239 Corio - Mildura block oil train

 

A block oil train to Mildura commenced running in March 1982  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. Under this system block oil trains were introduced to Wodonga, Shepparton, Mildura, Horsham and Swan Hill. 

X40 is about to crossover onto the Mildura line at Ballarat C Box with 239 Corio - Mildura block oil train.

239 was scheduled to leave Corio early afternoon on Mondays, Wednesdays, arriving in Ballarat at 1525. The train was scheduled to depart Ballarat at 1645 reaching Mildura at 0500 the next day.  

240 the empty return of 239 ran on Tuesdays and Thursdays, departing Mildura at 1500 and arriving the next day in Ballarat at 0254 where it paused for 11 minutes (assuming for a crew change and cross with 9155) before continuing its journey to Geelong.  

T331 and T356 grid up the grade out of Ballarat on the 239 Corio - Mildura block oil train.

Records of the train in Newsrail and in facebook groups shows that the train was hauled by either solo B, X, T,  or  by B-T, X-T or T-T.

The Report on the transport of petroleum products prepared as part of the Victorian Transport Study lists that Mildura had BP, Caltex, Ampol (at Red Cliffs), Mobil and Shell bulk fuel depots served by rail siding facilities. I'm unsure which of these were serviced by the block oil train when it commenced running.

On the layout I use the same consist of oil pots for the Mildura oily as the Horsham block oil train. The Horsham oily usually has VFJX as safety wagons. For the 239/240 I usually change these to VOBX or VOWA open wagons or VFDA or VFEX flat wagons. 

A ZLP brings up the rear of 239 and it disappears under the Armstrong Street bridge.