturday morning.

7MS1 - Aurizon Melbourne-Sydney Container

This train is due through Donnybrook at 11:15, but it's usually early. For 2 weekends in a row, the same ACD6057 loco was on point...

The next 2 weekends, it was ACD6073 instead.

Finally, something different... but not. CM3316 in the lead, two weekends in a row.

7MS2 - Pacific National Melbourne-Sydney Container

This service is due through at 13:30 and would only be seen if I chose to stay past the 1:04pm Southern Cross Service.

5BM9 - SCT Brisbane-Melbourne Freight

This service is due through Donnybrook at 07:40am and I've never seen it less than 4 hours late!. It's meant to stop in the loop north of the station for 15 minutes to pass a V/Line service, but it doesn't seem that the V/Los have ever had to worry. Either way, I'm not complaining as getting to Donnybrook before 8am would be hideous.

And then from the level crossing, looking north...

7MC2 - Pacific National Melbourne-Griffith Container

This one is much later in the arvo, passing Donnybrook around 15:30. Actually, it seems to have been scrapped from the most recent timetable revision... but is still running?

Unscheduled Services

Both run by SSR, and well, one is scheduled and one is not. First, the ad-hoc movement of two bulldogs:

And second, an xCMx grain train, which I've only seen come through once!

V/Line Passenger Services

From the little ones, known as Sprinters, which are now becoming very rare! I think Seymour is now the last proper-V/Line service (Metro uses them down south) where Sprinters are still scheduled.