Across Victoria there are a number of specialised rail vehicles used to inspect the tracks for faults – so let’s take a look at them.
Track evaluation vehicle IEV100
IEV100 is a track evaluation vehicle that traverses the Victorian railway network to test track quality. Self propelled with a diesel engine, and with the option to use standard or broad gauge bogies, this Plasser & Theurer EM100 track recorder was acquired by V/Line in the 1980s, passing to VicTrack following privatisation the 1990s.
It was then overhauled by Metro Trains Melbourne in 2012, with the original mechanical measurement wheels being replaced by a modern non-contact laser measurement system.
IEV100 was once capable of measuring the overhead contract wires, but the pantograph was removed around 2015.
Overhead inspection carriage IEV102
IEV102 is an overhead inspection carriage used across the Melbourne suburban network, converted from a retired V/Line passenger carriage in 2010, following a spate of overhead wire failures.
From a glass cupola atop the carriage, staff and video cameras onboard the carriage monitor how the pantograph tracks along the overhead wire.
Initially the carriage was hauled around the network by a pair of Metro Trains Melbourne’s T class locomotives, but from 2018 Southern Shorthaul Railroad took over the job.
In October 2021 further changes happened, when a laser instrumented pantograph was installed atop the carriage, automating the collection of data.
‘AK’ track recording cars
The AK cars are a set of three specially equipped ex-NSWGR carriages fitted out for track inspection purposes. They are operated by the Australian Rail Track Corporation over their standard gauge lines behind hired motive power a few times each year.
Video cameras are mounted to the front of the train.
Wide inspection windows at the end of each carriage.
Laser track measurement equipment beneath one of the carriages.
And an accommodation carriage for the crew on their long journey across Australia.
Evaluation vehicle EV120 ‘Evie’
EV120 is a Geismar model RB2214TM locomotive hauled track and overhead inspection vehicle for the Victorian broad gauge rail network, acquired in 2021 to replace overhead inspection carriage IEV102 and track inspection vehicle IEV100.
It has laser track measurement equipment attached to each bogie.
A pantograph on the roof.
And forward facing camera fitted to locomotives that haul it.
Southern Shorthaul Railroad currently provides diesel locomotives and crews to haul it around the network.
Ultrasonic rail flaw detection
Speno Rail Maintenance Australia operates a fleet of hi-rail Ultrasonic rail flaw detection trucks, which appear in Victoria from time to time.
The hi-rail truck tows an ultrasonic sensor array, scanning the steel rails for microscopic flaws.
With a second crew following behind to mark any issues with paint.
LIDAR and ground penetrating radar
In 2019 and 2020 V/Line completed an ad-hoc survey of their network using a variety of hired test equipment strapped to a surplus diesel locomotive.
The first survey used LIDAR measure equipment, a NovAtel GPS receiver, and 360 degree camera equipment to create a digital map of the network.
And was followed up by a ground penetrating radar system supplied by Zetica Rail to measure trackbed condition, including ballast depth, fouling and roughness.
Further reading
- V/Line and Metro argue over IEV100 – The Age
- Lidar capture onboard the AK Cars – Cordel
- Rail Radar System, Trackbed Evaluation and Maintenance – Zetica Rail
- Onboard the AK Cars – RTSA SA Chapter newsletter
- Introduction to Rail Flaw Detection – Nordco
More photos
- IEV100 track evaluation vehicle
- Overhead inspection carriage IEV102
- ‘AK’ track recording cars
- Evaluation vehicle EV120
- Speno ultrasonic rail flaw detector
- V/Line corridor mapping project
I assume bogies are changed over to change the gauge of IEV100. I saw in Spain where a train can change gauges while in motion. I’ve no idea how that works.
That’s my recollection – they have broad and standard gauge bogies, and lift up the train to swap them over.
As for the Spanish trains, that’d be the TALGO-CAF Gauge Changer.
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