Re: {melb} comeng and hitachi

[Paul de Vries <Paul.deVries@tip.csiro.au>]

Chris Gordon wrote:

> > >This may be a dumb question but why do they need to attach a loco to
> > >transfer suburban stock?
> > >Does the Melbourne electrified system consist of separate isolated areas
> > >or is there some other strange reason for these happenings?
>
> Just as Michael said, the places where the sparks are taken as beyond
> the electrified system.
> Have a look at: http://www.railpage.org.au/vicsig/gallery/melb-metro/
> and there are three pictures of the spark transfer.
>
> * The first is of T395 (Steamrail) and the Comeng coupled together using
> a transition coupling.
> * The second is of the other end of the Comeng already fitted with a
> transition coupling (since the train goes Newport - North Melbourne -
> Somerton it is needed to be pulled from both ends)
> * The third is of T395 arriving at Somerton and clearly shows why a loco
> is needed (no overhead, yet!!)
>
> > When transferring to/from destinations like Somerton, Ballarat and Bendigo.
> > Somerton = Clyde
> > Ballarat = Alstom
> > Bendigo = Goninan
> > (afaik)
> >
> > Not sure, but I think Clyde were contracted to do the cab mods for Bayside,
> > Goninan were doing the internal refurbishments for both, and park brake
> > mods, and Alstom are doing other Hillside stuff. Someone can correct me on
> > this...
>
> Current transfers are for "Reliability upgrades" digital speedo, new
> wooden deck around pantographs and more which I can't remember but is in
> the May issue of Rail News Victoria (out later this week).
>
> > When Craigieburn is electrified, then there will probably be no need for
> > loco hauled transfers to Somerton at least - unless a short sighted rail
> > corporation or government doesn't wire the track into Clyde (highly likely,
> > imho).
> >
> > Regards
> >
> > Michael.
>
> --
>
> Chris Gordon
>
> ============================================================
>
> http://www.railpage.org.au/vicsig
> e-mail - cmgord@alphalink.com.au
> ICQ number: 32989450
> Mobile Phone: 0409 255 620

Thanks Chris,
I took a look at your pics as you suggested. Very interesting. Looking at single
deck stock makes me wish we still had some single deck stock running around up
here in Sydney.
Thanks for enlightening this Sydney sider.

Paul.