Victorian Rail & Tram Observations July - December 2012

[BroadGauge]

^ Tonight would have been the big night for crowds coming up from Geelong, probably not that many effected traveling to a Collingwood vs Hawthorn game.

Was at Flemington Racecourse a couple of hours ago and noticed a Siemens set departing on a City Loop bound race special service when I was walking past the station, never seen them used on race trains before. Thought it was a bit odd today that up race trains were running via the loop too, the semi permanent signage at the station informs people that "all trains run express to north melbourne then stop at southern cross and flinders street".

[tranzitjim]

^ Tonight would have been the big night for crowds coming up from Geelong, probably not that many effected traveling to a Collingwood vs Hawthorn game.

Was at Flemington Racecourse a couple of hours ago and noticed a Siemens set departing on a City Loop bound race special service when I was walking past the station, never seen them used on race trains before. Thought it was a bit odd today that up race trains were running via the loop too, the semi permanent signage at the station informs people that "all trains run express to north melbourne then stop at southern cross and flinders street".

How interesting that it.

While Xtraps stable there, are we able to run Xtraps on Racecourse trains yet?

[RailwayBus]

No, Siemens Comeng and Hitachi only.

[Connex]

Was at Flemington Racecourse a couple of hours ago and noticed a Siemens set departing on a City Loop bound race special service when I was walking past the station, never seen them used on race trains before.

Siemens trains commenced operations on the Flemington Racecourse line last year when the Sydenham Line was closed for RRL works. I believe they may have run Show Special trains last year as well.

Swanston St trams were disrupted for most of the lunch period with no trams operating between Melbourne Central/La Trobe St and the Melbourne University due to police operations at Queensberry St. Route 8 diverted via Victoria St, to Elizabeth St, Sydney Road to Moreland Road. Route 1 ran in two sections, from Sth Melb Beach to La Trobe St and then from the University to East Coburg. Normal service resumed at 1330.

[National Link]

B2 2094 (Currently an Advert Tram for La Trobe University) was on loan from East Preston depot to Southbank depot today, it was seen running Route 96 services all day.

Sounds like one of the Bumblebees is out of action at the moment.

[CB80]

This is not unusual and it does not mean a bumblebee is out of service, why could it not mean a D2 was out of service?

[B10BLE]

Around lunch time today, I saw a Bairnsdale bound N set speed through Westall on platform 3. Does platform 3 even get used by Metro trains? I rarely see one stop there.

I haven't seen it being used as of yet. The trains that terminate there usually arrive onto Platform 2 and shunt into the sidings and redock into Platform 1 - this procedure often delays following Dandenong services. I saw the crossover on the up side of the station being used to turn back trains during a weekend occupation a few weeks back.

It's original design was to be used to allow express trains to overtake stoppers, however this can only be done for down services.

Did a bit of research about trains using Platform 3 at Westall. Found this thread from Railpage http://www.railpage.com.au/f-p1656918.htm

[hino rg]

tonight i was at SCS at saw 2 Xtraps stable in the layby sidings so strange seing them there

[tranzitjim]

Westall #3, it has not yet been used for passenger trains for what I know of.

[RailwayBus]

I saw a Comeng unloading passengers in Westall platform 3 last Wednesday (12th Sep)

[B10BLE]

Westall #3, it has not yet been used for passenger trains for what I know of.

I think it's only used for freight trains at the moment. Like those Maryvale container trains, mainly between 11 pm til 5:30am, well, that's from Railpage.

[National Link]

Hi all,
The new SuperStop at the intersection of Franklin St & Swanston St, located between buildings occupied by RMIT University is now in use. The temporary tram stop located at A'Beckett St & Swanston St (For Melb Uni bound trams) and the original Outbound stop at Franklin St & Swanston St have been removed and replaced.

EDIT: Fixed a couple of typos.

[CB80]

I think it's only used for freight trains at the moment. Like those Maryvale container trains, mainly between 11 pm til 5:30am, well, that's from Railpage.

Except for the fact theres a report of a metro train using it in the post above yours?

[B10BLE]

I guess I didn't see that getting posted..

[MAN_LOVER]

Last Werribee bound train tonight was a Hitachi ....

[Mitch]

Does anyone know the timeline for the new Williams Landing station? When do PTV expect it to be finished and opened?

Thanks,
Mitchul [;

[RailwayBus]

Last Werribee bound train tonight was a Hitachi ....

This guarantees the first up Werribee will also be one, and more likely than not be in service all day tomorrow.

[Craig]

Does anyone know the timeline for the new Williams Landing station? When do PTV expect it to be finished and opened?

According to last week's Wyndham Weekly paper, it's still on track for completion in time for the April 2013 timetable.

See - http://www.wyndhamweekly.com.au/story/3 ... s/?cs=1553

Kind Regards


Craig

[BroadGauge]

This guarantees the first up Werribee will also be one, and more likely than not be in service all day tomorrow.

Slightly off-topic but related, but do they still park trains in the platforms at Werribee overnight, or would the first/last trains have empty moves to/from Newport now?

[RailwayBus]

Yes one train still stables in the platform. This is the last down each night, which forms the first up each morning. The rest all come from or go to Newport.

[pakenhamtrain]

There appears to be a Siemens train running around with new seat covers. These seat covers have various station names on them in blue red and yellow on a blue background.

[RailwayBus]

831M-T-832M

[712M]

831M-T-832M

Will the new seat covers be rolled out onto the Alstom Comengs? Some of them are looking very worn out.

[Luke]

831M-T-832M

Will the new seat covers be rolled out onto the Alstom Comengs? Some of them are looking very worn out.

Not at the moment, the new seat covers are a trial on only 831M-832M

[Connex]

Someone in management must have finally realised what all those squiggles and shapes spelt out.