Re: [NSW] Hunter questions and observations

["Al" <alpout@optusnet.com.au>]

"David Bennetts" <davibenn@ozemail.com.au> wrote in message
m8fn6.53$o4.3196@ozemail.com.au">news:m8fn6.53$o4.3196@ozemail.com.au...
>
> "Al" <alpout@optusnet.com.au> wrote in message
> news:3a9c74f3$0$25508$7f31c96c@news01.syd.optusnet.com.au...
> > OK, I've started using the train to get to uni when I can now (see recent
> > thread about me and PT).  After using it 4 times in the last 3 days,
> between
> > Beresfield and Warabrook, here's some questions:
> >
> > Considering how busy a lot of the early morning services are (I was on
> them
> > between 7:30 and 11), would Cityrail consider extending the Endeavours to
> 3
> > cars, like the Xplorers?  Or running them as 4-cars?  The train I was on
> this
> > morning had no more than 10 empty seats in both cars, with people standing
> > with bikes etc (probably another 20 or so).  Or run more services more
> > regularly (15 minute intervals, rather than the random 20-45 at present).
>
> You call that busy, a few people standing for what is really a short
> journey?   Wherewould CityRail get the extra cars from, they don't have any
> to spare.  If they were to extend to three cars, they'd probably cost around
> $1.5 to $2 million per car.
> It wouldn't make sense to build extra cars unless there was a real demand
> for them, from your report that doesn't seem necessary.  They can't extend
> them to three cars, because there are no intermediate cars built for
> Endeavours - they only exist for Xplorers.  The intermediate car is one
> which is motored, but doesn't have any driving controls.  It is has
> vestibule connections either end so passengers can walk through the train.
> It would be possible to run four car sets, as is done here on the Southern
> Highlands for a couple of journeys a day - if the cars were available.
> Likewise, a more frequent service would require more cars, which aren't
> there.

The point I was trying to make was that they are only going to get fuller and
fuller.  Be proactive in encouraging people to use the train.  Building the
station at the uni was the best thing they've done around here for a while,
and considering that the uni and Warabrook itself are only going to grow, then
planning for the future should be done now.


> > Also, regarding speed limits.  How different are the Xplorer and
> Endeavours
> > mechanically?  Identical?  I've seen a 2-car Endeavour join up with a 5
> car
> > Xplorer at Broadmeadow once and trundle off UP towards Sydney.   But back
> to
> > the point, what speed limits do the Xplorers follow?  The yellow or white
> > boards (on the Countrylink website it has Xplorers listed for a 145km/h
> > operational speed, 160km/h test).  If it's the white, then do the
> Endeavours
> > use them as well?  If not, why not?
>
> They're identical mechanically.  As far as speed boards are concerned, they
> can follow the higher limits.  Loco hauled trains follow the lower limits.
> Xplorers and Endeavours have a maximum service speed of 145 km/h as you
> state.
> > Something else I've just noticed is that the trains all seem to be going
> > slower between Warabrook and Sandgate, actually hitting the anchors around
> > where the Kooragang line branches off.  When I caught them from school
> (before
> > Warabrook station was built) all the trains used to speed up on the
> downhill,
> > and not slow down (if they were an express) until Beresfield, whereas now
> they
> > seem to be a lot slower, slowing down in sections, then speeding up again.
> > Have speed restrictions been placed on the line?
>
> It certainly seems that way.  If you look out the left hand side of the
> train you'll probably see temporary speed restriction boards at the point
> where the train slows.
>
> > Finally, there seemed to be more general freight traffic on the line than
> > usual today.  I hardly ever saw a general freighter every day back as a
> school
> > kid, but today I saw 3 within 40 minutes.
>
> Might just be lucky!
>
>
> > Thanks, catch ya
> >
> > --
> > Al
> >
> > No matter where you go, there you are
> >
> > alpout@optusnet.com.au
> > ICQ 81175245
> >
> Regards
>
> David Bennetts
> Bowral
>
>
>