Sydney Metro Chatswood to Sydenham line now open

[moa999]

Maybe regional NSW will get a look-in at some stage

Entire fleet being replaced in the next few years with brand new trains and a new maintenance facility in Dubbo. First trains already in Australia and testing starts soon.

Regional Rail | Transport for NSW

A new regional NSW fleet will replace the ageing XPT trains between Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and major regional centres.

www.transport.nsw.gov.au

but we need way more - many more lines, and all existing lines modernised to the new standard.

As up thread.. very expensive with platform rebuilds.

Plus automated metros really need dedicated track and much of our network is comingled with freight and intercity/regional trains sharing the same track.

 

[UP4014]

For those a bit out of date, Rosehill no longer has heavy rail (or any rail), last train was 4 January 2020. They rebuilt it into a tram line but instead of heading the the Sydney CBD it turns right and goes to Parramatta but before getting to Rosehill.

Shot of the last day of the line to Rosehill, wonder if the metro will last 152 years.

https://flic.kr/p/2iwBNXU

 

[moa999]

They rebuilt it into a tram line but instead of heading the the Sydney CBD it turns right and goes to Parramatta but before getting to Rosehill.

Albeit that tram line is yet to open.. should be in the next few weeks (no.. that's been delayed now )

Rosehill Gardens light rail stop (roughly situated where Camelia station used to be) will service the racecourse for now.

 

[Lynda2475]

As up thread.. very expensive with platform rebuilds.

Nope if genuine new lines underground as metro should be then new stations, no retrofit. Imagine a metro that run under Parramatta Rd or Victoria Rd and all the buses it could replace.

Metro aka tube aka subway is best suited for within 15km of the cbd.

 

[RB]

Entire fleet being replaced in the next few years with brand new trains and a new maintenance facility in Dubbo. First trains already in Australia and testing starts soon.

Regional Rail | Transport for NSW

A new regional NSW fleet will replace the ageing XPT trains between Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and major regional centres.

www.transport.nsw.gov.au

As up thread.. very expensive with platform rebuilds.

Plus automated metros really need dedicated track and much of our network is comingled with freight and intercity/regional trains sharing the same track.

Replacements that have been promised for years. I am not sure that it is reasonable for regional people to still having to use 40 odd year old trains. In March this year one of the dunnies on the XPT I was on had a bowl that folded down for you to pee in- I don't think that is reasonable

 

[moa999]

genuine new lines underground as metro should be then new stations, no retrofit. Imagine a metro that run under Parramatta Rd or Victoria Rd and all the buses it could replace

But $$s.

Remember the poles and wires got sold to pay for the Northwest Metro.
The 50% future toll revenue got sold to mostly pay for the City and Bankstown extension.

The cupboard of NSW Govt assets that actually make a profit is looking somewhat bare these days.

For shorter distances a light rail line can actually be much better.. at street level (versus the minutes it can take to reach a deep Metro), cheaper stations and thus typically closer spaced stops that take less time to get to.

 

[RSVKanga]

First trains already in Australia

Really?

 

[moa999]

Really?

Photo from February at the docks.

https://www.reddit.com/r/SydneyTrains/s/IcoArxTtVM

Believe testing of the first sets is due to start in September, but still likely some time before entry into service.
(Eg. The disaster of the intercity fleet and union issues)

 

[UP4014]

Photo from February at the docks.

https://www.reddit.com/r/SydneyTrains/s/IcoArxTtVM

Believe testing of the first sets is due to start in September, but still likely some time before entry into service.
(Eg. The disaster of the intercity fleet and union issues)

Compared to the XPTs for long runs the the new trains will be a poor cousin for travel comfort unfortunately. There was a chance it would be better but alas not.

I'm not talking about seat comfort, but over all experience. Engines under the floor of each car, vibration, noise, versus now where the power plant is in the power car at the end of the train. Seats in the lead cars, the lead is always rougher ride and let's hope a Wallan accident doesn't repeat itself or 20 people will be killed. Nil sleeping cars for those that want them.

A retrograde step in rail travel designed for the operations not the customer.

 

[SeatBackForward]

For those a bit out of date, Rosehill no longer has heavy rail (or any rail), last train was 4 January 2020. They rebuilt it into a tram line but instead of heading the the Sydney CBD it turns right and goes to Parramatta but before getting to Rosehill.

Shot of the last day of the line to Rosehill, wonder if the metro will last 152 years.

https://flic.kr/p/2iwBNXU

And even more fun facts, the Carlingford line was the first stage of a proposal in the 1880's to extend further, one branch towards Dural and the other towards Castle Hill. But when the first stage didn't turn into the resounding commercial success the farmers in the area hoped it would be, there was no money allocated for the next bit.

 

[Fifa]

I caught the metro from Chatswood to Martin Place yesterday. Very impressed

 

[UP4014]

And even more fun facts, the Carlingford line was the first stage of a proposal in the 1880's to extend further, one branch towards Dural and the other towards Castle Hill. But when the first stage didn't turn into the resounding commercial success the farmers in the area hoped it would be, there was no money allocated for the next bit.

The Rogans Hill (Castle Hill) line opened in 1902.... Rogans Hill railway line - Wikipedia

Governments and corporations who build infrastructure have a habit of claiming many firsts which when you do the research is malarkey. Another annoyance is the closure of a rail line then reopen it as a metro or tram, build the tram/metro line to a locale not currently served.

 

[SeatBackForward]

The Rogans Hill (Castle Hill) line opened in 1902.... Rogans Hill railway line - Wikipedia

Governments and corporations who build infrastructure have a habit of claiming many firsts which when you do the research is malarkey. Another annoyance is the closure of a rail line then reopen it as a metro or tram, build the tram/metro line to a locale not currently served.

The Rogans Hill line is different to the Carlingford Extension. Rogans Hill started at the main western line near Westmead (This Video shows some remanants of it around there) and roughly followed Windsor Rd up to Castle Hill, eventually terminating near current day Oakhill College. You can see the stations and photos of what's left of it here: Rogans Hill Branch

This is a photo I took of something that was on display at Pennant Hills Library, showing the proposed line to Dural, I have no idea how they proposed to get a railway up the grade towards Thompsons Corner as shown on the map!

There is more information at Castle Hill Library that I want to go visit someday.

 

[UP4014]

The Rogans Hill line is different to the Carlingford Extension. Rogans Hill started at the main western line near Westmead (This Video shows some remanants of it around there) and roughly followed Windsor Rd up to Castle Hill, eventually terminating near current day Oakhill College. You can see the stations and photos of what's left of it here: Rogans Hill Branch

This is a photo I took of something that was on display at Pennant Hills Library, showing the proposed line to Dural, I have no idea how they proposed to get a railway up the grade towards Thompsons Corner as shown on the map!

There is more information at Castle Hill Library that I want to go visit someday.

View attachment 404267

Yes I realise that, just pointing out there was a line to Castle Hill and it was closed then suddenly it's a great 'new' idea to have a railway to Castle Hill.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Yes I realise that, just pointing out there was a line to Castle Hill and it was closed then suddenly it's a great 'new' idea to have a railway to Castle Hill.

*cough* Northern Beaches Rail line.

 

[kamchatsky]

*cough* Northern Beaches Rail line.

The NIMBYs don't want it.

 

[Big John]

The Sydney Metro reminds me of the MRT in SIN or the MTR in HKG.

Quick and efficient.

 

[SeatBackForward]

The Sydney Metro reminds me of the MRT in SIN or the MTR in HKG.

Quick and efficient.

Capacity and Efficiency is what Metro systems are about, not necessarily comfort. The Sydney metro is definitely a world class system now. And when the next section opens and we start running trains at 2min headways, we'll be wanting them all over the city.

 

[clifford]

I had a long layover in Sydney last week and decided to have a look at the Metro. Rather than just take a train from Central to Dom, I went for the Metro to Sydenham, the heavy rail to Rockdale and the the 420 bus to Dom. I was really impressed with the speed and smoothness of the Metro train, particularly as it was driverless. Made the Vancouver driverless train system I used many years ago look very agricultural and outdated.

 

[tdimdad]

The metro seems to be a bit of a victim of its own success: very crowded at the peak hours, including on weekend days. But that's a really good thing!

Last weekend I checked out the new stations. A train to Sydenham, then hopping onto the metro and off at every station through to Crows Nest. I'm impressed by the city stations, they are so cool! Each station has its own character and distinct features. To me, the two highlights were the "retro futuristic" features of the Cadigal tunnels, and the connecting tunnel at the Martin Place with lights & music / birdsong. The connection at Martin Place between T4 and metro lines is also well done.

If only we also had the western line opening soon...