This presentation covers action on both the broad gauge (pre 2008 at Albury) and standard gauge (post 1961) tracks as we move south from Albury to Seymour in the period 2004 through 2010. We also visit both the Seymour Railways Heritage Centre and what remains of PacNat’s Seymour depot.
I had originally held off releasing Part 5 in the Main South series (probably better referred to as the Main North East Part 1 by Victorians) in 2009 on the understanding that the Victorian North East Rail Corridor Revitalisation Project (which involved the conversion to standard gauge of the broad gauge track from Albury to Seymour, originally opened progressively between 1872 and 1883 as broad gauge track) would be operational by April 2010, thus providing a second standard gauge track parallel to that opened back in 1962. However problems have plagued the former’s introduction and, while I could get no direct comment ARTC (Australian Rail Tack Authority), I understand it is due to problems with signalling installed for same. This issue was not expected to be resolved until late 2010.
However the 5km long Wodonga dual standard gauge bypass was opened in July 2010, the tracks running from a location near where the old alignment reached the southern bank of the Murray River to near where it passed under the Hume Freeway. Thus it effectively bypasses Wodonga Coal Sidings, the old Wodonga Railway Station and goods yard and seven sets of level crossings in the Wodonga locality (Huon St, Osborne St, Hovell St, High St, Wodonga railway station entrance, Kelly St and Melrose Drive). We view this disused track as we move south.
In this presentation we shall see B, CLF, DL, F, G, LDP, N, NR, P, S, T, X, W, 49 and 81 class locomotives as well as XPT and Velocity passenger sets.
Approximate run time: 80 minutes.