Further observations from NSR Tunnel walk.

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

Comments/observations from last Sunday's NSR walk.

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.

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.

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