Railway Observations for 2022.

[matthewg]

They will all have them eventually, more space needed for equipment due to the ATP project.

For some reason, the 2022 version of the ATP equipment needs a full-sized 19" rack, where as back in 1997 the Ebicab ATP units were about 40cm in height. The space required seems to have got larger over time, not smaller!.

[Scott4570]

This is a follow on from the Post dated May 29, for the Sydney Trains Timetable, commencing June 4, and the "updated" set-type usage K/T/M/A/B.

To accommodate the continuation of the Tangara TTU Project, 2 x 8T set Rosters have been deleted from the Timetable commencing October 23, and 2 x 8K set Rosters have been added.
The 2 x 8T sets come from Sector 3 (T1 & T9), with the 2 x 8K sets going into Sector 2 (T2, T3, & T8).
This has created a transfer of 1 x 8A set and 1 x 8B set from Sector 2 to Sector 3.

This is a Summary of Set-type allocation. The numbers in brackets represent the change from the June 4 Summary.

As from Monday, October 24, the Weekday Timetable calls for the following Rosters (by set-type):-
Sector 1 (T4 services) .. .. ... 29 x 8T sets.
South Coast .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2 x 4T sets.
Sector 2 (T2, T3, & T8) .. .. . 13 x 8K sets (+2), 11 x 8M sets, 18 x 8A sets (-1), 33 x 8B sets (-1).
Sector 2 (T5 services) .. .. .. . 6 x 4M sets.
Sector 2 (T7 services) .. .. .. . 2 x 4M sets.
Sector 3 (T1 & T9) .. .. .. .. ..12 x 8T sets (-2), 54 x 8A sets (+1), 4 x 8B sets (+1).

Sets required for Repair and Maintenance and Fleet usage (by set-type):-
Usually, for older set-types usage equates to 80-85%, for more modern sets usage can be up to 95%.

K sets .. .. .. .. 14 x 4car sets .. .. .. Total Fleet 40 x 4car sets, 65% usage.
(Note: set K96 was allocated to Automatic Train Protection Testing associated with the New Block Signalling project)
T sets .. .. .. .. 27 x 4car sets .. .. .. Total Fleet 111 x 4car sets, includes 5 x 8T sets for TTU project (+2), 75.7% usage.
M sets .. .. .. . . 5 x 4car sets .. .. .. Total Fleet 35 x 4car sets, 85.7% usage.
A sets .. .. .. .. . 6 x 8car sets .. .. .. Total Fleet 78 x 8car sets, 92.3% usage.
B sets .. .. .. .. . 4 x 8car sets .. .. .. Total Fleet 41 x 8car sets, 90.2% usage.

As from Sunday, October 23, the Weekend Timetable calls for the following Rosters (by set-type):-
Sector 1 (T4 services) .. .. .. 17 x 8T sets.
South Coast .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . Nil
Sector 2 (T2, T3, & T8) .. .. .. 1 x 8T set, 11 x 8A sets (+3), 32 x 8B sets (-3).
Sector 2 (T5 services) .. .. .. . 4 x 4M sets.
Sector 2 (T7 services) .. .. .. . 2 x 8A sets.
Sector 3 (T1 & T9) .. .. .. .. .. 1 x 8B set (+1), 4 x 8T sets (-1), 36 x 8A sets.

[Ray]

Very interesting, thanks for this.

Just to confirm - A sets and B sets don't have a permanent allocation, but are interchangeable between Sectors 2 and 3?

[Aurora]

They do have allocations, but are interchangeable with each other as operationally required. There is a joint agreement in place to facilitate this to maximise set availability.

[Ray]

Many thanks. Is there a fleetlist where i could check out the allocation? Cheers.

[Aurora]

Not that I am aware of, as unlike buses, trains do move around across depots although each roster has a set type allocated to it.

[Ray]

Thanks anyway.

[boronia]

IIRC, each sector has its own set of numbers for T and K sets, and its own target plate colour.

There was a web page set up a few years ago by a member here, that had some details. I don't know if it is still current.

[Fleet Lists]

It has not been updated for a few years now. It may not even exist any more as I can not find it.

[GriffinRoads1]

I've been on some A sets recently and they've been given some new announcements. I've heard them on at least 2 T9 services, they've been on since the 15th I think? Can't really remember what they said but they are different. I'd imagine the B sets would also be getting this treatment (or at least the ones getting the new PIDs.) They're only for special announcements (no feet on seats, police patrols, etc.) instead of lines and stations.
Does anyone have some more certain details about this?

[Glen]

I think Sydney is the most over announced system I've ever travelled on.

[tonyp]

I think Sydney is the most over announced system I've ever travelled on.

Welcome to Sydney!

[Linto63]

IIRC, each sector has its own set of numbers for T and K sets, and its own target plate colour.

The days of a sets' allocation being able to identified by its target plate colour; red for Sector 1 (T4), blue for sector 2, (T2, T3, T5, T7 & T8), black for sector 3 (T1 & T9) are long gone. All K sets are allocated to Flemington, while the Tangaras are attached to Mortdale and Hornsby, but sets with both red and black plates can be seen in equal numbers on both sectors.

IIRC, sectors no longer really exist, being phased out when CityRail was restructured into Sydney Trains. While the Waratahs stable at Sydney Trains' depots, all of their planned maintenance is performed at Auburn which is operated by the Reliance Rail consortium. They are treated as a common user fleet, hence a set operating on the old sector 1 today, may be operating on the old sector 3 tomorrow.

I think Sydney is the most over announced system I've ever travelled on.

Obviously never been to the UK. They take making nanny state announcements to a whole new level.

[Swift]

I think Sydney is the most over announced system I've ever travelled on.

Obviously never been to the UK. They take making nanny state announcements to a whole new level.

I saw a recent vid on the Gold Coast Light Rail. They layed on the announcements pretty thickly to the point the cameraman Trestlelleg1 put a caption about it.
Maybe he'd totally lose it on a UK train.

[Aurora]

The sectors are absolutely there to this day, but sets do move around for maintenance and operational requirements.

[boronia]

I think Sydney is the most over announced system I've ever travelled on.

I wouldn't mind if you could actually hear them or understand them.

[Swift]

Let me guess, still with thick foreign accents you can't understand, therefore incompetent for the job.
But we can't offend anyone, so we keep hiring people ill suited to the job in the name of inclusion and feeling nice and virtuous.

[Transtopic]

The sectors are absolutely there to this day, but sets do move around for maintenance and operational requirements.

Are you sure that's still the case? I could be wrong, but my impression is that the old CityRail 1,2,3 sectorisation has been superseded by the "T" Line designation under Sydney Trains.

[Aurora]

The sectorisation is not used in a public-facing context, however back of house, the network is structured this way.

[Transtopic]

The sectorisation is not used in a public-facing context, however back of house, the network is structured this way.

Thanks for confirming that.

[Swift]

When did Hornsby depot get Tangaras again? Does this mean T4 has diversity at last?
I wish T9 had Millenniums on it.

[Linto63]

When did Hornsby depot get Tangaras again?

About 1989

[Swift]

When did Hornsby depot get Tangaras again?

About 1989

Thank goodness. I thought it was 1976.

[Nat]

Let me guess, still with thick foreign accents you can't understand, therefore incompetent for the job.
But we can't offend anyone, so we keep hiring people ill suited to the job in the name of inclusion and feeling nice and virtuous.

In about 60% of cases......

[Ray]

Accents a separate issue which has been around for at least 30 years. The more noticeable trend now is the proliferation of professionally recorded announcements throughout the trip. On London buses, you get an announcement for every single stop, even on an all stops service. Yet to see this here.