News & Discussion: Adelaide Metro Trains

[Joelmark]

On a side note, looking carefully through the budget papers $10 million has been allocated in the next two financial years to “retrofit energy storage and recovery systems to diesel rail cars to reduce fuel consumption and improve performance” ( p58 of the Budget Measures Statement). That would mean I guess making the 3000 class as “green” as possible, probably to see them through to their end life not long after 2030. The first 3000 cars were introduced in 1987, so 43 odd years wouldn’t be a bad run.

[1NEEDS2POST]

On a side note, looking carefully through the budget papers $10 million has been allocated in the next two financial years to “retrofit energy storage and recovery systems to diesel rail cars to reduce fuel consumption and improve performance” ( p58 of the Budget Measures Statement). That would mean I guess making the 3000 class as “green” as possible, probably to see them through to their end life not long after 2030. The first 3000 cars were introduced in 1987, so 43 odd years wouldn’t be a bad run.

The railcars are diesel-electric, so does that mean they are fitting batteries to them? Does anyone have more information on this?

[claybro]

On a side note, looking carefully through the budget papers $10 million has been allocated in the next two financial years to “retrofit energy storage and recovery systems to diesel rail cars to reduce fuel consumption and improve performance” ( p58 of the Budget Measures Statement). That would mean I guess making the 3000 class as “green” as possible, probably to see them through to their end life not long after 2030. The first 3000 cars were introduced in 1987, so 43 odd years wouldn’t be a bad run.

The railcars are diesel-electric, so does that mean they are fitting batteries to them? Does anyone have more information on this?

This confused me as well. I understood the 3000 series were always diesel electric which by definition means they already have energy storage and recovery systems..This sounds more like required upgrade maintenance to old systems to keep these old bangers going, making it sound like a green program while they keep ignoring electrification of the remaining lines.

[Spotto]

Not sure if these have been posted but somebody in the marketing department knows their stuff. Clean and simple posters that tells you what you need to know, and more detailed timetables for Seaford and Belair are also around if needed. Plus a good use of the new mode symbols.

Only criticism would be not using the new standard font. Otherwise these are leagues above what Adelaide usually receives.

[PD2/20]

Not sure if these have been posted but somebody in the marketing department knows their stuff. Clean and simple posters that tells you what you need to know, and more detailed timetables for Seaford and Belair are also around if needed. Plus a good use of the new mode symbols.

Only criticism would be not using the new standard font. Otherwise these are leagues above what Adelaide usually receives.

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CD059879-9FBF-4FD4-9B99-0F4880D863C4.jpeg

However the Belair line notice does not tally with the information currently on the website at https://adelaidemetro.com.au/Announceme ... e-closures. The website indicates trains will be running between Goodwood and Belair with buses between Mitcham and the City. Connections will be possible to the Seaford trains running from Showgrounds.

Section of rail line: The Belair line will be closed between Adelaide Railway Station and Goodwood Station.

When:

Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 July 2021
Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 July 2021
Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 July 2021

Passenger services: Trains will be operating between Belair and Goodwood Station, with substitute buses operating between Mitcham Station and Adelaide Railway Station. Substitute buses will service the substitute bus stops for Unley Park, Millswood, Goodwood and Adelaide Showgrounds. Passengers traveling from Goodwood to the City can access the Seaford line service.

Unlike the April closures when only Brighton - Seaford was running, the forthcoming will see Showgrounds - Seaford and Goodwood - Belair trains running over the weekends.

[PD2/20]

The railcars are diesel-electric, so does that mean they are fitting batteries to them? Does anyone have more information on this?

This confused me as well. I understood the 3000 series were always diesel electric which by definition means they already have energy storage and recovery systems..This sounds more like required upgrade maintenance to old systems to keep these old bangers going, making it sound like a green program while they keep ignoring electrification of the remaining lines.

Historically diesel electric railcars and locomotives had generators and DC motors. Once power semicoductors became available aleternators and AC motors were used. In neither case was storage used for traction current. Batteries were only used for auxiliary supplies such as engine starting, control equipment and lighting. The 3000s are in this category with AC equipment. Modern battery developments have made possible hybrid electric automotives and light rail in recent years but traction batteries have not been widely adopted yet for heavy rail. The main benefit of energy recovery would be for frequently stopping services although such services are prime candidates for electrification.

[SBD]

The railcars are diesel-electric, so does that mean they are fitting batteries to them? Does anyone have more information on this?

This confused me as well. I understood the 3000 series were always diesel electric which by definition means they already have energy storage and recovery systems..This sounds more like required upgrade maintenance to old systems to keep these old bangers going, making it sound like a green program while they keep ignoring electrification of the remaining lines.

Historically diesel electric railcars and locomotives had generators and DC motors. Once power semicoductors became available aleternators and AC motors were used. In neither case was storage used for traction current. Batteries were only used for auxiliary supplies such as engine starting, control equipment and lighting. The 3000s are in this category with AC equipment. Modern battery developments have made possible hybrid electric automotives and light rail in recent years but traction batteries have not been widely adopted yet for heavy rail. The main benefit of energy recovery would be for frequently stopping services although such services are prime candidates for electrification.

Downhill from Belair should be able to recover significant energy. Is that energy that currently dissipates as heat and worn brakepads? If the recovery efficiency can be reasonably high, that could become an argument for electrifying the standard gauge between Adelaide and Monarto. It could become an electric asynchronous equivalent to a funicular with two tracks connected by a cable so that the full car descending hauls the empty one up. Descending trains could provide the electricity to lift another train to MT Lofty, without having to carry their own batteries.

[AndyWelsh]

Remember when we had the idea for this sign to be restored with neon and lit up?






Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[claybro]

Thanks Andy! I just love how the station has turned out. Well done to all involved!

[Llessur2002]

Woo hoo

[Spotto]

Was at Showground station yesterday on Platforms 2 & 3 waiting to head into town when a lady came down the stairs onto the platform; both the inbound Belair and Seaford trains were both due on Platforms 2 & 3 at the same time so both screens said "Adelaide, next train in 5 minutes". She took a while looking between both screens slightly confused so I asked her where she was going and she said "Blackwood, but I don't know what platform, both screens say Adelaide." She doesn't take the trains often, so I explained that the Belair line platforms go both directions and told her what she needed to know.

This is about the third time recently I've helped some poor soul who's been confused by our poorly-designed departure screens. If the section with departures after the next train wasn't in small print, shoved into the bottom corner and not clearly labeled people might actually be able to find their train easier. Melbourne and Sydney both have well-designed departure screen layouts that are easy to follow, taking some inspiration from those would be a good starting point.

[Eurostar]

Was at Showground station yesterday on Platforms 2 & 3 waiting to head into town when a lady came down the stairs onto the platform; both the inbound Belair and Seaford trains were both due on Platforms 2 & 3 at the same time so both screens said "Adelaide, next train in 5 minutes". She took a while looking between both screens slightly confused so I asked her where she was going and she said "Blackwood, but I don't know what platform, both screens say Adelaide." She doesn't take the trains often, so I explained that the Belair line platforms go both directions and told her what she needed to know.

This is about the third time recently I've helped some poor soul who's been confused by our poorly-designed departure screens. If the section with departures after the next train wasn't in small print, shoved into the bottom corner and not clearly labeled people might actually be able to find their train easier. Melbourne and Sydney both have well-designed departure screen layouts that are easy to follow, taking some inspiration from those would be a good starting point.

5 minutes before the train arrives there should be audio announcements

[Spotto]

Was at Showground station yesterday on Platforms 2 & 3 waiting to head into town when a lady came down the stairs onto the platform; both the inbound Belair and Seaford trains were both due on Platforms 2 & 3 at the same time so both screens said "Adelaide, next train in 5 minutes". She took a while looking between both screens slightly confused so I asked her where she was going and she said "Blackwood, but I don't know what platform, both screens say Adelaide." She doesn't take the trains often, so I explained that the Belair line platforms go both directions and told her what she needed to know.

This is about the third time recently I've helped some poor soul who's been confused by our poorly-designed departure screens. If the section with departures after the next train wasn't in small print, shoved into the bottom corner and not clearly labeled people might actually be able to find their train easier. Melbourne and Sydney both have well-designed departure screen layouts that are easy to follow, taking some inspiration from those would be a good starting point.

5 minutes before the train arrives there should be audio announcements

She was waiting for the next-next train so she would’ve been left not knowing for longer than that.

[Norman]

This is definitely a case where a station departures screen, not just platform departures screens would be useful. A good pickup, maybe someone should send some feedback to Adelaide Metro/DIT.

[SBD]

This is definitely a case where a station departures screen, not just platform departures screens would be useful. A good pickup, maybe someone should send some feedback to Adelaide Metro/DIT.

I suspect that this is one of very few stations on the Adelaide network that has trains going to destinations in both directions from one platform, and has trains on another platform. That probably means it needs a different destination board solution than almost every other station. Maybe the single-track non-terminus sign just needs a bit of a layout change to make it show the "other" direction a bit larger and more obvious.