Horsham Block Oil Train

 







T356 hauls the Horsham block oil train out of Ballarat and across the Doveton Street level crossing. T356 is a scratch-built body on an Athearn SW1500 mechanism. The spacer wagon is a scratch-built



 

A block oil train to Horsham commenced running in October 1983 following the completion of a receival depot capable of handling upto 17 tank wagons.  The Report on the transport of petroleum products prepared as part of the Victorian Transport Study (better known as the Lonie Report) had recommended the construction of terminal facilities in conjunction with oil companies at selected country centres and the adoption of block train for the transport of petroleum products. The Victorian government of the time was concern about the potential hazard from road transport of petroleum products. Under this system block oil trains had been introduced to Wodonga, Shepparton and Mildura. 



S312 on the Horsham Oil about to take the staff from the signalman for section from Ballarat C to Ballarat D box. The S is passing Teacup B83 on a special of wooden cars returning from Stawell. Y150 shunts the flour mill in the background.  

The train was scheduled to leave Corio early evenings on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays, arriving in Horsham at 0535 the next day.  Early workings recorded in Newsrail are of T class hauling the train, Thurs 6/10/83 - T367 with 14 wagons, Sat 29/10/83 - T377-T391 with 12 wagons, although by December it appears that mainline power in the form of B and X class had been adopted as power for the train (Sat 24/12/83 Up oil with B76 - Y156).

 

T401 coasts down grade past the way and works depot on Up Horsham block oil train. Ballarat North workshops can be see in the background.

 

I haven't been able to locate any photograph's of the train in 1983 to assist in determining the consist. The Paisley - Wodonga block oil train that operated at the time had a relatively fixed consist of 7 or 8 VTQA and 13 or 14 VTQY tanks with dedicated spacer wagons. During December 1982 the spacer wagons were cable transport wagons VFFX7 and VFFX3, while in May and October VOWA dropside open wagons were in use.

 

The cover of issue of Newrail shows S309 and Y120 lifting the down Horsham oil up the last rise to Ballarat D Box on 6/9/1987. 



By this stage it appears that the VFJX bulkhead flat wagon had become the dedicated spacer wagons on the train. As I haven't built any VFJX wagons, I use VFDA and VFEX flat wagons as spacer wagons, occasionally substituting these for VOWA's or other open or flat wagons.

 

 

Oil tanks are currently all propriety models modified to represent Victorian prototypes. There are a number of tanks with S flat wagon underframes under construction to bolster the fleet.  

 




398 TWF modified from a Powerline single dome tanker. Modifications included filing off the rivets to produce a welded tank, new ends and sides for the underframe, new walkways and ladder. Decals are BGB with the F stencil left over from Railmotor Models VHSY hopper kit. 



115 VTQY, a modified Lima 3 dome tanker. Additions include new sides and end for underframe, wire handrails, brake handle and brass ladder. Decals are from BGB, Steam Era with the Y stencils left overs from Railmotor Model VHSY hoppers. 



112 VTQY, a Bachmann 3 dome tanker. Modifications are similar to the Lima wagon. Oil tanks 104, 107-108, 110-112, 114-122 and 130 are the easiest to replicate (due to the riveted tank) from Lima, Athearn or Bachmann 3 dome tank wagons.