V/Line’s Loco Rescues Metro’s X’Trapolis

[@wp0574]

When this happened I was just chilling at home when I heard the horn as it went past and I was like N CLASS??? Nice to know I wasn’t going crazy

[@StrayaTrains]

Lol

[@blockypc]

must've been a nice break from the xtrap horns

[@comeng540M]

Yup saw the N class passing Flinder Street in the morning on it's way to Belgrave while catching a train to work, genuinely just thought it was just a normal V/Line service but surprised to see just the locomotive. After finding out on discord, I was just waiting for your video to cover this situation.

[@JJRol.]

What discord?

[@gaijininja]

Imagine the logistics of pulling this off. Two companies working together to find the closest V-line to cause as few issues on other lines, and planning out which way to go, how fast to go, and how to move other trains on the lines around the rescue. Looks so smooth from the viewer's point of view, but I bet there was two phones to many control centre operator's ears.

[@Kevin-go2dw]

Not to mention finding a person qualified for an N class and the Belgrave line or a pilot. Then you have the safeworking issues of entering an occupied section.

[@MrHawkz]

@@Kevin-go2dw I'd say you'd find with a line suspended and authority given to an authorised person on the ground safe working probably wouldn't be as much of an issue.

[@StrayaTrains]

Indeed. Many calls were made. As well as all the paperwork

[@Soundmaster91]

Wow someone needs to give that station a clean!

[@giddy1337]

This truly is a rare sight to behold. 🧐

[@palamco]

I live just north of Ruthven station on the Mernda line, I'm about 80 metres from the tracks. The Epping maintenance facility is just a few more stops along the line so I do hear the occasional diesel early in the morning moving sets around. There was a bit more diesel activity around the time the Keon Park station was redeveloped, carrying away in open cars the old sleepers and rail.

[@Shan9965]

Both trains at work now. I saw 865M paired with a different number train and I saw 907M paired with a different number train too. Both seen at Glen Waverley sidings 😀

[@StrayaTrains]

Good to see back in service!

[@kclassproductions]

It’s pretty cool to see an N class on the Belgrave line, they don’t even get Comenges or Siemens!

[@MrAljosav]

Comeng trains are able to run on Belgrave line and occasionally they do run revenue services, but Siemens trains are strictly not allowed on the Burnley and Clifton Hill group lines (but they are allowed in their respective city loop tunnels). However they have once or twice ventured as far as Glen Waverley and Belgrave for testing purposes. Additionally, according to Reddit they previously used to run to Epping for the bio-wash facilities at Epping after fatalities, but this now occurs at Craigieburn's bio-wash facility (which was built later on). My understanding is that the Siemens trains are physically too wide to operate on the Ringwood lines and especially at East Camberwell, which is why they've only ever ventured once or twice to Belgrave for testing, but apparently have never gone to Lilydale nor Alamein.

[@kclassproductions]

@@MrAljosav Thanks for sharing!

[@cscrosby]

Fantastic video! Great job getting footage of this. I saw a photo of the N Class at Tecoma in a Facebook group and couldn't believe my eyes! Keep up the good work

[@StrayaTrains]

Thanks!

[@nickstransportvlogs]

This feels like it’s becoming a common occurrence at this point, I can’t lie lol Just N473 the “City of Warragul” taking an unplanned trip to the eastern suburbs of Melbourne! Also nice video btw

[@StrayaTrains]

@@nickstransportvlogs It does!

[@Comeng_]

N471 did rescue a siemens earlier so yeah

[@vsvnrg3263]

everyone loves a train-replacement bus service.

[@leonkernan]

The N class has become the new T class

[@DaleDix]

The Ts Vline kept were scrapped or turned into Ps. So maybe that.

[@Stickiedude]

Tecoma represent! I could hear the horn, I thought they must of being doing trackwork. I heard there was a tree down between Belly and Tecoma.

[@vlinenclasstrains]

Is this the First time a V/Line N Class Locomotive is running on the Belgrave & Lilydale lines!😃😃😃

[@StrayaTrains]

Believe first as far as Tecoma

[@JuliansTrainsandGames]

Best Victorian train in the suburbs. Great catch!

[@StrayaTrains]

Thanks!

[@rosxe6969]

woke up today and did not expect this rare event

[@StrayaTrains]

Same here

[@kippen64]

Thanks so much for this video. It's keenly appreciated.

[@StrayaTrains]

:)

[@BillSaltbush]

Coming through Laburnum, it sounded like the N class had a few wheels with flat parts.

[@gman83090]

It's good to know that if I ever get stranded on a Metro train a v line train can help me

[@Lostinthestarfissure]

Funny how Diesel trains are more reliable than electric ones…

[@benno2468]

Earlier that day, I was working in Bayswater and I could hear a diesel train horn and was wondering what was happening. Later on, I was driving past Upwey Station and I saw that same diesel train at the platform, I had no idea what actually happened until I looked it up on my phone, but even before then, I had a pretty good guess.

[@RichardSchurmann]

Interesting capture of an unusual event. I wonder if the transition coupling has a brake hose on it. No locomotive driven trains on that line for a while, so one couldn't expect the N Class driver to know the road. I wonder if he had a spark driver in the cab as a pilot. Last time I saw a video of a loco hauled train down past Tacoma, it was the weedex train hauled by a K Class from Lillydale!

[@OzElectricEcho]

Yes, it has brake pipe and main res hoses. There would have been a Metro driver onboard piloting the V/Line driver.

[@StrayaTrains]

Yes. Metro Pilot driver

[@thismetrotunnellife]

great coverage as usual mate

[@StrayaTrains]

Thanks!

[@nfra2]

It was due to a damaged pantograph. You can see it at the 0:55 mark. Also you can see the good pantograph at 4:20, and missing pantograph at 4:40.

[@Kevin-go2dw]

That is exactly what I thought.

[@StrayaTrains]

Yea didn't notice it on the day. You are right

[@afs5609]

It would appear the leading pantograph head has gone missing it has either fallen off or has been dislodged/damaged by an obstacle in the overhead contact wire, not unusual with the this type pantograph, they are designed that way so as not to damage the overhead, Sydney trains have been having the same problem since they were introduced on the Tangara fleet.

[@HarryTheTrainchaser2024]

It's crazy how 1st there is a n class rescue on the Frankston line now the belgrave line

[@StrayaTrains]

Indeed

[@adrianwatson9277]

Good video here at stawell hearing about it , thanks mate

[@ABCD-bl5rw]

Shoutout to the ex-Transperth bus in the background at 5:05

[@Hiranya-l9l]

I was at bayswater when this happened!

[@StrayaTrains]

Lucky

[@JuliansTrainsandGames]

Funny how the X’trapolis and Siemens trains both had to be saved by an N class a few days apart, yet the Comeng trains have stayed out of this. Proves the Comeng trains are more reliable.

[@pauloconnor2980]

Transition Coupler!! In the old days, they would have used a match wagon.

[@gregmichael8473]

I saw a N Class Light engine at 17:29 between Richmond and Flinders St. Wondered what it was doing. Having seen this video, now I know that it was no doubt this N Class returning from its Thunderbird duty.

[@SteamFan-f2t]

The N class name is the town I live on Warragul

[@Arjun_Emeralds]

Insane! Also what do you think is going to happen on metro tunnel opening day lol. Just imagine how much celebration is going to be done when the first train enters service in it. Anzac station is now finally complete and I believe so is Parkville and Arden.

[@StrayaTrains]

Going to be a massive day full of celebration! Media will be everywhere and so will the passengers

[@GabeTrains]

Great Stuff!

[@AlienLika]

How did you get this footage? I love this video!

[@StrayaTrains]

Went out to see it

[@DaleDix]

Is resuces a new sort of railway working?

[@kdfrkdfr]

I heard the N class passing through Laburnum as of course the driver had blown the horn, It was 4:57pm. None too may locos use this line.

[@StrayaTrains]

Nice

[@senorliamy17]

How do you receive news of odd and rare movements like this?

[@StrayaTrains]

Go out and see for myself!

[@saremqadir]

My friend saw this at boroina station

[@StrayaTrains]

@@saremqadir cool

[@santaroblox_JBoy]

The Belgrave line got suspended between Bayswater and Belgrave yesterday after a tree fell across rail lines!

[@StrayaTrains]

Was only extended to Bayswater from 4pm. Intially Upper Gully to Belgrave

[@gamer-cj6lz]

Great vid. Also under 30 mins. :)

[@StrayaTrains]

Cheers

[@SuperSkullz27]

ah so this is why i had to get a bus from bayswater, i thought it was another tree down on a train like last time

[@hsnels-z4v]

nice video! how do u find out about cool stuff like this man?

[@StrayaTrains]

Thanks! Just gotta go out and about. I saw the line was down so thought I would go check it out myself :)

[@beasts4life_99]

@@StrayaTrainsI saw it somewhere on facebook yesterday

[@1mallee]

A crew would have to get a coupling adaptor there in the rain as well

[@bdhe67]

Good Video, quite upset because the N is set to be retired from the Bairnsdale line soon 😢

[@StrayaTrains]

Same. Only a few days left

[@melbournegarboandtrainspotter]

what a find what happened to the x trap

[@jamesdinsdale4256]

sorry i missed it 😊

[@WomblingFreely]

I’d love to know what the cost of this rescue was, assuming Vline charged Metro. I’d bet it’s either simply at cost, or staggeringly expensive.

[@carisi2k11]

So was the issue a tree down, wire down or the a damaged pantograph?

[@StrayaTrains]

Tree down which fell on overhead and affected one panto a little

[@jimpikoulis6726]

Every time when I think of a rescue Metro needs to dial 000...

[@matthewdempsey6583]

Hmm a 6 car set on Belgrave Lillydale line that would be interesting if the power fails on any line send an nclass with 6cars and that would solve the problem instead of boring cramped rail replacement busses

[@HarryFoy-d4m]

How do you find out about this stuff

[@StrayaTrains]

Magic

[@peteravery950]

How can that be Bayswater Railway Station, the rail line was lowered years ago?

[@StrayaTrains]

It is lowered

[@DaleDix]

No doubt that's paid for most of his Christmas.

[@MelbourneRailfan]

This isnt the first time an N Class has visited the Belgrave line right? there were the steamrail shuttles that were cancelled

[@JordysRailVideos]

Yes, but only as far as Ringwood sidings

[@StrayaTrains]

Yes. As far as Tecoma I believe

[@GokalpKarliova]

Last time it was siemens

[@StrayaTrains]

In fact, last few have been!

[@GokalpKarliova]

Hi straya trains I’m a big fan

[@GokalpKarliova]

Also keep up the great work!

[@GokalpKarliova]

@@StrayaTrainsyour the best KZbinr

[@StrayaTrains]

@@GokalpKarliova Thanks!!

[@Thing_Guy]

3 30 pm?

[@bsnfguy]

hey straya trains im a upwey highschool our school finished at 3:10 and i say the train go passed that day as i was leaving and had to catch a rail replace ment home

[@hhgttg69]

what caused the rescue op?

[@StrayaTrains]

Tree falling down on overhead

[@ianmontgomery7534]

how come it isn't the loco with Metro on the side of it - do you know?

[@StrayaTrains]

V/Line operates that loco

[@Thing_Guy]

how did you it was there in the first place

[@StrayaTrains]

Magic

[@Thing_Guy]

what time of day was it

[@StrayaTrains]

Arvo

[@Nevergonnagiveyouup504]

:)

[@bernadettemarietavendale7055]

Why couldn't Puffing Billy help 🚂

[@matthewdempsey6583]

Different gauge to the metro lines

[@bernadettemarietavendale7055]

@@matthewdempsey6583 it would have been impressive though if the gauge lines were the same

[@StrayaTrains]

Haha

[@JJRol.]

Just wondering, why didn't they just get another X'Trap to tow it? Did the rain make this impossible? I think it's been done before.

[@JJRol.]

Shortly realized just after posting this that the power might have been isolated so it couldn't have been possible.

[@AlienLika]

As far as I've heard the power was down, yeah. Because of the storm that caused this(?).

[@StrayaTrains]

No overhead power. Needed another method to get train there. Hence Diesel loco

[@nator1]

i got a photo of it passing strathmore lol