As a teenager in the early1970’s, we used to go camping up near the tunnel. One morning, very early, someone got a brilliant idea, so we put rocks on the rails for about 100 metres, where the gradient is at its steepest. The litte rail motor (probably the same one in this video) came chugging up the hill but had to stop for fear of derailment. The driver got out and kicked the rocks off, cursing us ‘little bastards’, who were hiding up on the top of the embankment - the train had to roll all the way back to the flats, and then ran 20 minutes late on the schedule all day, to and from Healesville to Lilydale. We thought it was a great laugh ….
Yeah teenagers! Now in my late sixties, I unshamedly still have a chuckle about that morning … the driver was ready to beat the crap out of us … rest assured, I have lived a responsible life … thanks for the memories
Interesting vehicles. They were meant to be a stop gap during the late 1940s until they could buy something more robust. They were built of aluminium clad over a wooden frame - bus style construction. They were designed to last 10 years, but were in service for over 30 years. Power units made in England, underframes in Castlemaine, and bodies in Armadale. The power units were basically only made for VR, but a few were made for the UK and there's one on the Isle of White. It must of been hell for the driver of the 102hp and 153hp motor units in summer sitting right next to the motor, as they went all over the state. I used to be in a bicycle club that regularly rode to Healesville and we caught the train back to the city. It was a very rough go-cart ride! Thanks for the video, it'll be great when they finish the restoration to Yarra Glen, but they really need to get back the section to Lilydale that has been designated a rail trail.
I used to catch these as well as DERM's to secondary school years ago. Some great memories. Will be great when Yarra Glen is reached. Lilydale would be nice. 👍😀
Thanks for this. I look forward to coming through here after they get done with the line upgrade. I can't hear all the noises others have spoken of, being a bit deaf. I never got to ride one of these but I remember seeing them on my trips South on the Spirit, a long time ago.
I loved and miss driving the trolley trains thru the Tunnel and down to the Mirrors Crossing, and one stagae we used to take Charter Trooley Trains all the Way to Tarrawarra and Yarra Glen.
Nice to take a leisurely journey after being on some of your higher speed trips. Don't you just love the way she creaks like an old wooden sailing ship?
@@martythemartian99 Eventually they will be replaced, and tradition dictates that their replacements shall be considered worse at the time of their introduction. And calls shall be made to restore a Vlocity set to its original livery and 2-car configuration and blanking out the extra lights. 😆
There are a number of bridges that have been completely rebuilt and the track was lifted to allow the roadbed to be reformed before the track is relaid. A lot of work that's not obvious. 👍😀
Nice one mate I live and I’m based out of Warburton about 30 mins from Healesville tourist railway would be great to meet you one of these days Cheers Johnny RLTV
This line though novel will never reach Yarra Glen Why the tunnel needs restoration and the track beyond it is not traffic able and I doubt if it ever will be the trestles destroyed in bush fires have not been completed and mostly the group has neither the funds or manpower to expand existing operation
As a teenager in the early1970’s, we used to go camping up near the tunnel. One morning, very early, someone got a brilliant idea, so we put rocks on the rails for about 100 metres, where the gradient is at its steepest. The litte rail motor (probably the same one in this video) came chugging up the hill but had to stop for fear of derailment. The driver got out and kicked the rocks off, cursing us ‘little bastards’, who were hiding up on the top of the embankment - the train had to roll all the way back to the flats, and then ran 20 minutes late on the schedule all day, to and from Healesville to Lilydale. We thought it was a great laugh ….
Teenagers 🙄 What can you say 🤣🤣 Glad you enjoyed it 👍 😄
Yeah teenagers! Now in my late sixties, I unshamedly still have a chuckle about that morning … the driver was ready to beat the crap out of us … rest assured, I have lived a responsible life … thanks for the memories
@@bryanhewson7870 🤣🤣👍
Interesting vehicles. They were meant to be a stop gap during the late 1940s until they could buy something more robust. They were built of aluminium clad over a wooden frame - bus style construction. They were designed to last 10 years, but were in service for over 30 years. Power units made in England, underframes in Castlemaine, and bodies in Armadale. The power units were basically only made for VR, but a few were made for the UK and there's one on the Isle of White.
It must of been hell for the driver of the 102hp and 153hp motor units in summer sitting right next to the motor, as they went all over the state. I used to be in a bicycle club that regularly rode to Healesville and we caught the train back to the city. It was a very rough go-cart ride! Thanks for the video, it'll be great when they finish the restoration to Yarra Glen, but they really need to get back the section to Lilydale that has been designated a rail trail.
I used to catch these as well as DERM's to secondary school years ago. Some great memories. Will be great when Yarra Glen is reached. Lilydale would be nice. 👍😀
Well this is a nifty conveyance! 🤗 Comes complete with mystery noises and groans!
Makes the ride even better 😀😀👍
Thanks for this. I look forward to coming through here after they get done with the line upgrade. I can't hear all the noises others have spoken of, being a bit deaf. I never got to ride one of these but I remember seeing them on my trips South on the Spirit, a long time ago.
A ride on a walker railmotor can be experienced at Healesville but can also be experienced at Daylesford. Glad you enjoyed the ride 👍 😀
My Dad volunteered at Healesville Station for a good while, he helped restore the water tower. 💧
That's great. Volunteers are needed to keep the history alive. 👍😀
I loved and miss driving the trolley trains thru the Tunnel and down to the Mirrors Crossing, and one stagae we used to take Charter Trooley Trains all the Way to Tarrawarra and Yarra Glen.
Mirrors Crossing? Surely a place on which to *reflect!* LOL
Looking forward to seeing the line completed through to Yarra Glen again. 👍😀
I’ve got the Healesville Line on my Trainz Simulator Game from the 1920s
Good stuff 👌👍😀
I used to take my Kids and their friend through the tunnel on night walks! Hahah good times and jump scares!
Watch out for the light at the end of the tunnel. 🤣🤣👍😀
What an amazing trip. Pick me. Id love to crawl around the rollimg stock there.
You should go and have a chat with them, they are looking for more volunteers. 👍😀
Nice journey
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed the ride 👍😀
Trains used to run from Lilydale to Healesville years ago
I thought the tourist line used to extend to Yarra Glen. Didn’t they spend money doing up the station years ago and fix the level crossing?
The line is being rebuilt for trains to run to Yarra Glen again. 👍😀
I remember when these things were actually on a service. Any chance they'll run it back to Yarra Glen some day?
They are working toward relaying the track to Yarra Glen. Bridges have been rebuilt. 👍😀
@@driver667 Awesome!
@@greebo7857 👍😀
Nice to take a leisurely journey after being on some of your higher speed trips.
Don't you just love the way she creaks like an old wooden sailing ship?
They call that 'having character'. 👍😀
I wonder if we'll feel this way about Vlocities in a few decades time? 🤔😁
@@emdB67 Based on the preserved railcars we have in SA, I believe we will.
@@martythemartian99 Eventually they will be replaced, and tradition dictates that their replacements shall be considered worse at the time of their introduction. And calls shall be made to restore a Vlocity set to its original livery and 2-car configuration and blanking out the extra lights. 😆
Time will tell. 👍😀
Onward! To Lilydale!
And then lets work on Warburton and Whittlesea, what say?
I'll give it a thumbs up 👍 👍😀
This was the destination for the Sunday Vintage train winter snow trips to Lake Mountain with D3639.
I didn't get to travel this line in VR times. 🤔👍
Was there a fire along the tracks around @ 12:00. I’m sure some of the sleepers look burnt/singed.
There was a bushfire in the area a few years back. I can't be sure but maybe the remnants of it? 👍😀
Healesville needs a metro connection of some sorts. Even a Stony Point style Sprinter service.
They always talked about extending Lilydale out to Coldstream, the first station along the line from Lilydale. 🤔👍😀
I just wish the railway line from Healesville was extended to Yarra Glen instead of the tunnel
It will get there. They are relaying the track so it is in better condition. 👍😀
30 years and counting! 😂
The last time I rode this line, the train stopped just on the other side of the tunnel at a private road crossing. Not much better really.
There are a number of bridges that have been completely rebuilt and the track was lifted to allow the roadbed to be reformed before the track is relaid. A lot of work that's not obvious. 👍😀
Change the description because you put 'as we travel from Healesville the the tunnel'
Good job. Changed. 👍😀
Any timeline for trains to eventually go through the tunnel again and onto Tarawarra ?
I would guess the next year or so but I don't have an official answer. 👍😀
Not much hasn't changed well over 12 months
The work is happening down the track. Looking forward to when it is connected back to Yarra Glen. 👍😀
Why does the train no longer go through the tunnel
The track further on is being rebuilt for trains to travel well into the future. 👍😀
Is there any timeframe for the completion to Yarra Glen ?
I would guess the next year or so but I don't have an official time frame to tell you unfortunately. 👍😀
Tell the mechanics to turn that rail motor into a hybrid so you can go through the tunnel driver. 😁😁😁😁😁😁😁
Hmmm, we still need rails. There aren't any in the tunnel just yet. 🤣🤣👍
Were you driving this one Colin?
No, I was a passenger on this one. 👍😀
Nice one mate I live and I’m based out of Warburton about 30 mins from Healesville tourist railway would be great to meet you one of these days
Cheers
Johnny
RLTV
See if we can make it happen one day. Glad you enjoy the videos. Cheers Johnny. 👍 😀
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Is the tunnel unsafe?
No, the tracks are being rebuilt to take trains again. 👍😀
Geez, what a slow mover! Twenty snails have just zipped past you! LOL
Those snails were speeding!! 👍😀
@@driver667 Yep! They were pretending to be racers! Did you see the 'S' on their shells? Watch that S-car go! LOL😁
@@neilforbes416 🙄🤔👍
@@neilforbes416 Y o u D o n ' t S a y 😆
This line though novel will never reach Yarra Glen Why the tunnel needs restoration and the track beyond it is not traffic able and I doubt if it ever will be the trestles destroyed in bush fires have not been completed and mostly the group has neither the funds or manpower to expand existing operation
The bridges are now steel. I am looking forward to it making it to Yarra Glen. 👍😀