Trams Down Under : December 2024

Tuesday, 31 December 2024

Re: [TramsDownUnder] Happy New Year

This shot is a bit newer than Mal's, I took it last Saturday.

It's also posed, not an ad-hoc opportunity shot.

On Tue, 31 Dec 2024 at 12:53, Mal Rowe <mal.rowe@gmail.com> wrote:

Wishing all on TDU all the best for the year ahead - with a bit of help
from my local M-Tram 21 years ago.

Mal Rowe - looking forward to new trams as well as a new year in the GTCOTS.

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[TramsDownUnder] Happy New Year

Wishing all on TDU all the best for the year ahead - with a bit of help
from my local M-Tram 21 years ago.

Mal Rowe - looking forward to new trams as well as a new year in the GTCOTS.

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Monday, 30 December 2024

Re: [TramsDownUnder] AOA sadness

Sydney's trams also suffer from AOA. The NSW Government doesn't care because it gets a large share of the income.

Brian

Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone

On Monday, December 30, 2024, 18:51, Andrew Highriser <andrewhighriser1@gmail.com> wrote:

It's sad that Yarra Trams has decided all over advertising will cover up E class windows. Even sadder that Public Transport Victoria, ie the State Government, allows it. Surely enough is enough.

Andrew.

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[TramsDownUnder] AOA sadness

It's sad that Yarra Trams has decided all over advertising will cover up E class windows. Even sadder that Public Transport Victoria, ie the State Government, allows it. Surely enough is enough.

Andrew.

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[TramsDownUnder] O/T: Gold coast monorail at Mount Panorama

G'day all,

The attached pic shows a gold coast monorail far, far from home.

Sitting in a paddock on Conrod straight, Mount Panorama in Bathurst.

I was doing a lap in my little Toyota Yaris (don't laugh) and I spied this one. Thought it might've been an ex Sydney one, but on closer inspection discovered it was from the GC.

It's advertising on the nose is starting to fade from the sun & it looks like the seats are still inside.

This was the last thing I expected to see when I was in Bathurst ! 😱

Wonder if there are any more anywhere else 🤔

Happy New year 2025,

Regards,

Tim, in Sydney

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Saturday, 28 December 2024

[TramsDownUnder] Re: Brisbane tram, 1968, FM519

681201Su Enoggera line (Brisbane, Qld) - four-motor tram 519 as a charter on the last day of the route. Roderick Smith.
This must be for SPER. Since Roma St, the route has been changed to 72, correct for this line, and the destination seems to be Kelvin Gr / Newmarket /Rd only.
I can't pick the corner, even allowing for those houses being demolished for road widening.

Roderick

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Tuesday, 24 December 2024

Re: [TramsDownUnder] Fwd: [Eurotrams] Wuppertaler Schwebebahn 1902

You're excused: we caught sight of a tram towards the end!

For those who don't like the idea of OHL in George St, how about a Schwebebahn?

JWW

From: tramsdownunder@googlegroups.com <tramsdownunder@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Mal Rowe <mal.rowe@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, 24 December 2024 9:17 AM
To: tramsDownUnder <tramsdownunder@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [TramsDownUnder] Fwd: [Eurotrams] Wuppertaler Schwebebahn 1902

This is off topic but a marvellous Christmas special from Wuppertal.

-------- Forwarded Message --------

Subject:	[Eurotrams] Wuppertaler Schwebebahn 1902
Date:	Sun, 22 Dec 2024 15:40:46 +0100
From:
Reply-To:	eurotrams-group@googlegroups.com
To:	eurotrams <eurotrams-group@googlegroups.com>

https://www.wimp.com/germanys-1902-the-flying-train-in-color/

This is a digitally remastered cab ride on Wuppertal's suspended monorail when new. Spectacular.
Christof

--   Eurotrams started in March 2000 as a place for friendly discussion about Tramways in Europe and sometimes a bit beyond. Pictures are always welcome, but we will not tolerate copyright infringement. There is a group homepage you might like to visit at https://groups.google.com/g/eurotrams-group whichcontains the current Google group archive.  --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "eurotrams" group.  To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to eurotrams-group+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.  To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/eurotrams-group/f0f16ac4-4f12-4b53-9aee-67fa02ae18c6%40Berlin.de.

[TramsDownUnder] Fwd: [Eurotrams] Wuppertaler Schwebebahn 1902

This is off topic but a marvellous Christmas special from Wuppertal.

-------- Forwarded Message --------

Subject:	[Eurotrams] Wuppertaler Schwebebahn 1902
Date:	Sun, 22 Dec 2024 15:40:46 +0100
From:
Reply-To:	eurotrams-group@googlegroups.com
To:	eurotrams <eurotrams-group@googlegroups.com>

https://www.wimp.com/germanys-1902-the-flying-train-in-color/

This is a digitally remastered cab ride on Wuppertal's suspended monorail when new. Spectacular.
Christof

--   Eurotrams started in March 2000 as a place for friendly discussion about Tramways in Europe and sometimes a bit beyond. Pictures are always welcome, but we will not tolerate copyright infringement. There is a group homepage you might like to visit at https://groups.google.com/g/eurotrams-group whichcontains the current Google group archive.  --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "eurotrams" group.  To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to eurotrams-group+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.  To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/eurotrams-group/f0f16ac4-4f12-4b53-9aee-67fa02ae18c6%40Berlin.de.

Sunday, 22 December 2024

[TramsDownUnder] Re: Brisbane tram, 1968, FM519

681201Su Brisbane - George St into Roma St - chartered FM519. Roderick Smith

I haven't had confirmation or denial of my theory that this was a SPER charter.
However, despite the lack of the joke destination roll, this reinforces my memory.
This was the location where I had a conversation with John Alfred: either as a passenger, or lying in wait for it too.
That fact that we had followed it from Chermside suggests that it was carrying people whom we knew.
The fact that it is lightly loaded in this view suggests that I was standing in a photoline with most of the passengers.

This section of track had to stay open to the end: it linked to Milton Workshops.

Roderick

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Re: [TramsDownUnder] Parramatta light rail; who from the TDU community was aboard the first tram?

Transdev are clowns.

https://www.nsw.gov.au/driving-boating-and-transport/projects/parramatta-light-rail/news/parramatta-light-rail-opens-%E2%80%93-marking-a-new-era-of-public-transport-western-sydney

I've had plenty of experience with outdoor eating in South Terrace, Fremantle. Major bus corridor, they set a 30 km/h speed limit, 20 is too low. The buses coast past quietly and you don't have to wait as long as you do for a 45 or 60 metre long tram to pass in order to cross the semi-pedestrianised street (especially when the tram is crawling along at 20 km/h!). I think that's just the usual anti-bus propaganda nonsense.

Tony P

On Saturday, 21 December 2024 at 07:32:30 UTC+11 Matthew Geier wrote:

I did a round trip in the afternoon. There were still a lot of enthusiasts about (more than normal background level of DSLRs in use!)

Rode on 4 trams. On only one stop when I realised I'd left my wife behind. :-)
2 of the trams developed Passenger Information Systems faults - one happily announcing that it was stopping at Westmead Hospital while going up the Carlingford railway line! A 3rd was working, but the drivers console was saying there was a PIS fault.
At Carlingford they were manually blocking trams with 'do not move signs'. Despite a year of testing it seems someone decided they needed 'additional protection' for the short single line section. As far as I can determine, the protective signals were working - some one must have had a panic that drivers faced with having to deal with passengers for the first time would SPAD the signal at the platform. So they had staff in HiVis moving these signs about.

The batteries are 130kwhr according to the computer. However they were operating the battery sections in 'degraded mode' according to the 'DDU'. The air conditioning also went into low power mode. The battery sections all ran at low speed (20km/hr max if I read the display correctly)

One trip up the OESS read 127kw at Ngara where they switched to battery, It was 115kw at Westmead. Returning on another car it was 129 at Westmead down to 124 at Ngara (Who would have thought they use much less power going down hill that up!)

We had dinner in Church Street - with trams 'gliding past' literally 1 metre from where I was sitting.

With all the claims of doom and gloom about the destruction of the city centre of Parramatta, the place was crowded and the eateries were all doing a roaring trade. (It was Friday, come Monday it's probably dead till Friday rolls around again...)

Sure beats 'outdoor dining' with buses roaring past.

On Fri, 20 Dec 2024 at 17:58, Geoffrey Hansen <gnhan...@gmail.com> wrote:
Could we say that Parramatta has finally received electric trams after more than 80 years?

It's a shame that a steam tram couldn't have been displayed for the opening.

Regards
Geoffrey

On Fri, 20 Dec 2024, 17:17 'TP' via TramsDownUnder, <tramsdo...@googlegroups.com> wrote:
STM has released a timely archival video from the first generation Parramatta tranways to commemorate the opening of the second generation system (or third generation if you want to split hairs about the Parramatta Park museum tramway). There's a faux pas in the caption that says the tram is running along Church Street. The Redbank service never ran along Church Street. I wondered then if it might be a film of the government tram to Castle Hill, but the cars appear to be in Sydney Ferries colours

https://www.facebook.com/SydneyTramwayMuseum/videos/849916167098712/

"Cab video" from Westmead to Carlingford:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHydj1m8N1U

Tony P

On Friday, 20 December 2024 at 16:22:35 UTC+11 Mark Skinner wrote:
Hi Paul,

The problem with the NSW schemes might be illustrated by the SA situation.

At the 2018 election, the incoming Liberal Government promised to evaluate a couple of tram extensions.

It didn't see them as economically viable. So...we got no extensions.

The major reason was cost. If they were using NSW costs per km, then I perfectly understand why. SA simply doesn't have that sort of money.

If, otoh they could have gotten costs down, we'd now have those extensions up and running.

It's quite depressing to know that we could have had more trams and tram routes in Adelaide by now, but poor design and construction techniques directly cause them to be abandoned. It appears that Adelaide Metro is now going for 'long buses' because trams are too expensive.

Mark Skinner

On Fri, 20 Dec 2024, 7:42 am pn1 via TramsDownUnder, <tramsdo...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12-20/parramatta-light-rail-open-day-route-map-westmead-carlingford/104747540?utm_source=abc_news_app&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_campaign=abc_news_app&utm_content=other

Good to see the support from the general public. Similar to the recent opening of the Metro extension?

Tram enthusiasts are quick to condemn modern developments in Australia citing the dearth of traditional expertise but who would have thought, even a few years ago, that a new "isolated" tram/light rail system would open in metropolitan Sydney.

Paul in Melbourne (who wasn't born when the Enfield and Rockdale systems closed and who missed North Sydney – that closed when he was not quite eight years old!)

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Re: [TramsDownUnder] Wishing all a Happy Christmas from Melbourne

Well done - over 28,000 passengers!

That's a lot of work and I hope a lot of revenue!

On 20/12/2024 17:54, Logan English wrote:

Whoops! As a point of clarification... Each tram carries 600 per night. 2400 people per tram, per night over 12 nights!

-Logan

Re: [TramsDownUnder] Parramatta light rail; who from the TDU community was aboard the first tram?

I did a round trip in the afternoon. There were still a lot of enthusiasts about (more than normal background level of DSLRs in use!)

Rode on 4 trams. On only one stop when I realised I'd left my wife behind. :-)

2 of the trams developed Passenger Information Systems faults - one happily announcing that it was stopping at Westmead Hospital while going up the Carlingford railway line! A 3rd was working, but the drivers console was saying there was a PIS fault.

At Carlingford they were manually blocking trams with 'do not move signs'. Despite a year of testing it seems someone decided they needed 'additional protection' for the short single line section. As far as I can determine, the protective signals were working - some one must have had a panic that drivers faced with having to deal with passengers for the first time would SPAD the signal at the platform. So they had staff in HiVis moving these signs about.

The batteries are 130kwhr according to the computer. However they were operating the battery sections in 'degraded mode' according to the 'DDU'. The air conditioning also went into low power mode. The battery sections all ran at low speed (20km/hr max if I read the display correctly)

One trip up the OESS read 127kw at Ngara where they switched to battery, It was 115kw at Westmead. Returning on another car it was 129 at Westmead down to 124 at Ngara (Who would have thought they use much less power going down hill that up!)

We had dinner in Church Street - with trams 'gliding past' literally 1 metre from where I was sitting.

With all the claims of doom and gloom about the destruction of the city centre of Parramatta, the place was crowded and the eateries were all doing a roaring trade. (It was Friday, come Monday it's probably dead till Friday rolls around again...)

Sure beats 'outdoor dining' with buses roaring past.

On Fri, 20 Dec 2024 at 17:58, Geoffrey Hansen <gnhansen290@gmail.com> wrote:

Could we say that Parramatta has finally received electric trams after more than 80 years?

It's a shame that a steam tram couldn't have been displayed for the opening.

Regards
Geoffrey

On Fri, 20 Dec 2024, 17:17 'TP' via TramsDownUnder, <tramsdownunder@googlegroups.com> wrote:
STM has released a timely archival video from the first generation Parramatta tranways to commemorate the opening of the second generation system (or third generation if you want to split hairs about the Parramatta Park museum tramway). There's a faux pas in the caption that says the tram is running along Church Street. The Redbank service never ran along Church Street. I wondered then if it might be a film of the government tram to Castle Hill, but the cars appear to be in Sydney Ferries colours

https://www.facebook.com/SydneyTramwayMuseum/videos/849916167098712/

"Cab video" from Westmead to Carlingford:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHydj1m8N1U

Tony P

On Friday, 20 December 2024 at 16:22:35 UTC+11 Mark Skinner wrote:
Hi Paul,

The problem with the NSW schemes might be illustrated by the SA situation.

At the 2018 election, the incoming Liberal Government promised to evaluate a couple of tram extensions.

It didn't see them as economically viable. So...we got no extensions.

The major reason was cost. If they were using NSW costs per km, then I perfectly understand why. SA simply doesn't have that sort of money.

If, otoh they could have gotten costs down, we'd now have those extensions up and running.

It's quite depressing to know that we could have had more trams and tram routes in Adelaide by now, but poor design and construction techniques directly cause them to be abandoned. It appears that Adelaide Metro is now going for 'long buses' because trams are too expensive.

Mark Skinner

On Fri, 20 Dec 2024, 7:42 am pn1 via TramsDownUnder, <tramsdo...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12-20/parramatta-light-rail-open-day-route-map-westmead-carlingford/104747540?utm_source=abc_news_app&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_campaign=abc_news_app&utm_content=other

Good to see the support from the general public. Similar to the recent opening of the Metro extension?

Tram enthusiasts are quick to condemn modern developments in Australia citing the dearth of traditional expertise but who would have thought, even a few years ago, that a new "isolated" tram/light rail system would open in metropolitan Sydney.

Paul in Melbourne (who wasn't born when the Enfield and Rockdale systems closed and who missed North Sydney – that closed when he was not quite eight years old!)

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Re: [TramsDownUnder] Wishing all a Happy Christmas from Melbourne

Whoops! As a point of clarification... Each tram carries 600 per night. 2400 people per tram, per night over 12 nights!

-Logan

On Fri, Dec 20, 2024 at 7:51 PM Logan English <loganenglish1@gmail.com> wrote:

Merry Christmas to all from Auckland.

The Christmas Lights event at MOTAT is giving the Western Springs Tramway good numbers. Trams normally carry around 600 people per night! 321, 893 and 906 are all done up in lights, along with Auckland 248. See attached!

-Logan

On Fri, Dec 20, 2024 at 7:45 PM 'Malcolm Miles' via TramsDownUnder <tramsdownunder@googlegroups.com> wrote:
Merry Christmas to all TDU members.

SW6.925 at the corner of Nicholson and Victoria Sts on 10th Dec 2004.

Best wishes,
Malcolm

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Re: [TramsDownUnder] Wishing all a Happy Christmas from Melbourne

Merry Christmas to all from Auckland.

The Christmas Lights event at MOTAT is giving the Western Springs Tramway good numbers. Trams normally carry around 600 people per night! 321, 893 and 906 are all done up in lights, along with Auckland 248. See attached!

-Logan

On Fri, Dec 20, 2024 at 7:45 PM 'Malcolm Miles' via TramsDownUnder <tramsdownunder@googlegroups.com> wrote:

Merry Christmas to all TDU members.

SW6.925 at the corner of Nicholson and Victoria Sts on 10th Dec 2004.

Best wishes,
Malcolm

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RE: [TramsDownUnder] Wishing all a Happy Christmas from Melbourne

Merry Christmas to all TDU members.

SW6.925 at the corner of Nicholson and Victoria Sts on 10th Dec 2004.

Best wishes,
Malcolm

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[TramsDownUnder] Sydney Light Rail L4 Westmead-Carlingford FULL JOURNEY front POV - YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHydj1m8N1U&ab_channel=TransportIllusionists

Tony

Re: [TramsDownUnder] Parramatta light rail; who from the TDU community was aboard the first tram?

STM has released a timely archival video from the first generation Parramatta tranways to commemorate the opening of the second generation system (or third generation if you want to split hairs about the Parramatta Park museum tramway). There's a faux pas in the caption that says the tram is running along Church Street. The Redbank service never ran along Church Street. I wondered then if it might be a film of the government tram to Castle Hill, but the cars appear to be in Sydney Ferries colours

https://www.facebook.com/SydneyTramwayMuseum/videos/849916167098712/

"Cab video" from Westmead to Carlingford:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHydj1m8N1U

Tony P

On Friday, 20 December 2024 at 16:22:35 UTC+11 Mark Skinner wrote:

Hi Paul,

The problem with the NSW schemes might be illustrated by the SA situation.

At the 2018 election, the incoming Liberal Government promised to evaluate a couple of tram extensions.

It didn't see them as economically viable. So...we got no extensions.

The major reason was cost. If they were using NSW costs per km, then I perfectly understand why. SA simply doesn't have that sort of money.

If, otoh they could have gotten costs down, we'd now have those extensions up and running.

It's quite depressing to know that we could have had more trams and tram routes in Adelaide by now, but poor design and construction techniques directly cause them to be abandoned. It appears that Adelaide Metro is now going for 'long buses' because trams are too expensive.

Mark Skinner

On Fri, 20 Dec 2024, 7:42 am pn1 via TramsDownUnder, <tramsdo...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12-20/parramatta-light-rail-open-day-route-map-westmead-carlingford/104747540?utm_source=abc_news_app&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_campaign=abc_news_app&utm_content=other

Good to see the support from the general public. Similar to the recent opening of the Metro extension?

Tram enthusiasts are quick to condemn modern developments in Australia citing the dearth of traditional expertise but who would have thought, even a few years ago, that a new "isolated" tram/light rail system would open in metropolitan Sydney.

Paul in Melbourne (who wasn't born when the Enfield and Rockdale systems closed and who missed North Sydney – that closed when he was not quite eight years old!)

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Re: [TramsDownUnder] Parramatta light rail; who from the TDU community was aboard the first tram?

Hi Paul,

The problem with the NSW schemes might be illustrated by the SA situation.

At the 2018 election, the incoming Liberal Government promised to evaluate a couple of tram extensions.

It didn't see them as economically viable. So...we got no extensions.

The major reason was cost. If they were using NSW costs per km, then I perfectly understand why. SA simply doesn't have that sort of money.

If, otoh they could have gotten costs down, we'd now have those extensions up and running.

It's quite depressing to know that we could have had more trams and tram routes in Adelaide by now, but poor design and construction techniques directly cause them to be abandoned. It appears that Adelaide Metro is now going for 'long buses' because trams are too expensive.

Mark Skinner

On Fri, 20 Dec 2024, 7:42 am pn1 via TramsDownUnder, <tramsdownunder@googlegroups.com> wrote:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12-20/parramatta-light-rail-open-day-route-map-westmead-carlingford/104747540?utm_source=abc_news_app&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_campaign=abc_news_app&utm_content=other

Good to see the support from the general public. Similar to the recent opening of the Metro extension?

Tram enthusiasts are quick to condemn modern developments in Australia citing the dearth of traditional expertise but who would have thought, even a few years ago, that a new "isolated" tram/light rail system would open in metropolitan Sydney.

Paul in Melbourne (who wasn't born when the Enfield and Rockdale systems closed and who missed North Sydney – that closed when he was not quite eight years old!)

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[TramsDownUnder] 50 years of heritage tram operation in Ballarat

The Ballarat Tramway Museum is celebrating 50 years of operating
heritage trams for the pubic in Wendouree Parade.

Yesterday President Paul Mong and original board member Richard Gilbert
reminisced about the early days and thanked the many who have done so
much over those years.

A few minutes later, Richard drove tram No 40 through the ribbons at the
depot, recalling the launch back in 1974.

Tram 40 is one of the two surviving original 'drop centre' design trams
that were the dominant design in eastern Australia for many years.

Several trips were made for those celebrating, using trams in the livery
of the final years of the SEC trams.

My final pic shows 40 and 13 at the St Aidans Drive terminus looking
along the road towards the site of the original tram depot.

The old hall visible in the distance is the former "Jubilee Church"
erected by the Ballarat Tramway Co to encourage sober hard work amongst
their staff.

The celebrations continue on December 26th when the original heritage
trams will run again.

Mal Rowe - who very much enjoyed meeting so many old friends yesterday

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Friday, 20 December 2024

Re: [TramsDownUnder] Wishing all a Happy Christmas from Melbourne

Thanks Mal,

Two nice images we can all download and keep. Much appreciated.

The "bottom-left of image" "political" street-signs can be ignored by real Australians, as nothing more than traffic helpers.

Ken Ireland in Perth, with bullet holes in left cheek, part of not "keeping left."

Keep the politics out of TDU.

Ken

On Fri, Dec 20, 2024 at 12:13 PM Mal Rowe <mal.rowe@gmail.com> wrote:

As we head into the last weekend before Christmas here is a greeting
from sunny Melbourne, where the decorations are a little muted compared
with earlier years.

This has been a busy year for trams in Melbourne with new trams being
built and a major new depot and maintenance centre under construction.

I hope you enjoy the scenes I captured yesterday in two of the many tram
infested streets of central Melbourne.

Mal Rowe - who has incorporated a not too subtle political message at
bottom left of each pic.

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[TramsDownUnder] Wishing all a Happy Christmas from Melbourne

As we head into the last weekend before Christmas here is a greeting
from sunny Melbourne, where the decorations are a little muted compared
with earlier years.

This has been a busy year for trams in Melbourne with new trams being
built and a major new depot and maintenance centre under construction.

I hope you enjoy the scenes I captured yesterday in two of the many tram
infested streets of central Melbourne.

Mal Rowe - who has incorporated a not too subtle political message at
bottom left of each pic.

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[TramsDownUnder] Parramatta light rail; who from the TDU community was aboard the first tram?

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12-20/parramatta-light-rail-open-day-route-map-westmead-carlingford/104747540?utm_source=abc_news_app&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_campaign=abc_news_app&utm_content=other

Good to see the support from the general public. Similar to the recent opening of the Metro extension?

Tram enthusiasts are quick to condemn modern developments in Australia citing the dearth of traditional expertise but who would have thought, even a few years ago, that a new "isolated" tram/light rail system would open in metropolitan Sydney.

Paul in Melbourne (who wasn't born when the Enfield and Rockdale systems closed and who missed North Sydney – that closed when he was not quite eight years old!)

Re: [TramsDownUnder] Sydney Light Rail not running - 0915, Tuesday 17.12.2023.

On 17/12/2024 11:04, 'Geoff Olsen' via TramsDownUnder wrote:
> Do any of the other tram systems in Australia have this problem?

Yes, Melbourne has disruptions all the time.

Sometimes it delays the trams for quite a few minutes - and occasionally
longer.

Mal Rowe in a city where tram drivers can drive unsupervised

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Re: [TramsDownUnder] Sydney Light Rail not running - 0915, Tuesday 17.12.2023.

That's because tram (and train) drivers are not trusted to run a service
with out 'supervision'.
Tram drivers can not 'run on sight'. Trains can't proceed if they don't
have comms to the control centre
(ie the entire Sydney Trains network coming to halt because the train
radio system went down due to a bad software update - signals and
interlockings were all fine, but 'no communications, no movement' )

I assume Randwick control had another fire alarm and again hand over to
the Moore Park bunker failed.

On 17/12/24 09:16, Hunslet wrote:
> L1, L2 and L3 Light Rail services are currently not running due to a network wide communications issue.
> Consider alternate transport including local buses.
> L2 and L3 passengers should also consider catching a train between Central and Circular Quay instead.
> Allow extra travel time.
>
> From Transport for NSW Alerts Page. Sydney Trams (pre-1961) never seemed to have this problem!
>

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[TramsDownUnder] Sydney Light Rail not running - 0915, Tuesday 17.12.2023.

L1, L2 and L3 Light Rail services are currently not running due to a network wide communications issue.
Consider alternate transport including local buses.
L2 and L3 passengers should also consider catching a train between Central and Circular Quay instead.
Allow extra travel time.

From Transport for NSW Alerts Page. Sydney Trams (pre-1961) never seemed to have this problem!

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[TramsDownUnder] Parramatta LR

CAFs held together with velcro apparently.

https://x.com/fictillius/status/1868567663469027789?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1868567663469027789%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=

Tony P

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Re: [TramsDownUnder] Anzac Interchange - connection to Domain Road from Park Street (SM)

Ye gods! How could I have missed that? It must have been obscured by the big truck that was providing me with protection from westbound traffic.

From: tramsdownunder@googlegroups.com <tramsdownunder@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Mal Rowe <mal.rowe@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, 16 December 2024 3:29 PM
To: tramsdownunder@googlegroups.com <tramsdownunder@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: [TramsDownUnder] Anzac Interchange - connection to Domain Road from Park Street (SM)

On 16/12/2024 14:48, Jeremy Wainwright wrote:

On a 2-day visit to Melbourne last week (for the funeral of non-TDU rail enthusiast Ian Manning) I checked the situation on the ground at the west end of Domain Road and found that the rail connection has been made but it is not wired, as shown in the attached photos, which would have profited from being taken from a higher viewpoint. While considerable progress is being made on the Metro entrance, there is no sign of a related tram stop. At the corner of Park Street (SY) and Toorak Road there is no sign of any work to make a connection.

Hi Jeremy,

There is a platform stop behind where you stood to take your photo in Domain rd.

See my pic attached to https://groups.google.com/g/tramsdownunder/c/YHl9xyY8L5M/m/ejv548jMBAAJ

I don't expect that the tramway will ever be used.

Mal Rowe who assumes it was only put in to sign off the Metro Tunnel contract.

Re: [TramsDownUnder] Glen Huntly

On 16/12/2024 14:51, Jeremy Wainwright wrote:

On the same visit, I had a look at the finished job at Glen Huntly station - pretty suave compared with what was done in similar circumstances at Elsternwick 60-odd years ago. Is this the first instance of a ride-over, as distinct from drive-over, accessible tram stop? Note the sign peeping out from behind the traffic lights on the left.

The same approach was used in Toorak Rd at South Yarra station.

It's a similar situation where the tram stop is on a bridge over the railway.

Mal Rowe - impressed so far with the way cyclists respect passengers.

Re: [TramsDownUnder] Anzac Interchange - connection to Domain Road from Park Street (SM)

On 16/12/2024 14:48, Jeremy Wainwright wrote:

On a 2-day visit to Melbourne last week (for the funeral of non-TDU rail enthusiast Ian Manning) I checked the situation on the ground at the west end of Domain Road and found that the rail connection has been made but it is not wired, as shown in the attached photos, which would have profited from being taken from a higher viewpoint. While considerable progress is being made on the Metro entrance, there is no sign of a related tram stop. At the corner of Park Street (SY) and Toorak Road there is no sign of any work to make a connection.

Hi Jeremy,

There is a platform stop behind where you stood to take your photo in Domain rd.

See my pic attached to https://groups.google.com/g/tramsdownunder/c/YHl9xyY8L5M/m/ejv548jMBAAJ

I don't expect that the tramway will ever be used.

Mal Rowe who assumes it was only put in to sign off the Metro Tunnel contract.

Re: [TramsDownUnder] Melbourne trams - a puzzle (to me)

On 16/12/2024 14:54, Jeremy Wainwright wrote:

In various positions on the outsides and inside of trams, and in one place on what appeared to be a dedicated holder on a tram-stop sign, I saw examples of the QR-code-like device as shown in the attached photo. They are not all identical, but I could not tell whether they are in sets or individuals are totally unique. Does anyone know their purpose?

They are part of a 'wayfinding' system designed to give people with limited eyesight and some other issues guidance on their journey.

See: https://yarratrams.com.au/navilens

The information on that page talks about a trial, but it seems to be rolling out across the network.

Mal Rowe - who can usually find his way

[TramsDownUnder] Melbourne trams - a puzzle (to me)

In various positions on the outsides and inside of trams, and in one place on what appeared to be a dedicated holder on a tram-stop sign, I saw examples of the QR-code-like device as shown in the attached photo. They are not all identical, but I could not tell whether they are in sets or individuals are totally unique. Does anyone know their purpose?

JWW

[TramsDownUnder] Anzac Interchange - connection to Domain Road from Park Street (SM)

On a 2-day visit to Melbourne last week (for the funeral of non-TDU rail enthusiast Ian Manning) I checked the situation on the ground at the west end of Domain Road and found that the rail connection has been made but it is not wired, as shown in the attached photos, which would have profited from being taken from a higher viewpoint. While considerable progress is being made on the Metro entrance, there is no sign of a related tram stop. At the corner of Park Street (SY) and Toorak Road there is no sign of any work to make a connection.

JWW

RE: [TramsDownUnder] Re: Whiteman Park

I have a couple of pics on my phone, Tony. I'll transfer them across to the PC sometime.

Today, the tram only ran from 1100 to 1400 and as I was by myself, each trip took about 40 minutes. I warned people that it was a long walk from the park proper back to the station and for them to stay on the tram.

Trains are running every 15 minutes, so it is not viable to meet every train. I think the bus boys run on the weekends. Things will sort themselves out eventually.

NMF

From: 'TP' via TramsDownUnder <tramsdownunder@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Friday, 13 December 2024 6:11 PM
To: TramsDownUnder <tramsdownunder@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [TramsDownUnder] Re: Whiteman Park

STM does have the benefit of Loftus Station adjacent.

Any photos of the terminus? Nothing online or on the PETS website as far as I can see. What sort of timetable? Does the heritage bus still run, or only the tram now?

Tony P

On Friday, 13 December 2024 at 20:28:40 UTC+11 noe...@iinet.net.au wrote:

Today, I drove the tram on the new section of track to Whiteman Park station. PETS will be the envy of other museums around Australia.

The new track is welded 60kg on concrete sleepers and SW6 891 rides as smooth as any of its confreres on the adjacent Ellenbrook line. The new triangle is great too, no longer 'museum standard'. The rail, sleepers and ballast were all recycled from the Bayswater area in conjunction with the building of said Ellenbrook line.

NMF

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[TramsDownUnder] Whiteman Park

Today, I drove the tram on the new section of track to Whiteman Park station. PETS will be the envy of other museums around Australia.

The new track is welded 60kg on concrete sleepers and SW6 891 rides as smooth as any of its confreres on the adjacent Ellenbrook line. The new triangle is great too, no longer ‘museum standard’. The rail, sleepers and ballast were all recycled from the Bayswater area in conjunction with the building of said Ellenbrook line.

NMF

[TramsDownUnder] Preservation of W6.987 - new arrival at Yass Railway Museum

Former M&MTB car W6.987 arrived at the Yass Tramway Museum on 4/12 from VicTrack.
Background information for a news report on the vehicle is sought from the "experts" out there.
Such as - when build and who by, intro and withdrawal dates, number in class, others preserved, etc..
Many thanks.
Hunslet
.

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Re: [TramsDownUnder] Maidstone depot - Hampstead Rd

On 13/12/24 08:23, Mal Rowe wrote:
> On 12/12/2024 20:50, timmy1041 wrote:
>> Thank you Mal,so all new deliveries go direct to Maidstone?
>>
> That would make sense, although I have no official documentation.
>
> The new facility is very well equipped and could do anything that
> Preston does.
>
>
It's probably equipped so that the 'vendor' who has the maintenance
contract (Alstom ?) has their own space in which they can carry out most
repairs and maintenance - as opposed to doing a deal with whom ever runs
Preston Workshops this year for working and storage space.

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