RRL Sydenham line shutdown observations & discussion

[Mercedes]

Hi All as means to avoid other observations threads from being clogged up with sightings of which buses & coaches are doing, Sydenham, Bendigo & Ballarat I have created this thread. It will also make it easier for those who wish to refer back to what was used down the track rather than have to search through each observations thread. It has previously been mentioned their is 204 coaches contracted to the regional replacements and that is why I have created this as I dont want 204 posts about what coaches have been used. Likewise for metro buses being used on the metro replacements.


Regards

[RailwayBus]

Carrying over from the other thread:

Operators seen out and about on the suburban runs this morning included:

Dysons, Sita Coaches, Kastoria Bus Lines, Mitchell Transit, Grenda Bus Service, Peninsular Bus Lines, Moorabbin Transit, Cardinia Transit, Invicta Bus Lines, Westrans Werribee, Westrans Sunshine and Cranbourne Transit.

Three of the four contracted Metro rail replacement operators were out and about.

Trains operating very efficiently at both ends. Upside had Comengs and Siemens, downside had short consist Comengs.

[jarf]

^ There was also a Hitachi at Flemington just after 10:30am.

[BroadGauge]

Off-peak passenger numbers seemed to be noticeably down, which was evident in looking at the commuter carparks in particular at Ginifer, St Albans, Keilor Plains and Watergardens, which normally would be overflowing, but all only seemed about half full at the most. There seemed to be 4 buses departing for each train arrival at Albion, with the buses at the back leaving empty or with just 1 or 2 passengers.

Trains operated every 10 minutes at both ends which was working out well connections wise in the off-peak, however I did see an abusive feral chucking a hissy fit and taking it out on a Hoban worker at Flemington Racecourse for not holding a train's departure for him.

All trains running between Sunshine - Watergardens, as well as all stabled trains at St Albans and Watergardens were 3-car southside Comengs, nice at least for some of the gunzels who usually run up the platform to get in the southside half when a mixed set turns up

[Bradley]

^ There was also a Hitachi at Flemington just after 10:30am.

See photo at: viewtopic.php?f=43&t=61059 (That's includes X'trap shunting at Flemington Racecourse today (4 July)).

Cheers

Bradley.

[Set Down Only]

Is there anything happening between southern cross and Geelong?
Im not a local

[Alex on the Bus]

Is there anything happening between southern cross and Geelong?
Im not a local

Short answer: no.

[1whoknows]

Not this time but there will be other occasions notably after Christmas when the Geelong line will also be closed.

[red baron]

Is there anything happening between southern cross and Geelong?
Im not a local

At Southern Cross,they are relaying platform 3 with concrete sleepers.Track Machines are running along the Ballarat line
just outside of Sunshine.

[B10BLE]

what's gonna happen on the Geelong line after Christmas?

[Coach_Captain]

Is there anything happening between southern cross and Geelong?
Im not a local

At Southern Cross,they are relaying platform 3 with concrete sleepers.Track Machines are running along the Ballarat line
just outside of Sunshine.

Why would they put sleepers on the platform??

At Southern Cross, Pit Renewal is being done between platforms 4&5.. This is probabily being done while there is less V/Line trains operating.

[B10BLE]

Why would they put sleepers on the platform??

At Southern Cross, Pit Renewal is being done between platforms 4&5.. This is probabily being done while there is less V/Line trains operating.

LOL, that's that i was gonna comment

[Desto Dave]

Grenda rail bus B10M's (47 etc) have ventured over to Sita's for the rail shuttles. Keep you eyes out for them.

[Coach_Captain]

Grenda rail bus B10M's (47 etc) have ventured over to Sita's for the rail shuttles. Keep you eyes out for them.

Saw them sitting in the yard at Sita this afternoon.

Grendas had 242 running Albion-Flemmington Races this morning

[712M]

Where are the Cranbourne buses sleeping at? Or do they go home at the end of the day?

[red baron]

Grenda rail bus B10M's (47 etc) have ventured over to Sita's for the rail shuttles. Keep you eyes out for them.

They are running on the Albion to Flemington leg.Also sighted at Albion is ex Brisbane City Council Volvo C200 Sita's 221.

[Craig]

Not sure if this fits here or the "all other bus observations" thread, but today Sita #23 (Volvo B10M Mk2, Volgren) (white livery) was noted operating on Route 471 (Sunshine - Williamstown). Normally only operates as a spare bus on Routes 400 or 401. No doubt in use on 471 due to several normal route buses operating rail replacement services.

Kind Regards


Craig

[Brendan03]

Trains operated every 10 minutes at both ends which was working out well connections wise in the off-peak, however I did see an abusive feral chucking a hissy fit and taking it out on a Hoban worker at Flemington Racecourse for not holding a train's departure for him.

Unfortunately, This will be all too common, regardless of employer.

[Paul_Nicholson]

I agree with the statement that the car parks seemed less full but it is school holidays and that is reflected with fewer vehicles on the road.

At Flemington Racecourse, I noticed a casual passenger being turned away. He could have been a local resident or racecourse worker who had walked across the car park. He was told it was unsafe for a casual passenger to board the trains.

The authorised officers (AOs) were present. I didn't notice any police or security presence.

I noticed the buses were travelling in "flights" of three (it was mid afternoon Friday) with only a handful of passengers in the front vehicle.

It was also interesting to watch the coach movements at Southern Cross. An interesting observation was a NBC (Ventura) route bus arriving with a full load (possibly from Sunbury?). I did not get the number.

The timetables are interesting and it has to be said a good service is being offered. Presumably, the thought is to over provide and keep the customers happy rather than operate on a "just in time" basis with possible disgruntled passengers.

I overhead employees (Metro and Hoban) discussing the prospect of a four week shut down over the Christmas school holiday period.

One also mentioned that bus enthusiasts had been taking an interest in the movements (at Flemington Racecourse).

I understand it is unusual for trains to use the northern platform at Flemington Racecourse.

Paul in Melbourne

[system improver]

Yesterday, the following companies provided buses for services on the Bendigo line:
Quince's Scenicruisers, Nuline Charter/Bayside Coaches, Seymour PS, Ford's Shepparton BS, Panorama Coaches, Kastoria BL, Driver Group, Broadmeadows BS, Lakes Coaches, Swan Hill BL, Skylight BL, Bendigo Coachlines, Ventura BL, Rockleigh Tours and Moreland BL.

[wongm]

At Flemington Racecourse, I noticed a casual passenger being turned away. He could have been a local resident or racecourse worker who had walked across the car park. He was told it was unsafe for a casual passenger to board the trains.

Over the past week I have seen a number of passengers walking away from the station near Leonard Crescent, I got told by one of the customer service staff that they don't have insurance for passengers to walk through the carpark. At the west end there is a proper footpath, but the footpath further east crosses the bus roads into and out of the interchange.

I also noticed that when a train is ready to depart the staff at the bus interchange are instructed to close the gates leading to the platform steps, to prevent any last minute runners for the train. The steps themselves are on the slippers side when it gets wet, as they are just plywood.

I noticed the buses were travelling in "flights" of three (it was mid afternoon Friday) with only a handful of passengers in the front vehicle.

On the morning peak of July 07 I saw some flights of three buses and some of four.

I understand it is unusual for trains to use the northern platform at Flemington Racecourse.

Race trains usually use the south platform as you can walk straight off the platform towards the grandstances, instead of walking up the hill and around the tracks at the west end, or under the tracks at the east end.

In morning peak they have a free sausage sizzle on the platform, funded by Metro and run by the local Rotary club for donations. There is also a coffee stall on the platform, but you need to pay for that.

[red baron]

Heard that they are running about 4 days behind schedule.

[Volvo_B9R]

Heard that they are running about 4 days behind schedule.

They better hope not! From Monday most return to their normal runs, ie school runs.

[Brendan03]

I know this probably isn't the place to ask but I didn't want to start a thread just for this question but is anyone aware of who's supposed to be doing the designs for Tarneit and Wyndham Vale station?

The designs have a very strong Cox signature but I could be wrong.

[712M]

Heard that they are running about 4 days behind schedule.

They better hope not! From Monday most return to their normal runs, ie school runs.

If RFR works are complete by Monday, could V/Line trains from Ballarat and Bendigo run to the normal timetable and then divert via Newport to get to Southern Cross?