[Vic] Action in Western Victoria

["Simon King" <wangara@wimmera.com.au>]

Dimboola / Horsham (Vic.) Wed.22.3.2000

Today there was plenty of action in the Dimboola and Horsham areas on the
main Melbourne to Adelaide line.  Usually during the day this part of the
line is fairly quiet, with most of the action for about three hours just
after midnight.

Summary of todays observations...

a.m.        Single G (probably G519) on grain train on Dimboola to Yaapeet
branch.
midday   G542 (Freight Australia) on up loaded grain through Horsham.
13 00      T399 (Freight Victoria) and RT18 stabled in Dimboola yard.
16 30      G531 (V/Line) shunting Horsham Freightgate siding, collecting
around 15 loaded container wagons to form 9792 up freight to Dynon.
                T390 (FV) and H3 (V/Line) shut down in Horsham yard.
17 ??      EL54-EL57 (CFCLA) on empty grain crossed Ghan (single NR in
SteelLink colours) at Horsham Loop.
17 ??      EL-EL train above crossed G-T train below at Pimpinio Loop.
17 55      G519 (V/Line)-T399 (FV) hauling 9784 loaded grain from Dimboola
to Portland, seen at Pimpinio (between Dimboola and Horsham)
18 ??      EL-EL train above crossed NR-NR below at Dimboola Loop heading
West.
18 15      NR80-NR96 on National Rails PM5 (containers) stowed at Dimboola
loop.
18 ??      Unidentified loco(s) on a steel train followed EL-EL train west.
To see three 'small' locos T, T and H all on the same day is vary rare in
this part of the rail system.  Freight Australia's (and in the past
V/Line's) trains in this area are usually dominated by G class locos.
The EL-EL grain train not stopping and stabling at Dimboola at this time of
day is very unusual - usually would stable for night and head further West
next morning to load train with grain.
Loaded grain through Horsham at midday is also unusual - usually only one
loaded grain per day which is the one haulde by G519-T399 noted above.
All in all is was a very busy and colourful day of train spotting and
photography.

Thanks to Freight Australia for providing us with a little colour and
variety (EL's, T's and H's) - much appreciated.

yours,

Simon King

email :
   wangara@wimmera.com.au

Web Site :
    http://members.wimmera.com.au/users/wangara/