This raises a few interesting questions. Will the A and X classes be
maintained to a standard allowing 115km/h and haul a passenger train if
required or will they be allowed to degenerate to 80km/h? Ditto H, P and T
to 100km/h. Undoubtedly V/Line Passenger will find themselves short of
locos at some stage and need something in a hurry.
Would a V/Line Passenger driver be allowed to drive a Freight loco if it's
hauling a passenger train or not? If not, what happens if you can't find
a Freight driver who is still "big wheel" qualified? Will every driver
still be trained to drive everything?
Will a Freight loco be able to clear a disabled passenger train? There was
a very silly situation in the UK in the early days of privatisation where
a pair of EWS class 37 freight locos were less than 1 mile away from a
disabled ICXC passenger train, but were not allowed to assist to clear the
section.
Cheers
David