Rail Strike

A rail strike from the 4th December 1983 saw a halt to all rail services across Victoria. The strike had been called by the rail unions in response to the Victorian government's plans to close regional freight centres.



T411 and L252 shut down at Wodonga during a 4 day rail strike, 7th December 1983.

The strike lasted 4 days, with the rail workers agreeing to return work after Steve Crabb, the Minister for Transport agreed to a review of the STA's plans. A working party representing the Victorian government and Australian Rail Union was established to undertake a region by region review of the centres threatened by closure. The government also agreed to railway workers affected by the closures being offered alternative positions.

So how to incorporate industrial action into operations on the model railway? 

All services were stopped by midnight on the Sunday 4th December. A standard Sunday timetable was operated for the day but some services were cancelled (those that would not reach there destination by midnight). Other service were halted at stations/crew depots, the train secured and the locomotives shunt down.  This meant that a number goods trains were halted at Ballarat and that neither of the overnight passenger trains operated.

Unusual sight of X40=T401-T388 shut down on an block grain working destined for loading at the Berriwollock and Wycheproof Central Receival Points on the Kulwin line. Due to the train being longer than the arrival and departure sidings it has stabled near the goods shed.

A ZMF brings up the rear of the block train of empty GH's in the departure siding. 

The rail strike has resulted in an almost full house at Ballarat East Locomotive Depot. Present around the turntable are Y170, Y150, Y151, W243, T321, S313, B81 and T386, with Y111 in the maintenance shed and Y152, T331, T367 and T356 at the fuel point.

A long train of GY's that had loaded at overflow silos on the Mildura line has been pushed onto the Eureka branch. Van 725 ZL is one of the unusual ZL's with timber sides and a masonite end.

I have included a few photos from my collection taken during the rail strike at Wodonga and Albury. They show the Victorian standard gauge locomotives shut down and that the SRA continued to operate trains including the interstate passenger trains to and from Albury, presumably with buses south of the border. With Southern Aurora, Spirit of Progress and Intercapital Daylight sets stranded in Melbourne, the interstate passenger trains operated with unusual consists.

GM28 shut down at Albury during the rail strike 8th December 1983.

42218 powers the Intercapital Daylight near Bowna on the 8th December 1983. The scratch consist includes mostly Spirit of Progress and Southern Aurora cars.

42201 and 8005 awaits departure time at Albury on the Spirit of Progress during the rail strike, 7th December 1983. Consist is 5VBK, 2VFR, RMS2360, 2VFK, 2VFS, NAM2373, PHN2361, LHV422

Reverse 42205 heads the Sydney bound Spirit of Progress during the rail strike at Albury on the 8th December 1983. Consist is SBS2280, OBS2262, RS2301, SFS2275, SPS2???, NAM2329, PHV2402, van?