News & Discussion: Adelaide Metro Trains

[Saltwater]

Is it wishful thinking that in time the OH line could be extended across Outer Harbor towards Two Wells and Buckland Park?

In any case, converting the existing OH line through to Outer Harbour as light rail makes the most sense. How it then integrates with the existing light rail around Bowden / Hindmarsh is the great unknown. I really feel they messed up in not properly integrating the Ent Cent extension with the OH line in any way when that was built.

The branch to Grange I feel will become a distant memory. Unfortunately Woodville is no Parramatta, so anyone travelling from Grange / Seaton to the CBD has to do a massive detour with no real benefit in terms of passengers alighting along the way. Plus its mainly low density residential along there, plus golf courses, and the line doesn't even go to the beach. Enhanced buses along the line would work fine as a replacement, perhaps with some kind of priority along Port Road, and then feeding onto the tram / OH line.

Perhaps in time a light rail extension along HBR to Henley Beach, with a branch to the airport could take some of the passenger traffic from Grange and relieving congestion along Grange Road through Findon and Hindmarsh.

[claybro]

The light rail concept of OH really has been discussed as nauseum here, and regardless of our personal favoured opinion, it was pretty much quashed by the dithering of the previous government. Also the proposal for the heavy rail port Adelaide spur cemented the corridor as heavy rail even under Labour. As it didn't progress from the "coast to coast " original concept, various discussion papers and options all gathered dust while funding was funnelled elsewhere then removed by the federal govrrnment. This horse had bolted. The longer the Libs are in power, the more at risk Grange spur is and the OH line will rot with sub standard stations and rolling stock for the foreseeable future. As for the previous poster "Woodville is not Parramatta " .. correct. But it could be so much more than it is, and this is part of Adelaides problem in its interaction with the rail system overall.

[Bob]

If the real vision is to regenerate Port Adelaide as a major hub then it is worth considering:

Adding the Port Dock line back and make electrification from ARS to Port Dock a priority.

Expand the original Port Dock transport hub vision for local area PT via bus to connect to PD rail for immediate effect.

Close the Grange branch line because as discussed previously, it no longer serves an end of line major hub or destination in its truncated form, nor does it capture a large residential population within walking distance to the train and buses already serve HBR, GR & WL’s, they can be added to easily. By trying to keep this branch open it muddies the vision of upgrading ARS to PD due to significant extra costs required in an electrification plan.

Commercial St Port Adelaide to OH line leave for the time being as is, but speed up the Le Fevre Peninsula review of PT by Infrastructure SA, if at the end of that review electrification is required that can be stage 2, but it should not hold up or prevent stage 1 (ARS to PD) from going ahead.

The result would be two distinct rail services – ARS to PD as an electrified service and ARS to OH as a diesel service until the above review is completed.

At least PA as a major hub could leapfrog ahead in this scenario while the rest goes on in background.

[claybro]

If the real vision is to regenerate Port Adelaide as a major hub then it is worth considering:

Adding the Port Dock line back and make electrification from ARS to Port Dock a priority.

Expand the original Port Dock transport hub vision for local area PT via bus to connect to PD rail for immediate effect.

Close the Grange branch line because as discussed previously, it no longer serves an end of line major hub or destination in its truncated form, nor does it capture a large residential population within walking distance to the train and buses already serve HBR, GR & WL’s, they can be added to easily. By trying to keep this branch open it muddies the vision of upgrading ARS to PD due to significant extra costs required in an electrification plan.

Commercial St Port Adelaide to OH line leave for the time being as is, but speed up the Le Fevre Peninsula review of PT by Infrastructure SA, if at the end of that review electrification is required that can be stage 2, but it should not hold up or prevent stage 1 (ARS to PD) from going ahead.

The result would be two distinct rail services – ARS to PD as an electrified service and ARS to OH as a diesel service until the above review is completed.

At least PA as a major hub could leapfrog ahead in this scenario while the rest goes on in background.

If the real vision is to regenerate Port Adelaide as a major hub then it is worth considering:

Adding the Port Dock line back and make electrification from ARS to Port Dock a priority.

Expand the original Port Dock transport hub vision for local area PT via bus to connect to PD rail for immediate effect.

Close the Grange branch line because as discussed previously, it no longer serves an end of line major hub or destination in its truncated form, nor does it capture a large residential population within walking distance to the train and buses already serve HBR, GR & WL’s, they can be added to easily. By trying to keep this branch open it muddies the vision of upgrading ARS to PD due to significant extra costs required in an electrification plan.

Commercial St Port Adelaide to OH line leave for the time being as is, but speed up the Le Fevre Peninsula review of PT by Infrastructure SA, if at the end of that review electrification is required that can be stage 2, but it should not hold up or prevent stage 1 (ARS to PD) from going ahead.

The result would be two distinct rail services – ARS to PD as an electrified service and ARS to OH as a diesel service until the above review is completed.

At least PA as a major hub could leapfrog ahead in this scenario while the rest goes on in background.

Agree Port Dock should be a major hub. Under the previous plans though I'm not sure the station precinct was well planned for other retail services or local bus connections. Im not sure why the likes of Walker Corp can be encouraged to spend multi billions on a broad acre development on the edge of suburbia with no proposal for rail connection, and yet here we have an established rail corridor, to an area covered in government owned surplus land, adjacent to a high mix of heavy/light industry and retail-services (i.e. good employment prospects). A few billion revitalising Port dock and station surrounds could have made for a very attractive place to live and work.

[Spotto]

Considering that the Port Dock connection was severed and site works began on the government’s dime, then when the project was cancelled the connection was reinstated and the site reverted to its previous form on the government’s dime, any government that decides to bring the project back will have to think carefully about being accused of wasting more money.

[PeFe]

Night time closures of Outer Harbor and Grange trains March 01 - April 08.
I presume this is for the electrification of the remaining Adelaide train yard.

Outer Harbor and Grange line closures
When: From Monday 1 March 2021 to Thursday 8 April 2021

Affecting: OUTHA, GRNG


Night closures are required across the Outer Harbor and Grange rail line to assist with works on the Gawler Rail Electrification project.

Section of rail line: The full Outer Harbor and Grange line.
When: From approximately 9pm each night, from Monday 1 March to Friday 9 April 2021, inclusive. This includes Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.
Passenger services: After 9pm each night, substitute buses will be in place. Trains will then resume their normal services the following morning.
Please note, these closures will not take place during nights where AFL matches at Adelaide Oval are scheduled, to allow for Footy Express services:

20 March - Adelaide v Geelong
27 March - Port Adelaide v Essendon
02 April - Adelaide v Gold Coast
09 April - Port Adelaide v Richmond

Last train services before night closures
Below are the last trains that will operate each night before the closure:

7:12pm Adelaide to Outer Harbor service.
8:02pm Adelaide to Grange service.
7:58pm Outer Harbor to Adelaide service.
8:31pm Grange to Adelaide service.

https://adelaidemetro.com.au/Announceme ... -closures2

[Jacob_ULG3]

Night time closures of Outer Harbor and Grange trains March 01 - April 08.
I presume this is for the electrification of the remaining Adelaide train yard.

Outer Harbor and Grange line closures
When: From Monday 1 March 2021 to Thursday 8 April 2021

Affecting: OUTHA, GRNG


Night closures are required across the Outer Harbor and Grange rail line to assist with works on the Gawler Rail Electrification project.

Section of rail line: The full Outer Harbor and Grange line.
When: From approximately 9pm each night, from Monday 1 March to Friday 9 April 2021, inclusive. This includes Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.
Passenger services: After 9pm each night, substitute buses will be in place. Trains will then resume their normal services the following morning.
Please note, these closures will not take place during nights where AFL matches at Adelaide Oval are scheduled, to allow for Footy Express services:

20 March - Adelaide v Geelong
27 March - Port Adelaide v Essendon
02 April - Adelaide v Gold Coast
09 April - Port Adelaide v Richmond

Last train services before night closures
Below are the last trains that will operate each night before the closure:

7:12pm Adelaide to Outer Harbor service.
8:02pm Adelaide to Grange service.
7:58pm Outer Harbor to Adelaide service.
8:31pm Grange to Adelaide service.

https://adelaidemetro.com.au/Announceme ... -closures2

Yeah thats for the remaining portion of the Adelaide Rail yard and I believe they are putting the hangers and stringing the wiring while the line is closed for this entire month.
I noticed it on my drive in to the city last night all the yellow flashing lights and cranes on the existing portal structures. Still eager for the line to be open.

[Jacob_ULG3]

Even after they have done with the OH line for march they still have to shut the Belair, Seaford and Flinders lines to electrify the Junction spanning from the belair, Gawler and OH/Grange lines and shut the seaford and flinders lines to connect in overhead wiring to platform 5 as well cos platform 5 as we all know goes to all lines.

[Spotto]

How far will the electrification run along the OH/G tracks? Will it be the yard only or will it run up almost to Torrens Bridge to include the points that let trains move between the Gawler tracks, OH/G tracks and the yard's northern sidings (if they'll also be electrified)?

[Jacob_ULG3]

How far will the electrification run along the OH/G tracks? Will it be the yard only or will it run up almost to Torrens Bridge to include the points that let trains move between the Gawler tracks, OH/G tracks and the yard's northern sidings (if they'll also be electrified)?

I believe the electrification would be up until the bridge area over the river torrens. If you think about it Belair line is electrified to Goodwood and then the seaford electrification is then on its own. Similar scenario could happen to the outer harbour line. Even then its required cos you have the northern sidings in the yard, and the Junction where the outer harbour line has the chance to traverse over to the Gawler tracks. Usually in the northern yard peak hour trains stay there for the Gawler line or when the Osborne line runs but what train shunts there is anybody's guess.

[PD2/20]

How far will the electrification run along the OH/G tracks? Will it be the yard only or will it run up almost to Torrens Bridge to include the points that let trains move between the Gawler tracks, OH/G tracks and the yard's northern sidings (if they'll also be electrified)?

I believe the electrification would be up until the bridge area over the river torrens. If you think about it Belair line is electrified to Goodwood and then the seaford electrification is then on its own. Similar scenario could happen to the outer harbour line. Even then its required cos you have the northern sidings in the yard, and the Junction where the outer harbour line has the chance to traverse over to the Gawler tracks. Usually in the northern yard peak hour trains stay there for the Gawler line or when the Osborne line runs but what train shunts there is anybody's guess.

Yesterday the visible activity was creation of mast foundations E of Torrens Bridge beside the Port tracks. This suggests Port tracks will be electrified to Torrens Bri. Mast foundations on the Gawler side went in last year. The northern sidings access was put in in 2017 but has remained out of use ever since! Trains crossing fromom the Gawler tracks to Port tracks generally use crossovers at RAH but some use the Gaol crossovers.
This year has seen considerable electrification progress. Mast foundations have been completed recently at Dry Creek and Mawson I/C and the current overnight works should complete this phase of works S of Salisbury. Last month sections at Kilburn and Dry Creek North have been strung. There also signs of 25kV feeder works at Kilburn substation.

[Jacob_ULG3]

How far will the electrification run along the OH/G tracks? Will it be the yard only or will it run up almost to Torrens Bridge to include the points that let trains move between the Gawler tracks, OH/G tracks and the yard's northern sidings (if they'll also be electrified)?

I believe the electrification would be up until the bridge area over the river torrens. If you think about it Belair line is electrified to Goodwood and then the seaford electrification is then on its own. Similar scenario could happen to the outer harbour line. Even then its required cos you have the northern sidings in the yard, and the Junction where the outer harbour line has the chance to traverse over to the Gawler tracks. Usually in the northern yard peak hour trains stay there for the Gawler line or when the Osborne line runs but what train shunts there is anybody's guess.

Yesterday the visible activity was creation of mast foundations E of Torrens Bridge beside the Port tracks. This suggests Port tracks will be electrified to Torrens Bri. Mast foundations on the Gawler side went in last year. The northern sidings access was put in in 2017 but has remained out of use ever since! Trains crossing fromom the Gawler tracks to Port tracks generally use crossovers at RAH but some use the Gaol crossovers.
This year has seen considerable electrification progress. Mast foundations have been completed recently at Dry Creek and Mawson I/C and the current overnight works should complete this phase of works S of Salisbury. Last month sections at Kilburn and Dry Creek North have been strung. There also signs of 25kV feeder works at Kilburn substation.

Theres even been some stringing done between Port wakefield road and Mawson I/C as well. I reckon part of the OH line closure also involves stringing the OHW from Torrens Overpass section to North Adelaide. Theres even work done out to Elizabeth I/C as well. Maybe even further i dont know. What i do know is they have kept the existing masts and havent replaced those ones. I don't know if thats part of the plan but I could be wrong.

[ChillyPhilly]

Apparently enforcement has stepped up significantly on ticket/Metrocard validation.

Keolis Downer struggling already?

[adelaide transport]

Apparently enforcement has stepped up significantly on ticket/Metrocard validation.

Keolis Downer struggling already?
The 3 bus contractors have been doing thIs for last 3 months on instruction from SAPTA.
Blitz has nothing to do with Keolis Downer who are 'not struggling"

[Spotto]

Apparently enforcement has stepped up significantly on ticket/Metrocard validation.

Keolis Downer struggling already?

The government are still the ones who set the fares and ultimately collect the fares. Keolis Downer drive through trains, monitor fare evasion and everything else customer-facing. KD are paid a contracted amount by the government to do this. The government are the ones who ultimately lose out if fare collecting is sub par.

Considering how much more expensive running the trains privately will likely turn out being (I don’t believe for one second that it’ll save money), I’m not surprised if the government has told KD to clamp down on fare evasion. Collection quotas would also already be in their contract.