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Donnybrook, Victoria – Candy XPT

I'd previously hinted at NSW Transport's goal of painting one XPT set into the original as-delivered colour scheme, but it happened to happen right as both the standard gauge and broad gauge lines into melbourne both had weeks of track closures. It actually turns out that the standard gauge closures finished earlier than the broad gauge timetable and therefore the XPT managed to cycle through the schedule and come to melbourne! Actually, the first time it did was mid-week where I wasn't able to see it. Instead, I saw it on a weekend when it made it down overnight on a saturday. This meant it headed north on the following Sunday morning:

And you know what? After the hideous days of signal failures in Donnybrook, the XPT flogged it through. Absolutely no issues of slow speed!

Thanks to the BG being shut down, shots could be taken from the middle of the tracks. Interestingly, that light-rail truck was sitting there as the BG rail workers seemingly had the weekend off!

What happens in Dubbo?

So, they painted a full XPT set in the candy livery... but when the XPT is scheduled on the West Dubbo service, it doesn't need the sleeper carriage. This service runs with a smaller consist and the sleeper carriage gets attached to another XPT set. The initial candy set is using XP2006 at one end and XP2009 at the other... but the XAM (the sleeper carriage) was then shifted over to the XP2012/XP2019 set. This then meant that we had a new consist to track!

And so I did... it ran the overnight to Melbourne and came through Donnybrook this morning...

Lot'sa wildlife at that time of the morning... and no fellow gunzels? I was mildly disappointed!

And yeah...

It's pretty obvious! After telling some passengers that there were no BG trains and that they needed to go to the bus stop, I went home!

Donnybrook Signal Faults, Victoria – April, 2026

A usual Saturday pub lunch turned into a day full of excitement early-on as the Northbound Shepparton service I was riding on got to pass a spark at Essendon Station. This never happens... as Melbourne has removed nearly all passing loops at stations that may have existed in the past. Yes, we have some lines that have three tracks to allow a peak express in specific directions... but ask anyone on the Frankston line lately if there has even been an express scheduled! Anyway, no images of this.. just a jolt as we switched to the wrong-road to pass through the station... it was nice to skip the stopper and get a run through!

I hadn't originally planned to head to Donnybrook again so soon, but I made an executive decision after seeing that the XPT was over 2 hours late. I could easily get a photo in nice morning daylight. Turns out the southbound V/Line Albury services were also 1+ hours late due to 'vandalism'. I arrived at Donnybrook Station on-time, as the broad-gauge services were still running to schedule. It turns out the vandalism was only affecting standard-gauge line.

Before-long the northbound Apex Gravel Train came through with a Qube-liveried G class. This service runs on the broad-gauge tracks and had no issue doing track-speed through the station.

Always a nice surprise... but then again, seems to be a consistent runner. Also it seems that there'll be changes to this service in the future and therefore different locomotives and wagons! As the consist headed north... I saw something weird going on with the standard gauge signals at the start of Donnybrook Loop.

The switching of the aspect didn't look healthy at all... and had probably contributed to the lateness of the XPT. I'd wondered if the control tower was trying to force the signal to a certain aspect, but the next service was southbound! Or was the signal control circuitry going into a fail-safe mode? Showing a green really didn't feel safe though... as the Southbound 8610 V/Line service was due through 'soon'.

8610 appeared, and held at the exit signals for the loop... which I assume were also doing bad things. I should also point out that the service came down the loop (and not the main track), which was simply weird!

After a lot of stalling and crawling along, it finally exited the loop and crawled through the level crossing. At this point, I think it was well-over 90 minutes late. I feel sorry for anyone who needed to be in the city! The northbound XPT service, by this point, was over 2 hours late and had been sitting in Somerton Loop. 8610 crawled south at 20km/h past Somerton allowing the XPT to crawl at 20km/h north through to Donnybrook!

It actually snuck up on me... usually the level crossing gates will kick off way before you see the train. I was busy watching an episode of Yellowstone and just happened to look up at the right time.

I imagine the driver was in constant comms with the control tower trying to get the gates lowered at the right time? Either way, they finally lowered and the XPT crawled through.

The gates lifted and the XPT screeched to a halt right next to the pub.

The signals were flicking whilst the XPT was trying to enter the loop... which it shouldn't have had to as there was no train on the main.

Whilst it had a split-second green, it proceeded through the points... right as a southbound Sprinter came through.

Watching the data, the XPT then hit 100km/h for the first time on the trip once it exited Donnybrook Loop. Another train-load of unhappy customers! Speaking of such things, 8612 came south, around 90 minutes late.

The gravel had loaded in Kilmore East and made it's way back into town.

If you check the middle shot, you'll see the signals were still flipping red to green and that the points were still stuck on the diverge.

I was still up the wrong end of the platform when I saw a northbound freight on the SG. Surprisingly, they let 7MS1 depart Dynon, knowing it'd be a struggle to get out of Melbourne city limits.

It absolutely crawled through the crossing... coming to a halt. Unlike the XPT which could clear the crossing, this freight was longer and held the gates down, causing quite a traffic build-up!

The end wagon happened to have no containers... so I'm sure some drivers at the back were wondering what the hold-up was!

That was it for the trains and I skipped the next city-bound V/Lo as it was full and standing wasn't preferable. You can see that the weather was rolling in above and this treated me to a great view out the window!

And another shot from the phone...

The tint on the window made the double-rainbow effect really obvious!

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.

They get lashed up anywhere from 2 to 5 in a row. 2 is the minimum so as to confirm proper axle counting at level crossings.

And then you have the V/Locities. They come in "three" styles... old with narrow windscreens on broad-gauge...

New with wide windscreens on broad-gauge...

And finally, the same wide-screen on standard-gauge...

Kilmore-East Broad Gauge Quarry Service

And then there's sometimes a random BG gravel service... but I haven't caught it at Donnybrook yet... so here it is at Jacana...

That track don't look too safe!

Trans-Australian Railway Brochure Circa 1965

This item was picked up recently from a vintage shop in Colac. Finally, we're allowed to travel! Nothing like how we used to, though...

It's a 4-panel fold-out, with a full map on the back.

As usual, here's a better resolution version of the full-width map.

Countrylink Paraphernalia

Back in the day, someone had a plan to upgrade the Canberra - Sydney rail fleet to X2000... or somesuch... The X2000 was shipped from the Scandies to Australia and strapped onto an XPT power car.

I happened to be there when the unit came to Canberra. Here's the pamphlet as proof:

Wait, no, I suppose this is the actual proof...

Oh! They also handed out rulers... one of mine seems to have enjoyed a bake in the sun.

And here's a sticker of the actual unit that was powering the set... making the whole process pointless...

They weren't handed out at the same time... I just happened to have all of this in boxes and feel it's wasted there. More to come.

Passing Freight in South Yarra – April, 2020

Thanks to having a camera hanging off the balcony, I'm able to capture and record scenes like the following. Also, thanks to FTTP NBN, the steam is live 24/7.

Above you'll find an up Maryvale Paper Service entering first from the left. Shortly after, a down Long Island Steel train will pass through. The up service was relatively on-time, but the steel was allocated a run for the 11:30am service, running well-late even for the 13:30 (9557) timeslot.

Anyway, here's the live cam. (But if below is temporarily unavailable, browse here to find the latest URL: stevenhoefel - youtube - live)

Enjoy!

Welding Rail In South Yarra

There was a total shutdown of all lines past my apartment on the weekend of the 16th-17th November as Metro we're upgrading the signalling. It's well-needed to allow better head-ways for more services, and also to allow brand new 'high-capacity' trains to run. To do all this, they've had to cut in new isolated track joins. I assumed they'd just cut through the rails in-stu and clamp an insulated joiner over the top... but I assume the tension in the rails prevents them from doing this? Instead they've been busy removing a 20 metre length of track and welded in a new length that includes a bypassed insulated joiner!

It's bypassed as they don't want to break the track-circuit just yet. The rest of the infrastructure isn't in place yet, so a break in the circuit here would actually cause a 'blind' area on one of the sides. Hence the jumper cables. There's also a longer length of cables running down the current work area, to keep the current circuit in operation whilst the work is carried out. I don't really see the reason though, as there's a lot of protection at either end of the entire work area to prevent vehicles from entering.

The weather was reasonable, and I was half brain-dead from a cold, so I spent a good bit of time on the bridge near Cromwell Road, watching the professionals carry out their business. You could tell they'd done the job 100s of times before; their efficiency and precision was great to watch.

Step 1 - Align The Rails

The first step would probably be the most important in the whole process; misaligned rails would cause untold problems in the future and therefore a lot of time was spent getting the elevation and angle spot-on. There's a large brace/jack on the outside of the rails that was aligned first. This unit uses friction to grip all four rails and, when air pressure is applied, pneumatically draws them closer together.

The workman was constantly measuring the gap between the rails until it was within tolerance. I note that they didn't just bring them closer in one hit. The workman operating the compressor only applied pressure for short periods, maybe 3 seconds each time, and then his colleague would measure again. They'd then let the whole contraption rest for 5 seconds before applying further pressure.

I'm actually astonished that the rails even moved. It's a relatively straight section of track and where does the slack come from? I can't imagine they actually stretch the steel? They had removed around 6 rows of clips from the original rails to allow freedom of movement. I'd say the gap was about 40mm to start with, but they brought it right down to less than 20mm!

Once it was as close as required, the rails were further adjusted using (what looked like) rail spikes between the closest sleepers and the base of the rail. These were hammered in to raise or lower the rails. The worksman spent around 5 minutes doing this, making sure everything was totally level. The ruler was around a metre long, allowing him to see how much the rails tapered off on either side. You could tell he did not want to create any kind of gradient on either side of the join.

Step 2 - Build The Mould

From what I could see, the mould was made of some form of terracotta? The colour was the standard red, but it really could be made of any sort of compound. The base was removed from the packaging first and a layer of glue applied down each long edge. This was then smoothed around the edge and along the ridge to make sure that there'd be no gaps once joined. This base was then placed into the metal tray which would soon form the case that holds the mould together.

The whole base was then placed under the gap between the rails. It was held in place with clamps and, once again, adjusted once and again to make sure that it was completely square and level with the join.

The sides of the mould were then taken out of the pack. These were placed in the 'sides' of the metal case and both units were then assembled onto the rail. From here, the mould was complete, with an opening at the top where molten metal would be poured in? You could see that, at the top of the mould there was one short edge that was lower than the others; presumably this was for excess molten metal to flow over.

Once this was done, the final outer frame was dropped on and the 'drip tray' inserted on the side that had the overflow 'spout'.

From here, a large block of malleable clay (or other playdough-esque material) was split up and used to totally fill all gaps around the edges of the case and mould. The goal was to ensure that all heat, once the mould was full, was to stay trapped inside.

The entire block was applied to all facades of the mould, specifically where the case and the mould met.

Step 3 - Add Fire!

A cute little terracotta (or other substance) pot had been sitting on the back of the work truck for a while, but it was now its time for action.

To 'set the mould', a small mount was clamped to the rail and then the oxy-acetylene torch was flamed up and positioned on it, aiming the fire directly into the mould. The flame from the torch burned a strong blue, but eventually yellow flames began rising from the openings on either side of the torch. One of the worksman then grabbed the terracotta pot whilst the other pulled the torch out of the mould. Without being able to see inside the mould, one couldn't really work out what exactly was being heated, but you'd have to assume the rail ends were red-hot by this point!

The pot was placed directly on top of the whole mould and the torch was placed in the small opening on top.

I'll let the following video explain the rest...

A lot of trust placed in a set of serious gloves!

Step 4 - Clean Up

From here, there was a 10 minute break whilst the burning-box-of-death cooled down. The overflow tray on the side was thrown track-side once it could be lifted.

After a while, the outside metal case was unscrewed and whacked a few times until it fell loose. Now the mould was perfectly visible, and perfectly-solidly-formed as a single unit, welded to the rails!

To get this off, another utensil was used. The workmen brought over another flat-frame-style machine and placed it over the mould. With a few clamps, they secured it on all corners to the rail and then one of the guys started pumping a lever handle. I couldn't quite see what the action resulted in from where I was, but I assume there was a flat blade that was slowly, flush with the railhead, cutting into the mould on a horizontal plane.

The other worksmen started beating the mould with a mallet when the cutter wasn't being used. After a lot of intimidation, the mould finally started budging... but instead of a clean splice, it decided to split to pieces... pieces of 1000 degree red-hot danger.

More time was spent letting the bits cool down and then it was all moved to the rubbish pile track-side.

From here, a portable grinder-on-wheels was used to finally trim down the weld. Once complete, it finally resembled rail!

I'd actually watched the 2nd of 4 joins be welded before I had decided to get my camera and record the one above. This part, the removing of the mould, was much smoother on that one; a single knock after a slight clamp saw the whole lot just break free in one hit. There was no grinding required afterwards either! I hadn't really noticed anything done differently between each session, so I wonder how many variables come into play when it comes to doing this and how easy it is to stuff up!?

Gantry Foundations

Whilst all the welding was taking place, another vehicle had been busy drilling a column on the other side of the track. The colour of the earth was quite interesting, being somewhere between clay and red earth? A re-bar metal frame was then built up and inserted, with the square frame of pre-built bolt rigging for the base of a pylon. The alignment of this frame in the hole was actually a big thing and watching the surveyor get it correct was pretty interesting.

Turns out there was a remote surveyors camera sitting half way down the track, fixed on the location of the pylon.

And, with a remote mirror, with a very fine tip, the surveyor measured each corner of the frame. The workers around nailed, cut and hammered the external wooden frame to get the metal frame in the exactly correct position.

The surveyor was holding a handheld computer that was relaying the stats from the surveying equipment.

Good to see technology helping all departments.

Tamping And Cleaning

Whilst everything else was going on, there were also tampers and ballast cleaners working away. Turns out they were tidying up a cut-in insulated joint that had been installed the night before.

The ballast cleaner sounded like it was in pain, chewing rocks up and spitting out a lot of dust.

After all of the above, they managed to clean up and the trains were running again the next morning.

The Annual Christmas Pilgrimage – December, 2018

As per usual, it was another trip to Canberra via Cootamundra over the Christmas break. This time was a little different though... no holiday pay! I'm now a contractor! Regardless, both trains and family needed to be visited! The trip started at the usual sparrow-fart-o'clock and I caught the up Albury somewhere along the parallel stretches of highway and railway.

Awful lighting and a bad angle... I then totally missed the southbound XPT. I heard it growling through as I was filling the tank at a service station. From there, there was nothing on the rails. I grabbed a pie or two at Culcairn, but wasn't impressed at all... maybe the baker had been in a hurry. The first sign of movement was the southbound Harefield shuttle prepped at Junee. Of course... just as I approached it started to head south!

I then whipped the MR-2 around and got to the favourite position... The train had crawled out of Junee, but nearly beat me up the hill? Nice effort!

Crap lighting... the clouds really didn't want to play ball. From there it was more quiet rails. After checking in at the usual motel I was told the pool had a leak and had been emptied. The MR-2 hadn't had aircon for a few years, but it was ~35 outside and I was looking forward to a swim. Instead it was aircon in the motel room whilst I got a bit of work done.

The rest of the afternoon was spent with good friends from Cootamundra. Thanks Laurie for driving and knowing all the good spots to get the SSR grain rake! The proof is as follows...

I hear they're now calling the Qube QBX locomotives 'Chiko Rolls'... pretty hilarious actually. Two separate consists came through in quick succession! We then retired for the afternoon before a great meal at the local.

The next morning was spent getting in front of a northbound SCT service. It'd beaten me out of Cootamundra, but I got it before Yass. I hereby dedicate the next block of photos to my favourite location: Yass Junction Station.

I expected to then just dawdle back into Canberra... but instead found the SCT pulling to a halt in the station area. The drivers then inspected all axles... they must've triggered a sensor somewhere and been told to check if anything was actually wrong? They held there for 10 minutes and then pushed off again.

That was it for the trip towards Canberra. Whilst there I swapped the AW11 MR2 for a 2015 ZRE182R Corolla and, well, it's not the pocket rocket that the MR2 was, but it's got enough of it's character and so much more comfort! The return trip was therefore a quick one, going through to Melbourne in one day.

There's the 'rolla at Jindalee. Collecting rock-chips on the bonnet that I wouldn't realised until I washed it in Melbourne. Damnit. Anyhoo... on the way back, QBXs were seen bolting into Junee...

And then the XPT passed a CK grain at Gerogery?

And that was another wrap. Home just in time to catch the Air Asia X flight to KL the next morning!

High-Capacity Metro Trains (HCMT)

The first HCMT has been 'constructed' at Newport and recently passed through Hawksburn late at night. It was done after-hours to permit slow-running... as I'm sure they've measured the platform clearances... but weren't game to trash their new toy!

Whilst getting ready for the main event... I happened to see a few other consists on the radar. First up we have two SSR T-Class locomotives hauling the inspection vehicle IEV102. Running slowly, you can see it has the light shining onto the overhead, making sure it's within tolerance.

Next was the midnight down steel... but I missed it... too busy playing Pikmin 1 via the Dolphin Gamecube Emulator!

But then the down Apex Gravel train showed up... and came through. This had a full load and was working pretty hard up the grade. Looked and sounded great!

Finally, the main event (at 0130 in the morning)! The consist was pretty random: S302 up front, 20 grain cars, S317 + T + T, a brake van and then the actual HCMT! The extra loading was required as the HCMT wasn't 'braked'. Or that's the only reason I can think of... they couldve just had the 2 S or T on either end, but they may not be able to pull the train to a stop as they'd not be able to brake hard enough. Instead they used the bogies of 20 grain cars to make sure the weight on the end had no impact on the running train.

What a night! And what amazing lack-of-sleep!