NSW Railway Observations 2019

[J_Busworth]

Central West XPT service operated yesterday and today by an Xplorer. Presumably a result of the shortage of power cars mentioned in another thread.

I am pretty sure that this has been going on for a number of weeks, due to the aforementioned power car shortage. Similarly they have been keeping coaches on standby at Central in case another unit gives up. Thankfully we do have replacements on the way soon!

[kypros1992]

This is how I would solve the T9 problem: on the network map, extend the T9 from Gordon to Hornsby in dotted form with the note "off-peak and weekends".

Perhaps we should be grateful we even get any of the real or fake destinations on the platform indicators, because if they followed the system used on trains (except silver sets), all up destinations would be "Central" with stopping pattern displayed up to Central only. That would make things easier.

Ironically done in 1992 (not the best map but the only one that shows the Northern Line going to Hornsby via North Shore)
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-apCM7UAbT_8/T ... small.jpeg

[Fleet Lists]

Metro related posts moved to the Metro thread.

[boronia]

Central West XPT service operated yesterday and today by an Xplorer. Presumably a result of the shortage of power cars mentioned in another thread.

I am pretty sure that this has been going on for a number of weeks, due to the aforementioned power car shortage. Similarly they have been keeping coaches on standby at Central in case another unit gives up. Thankfully we do have replacements on the way soon!

Back to normal Tuesday and today.

XP2001 looks rather clean and shiny. Did it get a repaint?

[Aurora]

XP2001 looks rather clean and shiny. Did it get a repaint?

Yes, some work was needed because of minor damage.

[Stonesourscotty]

Surely a few HST could be bought on the cheap from Angel or Porterbrook or even First group?? as spares for the Xpt??

[neilrex]

video out today on the first run of the new Azuma train in the UK which is apparently the replacement for their English XPTs.

[boronia]

Surely a few HST could be bought on the cheap from Angel or Porterbrook or even First group?? as spares for the Xpt??

Are they the same as ours? Apart from looking the same?

[Linto63]

Fair bit of difference, XPTs are shorter, have different coupler height, gearing, cooling system, headlights and probably a host of others. While some HSTs have the same Paxman VP185 powerplant as the XPT, these are all operated on the East Midlands franchise where they will continue to operate for a few more years. Those being withdrawn by the East Coast and Great Western franchises are fitted with MTU engines. It has been over a decade since the XPTs were last rebuilt and it does seem unreliability is becoming more of an issue.

[gilberations]

Metro related posts moved to the Metro thread.

Once it’s opened though they should be allowed here


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[Fleet Lists]

Depends on what the contents are - if they relate to Metro they should be in the Metro thread so save duplicate posting.

[neilrex]

Weren't the Paxman engines replaces quite some time ago ?

[boronia]

Yes, with new Paxman engines IIRC

[Linto63]

Original Paxman Valentas were replaced with Paxman VP185s in 2000/01. https://www.paxmanhistory.org.uk/applics1.htm

[Stonesourscotty]

43061/75 are with lner and have Paxman's as far as i'm aware and im pretty certain the emt ones are being replaced by new build dross..

[matthewg]

Original Paxman Valentas were replaced with Paxman VP185s in 2000/01. https://www.paxmanhistory.org.uk/applics1.htm

And the British HST's that got the same engines in their rebuilding program as our XPTs probably have all the same parts worn out as ours and thus would be useless for donating engine parts.

You can probably still get new parts for the VP185s anyway - it's just that Trainlink doesn't want to spend lots on engine overhauls on a fleet who's end day is pretty well already set.

[Linto63]

43061/75 are with lner and have Paxman's as far as i'm aware and i'm pretty certain the emt ones are being replaced by new build dross..

These two are on sub-lease from East Midlands. All were to be replaced by the end of this year as they do not comply with new disability regs that take effect from January 2020, but the curtailment of electrification and dithering by the government means that no replacements have been ordered. A new franchise has been awarded (although it is subject to a legal challenge) but new trains aren't due until 2022.

You can probably still get new parts for the VP185s anyway - it's just that Trainlink doesn't want to spend lots on engine overhauls on a fleet who's end day is pretty well already set.

Presumably yes, there has been no mention of any problem in the UK where they appear likely to remain in use for few years. The problems may not necessarily be engine related, plenty of other equipment that is getting on in age. Does seem that TrainLink is seeking to get the trains through without performing major work, but with the first new CAF train not due until 2023, will be a bit of a stretch.

[neilrex]

The lift on platform 2/3 at Gordon station.

This lift gets "stuck" at the top or bottom level, and seems not to be working.

But if you go to the other level, using the stairs, and have the time and inclination to test it, then it seems to be working OK. Which great, if you are not disabled.

This lift has been doing this for at least ten years. Only this lift. I have never encountered this problem with
any other lift. This stoogery is more annoying than the lifts which are actually broken.

Has anyone observed this problem at Gordon or anywhere else?

[gilberations]

Depends on what the contents are - if they relate to Metro they should be in the Metro thread so save duplicate posting.

Should we rename the other thread Metro Construction and allow regular observations in here? Since it is a NSW Railway?


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[andy_centralcoast]

Some sneaky alterations happening in TripView this weekend for CCN trains. Arrival time at Central in the app doesn't match what's in the timetable. The app displays a time that is about 5 minutes later than what's listed in the timetable, but says this is "on time" and there is no information or alert to let people know that the service has actually been changed to arrive later than normal.

Times away from Central are as per normal timetable.

[Frodo]

Tripview is listing a lot of T9 northern line trains from the city terminating at Rhodes tonight (e.g no T9 trains going past Rhodes from 8.41pm - 10.41pm)

No changes to CCN trains though, and absolutely no information provided to passengers as usual about any alternative arrangements in place. A couple of unscheduled services between Hornsby and Epping is all that's showing...

[swtt]

Yep. AnyTrip is showing that too. Probably emergency trackwork.

Trains terminating on Rhodes P2.

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[Aurora]

Yes late notice track maintenance activities between Rhodes to Epping tonight.

[andy_centralcoast]

TripView is now saying Partial Closure: trains suspended between Rhodes and Epping due to urgent track equipment repairs at Meadowbank.

Central Coast trains appear to be terminating at Hornsby (not Epping, and not diverted via the North Shore as has been the case in the past).

[Fleet Lists]

Probably because of the City Circle closure.