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Vline, Freight Australia

The Minister of Transport, Mr. S. Crabb unveiled a new corporate image for the country transport system on 21-8-1983. The new name V/Line would allow corporate marketing to be developed with a "brand" name. The new image would be applied to every aspect of the services provided, replacing the VicRail name and "tea-cup" logo, which had previously replaced the name "Victorian Railways" and VR emblems.

New corporate identity for country transport system unveiled on 21-8-1983. Source: V/Line

The rolling stock with the new V/Line image arrived in Mildura the day after the launch of the new corporate style. MotoRail wagon VMAY20, which had been painted for the official launch, was attached to "The Vinelander" that night and arrived in Mildura the following morning.

MotoRail wagon VMAY20 was the first rolling stock to appear in Mildura with the new V/Line corporate image. It is in stark contrast to the blue and gold of the Victorian Railways era showing on the end of a CE van. 22-8-1983. Photo: Bruce McLean

B84 was the first locomotive to appear in Mildura with the new V/Line corporate identity. The all-over tangerine color was not to last long. 30-8-1983. Photo: Bruce McLean

B81 with the VicRail "Tea Cup" emblem and an N set consisting of 54ACN, 52BRN, and 1BN with the new V/Line name stand at Mildura on the morning of 17-9-1983. Photo: Bruce McLean

The first locomotive to arrive at Mildura in the modified V/Line livery was T386. The all-over tangerine was broken by painting the side panels a mid-grey color. 29-9-1983. Photo: Bruce McLean

The first freight wagon to reach Mildura with the new V/Line emblem was louvre van VLCX82. All other aspects of the Victorian Railways/VicRail color scheme and reporting information remained unaltered - only the name was changed. 1-9-1983. Photo: Bruce McLean

1VAM, a former "Spirit of Progress" sleeping car, which had been in service on The Vinelander" from at least 1974, was renumbered SZ287 and was painted V/Line orange during October. It re-entered service on 30-10-1983 on the Down "The Vinelander".

"The Vinelander" sleeping car No.12 was noted at Mildura on 23-12-1983 renumbered to SJ283. The "J" in the code was most likely to provide an historical connection to its original joint ownership with South Australia.

Two S Class diesel-electric locomotives- S300 and S303- arrived in Mildura on 11-6-1984 for crew training in their operation. With the higher powered A Class coming into service, it was decided to extend the use of single-cab S Class diesel-electric locomotives to the Mildura line, despite the lack of turning facilities. S Class locomotives had already been rostered to Donald where S311 was noted on 26-2-1984 in combination with an X Class locomotive. S300 and S303 were used for training Ouyen and Mildura crews under supervision of Mr. K. Penny, V/Line Inspector of Locomotive Running. The S Class were first introduced in 1957 and the only previous visit of members of this class was on 3-9-1957 when S300 hauled the inaugural "Mildura Sunlight" and was able to reverse on the steam locomotive turntable. It was fitting then that S300 was again the first of the class to commence regular running on the Mildura line some 27 years later.

The first S Class locomotives to Mildura for more than 27 years were S300 and S303 on 11-6-1984. This class was regularly scheduled on the Mildura line after a history of mainline train running including hauling the famous "The Overland", "Southern Aurora", "Spirit of Progress" passenger trains and interstate express freight trains until the new X and C Class locomotives displaced them. They were then used on trains throughout most of the State. Photo: Bruce McLean

S300 "Mathew Flinders" on its return to Mildura after 27 years on 11-6-1984. Photo: Bruce McLean

In 1984 V/Line undertook a $110 million locomotive refurbishing and building program. Eleven of the 26 B Class locomotives were refurbished with new 12 cylinder turbo charged engines lifting their motive power from 1600 to 2500 horsepower, reclassified as A Class, but retaining their former B Class number. The A Class were rostered principally on V/Line passenger services in and out of Melbourne.

The first A Class to arrive in Mildura was A71, on Saturday morning 30-6-1984.

A71, the first of the rebuilt A Class to come to Mildura, leads T393, T392, S300 and S303 into the Mildura yard at the head of a goods train on the morning of 30-6-1984. Photo: Bruce McLean

A71 made its first appearance in Mildura on 30-6-1984. Formerly B71, the re-built locomotive has a number of distinctive changes to its appearance, however the major changes were in the power technology, giving the famous double-ended GM locomotive an extended life. Photo: Bruce McLean

With the withdrawal of wooden rolling stock from V/Line InterCity and InterUrban passenger trains, the familiar CE brake van on "The Vinelander" finally was replaced during 1983 by a steel CD brake van hired from Australian National. A program to convert AZ First Class passenger cars was also undertaken to fit out a guard/conductor compartment at the end of each car in similar style to the new ACN cars built in 1981 at Newport Workshops. The first ACZ car in this new configuration was scheduled on "The Vinelander" from Melbourne to Mildura on 27-8-1984.

ACZ255 in its converted form with guard/conductor compartment at one end. This conversion allowed the discontinuation of a separate brake van for the Guard. Mildura 28-8-1984. Photo: Bruce McLean

The introduction of ACZ cars then created the problem of having sufficient room for passenger luggage which was normally carried in the CE brake van. To overcome the problem, an additional D van was attached to "The Vinelander" for luggage. One van was already attached for parcels freight. The first arrival in Mildura with the double vans was on 28-8-1984.

"The Vinelander" was now taking on a completely different appearance. Not only was there the conversion from blue to orange carriages, but the removal of the traditional CE brake van and its replacement by two steel D box vans for conveyance of passenger luggage and parcels. This was the first arrival in Mildura with the new arrangement. 28-8-1984. Photo: Bruce McLean

In an era when V/Line were removing all wooden-bodied passenger rolling stock, there was a remarkable inconsistency with their policy when it came to freight rolling stock, in particular, the ubiquitous Z brake van - first introduced in 1858 and in service until the mid-1980's. It was remarkable therefore, to find 9ZB brake van in Mildura on 28-8-1984 attached to a grain train following full workshop attention and repaint.

An ancient van fully restored in a modern V/Line era. 9ZB in all its glory was found at Mildura, fresh from the workshops, on 28-8-1984, attached to a grain train. Photo: Bruce McLean

"The Vinelander" roomette sleeping car No.11 was returned to service on 6-8-1984 after conversion of the exterior color scheme from blue to V/Line orange.

By late 1984 it was possible to see three color schemes on locomotives as the transition to V/Line was taking effect. B75 (Victorian Railways, B74 (VicRail) and A73 (formerly B73) stand at Mildura over the Christmas/Boxing Day public holidays 1984. Photo: Bruce McLean

An unusual site at Mildura was the gathering all four wooden sleeping cars, Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4 in the carriage shed. The cars in order are Sleepers No. 4, 2, 1 and 3. 25-6-1985. Photo: Bruce McLean

The same sleeping cars viewed from the down end of Mildura's unique carriage shed. The scene was taken in the early light of day on 25-6-1985. Photo: Bruce McLean

In the $110 million locomotive refurbishing and rebuilding program that produced the A Class, V/Line also refurbished 13 T Class locomotives with new 1100 horsepower diesel engines for use on short InterUrban runs and designated them P Class.

Another 45 new locomotives were also ordered from Clyde Engineering. There were 15 new 3,300 horsepower G Class locomotives for heavy freight haulage and 25 new 2,500 horsepower locomotives designated as N Class to operate principally on V/Line country passenger services. The design of the N Class was unique in Australia with a full width cabin at each end and a narrow car body for greater efficiency.

Former B70, now refurbished and reclassified A70, stands beside B61 at Mildura on 29-5-1985. Photo: Bruce McLean

The first of the third series X Class diesel-electric locomotives to come to Mildura was X50, when it arrived in the company of X34 on "The Vinelander" on 5-7-1985.

The Chairman of the State Transport Authority, Mr. K. Fitzmaurice, announced on 12-11-1985 that two-man crewing would commence on freight trains, eliminating the position of guard and guards vans trailing on trains. The project would take 12 months to implement. The Relieving Stationmaster at Mildura Mr. E. Sibley, said the change would not affect Mildura freight trains "for some time". The first train to carry a two-man crew operated between Ararat and Portland on 11-11-1985.

In 1985 it was announced that two-man crews would be progressively introduced, phasing out the role of guard and guard's vans. 35VVCP (formerly 35CP) takes its place at the end of a rake of GY grain wagons at Ouyen on 2-10-1985. Photo: Bruce McLean

The first of the new G Class locomotives rostered to the Mildura line was G513. On 5-3-1986, G513 arrived at Woomelang on a Down grain train to Ouyen. G513 remained working out of Ouyen for crew training before arriving at Mildura on the morning of 8-3-1986 for training of Mildura and Ouyen crews (who were unavailable at their home base). The G Class were built by Clyde Engineering at Rosewater, Adelaide, the first five being identical to the recently built BL Class for Australian National and the first delivered to V/Line in November 1984. There were subsequently 33 locomotives constructed. The 3,300 horsepower locomotives were designed for heavy freight haulage.

The first G Class to Mildura was G513, shown standing in the morning sun on Saturday morning 8-3-1986. The locomotive was used for crew training over the weekend. Photo: Bruce McLean

The first N Class locomotive rostered to Mildura was N452. It arrived on the morning of 16-4-1986 and remained at Mildura until 22-4-1986 for training of train crews. It was proposed that the new N Class locomotives would become the principle class in charge of "The Vinelander" each day.

The first N to Mildura - N452 - arrived for crew training on 16-4-1986. Photo: Bruce McLean

The N Class locomotives - the first mainline locomotives to be built in Victoria for 35 years (the G Class mainline freight locomotives were built in South Australia) - was handed over to V/Line on 8-10-1985. A total of 25 locomotives were built by Clyde Engineering at their Somerton factory for a total cost of $42 million. The N Class were the first locomotives in Australia to have full-width cabs at each end with a narrow car body. The narrow body simplifies maintenance by improving access to the engine/alternator set, electrical cabinets and ancillary equipment.

N455, in company with a very dirty blue and gold S303, was the first N Class to be regularly rostered on "The Vinelander" when it arrived at Mildura on the morning of 3-5-1986. N455 and S303 are shown at the Mildura diesel fuel point after completion of their journey. Photo: Bruce McLean

Y106 became the first of the Y Class to present itself in Mildura in the V/Line colors in May 1986, despite the introduction of the color scheme in 1983. Y106 appears to be ready for a repaint as it shunts the Mildura station yard on 13-5-1986. Photo: Bruce McLean

Following the introduction of two-man crewing on freight trains, eliminating the position of guard and guards vans trailing on trains, the Mildura line conversion commenced on 8-9-1986. (The first train to carry a two-man crew operated between Ararat and Portland on 11-11-1985). The last day of guards vans on the Mildura line was 6-9-1986. In fact it was from this day that every non-passenger train in the Victorian railway network was crewed by two men instead of the traditional three. The position of guard became redundant on freight trains and the use of all freight brake vans discontinued.

Safeworking instructions were completely re-written to take into account every facet of the change in operations. Train were required to carry a combined end of train marker and tail light as well as a number of safety features fitted to all locomotives.

Fitting an end-of-train marker to the end of a grain train. Photo: V/Line

Eight guards vans were attached to the 6 p.m. up goods train from Mildura on 8-9-1986 following the introduction of two-man crewing on the Mildura line. The last vans were 12VVCP, 6VVEY, 26CP, 4CP, 36VVDY, 64VVBP, 36VVCP and 19ZF. Photo: Bruce McLean

The first goods train to depart from Mildura without a guards van was the up "Sunraysia Fresh" express goods train on 7-9-1986.Photo: Bruce McLean

The very last van to depart from Mildura was 1VVDY (formerly 1ZF) on 21-10-1986. It was sent to Tottenham yard for storage. Photo: Bruce McLean

With block train running and high capacity bogie wagons on grain trains, together with the abandonment of livestock traffic, V/Line commenced a large scale scrapping program to reduce the number of obsolete four-wheel wagons off the system. The grain fleet, for example, was being handled with 700 bogie wagons compared with 6,000 wagons used to carry the grain harvest in 1980/81. Wagons were scrapped at Bendigo Workshops or to scrap metal dealers Simsmetal Ltd. and Alloy Products, Australasia Pty. Ltd.

Four-wheel wagons at a scrap metal dealer site in Melbourne. M cattle vans, L sheep vans and GY grain wagon are the predominate classes of vehicles shown in this scene. Photo: State Stansport Authority

Four-wheel wagons at a scrap metal dealer site. M cattle vans, L sheep vans and GY grain wagons are the predominate classes of vehicles shown in this scene. Photo: State Transport Authority

Rail tractors were located at Ouyen, Redcliffs and Irymple for shunting rolling stock within the yard limits. The rail tractors were changed over from time to time for workshop attention. 20RT was in Mildura after being brought in from Irymple after it became defective and was being sent to Ballarat Workshops for repairs. 8-8-1987. Photo: Bruce McLean

RT53 was sent from Seymour to Irymple to replace 20RT. Note the different arrangements forward of the cabin. 8-8-1987. Photo: Bruce McLean

In January 1987, the City of Mildura wrote to the Minister for Transport seeking to be included in the municipalities that were getting N Class locomotives named after them. It was agreed that the City of Mildura would be included and arrangements were made for a naming ceremony at Mildura station on Sunday 16-8-1987 on the weekend of "The Vinelander Plate" at Mildura Racing Club. The naming ceremony also coincided with the Centenary of Mildura celebrations.

Locomotive N457 was selected to be "City of Mildura" and carry the council crest. N457 in company with N460 "City of Castlemaine" arrived at Mildura on the morning of Saturday 15-8-1987.

On Sunday 16-8-1987, N457 was officially named at a ceremony on Mildura station platform. The Acting Mayor of Mildura, Cr. A.R. Burr, Mr. J. Simpson M.P, the Member for Niddrie, represented the Minister for Transport Mr. Roper, Mr. N. Ribarich, Shire of Mildura President, Mr. L. Harper V/Line General Manager Passenger Services, Mr. M. Caldwell V/Line Regional Manager and Mr. K. Baker, V/Line Promotion Manager were in attended. The author and his family were also invited guests.

Cr. Burr read a letter of authority from the City of Mildura to Mr. Simpson giving V/Line permission to name the locomotive "City of Mildura". The naming ceremony and unveiling of the plaque and inscription on N457 was undertaken by the Mr. Simpson and Cr. Burr respectively.

Part of the crowd witnessing the speech by Mr. J. Simpson, representing the Minister for Transport at the N457 naming ceremony. Standing in the official party are Mr. L. Harper, Mr. M. Caldwell and Cr. A.R. Burr. 16-8-1987. Photo: Bruce McLean

Mr. J. Simpson M.P. unveils the City of Mildura crest attached to N457. Looking on is Cr. A.R. Burr, and in the cabin is Driver H. Hill. 16-8-1987. Photo: Bruce McLean

Cr. A.R. Burr prepares to unveil the name "City of Mildura" on N457. 16-8-1987. Photo: Bruce McLean

Acting Mayor Cr. A.R. Burr sits in the driver's seat of N457 as he proudly acknowledges the name "City of Mildura". 16-8-1987. Photo: Bruce McLean

In the middle of the N457 naming ceremony speeches, X39 departed with the "Sunraysia Fresh" express goods service to Melbourne - the roar of the engine drowning out the speeches! 16-8-1987. Photo: John Page

Following the naming ceremony, free return trips were run from Mildura to Redcliffs at one hour intervals starting at 11.30 a.m. and finishing at 3.30 p.m. with Redcliffs trips departing at 12 noon, 1 p.m., 2p.m. and 3.15 p.m.. Sitting cars off "The Vinelander" were used with the snack bar open and giveaways including free family trips to Melbourne. Two locomotives were used in "push-pull" mode - N457 "City of Mildura" and N460 "City of Castlemaine".

N457 pulls into the Mildura platform with the special train for Redcliffs in connection with the naming of N457 as "City of Mildura". 16-8-1987. Photo: Bruce McLean

N460 and N457 in "push-pull" mode at Redcliffs during one of the trips run to and from Mildura in connection with the naming of N457. 16-8-1987. Photo: Bruce McLean

N460 leads "The Vinelander" sittings cars with N457 at the rear as they arrive at Mildura after returning from Redcliffs. 16-8-1987. Photo: Bruce McLean

The "star of the show" N457 with its new City of Mildura crest and nameplate. Driver H. Hill is at the controls. Mildura. 16-8-1987. Photo: Bruce McLean

After the ceremony naming N457, invited guests were taken on board the "The Overland" Club Car for afternoon tea. The Club Car and sleeping cars off "The Overland" were used to supplement the usual sleeping cars for the package tourists who came to Mildura for "The Vinelander Plate" race meeting. The carriages were placed under the Mildura Freightgate canopy as the platform was being used for the free shuttle trips to Redcliffs and return. 16-8-1987. Photo: Bruce McLean

To commemorate Australia's 200^th birthday (1788 - 1988) V/Line arranged for locomotive A66 to be painted into the b-centenary colors of yellow and green. A66 made its first journey to Mildura in the new colors on 22-3-1988 at the head of "The Sunraysia" day train, with X37.

A66 bearing the bi-centenary color scheme, arrives at Mildura in the late afternoon sun at the head of "The Sunlight" on 22-3-1988. Photo: Bruce McLean

A66 standing at Mildura on 22-3-1988 in the Bi-centenary colors commissioned by V/Line. Photo: Bruce McLean

G526, the first of the second series G Class locomotives, arrived in Mildura for the first time on 18-5-1988.

The two sleeping cars coded SS285 and SS286 were removed from "The Vinelander" service in 1989. These cars were originally built as "Spirit of Progress" compartment sitting carriages but were converted to sleeping carriages and numbered VAC 15 and 16 in 1962 for standard gauge services between Melbourne and Canberra. SS285 made its last appearance as a sleeping car on "The Vinelander" in March 1989 before being converted to BS218. SS286 was converted to BS219.

On 2-3-1989, a derailment at Tintinara, South Australia, caused three express goods trains to be diverted via Pinnaroo. The goods trains were:

No. 9145 Down Goods - X53, X46 with 25 wagons;

No. 9147 Down Goods - N473, S312 with 22 wagons; and

No. 9146 Up Goods - X45, N472 with 27 vehicles.

This was the first use of these classes of locomotives between Tailem Bend and Pinnaroo and possibly the first use of N Class locomotives between Ouyen and Pinnaroo.

X48 was the last of the X Class to be painted into V/Line colors. X48 is standing at Mildura on 3-8-1989 with S317 and A85. Photo: Bruce McLean

Class leader S300 and S317 pose at the Mildura fuel point. 15-9-1989. Photo: Bruce McLean

A busy later afternoon scene at Mildura. G540 & G526 are standing in No.2 road on a grain train from Yelta, and N475 & H2 make a rare combination for running the up "Sunraysia Fresh" express goods. 31-10-1989. Photo: Bruce McLean

T376 at Mildura. 17-11-1989. Photo: Bruce McLean

A special Olympic Games design was applied to A66 to promote the bid by the Melbourne Olympic Committee in their bid for the 1996 Olympic Games. The color scheme was worn by A66 from February to September 1990. A66 arrived in Mildura on "The Vinelander" on the morning of 19-2-1990. Photo: Bruce McLean

Just released from the workshops and sent to Mildura on "The Vinelander" was 306D express parcels van with additional fittings for head-end power cables, shown at the bottom right of the wagon end. Wagons fitted with head-end power cables for the transfer of electrical supply to rolling stock from N Class diesel locomotives were designated with the letter "T" on the code board. Mildura 29-10-1990. Photo: Bruce McLean

In the 1990's Mildura frequently played host to large numbers of locomotives to cope with the rail traffic on offer. On Easter Good Friday 29-3-1991, there were two divisions of "The Vinelander", both hauled by N Class locomotives. In the line up at the locomotive sidings were N457, N466, X34, H5, X38. Photo: Bruce McLean

Although not strictly a locomotive, the EM100 Track Recording Car was a self propelled vehicle and covered all lines in the State checking for track irregularities. The EM100 was noted at Mildura during one of its test trips on 21-5-1991. Photo: Bruce McLean

There were nine locomotives stabled at Mildura on 25-9-1991. Those visible from left to right, are T401, T373, T400, T381, X41, G533 and A60. Others not shown are G537 and Y109. Photo: Bruce McLean

During February and March 1992, A Class locomotives provided the motive power for 9141/9142 Melbourne Yard to Mildura and Mildura to Melbourne Yard express goods. X class locomotives had taken over this roster by April 1992.

By September 1992, G Class locomotives were the principal class of motive power for goods trains to Mildura.

In October 1992, staff under the supervision of the Mildura sub-depot foreman began to conduct "A" examinations of rolling stock. This involved checking triple valves, air hoses, draught gear and minor repairs.

T371 (at far left), Y174 (pilot locomotive) and N459 standing at Mildura locomotive sidings on 28-8-1993. The appearance of N Class locomotives in Mildura would cease some two weeks later with cancellation of "The Vinelander" passenger service on 12-9-1993. Photo: Bruce McLean

The government's reform strategy that resulted in the withdrawal of passenger train services to Mildura on 12-9-1993, also had implications for freight services with the closure of the Mildura locomotive/fuelling depot at Mildura.

G529 and G530 make a hurried get away from Mildura with a grain train from Yelta on Sunday 29-8-1993. Photo: Bruce McLean

As a consequence of the loss of the passenger rail service to Mildura, cement, fuel, grain, containers and general freight became the mainstay of traffic from Yelta, Merbein and Mildura, with grain and gypsum originating off the Murrayville line.

Locomotive power was mainly provided by G and X classes with occasional appearances by A and N classes.

Rail tractors were in use at Irymple and Redcliffs.

The first P Class locomotive to Mildura was P21 on 13-5-1994. The P Class were the outcome of the rebuilding of some of the original first series T Class locomotives and in their new, more powerful role, were primarily used on inter-urban passenger train services out of Melbourne. Photo: Bruce McLean

G527 and X41 pass through Clunes whilst working the North Geelong to Mildura 9139 block oil train on 26-7-1994. Photo: Gavin McLaughlan

Mildura pilot Y119 stabled at the Mildura locomotive sidings. 3-7-1994. Photo: Bruce McLean

October 1995, V/Line Freight started a program to identify locomotives with the corporate name. G528 was the first of the G Class rostered to Mildura with the new name when it was captured at the head of the "Sunraysia Fresh" up express goods to Melbourne on 24-10-1995. Photo: Bruce McLean

A new Master Train Plan provided for changes to Mildura line goods services. The principle change was the extension of 9141 Superfreighter to Merbein as the terminating station. 9141 conveys containers, fast track and fruit traffic, arriving at Mildura at 7.15 a.m. Tuesday to Friday (was 6.30 a.m.) and Merbein at 8.00 a.m. (9.00 a.m. Saturday). The locomotive returns light engine to Mildura by 8.50 a.m.. On Fridays 9141 stables at Maryborough (next day) until Sunday and arrives at Mildura at 6.40 a.m. Monday.

Other changes included 9151 goods arriving at Mildura at 1.30 p.m. Monday to Friday instead of 8.10 a.m. and 9152 goods from Mildura to Tottenham Yard was altered to depart at 8.15 a.m. instead of 10.30 a.m.

The first special passenger train (other than railway enthusiast special trains) to run to Mildura was scheduled by Victoria's first private railway operator, West Coast Railway, from 8-6-1996 to 10-6-1996. This was also the first occasion that West Coast Railway rolling stock had ventured as far as Mildura since their acceptance as a rail operator.

The special train consisted of diesel electric locomotives T369 and T363, BK711, BRS223, BRS229, ACZ252, CP291.

West Coast Railway ran a special tourist train to Mildura for the Queen's Birthday weekend, 1996. T369 stands at Mildura platform with the special train of West Coast Railway rolling stock on 9-6-1996. Photo: Bruce McLean

Former Victorian Railways T Class T369 now in the ownership of West Coast Railway, a private rail operator based in Geelong. Mildura 9-6-1996. Photo: Bruce McLean

During 1996 locomotive utilisation was altered to become mainly X+X combinations with occasional appearances by G Class.

Following the withdrawal of the Y Class pilot engine from Mildura on 22-7-1996, X34 and X37 were modified for shunting and were scheduled to Mildura on alternate days running 9141 and 9142 goods trains. By September, most of the first/second series X Class had been modified.

In 1998 V/Line commenced modifying some locomotives for driver-only operation. X49 was the first of the class to be modified, the external differences being a lower nose and larger forward windows. X49 was noted at Mildura on 18-11-1998. Photo: Bruce McLean

The Victorian Government announced on 22-2-1999 that Freight Victoria had been selected as the successful purchaser of V/Line Freight Corporation under a 15 year renewable lease to operate and maintain Victoria's country rail network from 1-5-1999.

As part of the lease agreement, other passenger rail and freight operators will have the right to run their own services in competition with Freight Victoria. The Government would also pay Freight Victoria to maintain lines for passenger services. It was also announced that Freight Victoria would invest $36 million in the first two years to improve infrastructure, and modernise or replace the V/Line Freight locomotive fleet.

X51 in its new color scheme and carrying the name of its new owner, Freight Victoria. Mildura 8-12-1999. Photo: Bruce McLean

The most common form of locomotive power on the Mildura corridor under the management of Freight Victoria), is the highly successful G Class locomotive. G515 in its new coating of Freight Victoria green was captured at Mildura in January 2000. Photo: Bruce McLean

H1 wearing its new Freight Australia color scheme made a rare appearance in Mildura on 5-6-2000. The name Freight Victoria was replaced by Freight Australia when operations extended into New South Wales. Photo: Bruce McLean

In June 2000, Freight Australia consolidated freight trains to and from Mildura so that 9141 Down goods and 9140 Up goods were rostered with a single G Class locomotive instead of the usual G and X combination. Grain traffic through to Yelta was also the domain of the G Class either as single units or double headed with another G class or the occasional X or S Class. The appearance of other locomotives from time to time gave some variety to train working, but this became increasingly rare as Freight Australia expanded operations into New South Wales.

With the changed operating practices adopted by Freight Victoria (later Freight Australia) A Class locomotives were very rarely rostered to the northern end of the Mildura corridor. A85 was an exception on 10-10-2000. Photo: Bruce McLean

Former Victorian Railways T385 was sold to West Coast Railway. On 29-3-2001, T385 was on hire to Freight Australia to provide additional horsepower assistance to G515 on the up goods from Mildura that night. Photo: Bruce McLean

Freight Australia hired S313 from Steamrail Victoria to provide additional motive power. S313, S310 and H2 are standing in Ouyen yard on 8-7-2001 after an accompanying G class locomotive took empty grain wagons to Carwarp and Yelta for loading before returning to Ouyen. S313's color scheme was inspired by the Santa Fe Railroad in the USA. Photo: Robert Hayes

During 2002, S Class locomotives were frequently rostered as second units to a G Class on Mildura/Merbein trains.

The 2002/2003 drought over eastern Australia had a downturn effect on Freight Australia operations in Victoria with reduced grain yields in particular. It was estimated that the loss from grain hauling operations would result in a shortfall in revenue of $55 million. The locomotives operating for Ouyen and Mildura traffic were G, S and X classes. On 12-12-2002, Freight Australia withdrew the S Class locomotives and placed them into storage at Dynon.

A single G Class locomotive continued to sustain traffic too and from Mildura on 9140/9141 daily express goods. Gypsum and grain traffic (bunkered grain) was still active on the Pinnaroo line.