A class driver training

 

An unusual working occurred on 28th June 1984, when A71 led T367 and T331 on Berriwollock bound block grain through Ballarat. A71 was being worked through to Maryborough for driving training for the planned rostering of A class on the Vinelander.

A71 T367-T331 arrive at Ballarat on a block grain of empty GH's. In the background B83 and B61 rest at the fuel point.

A71 paused in Ballarat yard where additional empty GH's were attached to rear of the train. The train then departed, running via no.4 Road then crossing over to the Down mainline between Lydiard Street and Armstrong Street. 

Since entering service in May 1984, the A class have mainly been used on Albury and Bendigo passenger trains. With more A class entering service, driver training is occurring on the Swan Hill and Mildura lines.

A71 will spend the week in the Maryborough area for crew familiarization, working trains on the Mildura line.

A71 T367-T331 reverse onto a string of empty GH's. These will be added to it's train waiting on the mainline.

A71-T367-T331 run along no.4 road with a rake of GH's for loading at Berriwollock. B72 waits departure time on a Up Ballarat pass.

A71-T367-T331 cross over to the Down mainline between Lydiard Street and Armstrong Street. 

A71-T367-T331 run past the Doveton Street sidings on a empty block grain for loading at the silos at Berriwollock.

A71-T367-T331 run past Ballarat C Box on a empty block grain for loading at the silos at Berriwollock.

Two days later on the 30th June 1984, A71 was worked through to Mildura on a goods, leading T393-T392-S300-S303, becoming the first of the class to reach the Sunraysia district.

A71 raises the dust as it speeds through Somerton on an Albury pass 28/12/1984. A71 was regularly deployed on Albury passenger trains  My first journey behind an A class was with A71 on a pass from Wodonga in August 1984.

3 days later on 31/12/1984  A71 heads a Down Albury pass at Wandong.

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