Ideas for a greater public transport system

[Will409]

Any imaginery plan is better then the reality that we have to live with in regards to the rail system. I got these as part of a series of photos at Dry Creek just yesterday afternoon. Other then being double track and obviously the location, that sort of track work would be relegated to freight only branch lines.


Just wouldn't be TransAdelaide without the TSRs!


Track bed or garden bed?


The 'UP' (or Adelaide side) platform 'building'. Parafield railway station further up the line has similar though slightly smaller structures installed.

[Norman]

Wow, that is some pretty shotty tack there!

[Ho Really]

On a par with third world countries...

Cheers

[Shuz]

Okay thats a bit of a riducolous comparision to make, but yes - definitely on par with the state of the train system in Jakarta. I have been there, and although its electrified (which is a better effort than we have done!) it is run-down much alike our system. Even some of India's systems would fare better off to ours.

[Will409]

Just going back to the favourite subject of Port Trams, all that discussion on the last page got my mind arcing. After some time doodling away on paint, this is my result for a small but potentially useful system that could serve the Port area.



Yes, I know, it isn't the best on earth and I am open to suggestions and critisms.

Basically, the Outer Harbour rail line would terminate small but modern interchange in an area next to the National Railway Museum (and very close to the original 1856 terminus of the Port Railway which the NRM is built on). My reasoning is that the line north of Port Adelaide doesn't have anywhere near as much traffic as the line south of Port Adelaide. Not only that but the track alingment has some very tight bends slowing train speeds down greatly and some rather tight clearances as well. Both while restrictive for heavy rail are no problem for trams.

I have made an effort to keep as much of the tram system on reserve trackage where possible. All three tram routes share the same line from the interchange winding its way around the heritage precinct to Commercial Road. At the current Port Adelaide railway station site, the West Lakes and Semaphore lines go onto reserve trackage following the now at level, former railway alignment (the current viaduct would have been removed).

After the Port River bridge, the two lines seperate again. The Semaphore line follows the current rail line all the way to Glanville before it swings a right onto Semaphore Road and follows the former Semaphore Railway (closed 1978 and the reason why the median strip there is so wide) alignment to the end of Semaphore Road.

The West Lakes tram would cut over Bower Road and follow Bartley Terrace all the way to AAMI stadium. If I got it right, which I probably havn't , it should come to close to West Lakes Shopping Centre.

The final line would be towards Woodville. It would make use of the median strip in Port Road for most of the journey. Before it gets to Woodville, it would cut a left and then a right to serve the new factory complex and while it still exists, Cheltenham Racecourse (and the possible new development there). It may also have an interchange at Woodville Railway Station serving the Port and Grange lines.

What are your opinions on this?

[PhilH]

Well now...

I would love to see trams coming down Bartley Terrace, where I live now, but I don't think the road is really wide enough, especially when there are lots of cars parked there due to Saturday morning kids sport, or events on at AAMI Stadium. Military Road is wider, and using that would also provide decent access to both Fort Glanville and the caravan park, but to get to Military would entail using the far western end of Bower Road, which narrows after Bartley Terrace, and which also has parked-car issues. I don't use it a lot, but I have an impression in my mind that Frederick Road might be wide enough, so perhaps an alignment from the Port might be Commercial Road, Port Adelaide station, Coles/K-mart, that little road that passes under the railway (I forget the name) and comes out opposite Old Port Road, into Old Port, then Frederick, then West Lakes Boulevard to a station serving both the stadium and the shopping centre, perhaps positioned in the under-cover section of the car park next to the bus interchange.

In the absence of trams along Bartley, Torrens Transit might like to consider improving the 336 bus service for frequency, punctuality, better connectivity with trains and other buses, and running later than 7:30 p.m.! (Yeah, right).

Phil

[Norman]

Will, I have to concur about your statement that the Port Adleiade-Outer Harbor line is underused. I have travelled numerous times on that train to Osborne and Largs Bay (I have friends who live there), and I can tell you that there are a dozen people on there even at late nights. Removing this service will dramatically disadvantage the people living on the LeFevre Peninsula. Only recently have I noticed just how large the coverage are is there.

[Will409]

Thanks for the comments. I am not 100% familiar with the West Lakes area to be honest and I don't think I have ever been down Bartley Terrace. Anyway, thanks for the critisms and alternate idea's. Always nice to dream.

[Cruise]

A question for the rail buffs:

When the metro train network is electrified could we still have the old Diesel trains run along the routes for peak periods?


And for the Outer Harbour Line what id suggest is because Glanville station (also the closest station to Semaphore) has a third platform for trains to turn around at. I would increase services from Adelaide to Glanvile to every 15 minutes (the third platform is rarely used, only 3 times a day during the week, never on weekends) and have an express train from Adelaide to Glanville and then stop all stations to Outer Harbour every 30 minutes.

[Will409]

The cost of maintaining a dual power fleet would not be recommended, especially with diesel hauled trains in peak. The prime idea of electrification is to increase point to point speeds ands this applies to peak time more then any other. The only possible use for diesel traction that I could think of is for services such as a Barossa valley connecting service from Gawler to Angaston (based on the Melbourne-Frankston-Stonie Point services where at various times, the electric service at Frankston is met by a diesel hauled one to Stony Point). When we do convert, I doubt very much that the diesel fleet will be around. The 2000s will more then likely be withdrawn, the 3000s will more then likely be converted (they were designed with this in mind and are very heavily based on the 'Comeng' fleet in Melbourne) and we would most likely see new rollingstock introduced.

[bmw boy]

just sell the darn things! I'm sure they'll be a hit in india or somewhere like that lol

[Cruise]

The cost of maintaining a dual power fleet would not be recommended, especially with diesel hauled trains in peak. The prime idea of electrification is to increase point to point speeds ands this applies to peak time more then any other. The only possible use for diesel traction that I could think of is for services such as a Barossa valley connecting service from Gawler to Angaston (based on the Melbourne-Frankston-Stonie Point services where at various times, the electric service at Frankston is met by a diesel hauled one to Stony Point). When we do convert, I doubt very much that the diesel fleet will be around. The 2000s will more then likely be withdrawn, the 3000s will more then likely be converted (they were designed with this in mind and are very heavily based on the 'Comeng' fleet in Melbourne) and we would most likely see new rollingstock introduced.

Thanks that also answered what was to be my next question about converting the current rail cars to electic powered.
I didnt think that was possible.
cheers

[Bulldozer]

Thanks that also answered what was to be my next question about converting the current rail cars to electic powered.
I didnt think that was possible.

It's very possible as they're diesel-electric. The engine you can hear does nothing but run a generator. You take out the engine and generator, bolt on a couple of pantographs and Bob's your uncle. Well, it is a bit more involved than that, but it is possible.

I think that the models (2000's? ) that use the powercars can't be converted without going to a lot of trouble as they have a hydraulic drive or something, which is why the engine revs up when they move. I don't think there's any traction power in the end carriages as they are very quiet. In the other models (3000's?) the engine stays at a constant rev.

I'm just guessing at that though, I'm sure one of our rail buffs will correct me if I'm wrong

[Shuz]

Breaking Idea!

On the Noarlunga line, where it adjoins the Belair line at Sasmee Park - a new rail line could go underground straight through up past Goodwood Rd, deviating east under Arthur Street, and deviating north at Unley Oval to run under George Street and onto Hutt Street (CBD) deviating again west after Rundle Street and under the North Terrace Cultural Precient through to the Adelaide Railway Station, at a length of 7.4km.

Stations would be at

Victoria St/Goodwood Rd intersection (near the Capri Theatre)
Unley Shopping Centre
Unley Oval
Greenhill Road
Halifax Street
Pirie Street
Adelaide University
Adelaide Station

Its like an inner-city subway/city loop, but would require higher density development throughout these areas to warrant sufficient patronage to make it feasible.

Thoughts?

[jimmy_2486]

hey, any idea is a good one.

Maybe get us a map drawn up.