4K AUSTRALIA'S OLDEST Continuously operating passenger train - THE OVERLAND

[@MarkHenstridge]

The first time I went on a trip to Melbourne the Overland departed Adelaide with two S.A.R 900's

[@Schony747]

I remember the classic VR and SAR combinations that I saw when I was growing up in Ballarat.

[@terrymercer2379]

I first rode the Overland in 1966, as a young Airman in the R.A.A.F. Loved every minute of it. You brought back wonderful memories of those days. Thanks again

[@Schony747]

Thanks Terry. Thanks for your contributions throughout 2020

[@jamesgovett2501]

I remember as a young teenager catching the Overland from spencer street back 1971 on my way to Perth Western Australia to see my Mother with my very reasonable priced ticket for the journey as l then worked for the Victorian Railways & l had the subsidised price as l applied for it as part of my anual leave, l had to catch another train from Adelaide to Port Pirie then catch the Trans Australia of the Commonwealth Railways to Kalgoorlie then a change of Loco’s to WAGR L class to Perth city, a wonderful time then & l remember the beautiful spiral aisle sleeping carriage on the Trans Australia & the wonderful Dining car, the Trans did not have long to go before the end then & l feel so lucky to have experienced that trip, anyway thanks for the great video, cheers.

[@fosdyke71]

When I was a kid my uncle would take me down to the Ballarat station at 11pm to watch the Overland come in from Melbourne. The thing was a monster. It would have to pass through the Lydiard Street gates just to stop at the platform. We'd then race up to one of the level crossings and watch it fly through. Great vid.

[@Schony747]

When I was a kid - 2 stops for the train. 1 minute for the sitting up peoole and then the train would move up for the sleepers!

[@kellyswoodyard]

I was a fireman at the Ballarat loco depot in the early '70's. Every holiday period there would be at least 2 divisions of the train. Ararat crews mostly ran the Overland, but whrn there were multiple divisions, we'd often supply crews to run it. My old, long departed, permanent driver, Cliffy Sampson and I ran it on more than one occasion. Two S class, or a combo of B, S, and X class locos. The overnight trains that came through here, were full, every night. We had the Overland and the Vinelander. Ran that with Cliff a fair few times, up and down.

[@cudgee7144]

They must have been great days mate. Bet you miss them.

[@edmundcarew7235]

I had many trips on 'The Overland' when it was a V & SAR night train (and a few since GSR/Journey Beyond took over). In holiday timkes, often had 19 cars and c.450 passengers with great conductors Col or Wayne in Victoria, who were Ballarat-based. They usually changed over at Nhill or Diapur. It was A1, whether in the sleepers or the beautifully designed AJ first class sitters with extendable leg rests and a huge amount of room. Put some airline business class to shame!

[@Schony747]

My young times in Ballarat and the 1980s, the drivers would take the train to Dimboola from Melbourne. Some days driving the Overland and other times the Wimmera Ltd to Dimboola

[@MrValhem265]

Great story thanks for sharing Shane cheers. back in the Days of Staffs and 1 way running not many loops or passing roads i bet. i bet you could tell a few good yarns. i now a few drivers and signalmen i dont think they would go back to the early 70's though.

[@archmcdonald6170]

Can remember traveling between Ararat and Spencer st when it was pulled by 2 A2 steam locos. May be I'm getting old :-)

[@Schony747]

I was born in 1970 was I remember the diesel era. You're never too old my friend.

[@katefromaust5627]

What a beautiful 'ole girl! Awesome filming, editing, as always - outstanding.

[@Schony747]

Thanks! Always nice to hear from you Kate!

[@cudgee7144]

I caught the Overland from Spencer st. in January 1977, it was packed. Caught in again to Adelaide and back in the mid nineties, could not believe how much it had changed even then, it was nothing like my earlier trip, hardly anyone on it compared to my first trip. Stay safe mate.

[@Schony747]

Things change and airlines and cheap fares don't help. Maybe a more frequent service in Victoria maybe a better answer.

[@maxinehurley8824]

So did I, and even the second class seats were comfortable. Don't think there was a spare seat anywhere and very long train....

[@brucewilliams8714]

Out walking the dogs, late afternoon, the harmonious tones of an NR, The Overland with an hour to reach Melbourne. Down to five cars only. Let's hope it continues. I travelled on the centenary service.

[@Schony747]

It's here until at least 2023 with more Victorian funding. I reckon the NR would be jumping up and down for joy when rostered on this train!

[@louiskats5116]

I remember catching the Overlander from Sunshine to Adelaide back in 1989. I was blown away by the length of it. Also 2 x N Class up front too. You will catch it on platform 3 & it was longer way longer than the platform so the crew would wave it on abit, people would board, then go abit more for more passenger's to board. At the same time the Sydney to Melbourne train would pull up on the platform that's no longer there & madly go down the ramp at Platform 1 then up to Platform 3 to goto Adelaide. Back then there were porters at Sunshine Station helping the passenger's. Then the same thing in peak hour morning in Sunshine. Used to catch the train to goto RMIT, if it wasn't a freight train slowing rounding the bend from the Ballarat Line to get through to the freight tracks beyond Sunshine, you can see your Comeng train held up between Sunshine & Albion, & the St-Albans bound train held up on Platform 2 on Sunshine. First time saw a 930 Class, looked awesome rounding the bend in Green & Gold ANR colours. Then the Overlander would round the bend. Stop at Sunshine, passenger's would disembark with there luggage etc, & quickly board the Sydney bound passenger service train which was waiting at the standard gauge platform. Every morning the same old same old, put it all ran like clockwork. Sunshine Station was a buzz of activity in the morning & night, plus non stop country passenger train would stop. They were the days, back then you took it for granted. Wonder if there is any footage of Sunshine in its glory days

[@markconnell5365]

The Overland. Not overlander.

[@louiskats5116]

@@markconnell5365 Thanks for the correction

[@Schony747]

Many people knew it as the Overlander anyway. Apparently Saturday and Sunday were great spotting days around Sunshine in the 1970s and 1980s.

[@Greensleeves94]

Good stuff Brenden

[@Schony747]

Thanks Brad!

[@MrValhem265]

Great video Brenden. memories

[@Schony747]

I enjoyed putting this together as it brought back alot of memories for myself as well.

[@DOMINICAAVIATION]

So cool to watch. Thanks for sharing as always 👍

[@Schony747]

Thanks for the continued support

[@nickolaslewis1970]

very informative. thank you for posting!

[@Schony747]

Thanks for looking.

[@lachlantrainvideos]

Great video Brenden. I believe the last broad gauge overland went via Ouyen...

[@Schony747]

Thanks Lachie!

[@brackenboy6321]

Yes, I read that while the direct track was being converted the Overland went via Ouyen and Pinnaroo and took several hours longer because of track speed restrictions. The Ouyen/Pinnaroo line is now standard guage for wheat freight but Pinnaroo/Adelaide remains broad guage.

[@lachlantrainvideos]

Brackenboy nah, the SA pinnaroo line is SG And the vic line is SG to Murray ville

[@chrismckellar9350]

My second favourite inter-state train ride.

[@Schony747]

I just enjoy train travel!

[@tonymccarthy6713]

A great video for a true train buff. Sad to see Australian rail decline.

[@Schony747]

Interstate passenger in particular. Freight isn't doing great either but at least there is new traffic.

[@maxinehurley8824]

Hey you should😢, I live in NZ🤬

[@jpmasters-aus]

My later father worked at SAR/ANR and for a period of time was the "consist officer" for The Overland. Travelled many times on The Overland (mainly in sleepers), often we would get off at Sunshine (then) and connect with the Intercapital Daylight service to Sydney. Funny enough when I was working later, I was with NRC (predecessor to Pacific Nation) and was peripherally on the project for the Standardisation of the line between Adelaide and Melbourne and the acquisition of the NR Class locomotives.

[@Schony747]

It's funny how all of us that have some sort of association with the rails and public transport have stories to tell. I have many from my tram days. The NR project would have been an interesting one.

[@jpmasters-aus]

Schony747 Yes it was the largest single locomotive order in Australia’s history, I had to learn a lot in my role, as it involved significant cross border financing and essentially an operating lease, not done before in Australia.

[@aussietrains423]

Nicd video mate

[@Schony747]

Thanks for having a look.

[@CityGunzals]

Great Video!

[@Schony747]

Thanks!!!!!

[@neilforbes416]

1:57 The "Shakespearean Platform"! What platform does this train leave from? 2B or not 2B? What a question! LOL

[@youtubeviewer7030]

the overland is a day service from Melbourne to Adelaide it leaves Melbourne at 8.05 AM arrives in Adelaide at 5.40 PM a very good run to fill in the day

[@youtubeviewer7030]

do you have any general comment about the train itself

[@youtubeviewer7030]

patform in two sections front 2A booked seats 2B non reserved

[@neilforbes416]

@@youtubeviewer7030 It's a shame the service has been reduced to the level it has. Many regional towns rely on a regular rail service and to reduce the Overlander to just two outward and two inward trips per week truly is short-changing those regional towns.

[@neilforbes416]

@@youtubeviewer7030 As you can tell, the platforms have inspired my quirky humour.

[@rodneyandbrendamay6463]

I traveled on the Overland on 8th November 2019 and was lucky enough to be hauled by NR31 in GSR livery. Have photos but don’t seem to be able to post here.

[@Schony747]

Give them a post on Facebook Schony747 and I can give them a share if you want.

[@MrValhem265]

8.35 i cant believe those BOOMGATES are still that slow. worked there as well years back on the Down a few k's from Totty i believe.

[@Schony747]

They did seem a bit slow didn't they. I'm sure there's some technical reason behind it.

[@El_Transportacoches_33]

4:32: Locomotive's bell enabled before departing a station? Since when this rule is also in Australia? In USA I understand. But in Australia... Someone that explaining.

[@Schony747]

It's not common in Australia either and not common at Southern Cross for that matter. So I really don't know.

[@SheltonDCruz]

The West Line from Newport to Brooklyn is not being used anymore

[@mvnorsel6354]

I said 1 year ago I will take the "Overland" to Adelaide, return. Now I would be happy to go 5.1km. Its still a dream however.

[@Schony747]

Not for too much longer hopefully. I wouldn't mind a trip myself.

[@mvnorsel6354]

I'm sure the photo is at Nhill, I was there only 3 weeks ago. Once the lockdown ends I will take "overland" return.

[@Schony747]

I'm planning on taking a ride as well. I've seen the train for many years but never taken a ride.

[@mvnorsel6354]

@@Schony747 It maybe sometime before the border is open? Madness.

[@mcchippy0]

08:10 level crossing fault at Sommerville RD

[@Schony747]

I'll take your word for it. It seemed a bit odd for me as well.

[@mcchippy0]

@@Schony747 yeah normally happens here when it's raining moisture and electricity not a good combo

[@MrValhem265]

Brendan ive worked on the Flyover when they did up Spencer 7.26 shes on the up??

[@Schony747]

Yes on the up.

[@robertlay9368]

Any chance I can get the loco model type for the NR class?

[@Schony747]

I'm not 100% sure what you're asking - Here''s the wiki link to the NR - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Rail_NR_class Model Rail Links - www.auscisionmodels.com.au/NR%20Class%20Locomotive.htm

[@robertlay9368]

@@Schony747 what I mean is you know how we Americans like to have model designations, i.e. SD70 or DDA40X or in your way it would be the 69 or 6900 class.

[@robertlay9368]

@@Schony747 I got it. It's an C44aci from Goninan, GEs Australian builder.

[@Schony747]

The competition to the Downer ACE.

[@robertlay9368]

@@Schony747 now that's got to be the Clyde locomotive. Aka the EMD locomotive.

[@EJP286CRSKW]

That is some lens you used at Ararat.

[@Schony747]

Full zoom on the Panasonic VXF995 4K video camera which is a very good camera

[@fordlandau]

I thought the Overland was being cancelled ? A reprieve ?

[@Schony747]

Yes another reprieve and more money from Victoria to keep the service running.

[@jeffarmstrong1308]

@@Schony747 Brilliant! My wife and I caught it from Adelaide in February, just before the world went crazy. Beautiful trip as we both .love train travel. I was just saying yesterday to a friend that I thought the pandemic would be final nail in its coffin so this is good news.

[@MYVP.]

Wow, I'm a bit surprised that NR 12 engine has a bell.

[@Schony747]

I've heard the bell a few times now. I'm not sure how many of the fleet are fitted with it.

[@PWBERRETT]

Its time to upgrade the tracks and make this a 4 hour service to Adelaide so we can do a day trip to Adelaide to see the footy.

[@Schony747]

How good would that be! Thanks for looking.

[@thechristoff78]

The XPT was clearly very late that day!

[@Schony747]

It always is!

[@edwardcarter31]

Hi..I can remember back to the 1950s when a 3rd division ran at Easter...all the best stay safe and wear that mask.

[@Schony747]

Thanks man. I'm all masked up foggy glasses and everything!

[@andrewthomas8737]

Mate is it running again ?

[@vincentweatherly9991]

The funding has been extended for 3 years

[@edmundcarew7235]

Supposedly it starts again on 14 September 2020 but due to the large number of COVID-19 cases in Victoria, I suspect it'll be later.

[@vsvnrg3263]

my memory of the overland is not as sweet as some of the commenters. 1989, warm fosters light was the only beer they had. it should be replaced with something that goes faster than a vlocity or an xpt. then it will be full of patrons. who wants to drive a car to the big smoke if the train will get there before you? that is how to get the public back to trains.

[@franzchong5889]

vsv nrg I never got to do it,but horror stories of the overland from 1989 put me off for life.i did a school trip June that year to Melbourne but they let me fly I chose Ansett with more modern Boeing jets and better service.

[@vsvnrg3263]

@@franzchong5889 ,really, what's to see between melb and adelaide from the train? from adelaide i went sit-up class on the i.p. to perth. big fun. i described the desert from the eyre highway as amazing because there was miles and miles of nothing. then on the i.p. there was less than nothing-bloody amazing and, to me, incredible! i'd recommend the nullabor to anyone.

[@Schony747]

Hardly worth the investment due to the population between the two cities. One service a day in each direction would be a big jump for this service!

[@vsvnrg3263]

@@Schony747 ,and what passenger trains make a profit? there are people living between the 2 cities who deserve a service as people in ballarat, bendigo, mildura, albury, shepparton etc. deserve a service and some towns get a service. it is speed that puts bums on seats. bums other than pensioners and the unemployed. introduce something faster than an xpt and call it the overland and watch the service expand because of patronage.

[@Ar-Rahman61]

Red Service and Red Premium? Why can’t they use Economy and First class ?

[@Schony747]

I'm sure someone from Marketing will have a 100 pages report with an explanation

[@allanchapman6250]

They are not 4000 hp Diesels they are Diesel Electric locomotives the power rating is of the electric traction motors connected to the wheels. 4000 divided by 6 equals is 666.6 hp per traction motor. In case you haven’t worked it out the Diesel engine drives a large generator.

[@Schony747]

It never made complete sense to me and often simple explanations such as this make it pretty clear. I've been driving a tram for 18 years and I'm still learning. Thanks for the explanation.

[@patkelly6349]

Technical point but the locomotive is capable of providing 4000 horses or not

[@allanchapman6250]

Pat Kelly yes I’m just saying that it’s a Diesel Electric and the power rating is of the electric traction motors not the Diesel engine driving a large generator .

[@ianmoore9872]

longest passenger service - not trains - all different trains

[@Schony747]

Essentially it's the same train with different consists

[@xr6lad]

Nope. Horrid shadow of when it was an overnight train with sleeper service. Run into the ground.

[@Schony747]

I remember the great days from my Ballarat days where I grew up. It's nothing to the great train it used to be.

[@SpotterCrazyperson]

Great video!

[@Schony747]

Thanks for looking.