Promotional runs

With Vicrail's "New Deal for country passengers" promotional runs were undertaken with orange B class and the new cars to showcase the improved comfort and the benefits of the accelerated timetables.

B69 and B81 accelerate away from Ballarat C Box with promotional run to Windermere, 18th July 1982.

On the 18th July 1982, B69 and B81 ran a series of shuttles between Ballarat and Windermere. These shuttles were unusual in that they included a refurbished S and Z car as well as one of the new N sets. The cars were used the following weekend to Bendigo behind B83 and B82. As far as I am aware all other promotional runs that occurred to country locations only used N sets. Consist was 1BS - 1BZ - 19BN - 20BRN - 21ACN. This N set (N7) included the prototype BRN - Snack Bar car - 20BRN.  A mixed consist was also used for promotional runs from Spencer St to Essendon with the launch of V/Line on the 22st August 1983.

B69 and B81 run around the cars at Windermere on a promotional run from Ballarat th July 1982 (photo Ron Woods from Aaron Davy's VR Facebook page)

I've always been fond of the VicRail's orange and silver tea cup livery. Nothing better represents VicRail's transition period of the early 80's than an orange B on an N set or double heading with a blue and gold loco on a grain train of GH's or GY's trailed by a ZLP or ZMF guards van.

B69 and B81 depart Ballarat for Windermere on a promotional shuttle. 18th July 1982.
(photo Brett Leslie from Aaron Davy's VR Facebook page). 

Below are some photos of B69 and B81 hauling a replica promotional run to Windermere on the layout.