> Hi all train buffs
>
> Whilst stationed at the Rialto in Melbourne this week (I think it was
> last Tuesday or Thursday) I saw something quite peculiar. Perhaps
> somebody has an idea of what it was that I saw.
>
> Around the middle of the day a sprinter came from the Spencer Street
> direction and pulled into Flinders Street at the far platform which I
> think used to be used by the St Kilda/Port Melbourne trains. It stayed
>
> at the platform for a couple of minutes and then pulled out back
> towards
> Spencer Street.
>
> This is most peculiar as I understood that all country trains at
> Flinders Street were Gippsland trains and these went via Platform 1.
> So
> logically one would expect the Sprinter to continue onto Gippsland
> after
> coming from Spencer Street.
Since closure of platform 14, 15 and 16 (underneath the former Gas and
Fuel buildings), all Clifton Hill group trains (ie. Epping and
Hurstbridge) depart from platform 1 central. This means all V/Line
country trains now depart from platform 12 and 13, except the Warragul
suburban trains.
> I watched a little longer and later saw a country train pull in at the
>
> same platform coming from Spencer Street. It stopped for a while but
> then departed in a Gippsland direction.
According to the current W.T.T., this could be the (8415) 13.34 down
Sale, leaving platform 12.
> These strange events suggest to me that the far platform is now being
> used for country services. Can someone please confirm or deny this?
Yes.
> The earlier train departing towards spencer street suggests to me that
>
> some other country trains ie geelong, ballarat, bendigo etc, are
> departing from flinders street and then going to their destinations
> via
> Spencer street. If this is so I rather think this is a good idea. Does
>
> anyone have any information on this? Or any comment on the utility
> associated with such a move?
>
> Finally the above events do give one cause to think about ways of
> improving our country services.
>
> Given that we have a spare platform at Box Hill, and that most of our
> population is located in a South Easterly direction wouldn't it make
> more sense to terminate our country trains somewhere in the Eastern or
>
> South Eastern suburbs. I think Box Hill has some merit in this regard
> as
> there is the extra track to Melbourne and the spare platform.
> Northerly/Westerly trains could start at Box hill, go to Flinder
> street
> and then spencer street and their final desination.
Perhaps, but can we fit country trains into already congested Burnley
group lines during peak? Besides, suburban passengers are not permitted
to travel on the V/Line services. Therefore, having a country train
terminating at Box Hill is not economical and will only benefit few
individuals who are travelling to regional Victoria.
Cheers,
I.C.
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