Re: New Yard at Camberwell Station

["Roderick Smith" <rodsmith@werple.net.au>]

There is no technical problem in putting a third track through Laburnum,
just lots of political ones.  Clearly, lowering the railway is the way to
achieve the aim (eliminating Middleborough Rd level crossing).  There is
plenty of distance on the up side to get the track down.  This would reduce
the grade which up trains face.  Space was left behind the down platform
for a third track, although this would be out of character with the other
stations on the triple track (Mont Albert is also an exception, possibly
for technical reasons, but also for operational ones.  The original concept
was that passengers would transfer from down Box Hill trains to through
trains there).
The level crossings at Surrey Hills and Mont Albert could (and should) have
been eliminated by lowering the track at the time the third track was put
through.  Conversion now would be even more expensive.  One
grade-separation project which went to waste was at Watsonia.  The local
council put obstructions across the road, and built a roundabout on the
bridge.
-- 
Regards
Roderick Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor