NSW Railway Observations 2021

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Stonesourscotty
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Re: NSW Railway Observations 2021

Post by Stonesourscotty »

T1 trains from Penrith now show Gordon via North Sydney as the destination once leaving Penrith instead of Central on the Waratahs front and Rear displays.

Does anyone know what's happening to the "Pacific National Area" just to the west of St Marys station? Approximately 20 workers there including envirocut near a few prefabricated concrete objects and a couple of drill rigs.
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Re: NSW Railway Observations 2021

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Originally a Sydneysider, now a Melburnian
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Re: NSW Railway Observations 2021

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I assume this is the unnamed Intermodal referred to in wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_S ... eight_Line It seems that that may need some updating.
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boronia
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Re: NSW Railway Observations 2021

Post by boronia »

There is also this:
https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/corridors/wsfl

which doesn't mention the St Marys connection
Last edited by boronia on Wed Apr 07, 2021 3:31 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: NSW Railway Observations 2021

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Fleet Lists wrote: Wed Apr 07, 2021 1:29 pm I assume this is the unnamed Intermodal referred to in wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_S ... eight_Line It seems that that may need some updating.
From the above link and the below link, the St Marys site is not the same as the intermodal near Mamre Road in Erskine Park.
https://corridors.ucapp.com.au/project/ ... ight-line/
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Re: NSW Railway Observations 2021

Post by boronia »

The site at St Marys was first mooted as an IMT about 10 years ago.
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Re: NSW Railway Observations 2021

Post by Frodo »

Strange CCN timetabling this weekend, with CCN trains running via the North Shore and continuing to Olympic Park even though there is no trackwork on the T9 northern line.
Stopping pattern Hornsby, Gordon, Chatswood and all stations to Central, Redfern, Strathfield and Olympic Park.

Presumably done to provide additional services to Olympic Park for the Easter show as there is trackwork around the intercity platforms at Central. In the past, CCN services would have been re-routed to terminate at North Sydney via Strathfield when the intercity platforms were not available. I don't recall seeing this type of trackwork arrangement in the past.
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Re: NSW Railway Observations 2021

Post by Jurassic_Joke »

Frodo wrote: Sat Apr 10, 2021 5:11 pm Strange CCN timetabling this weekend, with CCN trains running via the North Shore and continuing to Olympic Park even though there is no trackwork on the T9 northern line.
Stopping pattern Hornsby, Gordon, Chatswood and all stations to Central, Redfern, Strathfield and Olympic Park.

Presumably done to provide additional services to Olympic Park for the Easter show as there is trackwork around the intercity platforms at Central. In the past, CCN services would have been re-routed to terminate at North Sydney via Strathfield when the intercity platforms were not available. I don't recall seeing this type of trackwork arrangement in the past.
I mean, I wouldn’t complain. Looks like meanwhile the BMT somehow then isn’t running between Central and Strathfield “due to track work”
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Re: NSW Railway Observations 2021

Post by Scott4570 »

Sydney Terminal Platforms 5 to 12 are Closed for the Weekend, April 10 & 11.

Limited access to Sydney Terminal for XPT and Xplorer Services. Down Services run via the Up Main to Redfern.
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Re: NSW Railway Observations 2021

Post by gilberations »

Stonesourscotty wrote: Wed Apr 07, 2021 12:45 pm T1 trains from Penrith now show Gordon via North Sydney as the destination once leaving Penrith instead of Central on the Waratahs front and Rear displays.
Waratah shave always had this ability, it’s up to the guard to manually override the automatic to show the second run on the destination board.

Oscars can as well, but less successfully
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Re: NSW Railway Observations 2021

Post by Stonesourscotty »

Double V set on T7 showing as Oscars on tripview
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Re: NSW Railway Observations 2021

Post by Transtopic »

Linto63 wrote: Tue Apr 06, 2021 4:18 pm There are winners and losers in any recasting of stopping patterns, two additional stops aren't going to cause that much drama, and really it is the only option.
With South Coast services being diverted to Sydney Terminal via the Local (Western) tracks, it makes sense to have a single all stops pattern from Wolli Creek to Bondi Junction on the Main (Eastern) tracks. T4 Cronulla/Waterfall semi-express services will cross from the Local to the Main at Wolli Creek, merging with the Hurstville all stops. I expect that the all stops pattern will be faster anyway with the ATP/ATO upgrade. Tempe, St Peters and Erskineville in particular are going to have a dramatic increase in frequency to 24tph along with the other stations from Wolli Creek to Bondi Junction. As far as is practicable, all lines should have a single stopping pattern, whether it be express, semi-express or all stops. It wouldn't surprise me if T2 eventually becomes a single all stops pattern, including the reinstated Liverpool via Regents Park service.
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Re: NSW Railway Observations 2021

Post by Frodo »

9.48pm Central to Newcastle service was delayed for over an hour this evening due to track equipment repairs at Thornleigh on the 3rd track.
It eventually backtracked to Pennant Hills for passengers to change over to the 10.48pm service that was held at Pennant Hills for around 15 min to facilitate this.
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Re: NSW Railway Observations 2021

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Frodo wrote: Wed Apr 14, 2021 12:09 am 9.48pm Central to Newcastle service was delayed for over an hour this evening due to track equipment repairs at Thornleigh on the 3rd track.
It eventually backtracked to Pennant Hills for passengers to change over to the 10.48pm service that was held at Pennant Hills for around 15 min to facilitate this.
Just as well they provided a new platform facing at Pennant Hills as part of the 3rd track project. Similarly at Cheltenham, but not Beecroft. Most likely Thornleigh and Normanhurst will receive similar treatment with the extension of the 3rd track to Hornsby.
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Re: NSW Railway Observations 2021

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Just as well they provided a new platform facing at Pennant Hills as part of the 3rd track project. Similarly at Cheltenham, but not Beecroft. Most likely Thornleigh and Normanhurst will receive similar treatment with the extension of the 3rd track to Hornsby.
If it ever goes ahead...
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Re: NSW Railway Observations 2021

Post by gilberations »

Beecroft had a 3rd platform in the original plans but local objection stopped it from going ahead.
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Re: NSW Railway Observations 2021

Post by Transtopic »

swtt wrote: Wed Apr 14, 2021 9:59 am
Just as well they provided a new platform facing at Pennant Hills as part of the 3rd track project. Similarly at Cheltenham, but not Beecroft. Most likely Thornleigh and Normanhurst will receive similar treatment with the extension of the 3rd track to Hornsby.
If it ever goes ahead...
It's part of the Northern Sydney Freight Corridor Program which is being jointly funded by the Federal Government. A business case is currently being developed. Subject to approval, it's expected to be completed within the second half of this decade. I'm confident that it will go ahead.
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Re: NSW Railway Observations 2021

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But that does not guarantee a third platform at Cheltenham.
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Re: NSW Railway Observations 2021

Post by Linto63 »

Although C sets were theoretically withdrawn at the end of February, C1 and C5 were on the T3 tonight operating the 2006 Liverpool - Redfern via the City Circle.
Fleet Lists wrote: But that does not guarantee a third platform at Cheltenham.
Cheltenham already has a third platform, included when the station was rebuilt as part of the Sydney Freight Corridor Program.
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Re: NSW Railway Observations 2021

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Fleet Lists wrote: Wed Apr 14, 2021 6:56 pm But that does not guarantee a third platform at Cheltenham.
I think you mean Beecroft as Cheltenham already has a third platform which was built as part of the third track project, as was Pennant Hills, although not used for normal suburban services at present.

The problem with Beecroft is that the current station has an island platform, unlike Cheltenham and Pennant Hills, and it would have required a new side platform to be constructed which would encroach on an adjoining park and children's play area. If the fourth track (Up Suburban) is ever built as part of the Epping to Hornsby quadruplication, then it would also require a new side platform, although that would only encroach on an existing surface carpark which shouldn't be such an issue. The only other option is to demolish the existing island platform and rebuild the station with two island platforms with appropriate realignment of tracks, although it would be extremely disruptive, if at all feasible.

Thornleigh and Normanhurst are similar to Cheltenham and Pennant Hills with existing side platforms, which can readily be converted to island platforms with construction of the third and fourth tracks. Thornleigh already has a third platform on the Up Relief track.

To the south, West Ryde and Rhodes currently have three platforms and the proposed completion of the quad will similarly create two island platforms for each. Meadowbank in between just needs completion of new platforms adjoining the existing platforms on either side as part of the quadruplication between Rhodes and West Ryde.

Concord West had its fourth platform constructed as part of the fourth tack extension from Rhodes to the North Strathfield freight underpass, but is currently fenced off.

North Strathfield presents a dilemma, as there is limited space for a fourth platform (it currently has three platforms) on an extended Up Suburban track, unless it is staggered and built over the top of the freight underpass. The current Down Suburban (platform 3) is staggered in the opposite direction from platforms 1/2. As North Strathfield is proposed as an interchange station with Metro West, then it would be logical to construct the fourth platform, as there is the potential for CCN Intercity services to also stop there to allow interchange to Sydney Olympic Park and Parramatta, as well as CBD destinations.

There is no doubt in my mind that it is intended to ultimately provide platform access to all tracks on the Northern Line between Strathfield and Hornsby with completion of triplication and later quadruplication.
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Re: NSW Railway Observations 2021

Post by Stonesourscotty »

The Penrith Oscars no longer stable there during the day anymore but I've noticed two V sets appear to stable during the morning at Penrith I guess they then formed the two Charter services from Katoomba to Central in the Afternoon for the Indian Pacific Daytrips??
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Re: NSW Railway Observations 2021

Post by swtt »

Transtopic wrote:
Fleet Lists wrote: Wed Apr 14, 2021 6:56 pm But that does not guarantee a third platform at Cheltenham.
I think you mean Beecroft as Cheltenham already has a third platform which was built as part of the third track project, as was Pennant Hills, although not used for normal suburban services at present.

The problem with Beecroft is that the current station has an island platform, unlike Cheltenham and Pennant Hills, and it would have required a new side platform to be constructed which would encroach on an adjoining park and children's play area. If the fourth track (Up Suburban) is ever built as part of the Epping to Hornsby quadruplication, then it would also require a new side platform, although that would only encroach on an existing surface carpark which shouldn't be such an issue. The only other option is to demolish the existing island platform and rebuild the station with two island platforms with appropriate realignment of tracks, although it would be extremely disruptive, if at all feasible.

Thornleigh and Normanhurst are similar to Cheltenham and Pennant Hills with existing side platforms, which can readily be converted to island platforms with construction of the third and fourth tracks. Thornleigh already has a third platform on the Up Relief track.

To the south, West Ryde and Rhodes currently have three platforms and the proposed completion of the quad will similarly create two island platforms for each. Meadowbank in between just needs completion of new platforms adjoining the existing platforms on either side as part of the quadruplication between Rhodes and West Ryde.

Concord West had its fourth platform constructed as part of the fourth tack extension from Rhodes to the North Strathfield freight underpass, but is currently fenced off.

North Strathfield presents a dilemma, as there is limited space for a fourth platform (it currently has three platforms) on an extended Up Suburban track, unless it is staggered and built over the top of the freight underpass. The current Down Suburban (platform 3) is staggered in the opposite direction from platforms 1/2. As North Strathfield is proposed as an interchange station with Metro West, then it would be logical to construct the fourth platform, as there is the potential for CCN Intercity services to also stop there to allow interchange to Sydney Olympic Park and Parramatta, as well as CBD destinations.

There is no doubt in my mind that it is intended to ultimately provide platform access to all tracks on the Northern Line between Strathfield and Hornsby with completion of triplication and later quadruplication.
Concord West Platform 1 is in use. Just that nothing stops there Image



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Re: NSW Railway Observations 2021

Post by Linto63 »

Transtopic wrote: Concord West had its fourth platform constructed as part of the fourth tack extension from Rhodes to the North Strathfield freight underpass, but is currently fenced off.
Was actually commissioned complete with passenger information displays. Only time I am aware of it being used was to disembark passengers from a returning Hunter Valley Steamfest special on its way from Maitland to Thirlmere.
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Re: NSW Railway Observations 2021

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C1 & C5’s Indian Summer continues, sighted inbound at Redfern @ 0715.
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Re: NSW Railway Observations 2021

Post by gilberations »

Linto63 wrote: Thu Apr 15, 2021 5:48 am
Transtopic wrote: Concord West had its fourth platform constructed as part of the fourth tack extension from Rhodes to the North Strathfield freight underpass, but is currently fenced off.
Was actually commissioned complete with passenger information displays. Only time I am aware of it being used was to disembark passengers from a returning Hunter Valley Steamfest special on its way from Maitland to Thirlmere.
It was used for a couple of Olympic Park CCN services when it opened, as a pilot crew would board
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