Re: Parramatta (nsw) station

["Chris Downs" <cvdowns@hermes.net.au>]

I think you mean Blacktown rather than Parramatta.

Blacktown platforms 1 & 2 serve the Richmond Branch and most services that
terminate at Blacktown.  These terminating services would normally originate
in the city or Campbelltown/Glenfield (Cumberland Line).

Platforms 3, 4, 5 & 6 serve the main west line.

Until recently most Cumberland line services terminated at St Marys.  Having
arrived at St Marys on the down main they proceeded to the old Ropes Creek
Branch before returning to St Marys on the up main.  The branch is now used
to unload the sandstone trains originating at Rozelle and has become quite
congested.

To alleviate this congestion Cumberland Line services from about 1000 to
about 1400 have been truncated to Blacktown rather than running through to
St Marys.  This however creates further congestion at Blacktown.

By building an extra platform on the up relief road, trains approaching
Blacktown form the City/Cumberland Line can use the down Richmond Branch
flyover to access the relief road/new platform without creating conflicting
movements.  When they return to the city/Cumberland Line thay can cross to
the up main, again without conflicting movements.

A very a neat solution.

One further point, I imagine Blacktown's new relief platform will get a
hiding during the Olympics and other major events.

Chris




Gareth Lumsden wrote in message ...
>
>Why is a new platform being constructed at Parramatta, serving the relief
>road opposite pfm 3?  What will use it?
>
>Thanks,
>
>Gareth
>
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