Re: Airport Rail Link tunnel walk.

[Railway Rasputin <bob@fastlink.com.au>]

Chris Downs wrote:

> Other NSR observations.
>
> The signalling for the line appears to differ considerably from the City
> Railway and the ESR (other CityRail underground lines).  Signal aspects will
> be R/R, G/R, G/Y & G/G -  standard mainline aspects.  There is no low speed
> aspect on the signals I saw between the International and Domestic stations.
> There was no indication as to whether or not intermediate train stops will
> be installed.
> What is so different about that? The only thing that is different is  that
> there is no close up.

I have been told that there will be intermediate train stops in use by the
inspectors working on the project.

>
> There appeared to be 4 signals for each direction between International and
> Domestic.  The last signal for the up line before you reach the Domestic
> station was 100m to 200m short of the platform.  So there'll be no "closing
> up" either.  My mental calculations indicate that this signalling is
> designed for sustained 3 minute headways.  2 minute headways appear
> achievable but probably only for short spells.
>

What is a "closing up" signal. I have heard of a Close Up signal but not a
closing up signal.

>
> One route diagram gave the curves in the vicinity of Green Square station as
> 400m and 450m radius, sufficient for 80km/h operation.
>
> The Domestic station is on a very slight curve whereas the International
> station is on the straight.
>
> The line and stations appears very complete considering the official opening
> is scheduled for May 2000.  Of course there may be other works not visible
> that may hold the opening to this date.  How good it would be if the line
> could be opened early.
>
> Also in conjunction with the NSR, work continues at the NSR/East Hills
> interface on the up side of Turrella.  A section of the down East Hills fast
> line is being constructed - at least sufficient space to terminate an 8 car
> set clear of the current up line.  Terminating facilities (signals) have
> also been installed to allow trains to terminate on both platforms 1 and 2
> at Turrella.
>
> Trains that terminate on the down East Hills fast line or the current  East
> Hills down line will be able to use the trailing NSR crossover to join the
> NSR up line.  Services terminating on either of these roads will not have
> access to the up East Hills line (ie the line to Tempe).
>
> Trains from the down lines cannot access platform 1 as there is no facing
> crossover.  Quite probably one will be inserted on the immediate up side of
> Turrella station.  This will allow trains to terminate at platform 1 and
> return to the city via either Mascot or Tempe.
>
> Turrella's considerable terminating facilities will allow a city - NSR -
> Turella shuttle so that airport passengers can be provided with an uncrowded
> shuttle at peak hours (that's my hypothesis anyway).
>
> Chris
>
>

rgds