Although C class had been running to Adelaide for a few years by 1983, through running of ANR loco's hadn't been introduced in Victoria. Alco 942 was sent to Victoria for trials and crew training in August. It was worked east trailing C508 on 9130 Adelaide - Melbourne Express Goods on 23rd August 1983.
942 was assessed at South Dynon by the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Enginemen (AFULE) where a number of modifications and improvements were requested by the union before the Alco's could be authorised to operate in Victoria.
The Alco returned to Victoria in October for further trials and crew training, being noted at Ararat loco on the 26th and again on the 29th October. As part of this visit, 942 ran a pass to Bendigo on 3rd November for cab noise tests for AFULE.
When through running of ANR units commenced in November 1983, the 930's were initially rostered as second unit to X's on the Overland. Early sightings on Alco's in Victoria were:
24/11/1983 - X48-932 Up Overland
27/11/1983 - X50-934 Up Overland
28/11/1983 - X48-932 Up Overland
19/12/1983 - X47-931 Down Overland
26/12/1983 - X52-931 Up Overland
27/12/1983 - X50-933 Down Overland
The 930 class became popular with some crews due to their comfortable ride and as their cabs were quieter than most GM units, crews were able to have a conversation without resorting to shouting. The 930's also had a reputation for good lugging capabilities at low speed.
It wasn't long before 930 class lead the Overland, with 933-X50 hauling the Overland into Melbourne on the 28th December 1983.
By years end the first stage of CTC west of Ararat had been commissioned and longer Jet's commenced running. The 930 class started to appear on the Jets in consists with C, X and S class.
942 was assessed at South Dynon by the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Enginemen (AFULE) where a number of modifications and improvements were requested by the union before the Alco's could be authorised to operate in Victoria.
The Alco returned to Victoria in October for further trials and crew training, being noted at Ararat loco on the 26th and again on the 29th October. As part of this visit, 942 ran a pass to Bendigo on 3rd November for cab noise tests for AFULE.
 |
| X48 and a 930 lead the Overland over the junction for the Maryborough line at Ballarat North. |
When through running of ANR units commenced in November 1983, the 930's were initially rostered as second unit to X's on the Overland. Early sightings on Alco's in Victoria were:
24/11/1983 - X48-932 Up Overland
27/11/1983 - X50-934 Up Overland
28/11/1983 - X48-932 Up Overland
19/12/1983 - X47-931 Down Overland
26/12/1983 - X52-931 Up Overland
27/12/1983 - X50-933 Down Overland
The 930 class became popular with some crews due to their comfortable ride and as their cabs were quieter than most GM units, crews were able to have a conversation without resorting to shouting. The 930's also had a reputation for good lugging capabilities at low speed.
It wasn't long before 930 class lead the Overland, with 933-X50 hauling the Overland into Melbourne on the 28th December 1983.
 |
| 934 at Ballarat East Locomotive depot with T359 and Y150. 934 was the first of the single ended 930's to be painted in Australian National green and gold colour scheme. |
By years end the first stage of CTC west of Ararat had been commissioned and longer Jet's commenced running. The 930 class started to appear on the Jets in consists with C, X and S class.
 |
| The 930's didn't just operate the Overland with X's, here S305 leads 957 on the Up Overland past Ballarat North railway workshops. |
Comments
Post a Comment