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

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
-------------------
Thanks for watching
If you enjoyed please consider subscribing and giving the video a like.
Links:
Instagram victoriantr...
/ @victoriantransportvideos
Outro Music
Waffle House Instrumental

[@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.

[@bigman4225]

Have you seen how long it takes to get to Mildura via Rail?

[@jackalcrackle]

@@bigman4225 about 5.5 hrs. Swan Hill is currently around 4.5hrs. It's not unreasonable given the right facilities onboard a trainset

[@babyboomertwerkteam5662]

The Swan Hill (Piangil) line isn't a major freight line, the Mildura (Yelta) line is. The only reason it's uneconomic is because the government doesn't want to pay to convert the Maryborough - Mildura section to dual gauge, though there was an attempt with the Murray Basin Rail Project which got cancelled.

[@bigman4225]

@@jackalcrackle WRONG! Very much wrong!

[@jaxsonneil1308]

@@jackalcrackleI’m I’m Kerang and it takes like 1.5hours to get to Swan hill on the train because the rail is not suitable for highspeeds. In 2025 Vline is apparently ripping up the track from Kerang to swan hill so they can put new improved track down for higher speeds.

[@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.

[@janeventur8919]

I remember traveling on the train to Mildura throughout the 1980's and early 1990's. I loved it. better than the bus! at least you can eat and drink on the train, you can't eat and drink on the bus!

[@casperblackcat1975]

@@janeventur8919 I used to do the bus down to Melbourne all the time when my mum had cancer I'd do the trip about once a month but after mum passed I just couldn't do it any more as I have Fibromyalgia Syndrome & that condition takes a terrible toll on your body.

[@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. ❤❤❤❤

[@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).

[@125sloth]

The sleeping cars on the Vinelander were from the Overland not Spirit of Progress. They were introduced to the original overnight Vinelander in early 70'swhich ran in both directions each night, except Saturdays. Victorian Railways secured the sleeping cars when there was an upgrade of some of the Overland sleepers, which were jointly owned by both the Vic. and S.A. Railways. Yes they were very comfortable carriages, arguably better than even the Southern Aurora. Back in the day the Vinelander ran on broad gauge track as did the Overland, and the comfortable ride was partly due to the wider gauge of the bogies.

[@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

[@sparksofmelbourne4508]

I love this 🎉

[@GoldM4official]

Excellent video! I wonder what would be kennett’s reaction (BLOODY JEFF)

[@xr6lad]

Probably the same as the multiple Labor governments that promised a restoration but never did???? Have amnesia?

[@darylatkinson8802]

He wouldn't care, he already got his "donations" from the truck lobbyists

[@Melbournelost66]

Jeff did what he had to because of an idiot called John Cain who bankrupted Victoria (the first time) in the 1980s to 92. Our AAA credit rating lost, and the state in massive debt. Sounds like we are reliving this now thanks to Daniel Andrews (Labor again bankrupt). But even worse! By the way, Jeff Kennett and Ron Walker totally revived Victoria only for Labor to squander it again.

[@AndrewCastlemaine]

Well done. Good chase 👍

[@G516R700]

Great video mate

[@workinghardusa]

Great video, well done!

[@dberk71]

loved it thank you.

[@thenetheriteminecart384]

Why is there no livery on the N type carriages?

[@SharonSmith-sb6xx]

Great video, loved the journey!

[@irylong]

Shows the partly condemed platform at Mildura , many stations will need upgrade to re start Vineland for real

[@patkelly6349]

Big deal mate. Easy fix

[@tomflavel7312]

thats the easy part, a train station just comes in a prefab parts, they can slap them up in a couple weeks

[@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.

[@125sloth]

Fair point, but for a regional train to be patronised these days it has to be faster from A to B than the motor car, and sadly Mildura to Melbourne by rail would still be slower, even with VLocity rail cars. They are also prone to breaking down. Very over rated. I have never seen such BS being spruked as to how great these "built in Victoria for Victoria" crap box rail car sets are. They are rubbish and as for comfort, or lack of it, the seats in 1970's trains were more comfortable. And of course Victoria is basically broke so there's that. And now the armchair experts will surface. Sorry about that.

[@125sloth]

V/line is broke like all government departments and corporations. That said, people will not travel on a train that takes longer than a motor vehicle. I agree with your idea though.

[@125sloth]

And where would the sleepers come from for this? There is no way any railway, government or privately owned would build or purchase old sleeping cars for any "new" train from Mildura. It would be good to have trains like the good old days, but sadly we will never see it.

[@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 <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="847">14:07</a>.

[@victoriantransportvideos]

Was bordering between Donald and Cope Cope when I looked it up

[@Comeng_]

nice catch

[@williamshaddock2340]

I walked past you to take some photos of this train

[@liabilitymate4750]

They should go all the way through Renmark to Adelaide like it used to be.

[@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! 😤

[@Melbournelost66]

In the 1980s, my Dad would put his car on the Vinelander, and do the North West regions of Victoria as a sales representative for a major textile company. I would accompany him in the school holidays. We had a sleeper, so it was a fantastic train journey, really precious memories. So like many here, we ask why can't a Vline service start regularly to Mildura? We a much larger population, the track is in. I just don't get it. Also, there's no reason why you could include a sleeper carriage and run as a night service. The service abd amenities are there, people will use them. Personally, if I wanted to holiday in Mildura, going by train is a great stress free option.

[@ianmontgomery7534]

probably its going to be before the next election.

[@125sloth]

How would you know if it was a fantastic journey? You would be asleep.Just kidding I know what you meant. Like the V/Line Albury line which has only recently had VLocity trains introduced, there is a shortage of VLocity stock to do the lines they do now. And with Victoria now financially "broke", there won't be many new sets built for a while. The NSW Labor government makes the Vic. Labor government look so incompetent where public transport is concerned.

[@ianmontgomery7534]

@@125sloth are you sure? There are currently 100 Vlocity train sets and 12 more sets on order.

[@125sloth]

@@ianmontgomery7534 100 is not enough now and how many are off the system with faults?

[@ianmontgomery7534]

@@125sloth how many do you think they need then. I just found an update that says there are 141 sets.

[@EdwardBurgess-bl4yn]

I hope that VR will commence a permanent passenger train service to Mildura soon. Also the line from Ararat to Melbourne should be dual gauge so that both the Vinelander and the Overland can run more direct to Melbourne and cut travelling times by hours. At least you are not as bad as South Australia where we have no regional rail and no tourist trains on these line either.

[@Grizzlyadams4]

😊

[@xr6lad]

Why? What is this stupid fascination to convert from the superior broad gauge to a standard gauge for no reason whatsoever? Are they planning on running Sydney -Mildura trains? Its is the needless standardisation of this line that has all but destroyed any chance of a decent restoration of a passenger service. And that’s ignoring basically dividing the network of the state. But hey let’s waste money on conversion for no advantage whatsoever rather than spend it on worthwhile projects.

[@msg5507]

​@xr6lad I love your enthusiasm but why do you think there's the demand for a 7+-hour passenger service to a city of 35,000 people, when they can't sustain a daily service to Adelaide with 1.5 million?

[@randomscb-40charger78]

@@xr6lad Well, you bloody Aussies couldn't just use one gauge for mainline rail operators because your country was divided up into multiple colonies before all were unified in 1901.

[@angusmorris4154]

@@xr6lad “no reason whatsoever” these lines are mainly used by interstate freight these days, which operates on standard gauge

[@HazptMedia]

Damn how did I miss this?? PS: I like the different angles

[@kippen64]

I got really excited because I mistakenly thought that this service would be ongoing. Oh well, never mind. Really would like that to happen. Edited to add that with maximum fares of $10, Vline is never going to be a financial success. So for goodness sake, the government should stop complaining about uneconomic train routes and just supply people with what they need. On a slightly different topic, they should also slash public transport costs in Melbourne and for town travel. If it were cheaper, there would be less fare evasion on buses etc.

[@125sloth]

OK As an ex rail person in a management position, not a bean counter, but a passenger services person who worked on many country and interstate trains. I'll let you into a little secret. Most passenger trains are provided due to what is called "The Customer Service Charter", which is a long winded way of saying that railways must provide passenger services for the community under the various Railway Acts. We all know that railways make their money from freight, and if they could get out of providing passenger services they would, but the Charter does not permit that and it is a legally binding agreement. And passenger trains, in general, that are owned by state governments, are not expected to make huge profits, some will always run at a loss, but propped up by government subsidies so they can keep operating and providing a service. Indirectly, some of the freight profits from government owned freight rail, and the revenue from private operators using the infrastructure, go towards maintaining passenger services. The Victorian government, for example even gets a cut of what Metro makes, even though Metro Trains is privatised. V/Line, even though being a government corporation, still supplies the government with extra money. That is a bit of a simplistic way of describing it, it is bit more complicated than that, but that is the general idea.The Overland, (which is nothing like the one before it), is privately run, however it is also subsidised by the government to take passengers to intermediate stations on the way to Adelaide.

[@peterpocock9062]

Nice to see the standard gauge to Mildura finally in. Logically and strategically the next bit to standardise is Ouyen to Pinaroo. Do you now if that has made any progress?

[@brucec7034]

Unfortunately there will never be a return to passenger service to Mildura they will always say it is uneconomic

[@Big-Show1]

It definitely won't be returning There's not enough passenger numbers to justify it. Most buses that do the route are virtually empty. They don't do things just so gunzels can reminisce and foam harder.... There's like 11 people (regulars) on the peak Maryborough services . Won't happen. People don't realise that most of these long distance trains are virtually empty once they leave stations like Bendigo, Traralgon, Geelong etc etc.... all of these services could easily be replaced by buses during the week. It's only weekends that see capacity.

[@gmponza]

​@Big-Show1 the buses are empty because nobody wants to be stuck on a bus on a long distance journey. I'm from NSW and the regional coaches here are under used too, they usually only serve disadvantaged people from the country who can't pay for the petrol or don't have a car. Train service is important because it is far more comfortable and comes with many amenities to make the trip enjoyable.

[@Leo-hv9mm]

​@@gmponza.. bus/coach alternatives are never a good long distance option except in Western Australia. Transwa coaches are better than trains in any other state except Qld comfort and amenities-wise. Of course, I'd prefer rail travel, and sleeping berths. The WA Prospector is better and much faster than trains in other states and the transwa coaches. If trains were offered to Mildura, you'd bet they'd be used to the max. Shame that most governments are not pro-rail ..

[@gmponza]

@Leo-hv9mm very true, it's interesting that almost all railway lines in the country had quite decent passenger services up until the 60s/70s - the same time we all started ripping up our trams. Government for sure got paid off big time by car companies back then. Never been on a transWA coach but I'd imagine WA has good experience in regional transport from transporting so many miners

[@125sloth]

@@Leo-hv9mm Buses are still one of the most dangerous ways to travel for a variety of reasons. It's not just because of what has happened in the past, but also the potential of something serious happening. Trains are less prone to crashes for a start, and even if a train derails, which is rare, passengers are usually less prone to serious injury.

[@robertcameron2808]

Why wouldn't you run a passenger train to Mildura? People don't like travelling in a bus for long distances.

[@xr6lad]

Because Vline and Victrack have ruined Victoria with their stupid standardisation. So we know have a divided network where we can’t run a decent fast and direct train up there but have to take convoluted route. So why wouldn’t you take a more direct bus/car/plane.

[@babyboomertwerkteam5662]

@@xr6lad You're dramatic. Standardisation was needed because the Mildura line just so happens to be a freight route. The Murray Basin Rail Project would have converted the Maryborough - Mildura section to dual gauge to enable passenger services again, but that project got cancelled.

[@trainbuff1090]

Only minor details like excessive journey times and the bucket loads of taxpayer dollars required.

[@casperblackcat1975]

@@trainbuff1090 Yet government is spending billions on road & rail projects In Melbourne.

[@johnd8892]

​@@casperblackcat1975but usage in Melbourne far greater so the subsidies per traveller not so huge as Mildura would require.

[@timothyweber2361]

Is the track adjoining the platform at Maryborough Station dual-gauge?

[@victoriantransportvideos]

Yes. It is used by BG Vline Services that terminate as well as freight on BG & SG that pass through and often do a driver change.

[@Michael_Markov]

Why can't Vline run this train from Maryborough-Mildura as shuttle?

[@grumpywaye]

nicely done what kind of camera and card are you using please keep the great videos coming

[@victoriantransportvideos]

Thanks. This video was mainly filmed with a Panasonic FZ80 but parts were filmed with a IPhone 11 and IPhone 13

[@robertseamons6772]

That truck service should be back in service

[@gheffz]

Is the now a regular service? I use to catch it up until it was closed in 1993. Subscribed. All.

[@victoriantransportvideos]

Thanks for Subscribing! No, this was a one off trip by Slow Rail Journeys/707 Operations

[@Atthwtop]

Are you going to see the golbourn Valley explorer

[@TurquoisechannelshortsYT]

Wait, I’m confused. Has services returned to Mildura? 🤩🤩🤩

[@babyboomertwerkteam5662]

No, this was just a tour run by enthusiasts.

[@johnd8892]

Just fan trips paying the huge full cost recovery fares once a year or so. Just like this one. The welfare mentality of the general public will not pay those fares, especially for such a long journey time.

[@White_Feeling]

This new?

[@tangiers365]

how often is the mildura train going torun

[@johnd8892]

Fan trips paying hugh fares once a year or so. Just like this one.

[@victoriantransportvideos]

This was a one off tourist train but I think they are operating another special in August

[@Pakenham_Rail_Fan]

Why do the carriages have a missing V/Line livery

[@victoriantransportvideos]

Because they belong to 707 Operations but haven’t been painted yet

[@Pakenham_Rail_Fan]

@@victoriantransportvideos oh ok

[@125sloth]

The liveries these private operators use looks terrible. just like the terrible tangerine rolling stock of V/Line in the past. Bloody awful. Personal opinion. haha

[@stackoftwigs]

I’m riding in 2030 (where my graduation party probably will be held)

[@InnocentComeng]

Why do the carriages click when they are not moving

[@victoriantransportvideos]

Wondering the same thing

[@InnocentComeng]

@@victoriantransportvideos I notice it always happens with the n sets

[@TransportEnthusiastAus]

Since when have midlura services come back?

[@babyboomertwerkteam5662]

They haven’t. This was a one-off tour run by enthusiasts.

[@TransportEnthusiastAus]

@@babyboomertwerkteam5662 Oh, that's great to hear. But I wish I knew about it!

[@venturabus01]

How much was the tickets

[@trainbuff1090]

about $850 but that included 3 nights accommodation too.

[@venturabus01]

@@trainbuff1090 😕

[@125sloth]

@@trainbuff1090 OK so with a total of say $400 max for 3 nights accommodation and meals, that leaves 450 for the actual trip per person.. Lets use 100 as total passengers, that leaves $45000. Hire of loco, including fuel, driver, observer and guard 15 000. Probably too much but let's assume. Still a nice profit of around 30 grand. Jesus we all need to start up a business!

[@victoriantransportvideos]

850 seems to cheap though? I looked up the next trip and it says $2,000. That includes 5 night accommodation like the recent tour

[@125sloth]

@@victoriantransportvideos You are right though. 850 is about the cheapest. We are still getting ripped off in this country for rail tours, compared to places like the UK and Europe.And holidays in general cost way more here than overseas. It is pure greed. So is it any wonder people go overseas when you can get a decent 2 weeks in UK, including airfares for less than a holiday in Queensland. More trains to get about on too, but that's a population thing, although many heritage trains actually provide 7 days a week commuter services on some branch lines also. I have found one of the best trips here are the rail motor ones. They can get to places longer trains can't and usually have no "puffer nutters" counting the puffs because there aren't any. haha

[@brettharrison5136]

You can't call it the Vineland if it's doesn't have Vineland cars on there

[@125sloth]

Exactly. The Vinelander had AZ and BZ sitting cars, and even old BE sitters, and ex Overland sleepers and older air conditoned VR sleepers sometimes as well. The guard travelled in his van up front, and the rear sleeping car conductor, (who was guard qualified), helped with the right aways along the way.

[@davepoulton7530]

would be quicker than the bus 10 hours for 500klm is a joke

[@125sloth]

Thats still faster than the Vinelander back in the day.

[@Mike_221]

God our infrastructure in this country is sad af. Seeing that dilapidated Mildura station is pitiful.

[@gimpsgonewild]

its almost like your mocking the city dwelling, Soy boy Labor party. i love it! you should make it a Daily service, mirroring the Swan hill line; just to really spell out how out of touch they are.

[@jamesgovett3225]

Well if Qantas and Rex both fly into and out of Mildura (Bonza also until recently) and some smaller airlines too And make $$ money as they wouldn’t be flying there if it was unprofitable I can tell you! I think the slack government just can’t be bothered spending some coin as there isn’t enough extra votes in it

[@125sloth]

Mildura is almost as big as Albury However many people who fly in and out of regional airports have their fares paid for by employers. Rex is not going that great either. Qantaslink is a rip off. Flights to Albury as well as Mildura are excessively expensive, frequent flyer program members can hardly ever use points on Albury or Mildura flights, just like to most regional airports including Wagga.. It is greed. Full fare paying passengers or their employers who pay for them will always be given first choice, and in a lot of these places that actually have a train, the train is simply too slow, so out come the cars.

[@ADELAIDEMETRO3108]

Rip-off Murray lander