V/Line

Have you seen the art train yet? Victoria’s newest travelling exhibition – featuring artworks by acclaimed St Arnaud artist Kyle Torney – is on the move following the completion of the Ararat-Maryborough Line upgrade as part of the Murray Basin Rail Project. The painted G519 locomotive train celebrates the fruit, nuts and grains grown in north-west Victoria and moved along the Murray Basin freight network. If you haven’t spotted it yet, the painted train will be travelling along the Yelta Line over the coming months so don’t miss out!

Say hello to VLocity 119!    The newest VLocity has hit the tracks and is the first train in the latest order of modern, reliable VLocity trains built at Alstom’s Dandenong factory.     These new trains will be rolled out on our busiest regional lines, boosting capacity to help support the millions of Victorians, who are taking advantage of cheaper fares following the introduction of the regional fare cap.    It will also mean we can continue to replace our older classic fleet trains, which are being progressively retired as the more modern and reliable VLocity trains come onto the network.    We're delivering more trains and more services than ever before to get our passengers where they need to go.

The Warrnambool Line has some of the most picturesque scenery on the V/Line network. And soon passengers will be able to enjoy the view from the comfort of a modern VLocity train. Our crews have been hard at work, making their way along more than 150-kilometres of track to replace more than 70,000 sleepers. This work, along with the final level crossing upgrades underway as part of Stage 2 of the Warrnambool Line Upgrade, will help enable reliable VLocity trains to run to and from Warrnambool for the first time. Stay tuned for more updates as we move closer to this exciting milestone.

V/Line are thrilled to have been awarded the Australasian Rail Industry Passenger Operations Excellence Award.   The award recognises the success of the Victorian Government’s regional fare cap which has proved incredibly popular since its introduction, as people take advantage of cheaper fares to travel on the V/Line network.   Our staff have worked tirelessly to ensure passengers have a safe and comfortable journey when they travel with us.   And with more than 28 million trips taken and tens of millions saved by Victorians since March 2023, V/Line is proud to be supporting travel across the state.   Thank you to the Australasian Railway Association (ARA) and congratulations to all the other finalists and winners of the prestigious #ARIAwards.

It’s never worth risking your life to rush for a train. Trains can come from either direction at any time – and the consequences can be catastrophic, causing severe and lasting trauma to passengers, V/Line staff and communities. In the last 12 months, we’ve had more than 120 near-hits with pedestrians across the V/Line network. This includes pedestrians taking shortcuts to get to trains, like the passenger in this video jumping into the station pit and running across live tracks, seconds behind an oncoming train. This Rail Safety Week we’re urging everyone to be safe and vigilant at all times around the railway.   We all have a role to play in keeping safe in the rail environment so please take extra care around crossings and near the tracks. TrackSAFE Foundation #RailSafetyWeek

It’s Rail Safety Week and we’re reminding motorists to expect the unexpected and always watch out for trains when driving in regional Victoria. Trains can come from any directions at any time of day or night, including when you least expect it. Regardless of where you live, please take extra care at level crossings. Learn more about Rail Safety Week at: https://lnkd.in/e3Dm6zUT TrackSAFE Foundation #Railsafetyweek

Wallan Railway Station has never looked better. As part of our Transporting Arts Pilot Program, in partnership with V/Line and Mitchell Shire Council, the station now features a vibrant series of illustrations by Margie Balazic. Titled 'Connect,' Margie's work captures the essence of the local Wallan environment with flourishing florals and native gums. Learn more about the program at https://lnkd.in/gxhaVEbG

V/Line is proud to be a finalist in this year’s Victorian Training Awards in the Large Employer of the Year category. The awards recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements of organisations and individuals in the Victorian vocational education sector. V/Line’s shortlisting recognises our innovative training programs, which give staff the practical skills they need to run and maintain our complex train network. Our engaging training courses include certificates in train driving, customer service, rail infrastructure and signalling. We also have a range of accredited programs, including Safeworking and Track Inspector. This year’s awards will be presented on 30 August. Congratulations to all our fellow nominees. To find out more about working at V/Line visit: https://lnkd.in/g9wvYEp

This month marks 20 years since the return of passenger trains to Ararat. Trains had operated to and from Ararat since 1875 before passenger services beyond Ballarat were discontinued in May 1994. The line was reopened in July 2004. Now – two decades on – Ararat Line trains are seeing record patronage since the introduction of the regional fare cap, as passengers continue to make the most of cheaper fares. Planning is also underway for the introduction of two additional return services per day on Saturday and Sundays, as part of almost 200 weekend services being progressively delivered across the network. Photo courtesy of Chris Gordon from the community celebration in 2004.

A great team effort by everyone at Deer Park Station who rescued malamute Khaleesi after she wandered onto the tracks recently. Our quick-thinking staff, Authorised Officers and Protective Services Officers were able safely reunite her with owner Sean after an eventful night for the curious canine.