Steamrail Mernda Steam & Electric Shuttles; K183 & the Tait

On the 28th April 2024 Steamrail Victoria operated another series of steam and electric shuttles with steam locomotive K183 and the Tait electric multiple unit. This time the pair visited the Mernda Line operating five shuttle trips between Mernda and Reservoir. These trips were the first time that a Tait train has ever visited Mernda, with the line being only electrified as far as Epping when the trains were withdrawn from service in 1984.
We start the video at Northcote where we see K183 lead the train upgrade on the way to Mernda with the morning transfer from Newport. Afterwards we see the five shuttles at various locations along the line. For these shuttles I mainly focused on lineside spots including at Hawkstowe, Lalor, Thomastown, and Ruthven, although I also filmed the shuttles at Middle Gorge and Mernda stations.
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[@joeldelacy]

You know that whenever that engine blew it's whistle, went through a station or level crossing, everyone stopped and looked, smiled, and went wow!

[@SpotterCrazyperson]

Great video!

[@ThebusofdoomFSX]

Just a disclaimer; I said in the video that it was the first time the Tait's ever visited Mernda. This isn't true as they did visit Mernda back in August 2021 when they were still under testing. However the day's events were the first time the Tait visited with passengers, so I'm half-right at least.

[@rifkyrailfans5564]

Nice video mate. I was riding the shuttle 2 Tait service.

[@kclassproductions]

It was great weather on the Sunday!

[@ThebusofdoomFSX]

I prefer clouds but the sun does make for some nice shots if you plan it right.

[@kclassproductions]

The suns good as long as you don't face it!@@ThebusofdoomFSX

[@Gaminggunzeller]

Ah, they've had all 5 Tait cars running along with K183 that day, nice! All they need to do now if it was possible is to get 327M and 470M up and running with them and that would make a 7 car Tait train.

[@Trainhorns12-rg4lu]

Awesome shot at 5:51! Great video.

[@ThebusofdoomFSX]

I was scouting google maps to try and find some spots I could use for these shuttles and I picked up on the shared path along the Ring Road with a low fence so I decided to try it out. I found a similar spot along the Ring Road near Ginifer station a couple of years ago.

[@RyanZ225_PC]

4:30 - Thats me in the grey jumper

[@Comeng_]

I forgot to go

[@Trainhorns12-rg4lu]

Oops!

[@JacobGrimaR761]

How do you get your audio so good? my audio always distorts even when a car passes or just the crossing bells

[@thex-wing]

Yeah great video mate well done and yeah I must say I'm not a real big fan of the one steam train with Tait set hurricane the red rattler should Stan on its own and the steam trains have their own carriages still