Although the end of the steam saw the demise of regular banking of trains up Warrenheip bank, it did occur occasionally during the diesel era. Melbourne and Geelong bound trains faced a 6km climb up a 1 in 52 grade to Warrenheip.
A T class could haul 560 tonnes between Creswick and Ballarat, but only 455 tonnes between Ballarat and Warrenheip.
Usually one or two of the Y class yard pilots would be used or a T class sourced from Ballarat East loco depot. The banking loco could be attached to the front or behind the train loco in Ballarat yard. Once the train had climbed the grade to Warrenheip, the banking loco would be detached and would then return light engine to Ballarat.
Regulation 174 outlined instructions under which an assistance locomotive may be employed in front of passenger, mixed or goods trains. Clause 6 of regulation 174 states:
Where a higher powered diesel locomotive than a T or Y class running on multiple with either a T or Y class locomotive, a higher powered locomotive with the dynamic brake and staff exchange apparatus must be the leading locomotive, except where instructions are issued to the contrary.
Locomotives assisting in the rear of the train were permitted under regulation 173 between Ballarat and Warrenheip and between Ballarat and Ballarat C Box or Ballarat D Box. Clause 3 of regulation 173 states:
I never observed a train being assisted in the rear out of Ballarat although there are many photos from the steam era on the internet and in books showing banking up Warrenheip bank. On Youtube is footage of X36 banking in the rear an interstate goods hauled by 932-957-X53 up Warrenheip bank https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZYlwaNcrac&t=280s. It shows the train coming to a standstill after topping the grade at Warrenheip, the X uncoupling and returning to Ballarat on the down line.
Below are a sequence of photos showing a Dunolly - Geelong grain train being assisted out of Ballarat.
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| B75, T381, Y150 and Y151 join forces to haul No.196 wheat train up Warrenheip bank on Saturday 22/03/1986 (photo by Kelvin Russell featured on the cover of the June 1986 issue of Newsrail). |
A T class could haul 560 tonnes between Creswick and Ballarat, but only 455 tonnes between Ballarat and Warrenheip.
Usually one or two of the Y class yard pilots would be used or a T class sourced from Ballarat East loco depot. The banking loco could be attached to the front or behind the train loco in Ballarat yard. Once the train had climbed the grade to Warrenheip, the banking loco would be detached and would then return light engine to Ballarat.
Regulation 174 outlined instructions under which an assistance locomotive may be employed in front of passenger, mixed or goods trains. Clause 6 of regulation 174 states:
Where a higher powered diesel locomotive than a T or Y class running on multiple with either a T or Y class locomotive, a higher powered locomotive with the dynamic brake and staff exchange apparatus must be the leading locomotive, except where instructions are issued to the contrary.
Locomotives assisting in the rear of the train were permitted under regulation 173 between Ballarat and Warrenheip and between Ballarat and Ballarat C Box or Ballarat D Box. Clause 3 of regulation 173 states:
The bank locomotive must be coupled to the rear of the train while the train is stationary and the automatic air brake apparatus must be connected throughout the whole of the train.
When the necessary brake tests have been completed and the enginemen have exchanged the proper signals, the train may depart.
When the bank locomotive runs through the section, it must not be uncoupled until the train is within protection of the Home signal at the station to which it is appointed to run.
I never observed a train being assisted in the rear out of Ballarat although there are many photos from the steam era on the internet and in books showing banking up Warrenheip bank. On Youtube is footage of X36 banking in the rear an interstate goods hauled by 932-957-X53 up Warrenheip bank https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZYlwaNcrac&t=280s. It shows the train coming to a standstill after topping the grade at Warrenheip, the X uncoupling and returning to Ballarat on the down line.
Below are a sequence of photos showing a Dunolly - Geelong grain train being assisted out of Ballarat.
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| T356 arrive in no.2 road with Up block wheat train from Dunolly. |
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| The T uncouples from the wheat hoppers, moves forward and couples to Y152 and Y151 waiting in the arrival siding. The Loco's reverse and couple with the hoppers waiting in no.2 road. |
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| Once given the signal to proceed the locos power the load uphill and beneath the Queen Street bridge. |
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