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

["Dave Proctor" <daproc@sd5.mailbank.com>]

Garry Hoddinett <hoddos@netspace.net.au> wrote in message
Y7QQ3.12717$P3.13772@ozemail.com.au">news:Y7QQ3.12717$P3.13772@ozemail.com.au...
>
> Dave Proctor <daproc@spambait.umpires.com> wrote in message
> 7uuhu3$2fr$1@news1.mpx.com.au">news:7uuhu3$2fr$1@news1.mpx.com.au...
> >
> > I have lost nothing. I noticed you failed to address the comment before
> > that - let me reproduce it for you, as your newsreader seems to have
> snipped
> > it in the post you read.
> >
> > "> And they could have built sidings to hold terminating services at
> > Blacktown
> > > rather than the grater expense of a new platform (with lift) and an
> extra
> > up
> > > track stretching for a few kilometres towards Seven Hills.
> >
> > So land resumptions, levelling, and building tracks, along with the
> > inevitable track and signalling work, would be cheaper than putting a
> > platform on an already existing track?"
>
> From what I have seen there has been plenty of "levelling, and building
> tracks, along with track and signalling work" at Blacktown already along
> with the construction of new retaining walls (which tend to be expensive
> when designed to support a railway track) platform  and lift(also
> expensive).

And all of that would have been far cheaper than merely "building new
sidings". The resignalling, new Up line from the Branch to Seven Hills, all
of that would have been done regardless of the extra platform. The platform
itself, plus access issues, are quite cheap, really, given that, as another
poster has said, the track was already there.

> > I have spent lengthy periods at Hornsby in the morning and afternoon
peak
> > (gunzelling). I have also spent lengthy periods doing the same at
> Blacktown.
> > I have SEEN both stations in operation, and Hornsby works far more
> smoothly
> > than Blacktown does.
>
> A lucky day!

And my day at Blacktown was probably unlucky, I suppose?

> > You also say that they should not be upgrading the station for the sake
of
> a
> > few weeks in September/October next year. But like it or not, the Games
> are
> > an anticipated need, and failing to provide capacity to cater for that
> need
> > would be disastrous. Since the station is barely coping now, you do not
> need
> > to be Einstein to see that another platform is essential, if only for
the
> > occasions when the high-frequency service is in operation.
>
> This misrepresents what I have said.  I have only questioned the need (and
> consequent expense) to construct a new platform with a couple of
kilometres
> of new track.

There is no new track involved with the new platform/

>It would be foolish not to plan for the Olympics but with six
> existing platforms Blacktown is already one of the best endowed suburban
> stations and there MAY have been less expensive alternatives for handling
> the Olympics and the money saved spent elsewhere on the CityRail network
> where it may be of more lasting benefit.  You have many times suggested
> "Operational things" to resolve Hornsby's problems the same could be said
> for Blacktown perhaps coupled with some infrastructure improvements.  You
> disagree with my suspicions - thats fine by me!
>
> > And you have failed to mention the different characteristics of the
> > traffic - whilst Hornsby is a major interchange station, most people are
> > coming off Mental Coast trains and changing onto trains that are
> commencing
> > their journey at Hornsby. You do not have large numbers of people trying
> to
> > get on a train at the same time as you have large numbers trying to get
> off
> > that same train. You DO have large numbers getting off, and large
numbers
> > getting on, but they are by and large the same people, and different
> > trains - Blacktown they are different people, same train - it impacts
upon
> > the operation of the station far more than the situation at Hornsby.
>
> Less than half the trains mentioned previously for the morning peak period
> 7:00am to 8:00 am start in Hornsby.  There are interurbans who discharge
> large numbers of people through comparatively narrow doors and then large
> numbers of DIFFERENT people board these trains because they offer the
> fastest trip to Epping, Strathfield and Central.  The suburban trains from
> Berowra also discharge large numbers of people especially school kids.  I
> think the interchange characteristics are a lot similar than you state.
>
> > Oh shit yes, I never denied that Hornsby does not need a new platform -
> but
> > Blacktown needs it more.
> >
>
> I am pleased to see that you recognise Hornsby could do with an additional
> platform but, I am sorry, comments such as "the facilities at Hornsby are
> adequate for current and anticipated needs, apart from a few peak hours"
had
> me thinking otherwise.

They are "adequate" - just like the interchange facilities at Granville were
"adequate" for passengers travelling from Merrylands and beyond to Harris
Park and beyond (and vice versa) - the Y-link merely improved it.

Likewise with Hornsby - the facilities are "adequate" but an extra platform
would not be useless. BUT, having said that, the facilities at Blacktown ARE
inadequate - I know this from having seen the station in operation.
Blacktown is higher (and rightly so) on the list of priorities for scarce
funds.

--
DaveProctor
thadocta AT dingoblue.net.au