SAR 526 - wow, those murals are fantastic.  It's a shame the last one got tagged as you say, even in the graffiti world something like that would be really frowned on because the original artist has put so much effort in.  Were those murals commissioned by the DPTI I wonder?

And yeah you're right about the lack of rigour in training now-days, the Chinese are running rings around us I'm sure.

And the Indians.

And the Indians.

I agree, we're generally behind the chinese, but I think we're still in front on India, for the time being at least anyway.

Trains reported on the line today looks like driver training has finally begun. So only 2-3 weeks left until this 11 month hell is over at long last

This would imply that signalling and associated infrastructure is all complete and operational along the length of the line?  Presumably there's still some work on catenary to be done but it sounds like there's not much of that to do either - I'm wondering when a 4000 might make a run all the way to the city - that will certainly be a momentous event.

SAR 526 - wow, those murals are fantastic.  It's a shame the last one got tagged as you say, even in the graffiti world something like that would be really frowned on because the original artist has put so much effort in.  

I think it's kinda funny that they've gone to the extent of only tagging the trains in the mural.  Probably someone young too - any writers past a certain age would've probably gone for the Red Hen as it would've brought back memories!

The murals are pretty great though, really like the stylised depictions of the Red Hens.  Also I wonder if that's the only place we'll ever see a RedHen/2000/3000/4000 lined up!

This would imply that signalling and associated infrastructure is all complete and operational along the length of the line?  Presumably there's still some work on catenary to be done but it sounds like there's not much of that to do either - I'm wondering when a 4000 might make a run all the way to the city - that will certainly be a momentous event.

Probably not for a while yet, if DPTI has track access for driver training I'm assuming wiring will be done at nights/on weekends?  Not sure how much is left in total, but from the overpass at Cross Rd I can see that no contact wire is up at the bend north of Edwardstown, masts are up past Emerson as far as can be seen but that's about it.  Portals are all up north of the new Showgrounds station but no wires.  Then if the January ARS shutdown is rumoured, might not be until January that a 4000 makes it to ARS for the first time.

Once the first 4000s enter revenue service I wonder if Gawler/OH/Belair passengers will look on enviously while walking to their platforms, watching the Seaford pax board shiny new electrics!

Once the first 4000s enter revenue service I wonder if Gawler/OH/Belair passengers will look on enviously while walking to their platforms, watching the Seaford pax board shiny new electrics!

G'day All,

In the past, when new suburban railcars were introduced, they were shared amoung the whole network. Now, however, as they are only on the Seaford line, whoever wins the March election will be under enormous pressure to electrify the remainder of the network, including the Belair line.

Regards,

Once the first 4000s enter revenue service I wonder if Gawler/OH/Belair passengers will look on enviously while walking to their platforms, watching the Seaford pax board shiny new electrics!

I don't think so. For the majority of people a train is a train is a train.

G'day All,

In the past, when new suburban railcars were introduced, they were shared amoung the whole network. Now, however, as they are only on the Seaford line, whoever wins the March election will be under enormous pressure to electrify the remainder of the network, including the Belair line.

Regards,

I can see there being some popularity in doing the Gawler line at some point in the near-medium future and ordering a new fleet of EMUs for it, since it won't be long before the first batch of the 3000s are at the tipping point where the decision has to be made between running out their useful careers or doing a full life extension project.

If/when the Gawler electrification takes place, hopefully it would not be before 2017 so there is enough time to critically reflect on this year's fiasco and learn some lessons. Electrification of the whole line should be easily possible with just night works and weekend closures of line segments no longer than five kilometres each time.

As for the opinions of the 1800-2000 users of the Belair line, a fair chunk of whom ride it for free as a result of the non-tested free seniors card travel, is a minor irritation rather than "enormous pressure."

I don't think so. For the majority of people a train is a train is a train.

^ certified Liberal party hack, and apologist.
The earth moving crew working on the Port Adelaide Expressway through the Wingfield Tip hill, uncovered less garbage that you're written in the past week or so.

Please, if this were remotely true, we could have a 800 class DE pull up at the platform with a string of cattle cars and people would board it. The number one turn off for any sort of public transport is a filthy (or worn) interior, the 2nd is a train covered in graffiti (or soot). Anyway this is why the 3000 class had to interior ripped out and redone, and also why the 4000 class being the newest and fastest is going to be popular.

^ certified Liberal party hack, and apologist.
The earth moving crew working on the Port Adelaide Expressway through the Wingfield Tip hill, uncovered less garbage that you're written in the past week or so.

Please, if this were remotely true, we could have a 800 class DE pull up at the platform with a string of cattle cars and people would board it. The number one turn off for any sort of public transport is a filthy (or worn) interior, the 2nd is a train covered in graffiti (or soot). Anyway this is why the 3000 class had to interior ripped out and redone, and also why the 4000 class being the newest and fastest is going to be popular.

Well newest anyway, but fastest is still to be seen though, this is Adelaide Metro we are talking about.

Just heard Southlink only have the substitute buses contracted till the 8th of December with no plans to extend the contract either. (Sounds very likely to me the line is reopening on the 9th of December)

Just heard Southlink only have the substitute buses contracted till the 8th of December with no plans to extend the contract either. (Sounds very likely to me the line is reopening on the 9th of December)

That's not cricket!

Yeah looks like the first match will be missed but if this end of contract date is accurate at least the line is going to be reopening a week earlier than most expected

There is usually some overlap of buses and trains though, so it might be a bit earlier than that.

They would have to be running the 3000's down and back quite frequently now for driver training?  As Dr James observed, that's obviously going to slow down the completion of the catenary but at least the trains will be back -

They would have to be running the 3000's down and back quite frequently now for driver training?  As Dr James observed, that's obviously going to slow down the completion of the catenary but at least the trains will be back -

True. But when is maintenance going to occur. I can guarantee you that it will not be during the day. It will occur at night, and usually in wet conditions. I think it makes sense that wiring is being done at night. If a fault occurs, it will be at night, in the rain with poor visibility. I don't think its really going to slow it down the works in rolling out the wires. I think it's training for doing the job once the work is complete.

The other school of thought says, OK we'll do it faster, during the day, which means trains will either not run, or only run so far, and connect to a bus to complete the journey. In that case, Tom will have is butt handed to him on a platter, and Chloe will suddenly find she have a lot more spare time come March. We have two electric trains, and nearly a third. The fact they can now stretch their legs to Brighton and back is a major achievement.

My bet is that the trains will return until about 9pm at night, and will not run over the weekend to allow the works to progress, to ensure that electric trains will be running prior to the election. I will bet that the Belair Line will also be following this, and that the subs will continue at night and over the weekend.

witsend: It's better to do it that way than keep running those buses.  People who are using the buses presently won't care that the trains will stop at 9pm and on weekends... they just want an end to the buses.  Who can blame them -

I agree with you entirely. I feel for those who have gone without their train, for 11 months, and 20 months respectively. When I'm in Adelaide, it's my local line too, and I miss it. The sooner the buses stop, the trains start, the better.

^ certified Liberal party hack, and apologist.

Labor party hack much?

The number one turn off for any sort of public transport is a filthy (or worn) interior,

So if the people using the poxes keep them clean there'll be no problem - yes?

the 2nd is a train covered in graffiti (or soot).

Please, if a sooty Rx, F, S (like a gift from heaven), or Webb era/post steam locos rocked up in Adelaide I'D BOARD IT! Even if it were a 750 class and going to Gawler 80km from my house I'd catch it, even if the one way ticket cost me $299, even if the return trip would be by pox not cleanly maintained by the regular clientele!

That's not cricket!

LOLs!

Yeah looks like the first match will be missed but if this end of contract date is accurate at least the line is going to be reopening a week earlier than most expected

That's not an achievement for the government to be proud of! Yay! We opened the line a week earlier than most expected*!


* but nine days later than we told them! after we told them it'd be 45-60 days late.

The other school of thought says, OK we'll do it faster, during the day, which means trains will either not run, or only run so far, and connect to a bus to complete the journey. In that case, Tom will have is butt handed to him on a platter, and Chloe will suddenly find she have a lot more spare time come March.

Chloe can already all but guarantee herself some extra free time around her home in March. Even without the major inconvenience to her portfolio, and more importantly, her electorate. She's going to be pushing it uphill big time, redistribution has seen her seat turn notionally Liberal. She may have been able to overcome one of these challenges, but both will be a bridge too far for her.

Right from the start she's been screwed by the ALP, and that's before you think of her personal life outside of politics. An unluckier girl you could not meet, as if the poison chalice of being 'Latham's pick' to run in the 2004 federal election was not going to be enough, he/they ran her against Andrew Southcott - hmmm why was Latham never a PM? I could ask how he made ALP leader? - the answer is the same...

Finally they stuck her in the state parliament where in one term she lost 14% of her margin, so in an apparent effort to 'raise her profile' Labor made her a minister. Sadly they turned her into Pat Conlon's 'Minister for Bad News'. Why? He was safe and retiring, surely they'd want to save Bright, apparently not. To top that off, they go and give her a very late and damaging delay to Sturt Road opening with the SExy and a train line closure that doesn't even seem to run on time to even the delayed expectation.

She's a goner, and the great majority of her downfall isn't even her own doing.

Now this is getting very interesting

Taken from the facebook group I'm directly quoting Tom here

"The Amelia Broadstock story is incorrect. I have confirmed many time the Noarlunga line will be running with diesel service by the ashes and my office has told Amelia that many times. I continue to meet with representative of this group. Driver training is in full swing and signaling has been handed over. We will announce a date soon. I'm sorry people feel uninformed. It's obvious some people are simply making political points, others have genuine concerns and we are doing our very best. Nearly there."

So either one of 2 things is going to happen.

1. He is correct the line will reopen by then and most people will probably be more impressed with him
2. He is wrong and the line is further delayed causing him to crash and burn

Tom K has just been on 5aa giving an assurance that the Noarlunga line WILL be open by the end of this month.

Take that as you will.

It's a really tight deadline but the next week and a half will reveal the truth.

I'm debating coming over during the Ashes to have a look at the re-done track and catenary or waiting till after Xmas when there might be a better chance of seeing a 4000 testing.  I'm realistic enough to know that the actual launch won't be until the election -

Yesterday I took a return trip to Belair in the front seat of a 3000 to observe progress on the upgrade and electrification to Goodwood. With the exception of scratched graffiti on the windows, the refurbished interior of the train was very clean and litter free. As soon as it returned to Adelaide, a cleaner boarded to to spruce it up prior to its next trip to Belair. The seat was very comfortable. There were ticket machines and validators for a touch-on card plus short term ticket system far superior to Myki. There were ample dedicated and easily accessed spaces for wheelchairs and electric scooters, or for several bicycles.

The so-called 'Pox Boxes' are anything but that. I have travelled for several extended periods in Europe and the USA. So far as their internals are concerned, the diesel electrics are up with the best suburban trains in the world, and I think some people need to admit that. Yes the fumes are 'poxy', and the sooner we get all-electric traction the better.  Most of the buses on which I ride (often) are also modern and disabled passenger accessible.

Let's give the SA Government credit where it is due. I will want to see the Liberals give a pre-election guarantee that they will continue the modernization of Adelaide's suburban transport within a reasonable time-frame before I abandon the horse we know (albeit with some dissatisfaction with its performance) in favour of the other one which in all the years since Tom Playford left office has done sweet Fanny Adams to improve South Australian infrastructure.

if we're going to curse anyone, let it be the arrogant fools in New South Wales who got the other states (including Tasmania and New Zealand, which wisely pulled out of union with Australia) to change gauge and then reneged on the deal. We would have double track to Belair as we did for decades, trains to the South East, three different routes to Melbourne, and access for Steamranger from its Dry Creek Depot through the best part of the hills to Victor Harbour. Victoria, too, would have avoided many deleterious changes to her integrated system. There may even have been the incentive for a freight bypass from Murray Bridge to Mallalla if suburban trains on broad gauge had been running on the now narrower former up track from Belair to the city.

On a happier note, I noted that the underpass has had murals painted on the northern wall of the underpass opposite SASMEE, obviously by the same artist who did those on the noise barrier at Hove. The parapets around the Victoria Street Bridge also are ornamental rather than utilitarian. It may be late (and I am as impatient for the re-opening as anyone), but in a few weeks' time we will have a suburban line of which to be very proud.