Waking up in Geelong

This is a tale of V/Line’s Sprinter trains, platform heights, and how the two no longer work together.

In the beginning

The story starts in 1993 when V/Line bought 22 new single carriage diesel railcars for use on commuter services – their 130 km/h top speed saw them named ‘Sprinter’ trains.

Weston Langford photo

Able to run solo and in multiple with their classmates, the Sprinter trains saw use all over the V/Line network until the first 160 km/h capable VLocity trains entered service in 2005.

But in later years they were moved onto peak hour commuter runs, as well as Seymour services, where their lower top speed wasn’t a concern.

Enter Deer Park station

Until 2010 Deer Park station was a gravel covered platform on the edge of Melbourne that only saw a train every two hours.

But the opening of Regional Rail Link in 2015 saw a massive increase in trains serving the station – among them the Sprinter trains.

And then in 2022 it was announced that the level crossing at Mount Derrimut Road would be removed, with a new elevated station to be provided at Deer Park.

The incomplete station opened to passengers in April 2023.

But there was one minor difference to the old station that made all the difference – the platform.

Apparently V/Line has changed their standard platform height in order to reduce the step up into trains – with the new standard being around 100mm higher, as seen on this platform extension constructed at Sunshine station.

But the Sprinter trains have a design feature that the VLocity train lack – outward swinging plug doors that extend below the floor height of the train.

And so V/Line had to issue a notice.

OPERATING RESTRICTION – DEER PARK STATION
SPRINTER RAILCARS

Upon advice from V/Line Network Engineering, Sprinter Railcars will NOT be permitted to stop at Deer Park Station at KP 17.943.

Any Sprinter Railcars travelling towards/from Wyndham Vale and Geelong or Melton and Bacchus Marsh will be required to run express through Deer Park Station.

The Operating Restriction will apply until further advised due to clearance issues between the Sprinter Railcar and the new Platform when the doors are in the Open position.

Sprinter trains being free to travel through the station, but not stop there.

And a solution?

In January 2024 something new emerged from the workshops – a Sprinter railcar with modified doors.

V/Line sent it out to Deer Park late one night with a group of engineers onboard, ready to run a measuring tape over the open doors.

And testing out the wheelchair ramp.

There looked to be plenty of space between the platform and the modified doors.

Especially when compared to the plug doors on the unmodified set that came along for the ride.

But there was a sticking point – would the modified doors let in more exterior noise? Well, the microphone setup in the saloon can measure that!

So problem solved? I suppose it is a case of wait and see.

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