Location: Western Sydney, AU
Springwood, Penrith, Parramatta and Strathfield are D stops. They're set down only; or pick up going up the mountains.
Cityrail Rail Extension to Bathurst
s3_gunzel
Not a gunzel developer
Location: Western Sydney, AU
moonetau
Junior Train Controller
The Down service left Sydney on the evening of Thursday, 13/2/14, and again Friday, 21/2/14, still plenty of seats.
On Friday evening, 14/2/14, the Down service arrived at Parramatta close to time, not many customers joining the train there.
- Scott.
I was on the Up service about 10 days ago. 85 leaving Bathurst. Full leaving Springwood.
Jim K
Train Controller
Location: Well west of the Great Divide in NSW but not as far as South Australia
I noted a number of commuters board at Katoomba in the morning
Jim K
Train Controller
Location: Well west of the Great Divide in NSW but not as far as South Australia
Springwood, Penrith, Parramatta and Strathfield are D stops. They're set down only; or pick up going up the mountains.
Is this actually policed? I remember catching a Mountain train with a "D" for Penrith... It seemed 1/2 the train got off at Penrith !
wurx
Lithgovian Ambassador-at-Large
Location: The mystical lost principality of Daptovia
Is this actually policed? I remember catching a Mountain train with a "D" for Penrith... It seemed 1/2 the train got off at Penrith !
I have been an I/C guard for over 3yrs and in that time I've never seen it policed - or even "transited", when we still had lots of them. That could be for any number reasons, though lack of spare personnel for such a task would be a major possibility, I think. If you were to contact 131500 and ask why this is, I'm sure they would give you a response.
However, I would venture to guess that most Penrithers would give the Bathurst Endeavour the merest of glances before concluding that there'd be little or no room for them - whereas by comparison 8 cars of V-set would appear to have oodles of room. In this respect, possibly those same people might well confuse the Endeavour with its sister Xplorer, and conclude they'd not be allowed on without the appropriate ticket.
BTW JimK and s3_gunzel, "D" stops doesn't fully or accurately describe the status of the aforementioned stations (with respect to the journey of an express, of course) regarding the boarding & alighting of pax; rather the code varies according to the direction of the train's journey.
On the timetable, after the train's arrival time at one of those stations, a Down train is shown as u (stops only to pick up pax), and similarly, an Up train is shown as d (stops only to set down pax).
Jim K
Train Controller
Location: Well west of the Great Divide in NSW but not as far as South Australia
Just a correction for my post, it was a V Set on the down and it was marked u for Pick Only at Penrith.
I just wasnt sure if any one enforced the rules for the Bathurst train as I am sure a lot of Penrith and Springwood people would enjoy the ride.
I just wasnt sure if any one enforced the rules for the Bathurst train as I am sure a lot of Penrith and Springwood people would enjoy the ride.
vk2amv
Locomotive Fireman
The Down service left Sydney on the evening of Thursday, 13/2/14, and again Friday, 21/2/14, still plenty of seats.
On Friday evening, 14/2/14, the Down service arrived at Parramatta close to time, not many customers joining the train there.
- Scott.
The Down service on Sunday 16/2/14 was pretty well packed coming out of Central. Leaving Central about 25 minutes late due to all the trackwork.
Due to the track work and on board mechanical problems we ended up 40 minutes late pulling into Springwood for a start.
The rear car was getting no drive from the motor which meant we could not continue over the mountains with just one motor driving, so at Springwood we pulled up 100 meters down of the station, and the guard and driver tried to get it working.
After half an hour of sitting there while they tried to fix the problem, the train was backed up into Springwood station, and we were told to board a normal mountain train which was following us and it pulled up into the Springwood UP Platform..
We boarded that V set to continue to Lithgow, but that train itself was about 35 minutes late out of Springwood too (Due to us holding it up from coming into Springwood due to the mechanical problems)
We ended up pulling into Lithgow around 9:45PM, and transferred to busses.
I don't know exact numbers on the train that continued to Bathurst, but we completely filled a normal road coach, and half filled a Bathurst commuter bus to give you a bit of an idea.
We ended up arriving Bathurst station around 10:45PM.
It sucked for me as I still had to drive nearly 2 hours back to Parkes, and then off to work first thing in the morning.
But these things happen I suppose so I cant really complain too much.
We might have been late, but NSW Trains did make sure we got to where we needed to go.
I should note that I had also caught the UP service from Bathurst to Sydney on the Saturday morning 15/2/2014 and it was spot on time the whole way up until Strathfield when again the track work held us up.
We ended up 10 minutes late into Central that morning.
That train was about half full leaving Bathurst I would guess.
Travelling Hooker
Locomotive Driver
Location: Follows the weather up and down the coast
When I was a kid I went to boarding school in Bathurst. I got well acquainted with the run over the mountains. Back then there were about four or five diesel rail cars running each day to Lithgow to connect with the electric trains plus a daily XPT and a thrice weekly Indian Pacific and even a SYD - ASP train called the Alice.
Then the services had their balls cut off and the diesels stopped and it got down to the daily Dubbo XPT and the Indian Pacific.
So it's interesting to see that the rail cars are back running out to Bathurst. I should take a run out there one day to clock all those late night stations stations in the middle of nowhere - Rydal, Tarana, Locksley, Raglan .... Do they still exist ?
Then the services had their balls cut off and the diesels stopped and it got down to the daily Dubbo XPT and the Indian Pacific.
So it's interesting to see that the rail cars are back running out to Bathurst. I should take a run out there one day to clock all those late night stations stations in the middle of nowhere - Rydal, Tarana, Locksley, Raglan .... Do they still exist ?
Spletsie
Chief Commissioner
The Bathurst Endeavour stops at Tarana. The XPT stops if required at Rydal and Tarana.
Kamz
Assistant Commissioner
The Bathurst Endeavour stops at Tarana.
No sorry.
I think it was discussed earlier in this thread. They will not spend the money to upgrade Rydal, Tarana and Wallerawang stations to Sydney Trains/NSW Trainlink Intercity standard. Now with Opal across the network, those stations would need further infrastructure.
nswtrains
Chief Commissioner
Watch this space. Soon to Orange.
Junction box
Chief Commissioner
Location: newy
No sorry.
I think it was discussed earlier in this thread. They will not spend the money to upgrade Rydal, Tarana and Wallerawang stations to Sydney Trains/NSW Trainlink Intercity standard. Now with Opal across the network, those stations would need further infrastructure.
All they need to do is paint the edge of the platform white and stop the train, surely local residents deserve the benefits of a new local service?
Kamz
Assistant Commissioner
All they need to do is paint the edge of the platform white and stop the train, surely local residents deserve the benefits of a new local service?
The edge of the platform is already white. It even has tactiles.
I agree the train should service Tarana, Rydal, Wallerawang and others. But only if the stations are upgraded to NSW Trainlink Intercity standards.
Common sense would have Tarana , Rydal becoming NSW Trainlink Intercity stations and no longer serviced by the Dubbo XPT.
johnboy
Chief Commissioner
Location: Up the road from Gulgong
They will not spend the money to upgrade Rydal, Tarana and Wallerawang stations to Sydney Trains/NSW Trainlink Intercity standard. Now with Opal across the network, those stations would need further infrastructure.
And I agree. I assume the other posts here by people that actually don't live out here and just have emotional thoughts we need more train stations. Very few people would go to Rydal or Tarana to catch a train to Sydney.
Even for Wang for anyone coming from Mudgee, but since this is what I do, I would go to Lithgow as I have a choice between the Bullet or an V Set, especially if I missed the Bullet coming home.
Facilities at the other stations would be a waste on money, you would be lucky to see a couple of people per week there.
bowralcommuter
Chief Commissioner
Location: Asleep on a Manly Ferry
Watch this space. Soon to Orange
That rumour is 12 months old, trains are not going to Orange.
gilberations
Assistant Commissioner
Location: Lithgow
That rumour is 12 months old, trains are not going to Orange.
no, it is happening
steamman2
Locomotive Fireman
Is the bathurst train being extended to orange based on what infomation ? Or is it going to be a separtate train i can tell you now the endeavour fleet is now stretched now as it is ! As i said like to know who said orange is getting a service
Indefatigable
Assistant Commissioner
Location: Sydney
no, it is happening
Gilberations, playing pantomime isn't helping. Some more information and less aloofness would be useful to the discussion.
gilberations
Assistant Commissioner
Location: Lithgow
Crew training has begun for road knowledge and it will be an extension of the Bathurst Service
bowralcommuter
Chief Commissioner
Location: Asleep on a Manly Ferry
Crew training has begun for road knowledge and it will be an extension of the Bathurst Service
So it'd be Orange-Central? That's a long trip.....I'm guessing it'd start before the next state election next year if the news you have been presented is correct.
Jim K
Train Controller
Location: Well west of the Great Divide in NSW but not as far as South Australia
I would say you could safely put money on that Orange will not be included into the Intercity service.
If it was, the Government would have made a big announcement already, but there has been no indication that it will happen.
If it was, the Government would have made a big announcement already, but there has been no indication that it will happen.
dezzy94
Station Staff
Location: Sydney
Is this actually policed? I remember catching a Mountain train with a "D" for Penrith... It seemed 1/2 the train got off at Penrith !
ive caught this train a few times at penrith to the city since its been in operation out of 10 times i had the guard yelling at me saying it doesnt stop here when i was trying to board once is it really policed id say not really
Johnny_Walton
Railcorp Crash Test Dummy No.1
Location: Flemington Maintenance Centre
Crew training has begun for road knowledge and it will be an extension of the Bathurst Service
Really?
Who?
Which depot?
To add another Endeavour set to the West would require another area to loose a set,
Or risk not having a spare set.
This happened recently with the Easter show build up on the Bathurst service,
EXSC were kept on their toes keeping the fleet running.
Next Timetable change is June 15th there is defiantly NO extension to Orange in that.
To extend the current Bathhurst-Central service to start in Orange would mean a VERY early departure.
Of course anything is possible.
Jono
vk2amv
Locomotive Fireman
Bathurst Bullet is still going strong. (On weekends at least)
I caught it from Lithgow this morning. (Still on it actually passing Emu Planes right now)
When it pulled into Lithgow it was already a bit over half full.
Adding the other people who boarded at Lithgow it was about three quarter full when it left Lithgow.
By the time it picked up at MT Vic and Katoomba it was basically standing room only.
About a dozen got off at Springwood, and straight out of Springwood station we switched from the UP track to the DOWN track, I wondered why until Valley Heights.
The Indian Pacific was parked in Valley Heights on the UP track against a RED and we went past it on the DOWN and then switched back to the UP track ahead of the Indian Pacific just out of Valley Heights.
I was very happy to see how many people were already on the train when it arrived in Lithgow.
I don't use it too often as I live in Parkes so to catch it from Bathurst I need to leave very early in the morning. (Last night I stayed in Lithgow in a motel)
However I do try and make use of it when its timetable works with when I need to get into Sydney.
I would hate for it to be gone due to lack of use.
So it appears to be safe (For now at least) from what I have seen today.
I caught it from Lithgow this morning. (Still on it actually passing Emu Planes right now)
When it pulled into Lithgow it was already a bit over half full.
Adding the other people who boarded at Lithgow it was about three quarter full when it left Lithgow.
By the time it picked up at MT Vic and Katoomba it was basically standing room only.
About a dozen got off at Springwood, and straight out of Springwood station we switched from the UP track to the DOWN track, I wondered why until Valley Heights.
The Indian Pacific was parked in Valley Heights on the UP track against a RED and we went past it on the DOWN and then switched back to the UP track ahead of the Indian Pacific just out of Valley Heights.
I was very happy to see how many people were already on the train when it arrived in Lithgow.
I don't use it too often as I live in Parkes so to catch it from Bathurst I need to leave very early in the morning. (Last night I stayed in Lithgow in a motel)
However I do try and make use of it when its timetable works with when I need to get into Sydney.
I would hate for it to be gone due to lack of use.
So it appears to be safe (For now at least) from what I have seen today.
moonetau
Junior Train Controller
Yes still popular.
See this Western Advocate report from last week
See this Western Advocate report from last week
http://www.westernadvocate.com.au/story/2637838/still-on-track-two-years-i
n/?cs=12
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