September 2021 saw the commencement of mainline testing of the brand new standard gauge VLocity trains which will soon be deployed to the V/Line Albury service.

Standard gauge VLocity VS93 passes through Albion on the first test run outside of South Dynon

Initial testing

The first set to be delivered was VS93, delivered on broad gauge from Bombardier Dandenong to South Dynon in August 2021. Following gauge conversion and test runs around the workshop, on 23 September 2021 VS93 departed South Dynon for Seymour to commence the mainline testing program.

Standard gauge VLocity VS93 rounds the curve at Albion onto the Albion-Jacana line

The new VLocity trains appear much the same as sets VL80+ with the upgraded cab design.

VLocity carriage 1293 at the north end of the train

Bogies virtually identical as well.

Standard gauge bogie beneath VLocity carriage 1293

The main spotting feature being the blanked off wall for the buffet module onboard the centre carriage. During initial testing, this extra grill lacked a permanent covering.

Blanked off window with grill on the side of VLocity carriage 1393

The buffet carriage was delivered as carriage 1393, but by 19 November 2021 it had been renumbered 1593 - placing it into a seprate number group.

VLocity buffet carriage now renumbered 1593

The train returned to South Dynon a number of times during the test program, before returning again to Seymour, with the first VLocity train visiting Albury on 29 October 2021.

Crew familiarisation

On 22 November 2021 VS93 was sent to Southern Cross Station platform 2 for crew familiarisation training, a process repeated for a number of weeks.

Standard gauge VLocity VS93 beside original broad gauge classmate VL03 at Southern Cross

Changes inside the train a buffet module in the centre carriage, which was yet to be fitted out.

Future buffet window onboard standard gauge VLocity buffet car 1593

With tinted windows opposite the buffet.

Untinted windows on standard gauge VLocity VS93, except for those facing the buffet itself

Blanked off windows on the other side.

Blank walls on the side of VLocity carriage 1593 indicate the future location of the buffet module

Additional water filling and waste outlets.

Pair of additional access hatches on the side of VLocity buffet carriage 1593

Directions to the buffet from other carriages.

Directions to the buffet and toilets onboard standard gauge VLocity VS93

Tables between seats in the buffet carriage.

Tray tables onboard the seating end of standard gauge VLocity buffet car 1593

Fold down tray tables beside the accessible seats.

Fold down tray tables onboard standard gauge VLocity buffet car 1593

Directions to place luggage between seats.

'Luggage space available between seats' signage onboard standard gauge VLocity VS93

USB charging points.

'USB charging between seats' signage onboard standard gauge VLocity VS93

Hearing aid loops.

Directions to the buffet and toilets onboard standard gauge VLocity VS93

And platform gap filling panels beneath the exterior doors.

Gap filling panels beneath the saloon doors of standard gauge VLocity VS93

The exception being the saloon doors at the cab end of each train.

No gap filling panels beneath the end saloon doors of standard gauge VLocity VS93

Final testing

A second standard gauge VLocity set was delivered in November 2021 - set VS94. After gauge conversion it departed South Dynon for Seymour on 29 November 2021.

Standard gauge VLocity VS94 passes through Sunshine, bound for testing around Seymour

The first mainline test of the two sets as a 6-car train occurred on 20 December 2021.

Standard gauge VLocity VS93 and VS94 pass through Sunshine on their first six car test run

Following these tests, revenues services should be not far away.