> On 24 Nov 1997, Michael Alexander wrote:
>
> NOTE:
> In this message, all references are for the Ringwood/Lilydale/Belgrave
> lines ONLY.
>
> > The Jolimont rationalisation project is in full swing now, with the
> > platform alterations in effect at Flinders St, platforms 2 & 3 closed and
> > much track torn up.
> >
> > Channel 7 news last night (23/11) carried a report on what a big stuff-up
> > it was. It was the most biased report I have ever seen. "There were hardly
> > any signs to direct confused commuters to their new platforms" they said,
> > and then promply focussing on one of the supposedly rare signs.
>
The story was on ch 9 but, There are many advertising signs at stations like
Ringwood. They are the big bill board size and tell you nothing
> > Then they interviewed a number of confused commuters, asking them "Did you
> > know how to get to Platform 14". They all (at least the ones we saw) looked
> > incredibly stupid and said "No". It wouldn't matter how many signs they put
> > up, there would still be many people who just don't read them. And, of
> > course, since Platform 14 is the platform where all Clifton Hill trains
> > left from until recently, it is pretty suprising that supposedly "no-one"
> > knew where it was. It is hardly a big walk, or hard to find.
>
To get to platform 14 from Swanston Street go the normal way to platform 2+3 and
before the excluators turn right. How hard is it?
> To Ch. 7: what's platform 14 go to do with anything? And of course most
> people wouldn't know how to get to it, as it has been fenced of now for
> several months with only one way to get to it!
>
Doesn't one train a day use it about 12:50 when the loop changes one train in
plat 1 going around loop to Jolimont and one in platform 14 going direct. They
leave with in a couple minutes of each other. When they first moved the trains
to go from platform 1 they had TWO three carriage trains in plat 1 and they left
one in each direction but this confused most people.
>
The main reason for the closure is to upgrade and reline track between FS and
Richmond junction. This is from a JRP newsletter.
1.(15 - 30 Nov. 1997) A continuous occupation of the four Burnley group
lines and platform 2 & 3 at FS. An altered timetable for this period
has been developed. (Dates now changed to 22 Nov - 7 Dec 97)
2.(21 Mar - 13 Apr 1998) A continuous occupation of the four Caulfield
group lines and platform 6 & 7 at FS. An altered timetable for this
period is currently being developed.
3.(July, 1998) Same with the Special lines and Plat 8 & 9 at FS.
4.(Oct, 1998) Same with the Sandringham lines and Plat 12 & 13 at FS.
5.(Dec, 1998) Same with the Clifton Hill lines and Plat 14 at FS.
6.(Mar, 1999) Same with the four Burnley lines (again).
Upgrade of flinders street was an extra decided long after this. Notice there
is no closure of platform 4+5 ! When they close these platforms then there will
be NO loop service for the North Melbourne trains. (as they can only get
to/from Plat 4+5 at FS to loop)
> According to the temporary timetable, there are NO services FROM
> Lilydale/Belgrave during the morning that go INTO the city loop from
> either end. ALL city bound services go direct to Flinders St. To travel
> to a loop station, you have to change at Richmond (this is NOT mentioned
> in the timetable, however the more regular travellers will figure this
> out anyway!).
>
> There are Outbound trains departing FS which do go via the loop, but
> according to the timetable, they don't start until after 7am, and they
> don't come from the Lilydale/Belgrave lines. During the evening peak, all
> trains go direct from F/S, and none are via the loop. Although all inbound
> train FROM Lilydale/Belgrave go DIRECT into the loop during the
> afternoons, none of them go back out to Lilydale/Belgrave according to the
> timetable, so anyone getting on at a loop station will have to change at
> Flinders St. anyway.
>
That is right. Trains from North Melb in the morning go into the city via the
loop and then around again (that's right twice) to Ringwood and beyond.In the
afternoon trains from Ringwood go to city via loop and around again to North
Melbourne and Beyond. So some trains go around twice while others not at all.
So if you fall asleep on a train from North Melbourne and want to get off at
Melb. Central just wait 10 minutes and you will be there again just in plat 4
instead of 3.
> The 'information stands' on plat. 2 & 3 were useless - on both Thu & Fri
> evening (while there were still plenty of passengers around) they were
> unattended & there was no other info in sight, and no staff who could
> answer enquiries. Also, even though weekends are affected, how come no
> weekend timetables are available. I asked at my local station, and was
> told "normal services on weekends, and no w/e timetables available". Well,
> I got on the the WEB sight, and sure enough, they ARE running special
> timetables, and NO loop service at all! (There was a major error for the
> Sunday timetable, but after an email to the feedback line, it was fixed
> very quickly!)
>
I have copies of the Weekend timetable. There are four timetables:
> What I'd also like to know is why all the changes to the loop service in
> the first place? If they are only running the temporary timetable because
> of platform reconstruction at F/S & Federation Square works, why can't the
> loop service run as normal (or with relatively minor alterations)? After
> all, the track works performed at Flinders St several months ago was
> supposedly to allow trains from any line to be switched to any platform,
> so it shouldn't be a switching problem.
>
Something to do with Burnley trains sharing tracks with Caulfield trains between
FS and Richmond. So if the loops were different then you wont get congestion.
Think a little and you can work it out.
> Why have ALL of the longer distance city TO Lilydale & Belgrave trains
> been changed to stopping all stations in the morning peak, while most
> shorter distance Ringwood trains now go express? For the next two weeks
> it is going to take me an additional 15 mins to get home after a night
> shift, assuming that trains still run anywhere near on time (which that
> time of the day they rarely do....). More missed bus connections?
>
Should be the other way around but they are stupid. But more stopping trains
and express to stop at Burnley because of Alamein shuttles.
> Many train drivers have been warning passengers about the temporary
> services (thanks guys!), however the PA systems in many trains are next to
> useless - badly distorted, feedback, too loud, or not loud enough. I've
> yet to hear anything (as of Fri night) over the PA system at F/S or Melb.
> Central.
>
>
They have had some recorded ones at FS.
> From what I've read in this newsgroup, we are going to be in for a
> repeat of this again in a few months - if they are going to stuff around
> with services, why not do it properly & do the whole lot in one hit.
>
YES: And again to burnley lines in 1999
1.(21 Mar - 13 Apr 1998) A continuous occupation of the four Caulfield
group lines and platform 6 & 7 at FS. An altered timetable for this
period is currently being developed.
2.(July, 1998) Same with the Special lines and Plat 8 & 9 at FS.
3.(Oct, 1998) Same with the Sandringham lines and Plat 12 & 13 at FS.
4.(Dec, 1998) Same with the Clifton Hill lines and Plat 14 at FS.
5.(Mar, 1999) Same with the four Burnley lines (again).
> Or better still, WHY DIDN'T THEY WAIT UNTIL AFTER XMAS???????? During
> the holiday period, less regular peak period travellers would be affected
> by the changes, not to mention schools are out. After all, there is at
> least 4 weeks after xmas where modified services would be less of a drama.
> So what happens - they pick the START of the busiest part of the year!
> (Sporting events shuoldn't be a problem during the holiday period, as most
> major events are centered around the Flinders St/Richmond area anyway.
> And no, I'm NOT being biased by suggesting that this should be done during
> the holiday period - I'll be working then anyway.
>
See above it is all secluded. If they waited till after Xmas then it would take
6 years to do.
Chris Gordon
cmgord@ecr.mu.oz.au
http://www.ecr.mu.oz.au/~cmgord/trains/work.html