Re: Extra Blacktown platform (was: St Leonards, NSW)

["Garry Hoddinett" <hoddos@netspace.net.au>]

WhaleOilBeefHooked <daproc@spambait.umpires.com> wrote in message
7um3dv$7d9$1@news1.mpx.com.au">news:7um3dv$7d9$1@news1.mpx.com.au...
> Hornsby also has a huge number of sidings that a train can go to to "turn
it around" - Blacktown does not have this huge number.
> Also, the facilities at Hornsby are adequate for current and anticipated
needs, apart from a few peak hours - Blacktown is not adequate for current
and anticipated needs.
The Cumberland line service is a case in point. They run them through to St.
Marys because they cannot terminate them at Blacktown (although why this is
the case, I do not know - why not just terminate them at Blacktown on
platform 1 or 2 and run them up to the yard?).
> As for anticipated need, it is not just "a few weeks in September and
October next year" - it is all year. Every time they run the high frequency
service (Rugby League Grand Final, Easter Show, etc.) this platform will be
a huge advanage.
>
> DaveP
>
Obiviously another platform would be a huge advantage, but the point I make
is that with a limited amount of capital available for rail improvements
then I think the money could have been better spent in the CityRail network
with Hornsby being a case in point.  I am clad you recognise that a least
Hornsby is inadequate at least for "a few peak hours".
Hornsby does not have a "a huge number of sidings that a train can go to
turn it around".  It has a few sidings, some passing loops and a number of
through tracks to the depot to the north.  The new yard "improvements" have
reduced the number of sidings for turning a train around in but have added a
few sidings to store trains (Most of the new sidings on the Down are not
readily accessible).  At Blacktown they could have constructed a few new
sidings to turn a train around in lieu of the cost of building yet another
platform and a couple of kilometres of UP track towards Seven Hills.

Catering for circuses is fine but there are more important things.   I still
think six platforms should be more than adequate at Blacktown for the
foreseeable future.