A77 enters service 31st May 1984

 

A77 entered service  on 31st May 1984 running the 8121 Ballarat pass. and returning on the 8150 service. 

8121 Ballarat pass runs express via North Geelong. The A class had no problems maintaining the schedule arriving on time at 1800.

A77 glides past the Ballarat East Locomotive Depot on the 8121 Ballarat pass.

 

At 1800 on 31/5/84 A77 arrives at Ballarat station on the 8121 pass.

A77 uncoupled from the cars and pulled forward over Lydiard Street and then reversed down the No.2 road to run around the consist.

Running around the cars using no.2 road.

A77 awaits departure time at Ballarat Station on 8150 pass.

A77 had only been delivered to V/Line on the 17th May. It appears that the problems with other two earlier A class deliveries have been addressed, allowing this locomotive to be commissioned quickly. A73 and A71 had both entered service the previous week, A73 on the 23rd May 1984 on 8025 Down Bendigo pass and returning on 8084 Up pass. On the following day A71 ran on the 8015 Down Bendigo pass returning on the 8052 Up pass.

At 1845 A77 departs on 8150 pass, snaking its way through Ballarat yard crossing from the Down to the Up line.

A77 runs past W250 on yard pilot duties.

A77 runs through Ballarat yard on the 8150 pass. In the background S313 and B81 rest at Ballarat East Locomotive Depot fuel point.

Usually the midday Bendigo pass had been used for the commissioning the A class, A77 entry into service on a Ballarat service being an exception. A77 is the third A class to enter service with V/Line.  

(A77 is actually A73 wearing A77 number plates. Its a detailed Northern Models body powered by an Athearn SD9 mechanism).