>
> I am only a visitor to Sydney, but got caught up in the mess too. I
> was at Town Hall to catch a train to Kogarah at about 6:05. Platform
> was full to overflowing - people banked up the stairs from the up
> North Shore line above. A train arrived, announced as Sydenham,
> Rockdale, Kogarah, Hurstville, all to Sutherland, all to Waterfall. I
> was unable to board due to the train being packed to the gills, but
> the following train (less than a minute later) had many free seats.
> This train was announced as a stopper to Hurstville (at least), but
> ran express, stopping at Sydenham,Rockdale and Kogarah. I met friends
> there who informed me the previous train - the one announced as an
> express - had actually stopped all stations.
>
I too was on Platform 4 at Town Hall at this time but managed to board
this first train which was a 4 car T + 4 car G. As John has said the
train was changed to an all stations after leaving TH. The trip even to
my stop at Rockdale was unpleasant but I got off lightly from what I
have read on this newsgroup and actually was not delayed more than about
20 minutes overall.
I have heard today of an episode on the Bankstown line during the same
period where people were actually leaving a long time stationary train
between Punchbowl and Bankstown via the gangway doors between carriages
and walking along the track in the face of an oncoming train.
Cityrail do not seem able to manage these major incidents well at all.
Communication seems to be the major problem !!
Cheers
John