Re: Cumberland line

[Hunslet <hunslet@cia.com.au>]

Eric Cartman wrote:

> The Cumberland line trains have been running through to St Marys (and the
> occasional service t/from Penrith) for some time. If you believe what you
> read, the now in progress Blacktown resignalling work/extra platform will
> see Cumberland services terminate at Blacktown.
>
> Eric
> www.erk.au.com
>
> FRISCÉ Theatre Co. (Bryan Cullis) wrote in message
> <5Fr24.264$TX4.3288@nsw.nnrp.telstra.net>...
> >Was just looking at a transport map on the internet, and noticed that the
> >Cumberland line now extends through Blacktown and Mt. Druitt to St. Marys.
> >If this correct, and if so, how long has this been?
> >

G'day.

Cumberland services were extended to operate basically to and from St. Marys
because of insufficient turn-back facilities at Blacktown or Parramatta.   That
is to say, where the crew could change ends of their train without blocking
other services.    Nominally, four minutes for an 8-car set is allowed, but if
one includes the time occupying the section to arrive, stop and departure, plus
signal section clearing times, then setting the road up for the next train, you
are probably looking at closer to ten minutes for each terminating train.   At
St. Marys, terminating trains could proceed immediately on to the former Ropes
Creek line for the crew to change ends, reducing main line occupancy times to
less then half.

Hunslet