351 Corio - Horsham Block Oil Train

 

T367 slowly makes it way through Ballarat yard and the station via no.2 road. VFJX are being used as the safety wagons between locomotive, oil tanks and guards van.

A block oil train commenced running to Horsham in the first week of October 1983. 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 had been introduced to Wodonga, Shepparton and Mildura. 

Oil tanks of various styles and capacity have been included in the consist, with the train usually being between 10 and 17 wagons. The train is utilising two VFJX movable bulkhead flat wagons as the safety wagons between the locomotive and oil tanks, and between the oil tanks and guards van. 

The service is proposed to operate 3 nights a week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday). The first working observed through Ballarat was on Wednesday 5th October 1983, when T367 arrived in the yard at 6:46pm with 12 oil tanks. 

T367 waits a crew change at the signal gantry near Lydiard Street with the Horsham Block Oil Train.

On Friday 7th October 1983, T388 powers the 351 Corio - Horsham Block oil train out of Ballarat.

On Monday 10th October, the Corio - Horsham Block Oil Train is double-headed with B67 and T377 in charge

On Wednesday 12th October, flat-top T321 runs through Ballarat North with 351 Corio - Horsham Block Oil Train. Bring up the rear of the train is ZMF guards van.

 

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