V/line Seymour / Shepparton Line - Victoria, Australia

Discussion in 'Suggestions' started by maxthum, May 19, 2020.

  1. maxthum

    maxthum Active Member

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    The Train Simulator community has been asking for an Australian Railways route and I would like to present a proposal that would feature heaps to do.

    The Shepparton Line is a 184.84 km (114.85 mi) long route, connecting Melbourne to the Goulburn Valley city of Shepparton.



    The Route
    The route is 184.84km long which has 15 stations along the way, mixing the interurban services with the 4x long-distance services to Shepparton. Departing Southern Cross Station, slowly navigate out towards Jacana where you will meet the North-East Standard Gauge Line to Sydney. At Craigieburn, you will farewell the suburban metro services as you parallelling the North East Standard Gauge, you will follow it up the Great Dividing Range to the summit at Heathcote Junction before descending into the railway town of Seymour. The Shepparton Line splits away at Mangalore, where you will trundle through fields of the Goulburn Valley which will eventually lead you to the City of Shepparton.
    [​IMG]
    N467 departs Broadford heading back to Melbourne.

    The line is double track broad gauge to Tallarook, then single track to Seymour and onwards to Shepparton (with passing loops at Murchinson East).

    The line features historical 'Double Block' safe working methods, between MTM Craigieburn to Wallan, Wallan to Kilmore East, Kilmore East to Tallarook.

    Important Key Notable Places:
    A few key notable places of interest would be:
    Southern Cross Station (formerly Spencer Street Station) [​IMG]
    Southern Cross Station is the major station interchanging all suburban and regional trains under the one roof. It features 16 platforms with 10 of them being used for regional train services servicing across Victoria. It was rebuilt and renamed to Southern Cross Station which was completed in 2006.

    Seymour
    [​IMG]
    Seymour Station.
    One of the many stations used as a refreshment stop. Seymour was the home to the iconic Victorian Railways train, The Spirit of Progress. The locomotive depot is just further down the line towards the Northern side, with the turntable and heritage railway group established at the depot.

    Murchinson East Station[​IMG]
    Murchinson East Station / Grain Facility.
    A small country station used as a passing loop and a grain loading facility for Southern Shorthaul Railroad.


    Locomotives / Diesel Multiple Units
    The locomotive power included A class, N class and Sprinter units while VLocity units slowly replace the 'ageing' classic fleet.

    A Class Locomotives:
    [​IMG]

    The A-class locomotives were rebuilt from 1950's Victorian Railway's B classes. This was under the 1980's 'New Deal project which had intended to rebuild all 25 B class locos, which ended up to be the 11 locos that formed the A-Class fleet. This included a complete stripdown of the loco and rebuilt into whats has become the A class locomotive. The A-class has been fitted with EMD 12-645E3B prime movers and upgraded electronically. The A classes were able to reach speeds of 115kph (70mph). The A classes lack a HEP generator but were commonly paired up with a PH van (Head End Power Generator) to provide the HEP to the carriages.

    Passenger A class included: A60, A62, A66 and A70.

    Since the rebuilds, they had operated across the V/Line network being split into either passenger or freight operations. With the remaining passenger A class locos being used on the Bacchus Marsh services. One by one they slowly faded away into history.

    The rebuilt passenger A-classes are now in long term storage, awaiting their future as two of them has been allocated to heritage preservations.

    N Class Locomotives:
    [​IMG]
    The N class locomotives were built in the 1980s as part of the 'New Deal' project, which had only orders for 10 locos which was later extended to 25 after the A class rebuilds fell through. The N class locomotives were fitted with either EMD 12-645E3B or 12-645E3C prime movers. They had an advantage over the A class locos where they had been fitted with HEP (Head End Power) generators onboard the locomotive. Alongside the A classes, they too were able to reach speeds of 115kph (70mph) with current upgrades making them able to run up to 130kph (80mph).

    All 25 N classes (N451-475) operate across the various V/Line routes across Victoria and can be commonly seen on the Long Distance routes and various suburban/ interurban shuttles. In 2023-25, it's expected to see them phased out and retired.

    N classes on running long distance run alongside the N set carriages.

    Sprinters:
    [​IMG]

    The Sprinter units are a small but critical element to the Seymour Line operation as the Sprinters are regularly rostered onto the Seymour Line. The shuttle up and down the Great Dividing Range regularly.

    VLocity DMU:
    [​IMG]
    The VLocity units were introduced in 2002, introducing a new era of 'higher-speed services' and speeding up Victoria's rail network. They are capable of 200kph (125mph) but are currently limited to 160kph (100mph) due to current track limitations. As of 2020, there are 80 Vlocity units in service with more on order. (VL00-VL88)

    They run on the majority of the interurban routes that V/Line cater, (Geelong, Bendigo, Traralgon, Ballarat lines). They also run a handful of long-distance routes including (Maryborough, Echuca, Ararat and Bairnsdale).

    Freight
    The line sees an occasional freight during day time but it sees a handful of freight trains using the Shepparton Line.
    - QUBE 'APEX' gravel train coming from Brooklyn or Westall, heading to Kilmore East and return.
    - Southern Shorthaul Railroad's Broad Gauge Grain Train, occasionally visiting the grain facility at Tocumwal or Murchinson East, returning to Kensington Grain Sidings. This is operated with two heritage 'S' class streamlined locomotives.
    - Pacific National's Tocumwal Freight Train.

    Heritage
    [​IMG]
    B74-X31 leads the way towards Bacchus Marsh, on an SRHC heritage special to Bacchus Marsh. One of my shots lol.

    The line sees heritage trains regularly, from all three mainline heritage operators. The dominant heritage operator, Seymour Railway Heritage Centre runs heritage trains monthly up and down the Great Dividing Range, is based in Seymour, this could be potential for a DLC on mainline heritage rail services. Eg. Melbourne - Seymour - Shepparton etc.



    The other two operators, Steamrail Victoria and 707 Operations occasionally use the line whenever needed.

    Final Thoughts.
    The Shepparton Line offers a bit for everyone, whether it's shunting at Seymour and stabling the train for the night, preparing a train during the peak heading back into Melbourne or running a normal commuter service in the peak. A line where you can sit back and relax while the scenery flies past you.

    If DTG does decide to take this route, there are so many supporting documents that are in the public domain (including Line Gradient Graphs, Diagrams) and even photographic evidence of the stations.

    Driver Training Video Seymour to Melbourne.


    Driver Training Video Melbourne to Seymour

    To conclude, The Shepparton Line can be shortened to only have the core Seymour Line, but there is so much opportunity with this route to kickstart the Down Under routes. There is so much potential in DLC as outside of the locos listed here, there are so much more that can be done with the Seymour Line.
     
    Last edited: May 31, 2020
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  2. MetrolinkF125#916

    MetrolinkF125#916 Well-Known Member

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    The first “A” class loco looks a lot like an American F unit:) these trains do look interesting to include in TSW!
     
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  3. MetrolinkF125#916

    MetrolinkF125#916 Well-Known Member

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    Correction: an E unit, since it’s pulling passenger cars and the last video shows it having 6 axle trucks:).
     
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  4. Big Papi34

    Big Papi34 Well-Known Member

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    I really like the look of this route, however we eill never get the full thing. This route is pushing 114 miles which is an unrealistic size to expect in TSW as if now. However, if cut in half to 50 something 60ish miles, this route would be a strong contender
     
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  5. maxthum

    maxthum Active Member

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    Completely understandable. I firmly believe DTG can do like route expansion packs, you don't need to make it all into one DLC. Sure you can get Melbourne - Seymour (60miles) as a base but additions can enhance the gameplay you have etc. The routes are not limited by distance but more project time-related.
     
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  6. maxthum

    maxthum Active Member

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    Something to enjoy. A66 on the Seymour Line.
     
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  7. Big Papi34

    Big Papi34 Well-Known Member

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    I feel like the base route with add ons would be the best pocket friendly and time friendly option
     
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  8. TrainSim_Fan

    TrainSim_Fan Well-Known Member

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    A route this long wont happen. And you know it.
     
  9. jamesbaby286

    jamesbaby286 Well-Known Member

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    No need to be unnecessarily hostile.
     
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  10. TrainSim_Fan

    TrainSim_Fan Well-Known Member

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    If a route this long happens then I'll give your everything I own. Because IT WONT HAPPEN!
     
  11. CodyKool

    CodyKool New Member

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    No need to be like that. It is unlikely but it probably will eventually when DTG starts improving their international game. No need to be a jerk about it.
     
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  12. TrainSim_Fan

    TrainSim_Fan Well-Known Member

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    Dont call me a jerk, because if your saying I've done something then dont call people names in the process, Mr I'm going to complain for no reason.
     
  13. jamesbaby286

    jamesbaby286 Well-Known Member

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    With regards to length it currently is too long to be done in all one go yes.
    It would be possible to do Broadmeadows to Seymour or Seymour to Shepparton. Which are both 83-85km, meaning it's shorter than Sand Patch Grade (Especially if you include SPG's branch lines), and isn't much longer than Peninsula Corridor. Or the focus can be on the path in and out out Melbourne meaning anywhere from Southern Cross, beyond Broadmeadows, and out as far as Broadford fits within the current scope of TSW production.
     
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  14. maxthum

    maxthum Active Member

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    Completely understand but it would feel a tad weird ending the route at Broadmeadows or Broadford as they aren't terminus stations for this route. Only Melbourne Southern Cross, Seymour or Shepparton would ideally work if you wanted to do regional train services.

    Ideally, sure. Seymour Line (Melbourne - Seymour) would be ideal for a base DLC as said earlier. Shepparton can be always added later and Melbourne - Seymour being the core has the most services to run. Whether its freight, passenger or special heritage. Its a nice 1-2 hour trip one way. Scenic and relaxing too.

    Eventually, Dovetail Games have to do longer routes (60miles and longer) as when compared to other routes in the USA, Pacific Surfliner is 128 miles. Its something they are overcoming and apparently the new route coming out later this year will be something reflecting the communities feedback about the short routes. The routes will be eventually longer at some point.
     
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  15. CodyKool

    CodyKool New Member

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    You were literally just acting like one dude. Don't want to be called a jerk? Don't be a jerk, see how easy that is.
     
  16. maxthum

    maxthum Active Member

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    Minor update to this proposal. Some additional driver training videos using the standard gauge line. This is completely different to the broad gauge line as per the earlier driver training videos shown in the earlier posts.


     
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  17. maxthum

    maxthum Active Member

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    Last edited: May 27, 2021
  18. driverwoods#1787

    driverwoods#1787 Well-Known Member

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    Excellent suggestion does Vline use AWS TPWS like GWML or not because route suggestions need to mention train protection systems
     
  19. maxthum

    maxthum Active Member

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    Thanks for the great question, the Seymour Line (Broad Gauge) is being fitted out with TPWS, but only as far as Craigieburn for the time being. The rest of the line uses Double Block Signalling which doesn't have any train protection. It's all dependant if the block ahead is clear or blocked with a train in that block. The Seymour Line is undergoing major signalling work to bring the out of the 1980s and into the 2020s but that would take time.

    As for the standard gauge line, they have a much more convenient system where TPWS is complimented with block signalling, with loops.
     
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  20. driverwoods#1787

    driverwoods#1787 Well-Known Member

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    Ok then and for TPWS there should be a ping sound in order to acknowledge it provided you are familiar with Great Western Main Line in the game. For the 1.435 m track the Sydney Albury Melbourne line it must be combined with a New South Wales route to be functional those terminate at Spencer Street Station like this one. Seymour Line services end at Shepardton if a 2005-2008 DLC was added Seymour Line Services end in Albury New South Wales pre 1.435m standard gauge project 2008-2011.
     
  21. maxthum

    maxthum Active Member

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    I think you're getting confused between AWS and TPWS. AWS is the system where the driver must respond if the signal is indicating an advanced warning, warning or danger aspect. If the driver doesn't respond, the train will apply emergency brakes.

    TPWS is train protection, wherein the case the train fails to stop prior to the signal and passes it on (danger aspects) or fails the speed moderation (Overspeed for that section), it will trigger the emergency brakes. This is commonly more used to prevent SPADS, "Signals Passed at Danger". Think of it as a way to prevent worse incidents where SPAD has occurred where a conflicting train could collide, and this system has prevented many incidents.
     
    Last edited: May 27, 2021

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