CBD & South East Light Rail

[Passenger 57]

I'm trying to understand why they couldn't run services between the terminii and the nearest crossovers to the accident. Are they just slack or not able to walk and chew gum at the same time?'

Edit: Oh, reading back I see they were run to Central but why not service George St?

[boronia]

You'd have to ask TfNSW or Transdev about that. For anyone needing to travel beyond the CBD, they'd still have to get from TH to Chalmers St, so better to use the "alternative means" the whole way.

[Passenger 57]

You'd have to ask TfNSW or Transdev about that.

I would but I wanted an answer from someone who understands how to operate a tram system.

For anyone needing to travel beyond the CBD, they'd still have to get from TH to Chalmers St, so better to use the "alternative means" the whole way.

The LR is more convenient for travel between CQ and TH but arguably not necessary given most of the stops are in the vicinity of train stations. Perhaps the fact that if offers limited added value to heavy rail means it is intentionally sacrificed when management are under extra pressure. Have we ever seen partitioned operation on any of the lines? Do they always amputate when there is problem that prevents end to end journeys?

[tonyp]

Have we ever seen partitioned operation on any of the lines? Do they always amputate when there is problem that prevents end to end journeys?

It happens here with train lines too. It's apparently too easy to just call out buses. If you ask anybody who operates an experienced legacy tram system, yes they will say that they have means of maintaining as much of the operation that they can around the break. This no doubt happens in Melbourne, but for the noobs it's just too much.

[Passenger 57]

It happens here with train lines too. It's apparently too easy to just call out buses.

Got to get value out of those standby bus contracts! Otherwise people might start questioning their cost. I wonder if there is something in the metrics that makes a wider bustitution than strictly necessary preferable to the operator.

[Fleet Lists]

I would have thought that the standby bus contracts would cost a lot more if they are used than if they are NOT used.

[boronia]

You'd have to ask TfNSW or Transdev about that.

I would but I wanted an answer from someone who understands how to operate a tram system.

For anyone needing to travel beyond the CBD, they'd still have to get from TH to Chalmers St, so better to use the "alternative means" the whole way.

The LR is more convenient for travel between CQ and TH but arguably not necessary given most of the stops are in the vicinity of train stations. Perhaps the fact that if offers limited added value to heavy rail means it is intentionally sacrificed when management are under extra pressure. Have we ever seen partitioned operation on any of the lines? Do they always amputate when there is problem that prevents end to end journeys?

There is no text book way to "operate a tram system". Every operator would make up their own rules, depending on local circumstances. These rules may not make sense to others, but you have to learn to live with them.

Terminating inbound services at Central or TH is fairly common when ever there is maintenance or some event in the CBD. On occasions one or both of the branches has been closed with services operating outbound to only Moore Park and bus connections beyond.

[Passenger 57]

I would have thought that the standby bus contracts would cost a lot more if they are used than if they are NOT used.

If the buses are never needed the payments for the standby retainer are, in a sense, wasted. I'd imagine there would be some optimum level of usage. If usage dropped off both the retainer and usage charges would need to be increased. Ideally, redundant capacity could be used to improve service levels rather than having capital and perhaps labour sitting around idle.

There is no text book way to "operate a tram system". Every operator would make up their own rules, depending on local circumstances. These rules may not make sense to others, but you have to learn to live with them.

I come here to learn about best practice.

[Glen]

I would have thought that the standby bus contracts would cost a lot more if they are used than if they are NOT used.

Are they paid anything if they are not used?

[Glen]

I'm trying to understand why they couldn't run services between the terminii and the nearest crossovers to the accident. Are they just slack or not able to walk and chew gum at the same time?'

Edit: Oh, reading back I see they were run to Central but why not service George St?

If trams trapped on the City side of the accident ran between say Circular Quay and Chinatown would they generate enough charge under the catenary to run wire free for essentially half of each trip?

[tonyp]

If trams trapped on the City side of the accident ran between say Circular Quay and Chinatown would they generate enough charge under the catenary to run wire free for essentially half of each trip?

They're powered from a third rail, not in-motion charging. It's just operational laziness that's led to this. No real service ethic.

[Glen]

If trams trapped on the City side of the accident ran between say Circular Quay and Chinatown would they generate enough charge under the catenary to run wire free for essentially half of each trip?

They're powered from a third rail, not in-motion charging. It's just operational laziness that's led to this. No real service ethic.

Good point. I was clearly on the wrong network!

[lunchbox]

SAT 17.9.22 - DOUBLE STADIUM WHAMMY

It might be interesting to observe light rail's handling of simultaneous departing and arriving crowds between 5pm & 8pm.
1045334

[tonyp]

SAT 17.9.22 - DOUBLE STADIUM WHAMMY

It might be interesting to observe light rail's handling of simultaneous departing and arriving crowds between 5pm & 8pm.
1045334

Doubtless it will be just like this - everybody cleared out in an hour!

http://www.aptnsw.org.au/trams.html

[Glen]

Those were the days. Truly extraordinary numbers.

I've read that before but it's always worth reading again, if only to dream of what might have been.

I hope the NRMA is happy with what it achieved.

[lunchbox]

SATURDAY DOUBLE WHAMMY - 17.9.22 - OBSERVATIONS
Between 5pm & 6pm, about every 4th inbound tram was terminating at Central, with full standing loads originating from Randwick Racecourse, and nobody wearing masks. Pedestrian contol at the north end ped. Xing at Moore Park appeared to function smoothly, using a controller on each side of the track, with a manual telescopic barrier.
The turn-out at the south end of platform 3 at Central appears to be spring-loaded to favour departing (southbound) trams. Arriving trams force the blades.
1046386

[matthewg]

They're powered from a third rail, not in-motion charging. It's just operational laziness that's led to this. No real service ethic.

They do have traction batteries, but not enough range to do anything useful. The batteries appear to be intended to work past failed APS segments or get to the next stop in the event of traction power failure.

They could have worked a Circular Quay to Town Hall service and used the park street crossovers. They have enough battery capacity to shunt at Town hall with the overhead turned off if that section needed isolation.

But that would mean someone taking the initiative to approve non-standard working and issuing appropriate instructions to the crew on the ground.

[Swift]

Why oh why did those objectionable oafs shut down the legacy system?
Now we have this super slow, complicated expensive new system that continuously causes migrains to run properly. Got to love shitty Sydney. I never will.

[boronia]

George street's car free zone extended to near Circular-Quay

https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/geo ... 5bobk.html

[Swift]

Makes you wonder what big business stands to benefit from this, with the state government chipping in.
They are not a government that would be motivated by the amenity of the city.

[jpp42]

Makes you wonder what big business stands to benefit from this, with the state government chipping in.
They are not a government that would be motivated by the amenity of the city.

That end of the city has a lot of high end office real estate, which has suffered post-pandemic as workers want to stay working from home. I guess this is an attempt to make the city feel like a better place to work, and thus ease barriers to get workers back in the city and prop up rents. That's the most likely angle I can see.

[Transtopic]

I assume that east-west road links crossing George St will be retained, such as Hunter-Margaret Sts and Bridge-Grosvenor Sts, similar to Park-Druitt Sts, Bathurst and Liverpool Sts.

[grog]

Bridge/Grosvenor yes, no to the rest. Removing the doglegs will remove a big source of tram delays.

[Linto63]

Clover also wants to extend the pedestrian zone south to Railway Square. Would mean bus routes 438X, 440 and 461X would cease using the stop adjacent to the light rail stop at Central.

[Swift]

I assume that east-west road links crossing George St will be retained, such as Hunter-Margaret Sts and Bridge-Grosvenor Sts, similar to Park-Druitt Sts, Bathurst and Liverpool Sts.

We have this itty bitty piece of infrastructure called the Cross City Tunnel. If self entitled motorists INSIST on driving around, they can use and pay for that and stay the H out of the city they have no business disrupting the flow of. A big fat KEEP OUT should be enforced. London can do it, so can we -if it was with the times.