Climbing the Summit Revisited

31 years ago I made a video called Climbing the Summit featuring every train that went through Heathcote Junction in daylight , it was decided to make another one 30 years later to show the changes , however Covid raised its ugly head and it was postponed for a year

[@Justin.87]

I used to watch Dad's copy of Climbing the Summit as a young lad, now i drive for Vline! Love driving the Seymour line, and enjoyed driving the freight trains too. Had a few long climbs up toward Heathcote Junction

[@bigman4225]

Definetly a place that tests the limits of the Locos, Was always fun playing am i gonna make it? on the Qube G's as they were & still are terribly maintained! Enjoy Vline Justin, Hope to see you on the RTBU jobs in the near future. While i enjoy my time off after a 37 year stint in Rail.

[@jackybeck2479]

What trains do you drive in V/Line? The VLocitys, N Classes, or Sprinters?

[@harrothepilot]

Great vid John, i have an original copy of the 1990 version VHS tape, and i've just about watched it to bits. Great to see an updated version, many thanks.

[@johnphillips592]

Thanks for that , I have also uploaded the original with a few extra bits , have a look at kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpe9eY2ZhKmlsK8

[@harrothepilot]

@@johnphillips592 Actually John, this vid is even better to see now, with the demise of the N's on regular passenger service. You would always hear the arrival of the N set in Shepp with a few authoritative blasts on the Typhon. Nowadays its ' peep peep ' from the Vlocities. Very sad.

[@johnphillips592]

Agreed @@harrothepilot

[@maxthum9220]

Great to see a classic video recreated.

[@johnphillips592]

Thanks Max

[@ralphsmith242]

Such a tiny number of freight trains. This is on the main trunk line between Australia's two largest cities, isn't it?

[@johnd8892]

A much bigger proportion of freight trains run at night though.

[@VictorianTransportSpotter]

Fantastic presentation John! Its amazing to see how much has changed... and what has remained the same.

[@johnphillips592]

Thanks , bit of a shit day but we got there

[@VictorianRailHeritage]

Awesome video, its amazing to see a second one of these! A lot has changed since the last one you made.

[@johnphillips592]

Thanks , glad you enjoyed it

[@DivergentRailways]

As a young rail enthusiast that sometimes goes to Heathcote Junction, I always acknowledged the 'Climbing the Summit' video. As your group have stated, alot has changed to the summit since the 80s. In my opinion, this section of the Victorian Railways is one of the most unique sections. Here's to the next 30 years of the summit! A well done to you and your team John!

[@johnphillips592]

Thank you , it was a great effort by the team despite the very bad weather

[@DCCSound]

This is kind of a time warp guys. I think I wore out the original tape back in the day. I enjoyed how this video was made in the same spirit. Well done John and Bruce.🤣

[@Greensleeves94]

Very nice, have fond memories of watching the original on VHS all those years ago

[@csm101000]

this was fantastic to revisit thank you so much

[@johnphillips592]

Thanks glad you enjoyed the videos , we certainly enjoyed making them even though we got a little wet doing the revisited one .

[@csm101000]

@@johnphillips592 the wet weather gave it a differentince!

[@vickstar1992]

Very nice thanks for sharing

[@billrichardson6389]

Fantastic revisit John, I still have the original program on VHS tape and DVD. Thank you for this great presentation. regards Bill. PS Also liked seeing Bruce McLean again, I have known him for over 30 years now, still hasn't changed much at all.

[@MMTB616]

Great to see and hear "Macca" adding a human/personal touch to both videos; well done all concerned! Then and now!

[@robbiewales3007]

One of the last times I went to Heathcote Junction, I managed to see 3 trains in a short period of time. The first one was a pair of sprinters Melbourne bound. Then there was a Kilmore East quarry train lead by a A and X class combination. Finally the last was T333 leading a pair of GL class locomotives on a Melbourne bound intermodal

[@jamesgovett2501]

I would have thought we would have seen at least one Vlocity!

[@johnphillips592]

Non were running on the north east at the time of filming

[@ianwoff7000]

Great to see an update based on the original "Climbing The Summit", which is a great personal favourite, and wonderful to have the continuity of Bruce McLean handling the commentary again. The conditions were less than ideal, but add some seasonal character. All up, I prefer the original, but then it's probably just that Victorian railways were better back then. Love your work, John!

[@AH137productions]

Amazing John, great to see this re created 31 years later

[@dieseldavetrains8988]

Cracking video, outstanding footage and narration John, should be shown on TV. Very professional, as you are renown for, just loved the two Crimson Rosella's on the track, how Australian is that? Best 32 minutes spent this evening on You Tube, thank you John.

[@johnphillips592]

Thanks Diesel Dave , it was worth the effort in the rain .

[@DJP-ph7yj]

A magnificent effort, particularly in getting Bruce for the narration. Must admit I preferred the original, as the V/Line livery back then IMHO craps all over the 12 month mandated change of livery seen on those after the Kennett 1996 sellout of V/Line. Plus it seems the horns sounded like they had more balls back then than they do nowadays. Only the sound of the EMD12-645E3 engines is the same

[@johnd8892]

Someone seems to be on a nice little earner changing the livery so often, but to what effect.

[@NicholassTrainChannel]

Nice video John things have certainly changed since you filmed the first one in 1990.

[@johnphillips592]

Yes , we had trouble with some of the locations because of tree growth

[@samstrainchannel611]

Awesome stuff John, looks like you and Lucas had a great day.

[@johnphillips592]

We did apart from the weather

[@stef.b.m.lk1902]

Absaluty wonderful.

[@victoriantransportvideos]

Very good John I watched the old version again right after this one & a fair few things are different

[@michaelbeedallbetts6190]

will This come out on dvd with the old 1 31 years a go

[@johnphillips592]

Not at the moment sorry