Photographing N’s in the Goulburn Valley.

In May and October 2022, it was the end of the line for V/Line locomotive hauled rollingstock on North East (with Albury in May 2022 and October 2022 for Shepparton).

If there was one line I wish I could’ve photographed, it would’ve been the lines to Shepparton and I’ve always regretted not getting more shots of the North East, despite travelling on it a fair bit on Seymour Railway Heritage Centre tours.

the last shot I’ve taken of a revenue running Shepparton Service. N453 ‘City of Albury’ leads the way out to Shepparton.

In July 2023, a special movement was planned to transfer SSH27/28 to Shepparton as apart of V/Lines ongoing commitment to prepare for the future. V/Line orignally planned to have two seperate movements but due to a last minute change, V/Line opted to have the two SSH sets transferred in the one go.

N465 ‘City of Ballaarat’ and N460 ‘City of Castlemaine’ took on the honours of the special movement to Shepparton.

The train would be slightly over a quarter of a kilometre long, with two N class locomotives would generously provide 4,952hp to transfer 12 cars to Shepparton.

The Goulburn Valley offers some iconic line side views as the Shepparton Line parallels alongside the Goulburn Valley River. All whilst the train traverse its way towards the North-Eastern City of Shepparton, 190km away from Melbourne.

First shot of the day, Heathcote Junction with N465 and N460 leading the way to Shepparton. At a total of 4,952hp, the fight to the Summit of the Great Dividing Range and Heathcote Junction provides a spectacular scene.

N465 approaches Seymour Station and awaits for a train order between Seymour and Murchison East.

Rushing out of the railway town of Seymour, on the straight to Mangalore.

Murchison East, the train awaits for the lunchtime ex-Shepparton to Melbourne train to clear the block between Shepparton and Murchison East

Goulburn Valley Bridge, Toolamba. As the double header N class locomotives leads the way, N465 ‘City of Ballaarat’ and N460 ‘City of Castlemaine’ makes ease of the flat landscapes with the line crossing over the Goulburn Valley River at Toolamba.

And the results? Honestly, some of the best shots that we could get, making up for the lost opportunities that we took for granted.

If it was up to me, I would love to photograph the North East with N Classes again but it will take some time before that will happen again.

SSH: Six Short H Set (generally formed of six cars).