Western Victorian Railfan Guide

Monster grain train to Dimboola

Article Category  Western Victorian Railfan Guide > Sightings
Date Published  Tuesday 11th September 2018
Author  Western Victorian Railfan Guide
\Photo"  Simon King, WVRG

Monster grain train to Dimboola

Dubbed the 'Monster Grain Train' by enthusiasts, a 100 hopper train operated by Southern Shorthaul Railroad, loaded at the Dimboola GrainFlow Centre yesterday and today.

Originating in New South Wales, the train operated via Melbourne and arrived at Dimboola around 10.30 am yesterday morning, hauled by five locomotives including a rare combination of four of the popular former Victorian Railways’ C class joined by one member of the RL class.

Upon arrival at the Dimboola GrainFlow Centre the train was split into two, with locomotives C505, C507 and RL306 with the rake of 59 BGKF red former coal hoppers loaded first whilst the remainder of the train, consisting of 41 BGTY silver hoppers and locomotives C506 and C510, sat in the adjacent Dimboola loop.

An intense burst of rail activity occurred mid-afternoon when these two trains witnessed the passing of the up 'Overland' passenger service at 13.38 behind NR93 and a short up Pacific National grain service hauled by locomotive 8123 at 14.49.

These were followed shortly afterwards by a Melbourne bound intermodal service originating in Perth [6PM6] hauled by NR108 and NR92 at 15.10 and an up SCT Logistics service hauled by the quintette of SCT007-CRS005-CSR011-LPD002-SCT003 which passed just before 16.00.

Above - C506 and C510 with a rake of BGTY hoppers idling on the main line in Dimboola Loop whilst C505-C507-RL306 assist in the loading of the rake of BGKF hoppers in the GrainFlow siding.

After loading of the first rake of hopper was completed, C510 and C506 departed with the loaded hoppers and travelled to stable for 24 hours at Glenorchy near Stawell.

This morning C505, C507 and RL306 were utilized on the loading of the remaining hoppers.

The second loaded train departed Dimboola soon after 17.00 on Tuesday afternoon, initially destined for Glenorchy where the two trains will combine before commencing the trip back to the Parkes area in New South Wales.

This is one of a number of services that have transported grain from the Wimmera to New South Wales due to the ongoing drought.