Rail Observations July 2013

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PLI
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Rail Observations July 2013

Post by PLI »

10, 9 , 8 , 7 , 6 , 5, 4 , 3 , 2 , 1... Yay Sydney Trains!!!! Note down this historical event everyone!!!

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Rail Observations July 2013

Post by abesty »

Wollongong platform indicators are working now:
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CityRail
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Re: Rail Observations July 2013

Post by CityRail »

Welcome to July and the era of NSW Trains and Sydney Trains.

Sydney Trains website has been updated just then.
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As we all know, we can almost certain to expect major delays for the new Sydney Trains as there is a landslide near Harris Park Station. So I appeal everyone to wake up a bit early to catch the train if you need to get there on time.
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Re: Rail Observations July 2013

Post by PLI »

Don't worry CityRail only people travelling to Blacktown, Penrith and Richmond will experience 'delays'
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Re: Rail Observations June 2013

Post by CityRail »

iDionz wrote:Yeah preparing to suprise Sydney trains tomorrow! Hahaha
If Howard Collins do his job properly, considering no damage has made to Platform 3, all AM peak trains should run as normal.

However, question remain as whether Platform 4 can reopen and it appears unlikely by PM Peak tomorrow. That means major delays can be expected.
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Re: Rail Observations July 2013

Post by Tonymercury »

Already back to 'minor' at 0430
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Re: Rail Observations June 2013

Post by boronia »

CityRail wrote: If Howard Collins do his job properly, considering no damage has made to Platform 3, all AM peak trains should run as normal.

However, question remain as whether Platform 4 can reopen and it appears unlikely by PM Peak tomorrow. That means major delays can be expected.
A large section of roadway and retaining wall has already collapsed, and no doubt even more would be under threat, I can't see this being fixed in a couple of days.

Trains coming from Merrylands on the Cumberland line will not be able to operate as there are no crossovers to the Suburban lines in this section.
Passengers on the Cumberland Line are advised the 6.41am Campbelltown to Quakers Hill has been cancelled due to infrastructure damage caused by a landslip at Harris Park. South Line passengers are advised to change at Granville for a Western Line train. Additionally, the 7.11am Campbelltown to Blacktown train will operate however it will travel via Regents Park and will not operate between Canley Vale and Merrylands. Passengers should listen to station announcements, check indicator boards and allow additional travel time.
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Re: Rail Observations July 2013

Post by Fleet Lists »

From 131500
TRAINS
Passengers on the Western Line are advised to allow extra travel time due to infrastructure damage caused by a landslip at Harris Park. Trains towards the city are still stopping at Harris Park but passengers should listen to station announcements and check indicator boards as some trains will change their stopping patterns. Additionally, buses may supplement some trains between Parramatta and Granville.

Passengers on the Cumberland Line are advised the 6.41am Campbelltown to Quakers Hill has been cancelled due to infrastructure damage caused by a landslip at Harris Park. South Line passengers are advised to change at Granville for a Western Line train. Additionally, the 7.11am Campbelltown to Blacktown train will operate however it will travel via Regents Park and will not operate between Canley Vale and Merrylands. Passengers should listen to station announcements, check indicator boards and allow additional travel time.

Passengers travelling on the 5.45am Central to Newcastle train are advised to allow up to 30 minutes extra travel time due to the train requiring mechanical repairs at Hornsby earlier.

Passengers travelling on the 7.21am Central to Mount Victoria train are advised to allow up to 20 minutes extra travel time due to the train requiring mechanical repairs at Central.
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Re: Rail Observations June 2013

Post by boronia »

CityRail wrote:
If Howard Collins do his job properly, considering no damage has made to Platform 3, all AM peak trains should run as normal.

However, question remain as whether Platform 4 can reopen and it appears unlikely by PM Peak tomorrow. That means major delays can be expected.
While the tracks at Platform 3 are not affected, the platform itself was littered with trees and debris and there is a risk of further falls, so I doubt the public would be allowed access.
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Re: Rail Observations July 2013

Post by CityRail »

The station is closed, but trains can pass there safely without stopping.

Expect major delays this afternoon as landslide will take longer to fix.
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Re: Rail Observations July 2013

Post by TheOpalUser »

New Fast Track Platform at Town Hall Station
On 1 July, Sydney Trains introduced a new Fast Track Platform at Town Hall Station following a successful trial of the initiative in late 2012.
The new Fast Track Platform will help customers navigate Platform 3, one of the CBD’s most heavily used station platforms. The aim is to help you get where you need to be faster, more easily and more safely.
Improvements include:
new waiting areas with information screens at the back of the platform where there is more space to safely wait.
a clearly marked boarding area where you can safely stand when your train has stopped.
a marked walkway to help you get off your train and leave the platform quickly.
extra staff and announcements during the busiest times to help keep everyone moving.

Fast Track Platform operations
A Fast Track Platform team will be on hand on Platform 3 during the first few weeks of July to answer any questions and help customers use the Fast Track Platform.
Platform 3 operates as a Fast Track Platform with staff assistance and announcements during morning peaks, when it becomes most crowded. However, you can use the boarding and waiting areas and the marked walkway anytime you are on Platform 3 to help make your journey faster and safer.
To avoid delays and improve safety, customers are advised to:
use the new waiting areas where there is more space to wait safely
use the new walkway provided when getting off the train and keep the walkway clear when waiting to board
step into the boarding area and off the walkway when the train stops
keep the doors clear to let people off the train before getting on
listen for announcements to make your journey faster and safer.

Sydney Trains is looking at other busy station platforms where customers could benefit from a Fast Track Platform.
http://www.131500.com.au/service-change ... ll-station
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Re: Rail Observations July 2013

Post by Xplorer »

Fleet Lists wrote:From 131500
TRAINS
Passengers on the Cumberland Line are advised the 6.41am Campbelltown to Quakers Hill has been cancelled due to infrastructure damage caused by a landslip at Harris Park. South Line passengers are advised to change at Granville for a Western Line train. Additionally, the 7.11am Campbelltown to Blacktown train will operate however it will travel via Regents Park and will not operate between Canley Vale and Merrylands. Passengers should listen to station announcements, check indicator boards and allow additional travel time.
Via Regents Park? what, via lidcombe triangle? whooo, passenger trains haven't used that for a while...
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Re: Rail Observations July 2013

Post by victorwilson »

Would they be using the Lidcombe triangle for the Ctown to Blacktown service? Interesting...

EDIT: sorry, just realised Xplorer had already posted the same thing before me
Last edited by victorwilson on Mon Jul 01, 2013 3:54 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Rail Observations July 2013

Post by TheOpalUser »

Media release time

Sydney Trains to deliver better customer service
Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian today announced the start of new rail operator Sydney Trains, which is tasked with delivering metropolitan rail customers a better service.

Ms Berejiklian also welcomed the new chief executive of Sydney Trains, Howard Collins, to the role. Mr Collins was the chief operating officer of the London Underground and was made an OBE for delivering public transport at the London Olympics.

"We have been working very hard for more than a year towards the establishment of Sydney Trains," Ms Berejiklian said.

"There have been significant back office reforms that will allow Sydney Trains to focus wholly on quality service delivery, and we’ve implemented many customer improvements to show customers they are our number one priority.

"Sydney Trains is not RailCorp in disguise – there is so much work we have done that will give our customers faith that there is a bright future for rail services in Sydney.

"No one can promise that a train will never be late again but what I can promise is that Sydney Trains and this Government will continue to work as hard as we can so that, over time, customers see improvements and a shift in culture that places them at the centre of the transport system.

"Customers will rely on Sydney Trains to get them to work and home to their families, to get them to appointments and to social events, and we take that responsibility very seriously."

Ms Berejiklian said she was determined the pace of implementing improvements over the past year would continue under Sydney Trains.

"The new management team’s first priority will be the introduction of the new timetable in October, where we will deliver more services and faster services for our customers."

Key initiatives under Sydney Trains include:

CLEANER TRAINS AND STATIONS: A specialist cleaning service has been established with commercial benchmarks and began with the first proper deep clean of seats in 10 years; A major graffiti blitz has seen the entire fleet’s exteriors cleaned three times over in recent times; Station bins have returned.

MODERNISED TRAIN FLEET: Some 45 new air-conditioned Waratah trains are on the network, with 33 more to come, and carriages are being refreshed.

CUSTOMER-FOCUSED STAFF: Customer service training for more than 1,800 station staff, new uniforms, more staff out on platforms, new customer service benchmarks and better announcements.

REAL-TIME TRAVEL INFO: Customers can now access real-time travel information through a range of apps.

BETTER TICKETING: The Opal card has started to be rolled out across the network, with cheaper fares and incentives for those who travel more often.

BETTER NETWORK MAINTENANCE: Building eight new purpose-built Centres of Excellence and four satellite centres to replace about 130 small maintenance depots, some with staff working out of shipping containers. The new arrangements will align teams to coordinate track work better, so delays to services are reduced.

SWIFTER INCIDENT MANAGEMENT: A new team of specialist rail commanders will lead incident response on the network and station staff will take responsibility for minor incidents, to get trains and customers moving.

Safety will continue to be the top priority.

Ms Berejiklian also announced that dwell managers will become a permanent fixture on platform three of Town Hall Station from today in an effort to reduce dwell time - the time trains wait at the platform.

"To help reduce dwell times at Town Hall’s busiest platform and improve reliability across the network, we trialled this initiative last year and the results showed that the time saved allows us to potentially run an extra two trains into the city during the busiest hour – that’s more than 2000 extra customers," Ms Berejiklian said.

"Keeping trains moving is important as even minor delays in the CBD can have a knock-on effect and disrupt customers across the network."

The initiative includes event-style marshalling for two hours in the morning peak from 7am to 9am, announcements on trains and stations when the train approaches the platform and distinctive sections on the platform to guide customers.

The Government will consider introducing similar dwell management initiatives to other busy CBD locations by the end of the year including:

Central platforms 16 & 17 (Northern, Western, South, Inner West, East Hills & Airport lines);
Town Hall platform 2 (Northern, Western, if South, Inner West, Blue Mountains, East Hills & Airport lines);
Central platforms 18 & 19 (Northern, Western, South, Inner West lines);
Town Hall platform 4 (Eastern Suburbs and Illawarra line).
http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-r ... er-service
Included Sydney Trains Fact Sheet - http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/sites/d ... -sheet.pdf

NSW Trainlink to deliver dedicated service for Intercity and Regional customers
Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian today said the launch of the state’s first rail organisation dedicated to intercity and regional passengers would be the start of a new era for customers travelling longer distances. NSW TrainLink begins operations today, providing intercity and regional rail and coach services for customers travelling longer distances, who need more comfortable and reliable trains with on-board facilities. NSW TrainLink includes dedicated senior staff serving three regions – North, Central/West and South. This brings management and decision-making closer to the people and communities it serves.

“NSW TrainLink is tasked with delivering world-class train services tailored to the specific needs of intercity and regional train customers,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“Under RailCorp, all customers were treated the same even though many were travelling longer distances.
“NSW TrainLink will focus on the range of factors that improve longer journeys - giving our regional customers the services they deserve.”

Ms Berejiklian also announced that customers travelling on the Blue Mountains and Newcastle & Central Coast lines will enjoy an improved on-board experience thanks to a new project to refresh all 200 of the popular intercity V Set carriages.
Features of the refresh includes:
  • Fresh paint throughout carriage interiors;
  • New lighting in the carriages and toilet vestibules;
  • New seat frames, cushions and seat upholstery and arm rests;
  • New floor vinyl and wall sheeting in the toilet vestibules; and
  • New carpet and mats laid throughout the carriages.
NSW Trains will operate services to the Hunter, Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Southern Highlands and South Coast regions, as well as the interstate network previously serviced by CountryLink.

The organisation will be led by Rob Mason, who has more than 25 years’ experience at a senior level in transport in Australia and the UK
http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-r ... -customers
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Re: Rail Observations July 2013

Post by Bjwh86 »

A38,41,43,44,45 and 48 have all got the new Sydney Trains logo and been given abit of orange paint around the crew door area
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Re: Rail Observations July 2013

Post by RickyT »

A37 has also received the new Sydney Trains logo and orange paint (sticker?) around the crew cab.

As an aside, 1 K set was spotted still with its CityRail logo at Central earlier this morning. I am sure there are more out there.
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Re: Rail Observations July 2013

Post by mandonov »

Could someone please post a photo of this orange paint job?
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Re: Rail Observations July 2013

Post by victorwilson »

Image

This is A37 with the new orange livery^
(Photo taken from Facebook SETS page, originally posted by Bob Gilbey)
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Re: Rail Observations July 2013

Post by boronia »

CityRail wrote:The station is closed, but trains can pass there safely without stopping.

Expect major delays this afternoon as landslide will take longer to fix.
It is good to see that CityRail reads his press releases:
Trains towards the city are still stopping at Harris Park but passengers should listen to station announcements and check indicator boards as some trains will change their stopping patterns. Additionally, buses may supplement some trains between Parramatta and Granville.
Last edited by boronia on Mon Jul 01, 2013 4:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Rail Observations July 2013

Post by TheOpalUser »

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Checking things out on Platform 3 at Town Hall - one of the new 'fast track' platforms.

Not too busy right now so as expected staff don't have much marshalling to do ;-)
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Re: Rail Observations July 2013

Post by Punchbowl Tiger Cub »

Afternoon All,
Excuse my lack of excitement with Sydney Trains and NSW Trains changeover but having worked over 30 years in the NSW Rail Industry up to senior management level I have seen it all.

Yes,the system needs radical reform and rebuilding but you can perform all the cosmetic changes ie:Colourscheme and logos you like,but if you don't keep the nuts and bolts side up to scratch nothing will change.Time will tell if anything comes of these reforms but reality is,given the current state of turmoil within Sydney Trains and NSW Trains - my section has had four managers in two months,anything is possible.

Regards Punchbowl Tiger Cub
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Re: Rail Observations July 2013

Post by boronia »

Watching the Ch 10 news report on the Harris Park incident, the on site reporter was standing on the footbridge as the "new" V set rolled through on the UP. Co-incidence or not??

Later in the report it covered the new set, with some shots at Central.
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Re: Rail Observations July 2013

Post by moa999 »

boronia,

I think your right.
SydneyTrains planned a landslide and roadslip, just so they could get more publicity for the V set and the new boss.
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Re: Rail Observations July 2013

Post by abesty »

Admin: see http://www.busaustralia.com/forum/viewt ... =3&t=73918 where it has also been posted.

Further Harris Park landslide in that thread please.
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Re: Rail Observations July 2013

Post by boxythingy »

Photos of Trial Tangara Carriage Interiors have been posted on the TfNFSW website:
http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-r ... ok-tangara
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