C class troubles

 

On 12th December 1983 at 1930, C502 on the westbound 9147 Melbourne - Adelaide Express Goods failed between Box Bank Loop and Ballan when its turbocharger blew out. B66 was dispatched light engine from Ballarat, while B80 was taken off the 9170 Ballarat- Melbourne Goods at Ballan and together they rescued the goods. 

B66 and B80 tow failed C502 on the 9147 Melbourne - Adelaide Express Goods into Ballarat yard.

9147 arrived at Ballarat at 2342 where B66-B80 and C502 were taken off the goods, with C507 substituting for the run west. B80 then departed for Ballan to resume running the Ballarat- Melbourne Goods which eventually arrived in Melbourne 545 minutes late.

C507 departs Ballarat on a late running 9147 Melbourne - Adelaide Express Goods having taken over from B80 and B66.

C507 grinds uphill past the Doveton Street Sidings on a late running 9147 Melbourne - Adelaide Express Goods.

The following day on the 13th December, a large crack was detected in the rear right hand bogie side frame of C504 whilst hauling the 9146 Adelaide - Melbourne Express Goods.

The train limped in Ballarat yard, where the damaged bogie was assessed by staff from Ballarat North Railway Workshops. The crack had started in the acute angle between the middle axles hornguide and the spring pocket, and had propagated up under the brake cylinder, which was holding the sideframe together.  

Due to the extent of the damage C504 was taken off the Express Goods with B69-T401-T356 substituted on 9146 for the remainder of journey to Melbourne.

Having substituted for C504, B69-T401-T356 grind up Warrenheip Bank on 9146 Adelaide - Melbourne Express Goods. 

9146 snakes it way through Ballarat yard.

Early afternoon Y151 departed towing C504 dead attached slowly back to Melbourne. With the severe locomotive shortage that V/Line was experiencing, C504 was outshopped two days later with bogies cannibalised off C502. Its first trip west through Ballarat was on 9121 on the 16th December. 

 

Y151 departs Ballarat yard towing C504 dead attached slowly back towards Melbourne. 

C504 first trip west through Ballarat following the fitting of C502 bogies was on 9121 Melbourne - Adelaide Express Goods on the 16th December 1983.