Donnybrook (Hotel), Victoria « modelrail.otenko

3Feb/260

Donnybrook (Hotel), Victoria

Since around November last year, I've been choosing to enjoy Saturday lunch times at Donnybrook Hotel, 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. But yeah, the pub?!....

Donnybrook Hotel

Great food, great staff, great atmosphere and in a perfect location! You can sit inside on the bench-window and just stare into oblivion, waiting for a train to appear.

That last shot is from the bench inside which has always had a stool free! And so yeah, let's start with the standard services which will (usually) pass through on a 2025/2026 Saturday morning...

Northbound XPT - ST24

The 'slug', as it's affectionately known, is used on the Melbourne-Sydney XPT Service. If you're REALLY early, you'll see it pass south through Donnybrook around 6am. The northbound service is then due through at 9:09am.

Note that one or two of these consists will soon be painted back to the original "candy" livery! Can't wait (and I'll add photos here if they come to Melbourne.)!

V/Line Albury Up - 8610/8612/8620

On Saturday morning's there's an extra down service from Albury to the big smoke! Photos of these are like shooting fish in a barrel, off the north end of the southbound platform. Actually, I should try the northbound platform next... for a slightly different angle.

8612 can also possible pass the northbound Shepparton on the BG... I missed it this time:

Would've been nicer if the BG had departed... but such is timing!

A great angle from pub-side also.

Northbound Kilmore Quarry Train - 9341

This is usually a single CFCLA G-Class and a rake of yellow/orange hoppers. It grabs a whole lot of rock from Kilmore East Quarry and delivers to either Westall or Brooklyn where they turn it into cement.

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?

Southbound XPT - ST23

If you're hanging around late enough, the opposing 'slug' should come through around 1750.

Just enough light towards the end of summer.

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!

After track closures, you may also find random southbound BM services...

And then randomly... when Broken Hill is having issues, you might get a continent-crossing Perth-Sydney Service!

7PS1 in this case. As this passed, the southbound 9342 Quarry Service passed. Was a little crazy standing in the level crossing!

A nice fluke occurred recently with a broad-gauge 9396 Tocumwal to Melbourne grain train!

Look at that... N-Class locomotives still running on the BG after V/Line has disposed of them.

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.