This was a not in service, and not a Mernda or Hurstbridge service.
Hmm, okay. Well I haven't heard anything about this, but that sounds like a fair reason.
Epping used to have the only(?) biowash facilities so its where Metro trains used to have to go after a collision/fatality. I don't think that's still the case, but it is still a possibility alongside the others listed above.
Rail cleaning duties up to Mernda.
Clean up after the steam train today?
Yep!
Probably a stupid question, but what is it aiming to clean up?
The steam train today dropped oil and grease on the rails causing havoc with the revenue trains. The Siemens train has wheel sanders and the aim is to restore some traction to the rail head.
That makes sense, after all I think I heard a X’Trap slip a bit when leaving a station right after the steam train went through
Great footage. I saw this going through Clifton Hill from afar, thought i was seeing things! Took a pic myself
A question about an unrelated issue: Is that platform curved or is it merely a distorted image?
a little. as a treat.
It’s the image
There's a slight curve at the Flinders St end of the platform
Could be testing or a general Not in Service, Siemens trains are authorised to run both in and out of service on that line. I believe sometimes trains get sent around that loop to kill time or training.