FIRST EVER Standard Gauge Passenger Train to Mildura! The Vinelander returns with 707 Operations.

Victorian Transport Videos
Victorian Transport Videos
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Published 2024-06-08
On the 6th of June 2024, 707 Operations/Slow Rail Journeys set off from Melbourne’s Southern Cross Station on the first leg of their tour to Mildura. The tour was titled The Vinelander which was a regular Passenger Train that operated between Melbourne and Mildura that ceased in 1993. We start off seeing N451 “City of Portland” leading the charge with a retired V/Line N set at Spotswood. After that we don’t see it until Maryborough where it spends the night. It was simply going too fast to catch up to it in a car. Also, it had left a lunch stop at Maroona early, and since I didn’t expect this I left Ararat too late where I was hoping to see it along the Ararat to Maryborough line. But the good thing is we do get to see a bit of shunting at Maryborough . In the morning we see the late Up Mildura Freight do a Driver Change at Maryborough which delayed The Vinelander Shunting into the Platform.
After Shunting and seeing it leave Maryborough we then see it at Dunolly, Bealiba, Emu, St Arnaud and 3 times in Donald including a Parallel between Train & Car. At Woomelang the passengers had a lunch stop (along with most Gunzals). We then see it at Speed, outter Ouyen, Ouyen Station, Kiamal and finally the historic arrival into Mildura. To finish off the video, we see the train depart to head off to Yelta for stabling. We then go to Yelta the next day to take a look.

Filmed 06-07-08 of June 2024 06-07-08/06/2024
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Outro Music
Waffle House Instrumental
All Comments (21)
  • @jackalcrackle
    What I will never understand is how the government keeps saying returning services to Mildura would be 'uneconomic' when the Swan Hill service literally exists and operates just fine twice a day each way.
  • @MN-pu6qx
    I had a few round trips from Spencer Street to Mildura and I loved it. Far better, and safer, than driving or riding a motorcycle, which I also did a few times. ❤❤❤❤
  • @casperblackcat1975
    Fantastic video I have very fond memories of travelling on the Vinelander back In the early 90s I was In my early days of radio & TV & I went up to Mildura to look around the studio of 3MA & STV 8, I got on the train at 9.30PM & arrived In Mildura at 7.00AM & I had a sleeping berth. I saw the train at Ouyen station on Friday afternoon & when It departed myself & some friends raced past the level crossing & waved her goodbye out of town - Jacinta Mildura needs passenger rail so pull your finger out & get It done.
  • @kymyeoward306
    In Easter 1978, with Young National Trust members, we had a trip from Melbourne to Wilpena Pound. On Maundy Thursday evening, we loaded 4 cars and left Melbourne on The Vinelander for an overnight trip to Mildura via Geelong, in comfortable sleeping cars that seemed to be from the old Spirit of Progress. Arriving at 7 on Good Friday, we off-loaded the cars and crammed-in for a drive to Renmark, then across to Port Augusta before arriving at Wilpena Poind that evening and unpacking our tents. Saturday was a memorable hike around the Pound, before a beer at the Parachilna Pub. Sunday saw a drive to William Creek, then back to the Pound. On Monday we drove back to Mildura, had a memorable Murray Cod dinner, then. rejoined The Vinelandet for an overnight trip back to Melbourne - before arriving at work a bit late on Tuesday morning. A great trip ! (Kym in Palmerston, near Darwin).
  • @Porkonfork
    1979, l left my dad with friends on the side of the Murray and returned to Melb to work via the Vinelander. Having a sleeping cabin, l remember the early morning cup of tea along with a fresh copy of the The Sun as we rolled into Spencer Street. To this day, a very fond and longing memory of times lost and wanting. Thanks for the memories
  • @GoldM4official
    Excellent video! I wonder what would be kennett’s reaction (BLOODY JEFF)
  • @irylong
    Shows the partly condemed platform at Mildura , many stations will need upgrade to re start Vineland for real
  • @bushranger51
    Now that it's shown to be capable of doing, then V/Line needs to take a good look at themselves and decide to do it permanently! Instead of stabling at Maryborough perhaps an overnight service like the old days, with the option of sleeper berths, so OK so it's going the long way round, but at least it can be done. All they need to do is put a Standard Gauge stabling yard at Mildura and job's done.
  • @stephenwalsh1332triumph
    Rode in a Diesel in the 70s and had to press a large Red Button on the dash every 30 seconds WOT a hassle ,Dead man button! 😤
  • @liabilitymate4750
    They should go all the way through Renmark to Adelaide like it used to be.
  • @Chris75572
    Nice. That looked like a fun chase. Great weather for it as well. Thanks for the vid dude.
  • @EMD645-E3B
    That shot paralleling just east of Donald was actually at Cope Cope, you could see the silos at 14:07.