Citadis trams on Sydney L1 Dulwich Hill line plus Watch For Trams sign

Visiting Sydney in recent days, I noted the continued use of some Citadis trams on the L1 Dulwich Hill line. At least two Citadises were in use amidst first-model and second-model CAFS as I made a return trip along the entire line from Central Station.

You will remember that the Citadises were drafted (reluctantly) into service on this line after Transport for NSW discovered serious problems with the CAF trams previously used solely for this line, caused by the very tight curve from the Railway Colonnade into Hay Street. Sydney gunzels had warned this issue would arise because of the tight curve and the use of the rigid-truck trams which replaced the Variotrams that were designed for the curve.

The original (repaired) CAFS plus some new ones appear available for service, so I was delighted to see Citadises (my fave tram model) still being used on the L1 as well as the L2 and L3 for which they were bought. Does anyone know why this is? There should be ample CAFs for the L1 line. Is it so drivers have experience of using both models.

I also noted the trams go VERY slowly on the curve out of the colonnade, despite, IIRC, the curve having been rebuilt since the issue arose.

I also visited Parramatta to ride the new system there; it opened last December so this was my first time in Sydney since it opened. I was delighted to see  "Watch For Trams" signs at pedestrian crossings despite Transport for NSW insisting that Sydney's trams are "light rail" not trams. I understand the use of "trams" in such signs is a legal requirement (though one that doesn't seem to bother TfNSW on the L1, L2 and L3 lines which have lots of "light rail" signs.

Photo attached of a CAF passing a Watch For Trams sign in Church Street Parramatta on route L4.

Kia ora

David McL

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