News & Discussion: Adelaide Metro Trains

[ChillyPhilly]

For the OH and Grange lines it's probably worth looking at new/better pedestrian bridges and station access, along with modernised stations.

The traffic and crossing lights at Trimmer Parade and Tapleys Hill Road are very poorly coordinated.

The down train causes the boom gates to lower before it gets to Seaton Park. Then it stops at the station. All the while, traffic builds up. Given that trains always stop at Seaton Park, the down train signal and boom gate activation could wait till the train leaves the station. Obviously, up trains aren't affected.

Then, once a train has passed, it seems that the cycle resets to Tapleys Hill Road even if it was Trimmer Parade's "turn". It should just continue the existing sequence.

I used to live very close to this intersection and can confirm it is terrible.

[baytram366]

I too used to live basically on top of this intersection (in the block of units at 263) and it was terrible then (almost ten years ago) and is worse now. The huge delay for trains to stop at the Seaton Park station as the lights go red is insane. I understand from a train driver friend that all of the railway crossings in Adelaide are signaled with express trains in mind and that is why the barriers go down very early. However, the Grange line doesn't have any express trains so either my friend is wrong or the signals need to be re calibrated for an all-stopper service.

[[Shuz]]

Maybe the next billion dollar investment should be into HCRS (High Capacity Rail Signalling). Basically it eliminates the need for pole-to-pole signals which require a train to pass through a set block before the next one is permitted. The system works by having signals installed within the front and rear end of trains at a set distance, permitting more trains to travel.

The new Melbourne Metro tunnels have this feature.

[rev]

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit? ... sp=sharing

Google map showing all the trains lines of SA, posted by VoyagersType123 on Reddit.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Adelaide/comme ... e_to_ever/

[VinyTapestry849]

SA government visits InnoTrans 2024

The South Australian Government visited Berlin to attend the InnoTrans 2024– International Trade Fair for Transport Technology, to discuss options to build the next generation of South Australia’s rail fleet using emerging and innovative technologies.

Tom Koutsantonis Infrastructure and Transport Minister visited the world’s largest trade fair for transport technology from the 24-27 September 2024, along with thousands of top Australian and international representatives from business, science and politics.

Visitors also included senior executives from major rail manufacturers and operators from some of the world’s biggest rail companies.


Koutsantonis attended as part of the Australasian Railway Association’s 160-strong delegation, along with Department for Infrastructure and Transport Chief Executive Officer Jon Whelan and South Australia’s Agent-General to London David Ridgway.

High-level meetings were held with a range of rail companies, including Alstom, Siemens, Keolis, ABB, Talgo, Downer, Mott MacDonald and Hyundai Rotem.

A key part of discussions focussed on the government’s priority to progress the rollout of battery electric trains more broadly in South Australia.

Battery electric trains have the potential to expand the existing rail network without the need to install expensive new overhead gantries and additional infrastructure – and without the necessity of closing lines.


An array of options to fast-track the replacement of the existing legacy fleet were presented, which will complement the announced planning study examining options for extending outer metropolitan and regional routes including the Seaford and Gawler lines and Adelaide to Mount Barker.

Koutsantonis said the government is impatient to roll out battery electric trains across the South Australian network.

“To understand how this can be done without expensive infrastructure costs and line closures,” he said.

“A series of positive, face-to-face meetings with senior executives from rail companies with whom South Australia has a fruitful track record has thrown up some exciting options to achieve this sooner rather than later.


“As the existing diesel fleet reaches end of life in the coming years, these options are not merely abstract ideas but realistic blueprints for South Australia’s rail future.”

[RetroGamer87]

What's the downside of having battery powered trains?

[PeFe]

The reliability of recharging on the run?

[Spotto]

Surely the sensible thing would be to electrify to Port Dock with more of the current EMUs, and use these battery trains on the remaining non-electrified network?

[rubberman]

What's the downside of having battery powered trains?

The size and weight of the batteries, as well as the charging requirements (charging time, infrastructure).

If you are hauling an extra 10 Tonne of batteries up and down the hills, it's pretty inefficient.

Like a lot of things, the outlook for battery technology improvement is key to success.

[PD2/20]

Surely the sensible thing would be to electrify to Port Dock with more of the current EMUs, and use these battery trains on the remaining non-electrified network?

It wouldn't really make sense to just electrify he Port Dock line and leave the OH, Grange and peak Osborne as diesel services under the wires to Woodville and Alberton. Electrifying the entire group of services would make much more sense. I see no significant obstacle to wire right out to OH. However the part of the Grange line across the Royal Adelaide Golf Club could be more problematic to electrify.

[Spotto]

Surely the sensible thing would be to electrify to Port Dock with more of the current EMUs, and use these battery trains on the remaining non-electrified network?

It wouldn't really make sense to just electrify he Port Dock line and leave the OH, Grange and peak Osborne as diesel services under the wires to Woodville and Alberton. Electrifying the entire group of services would make much more sense. I see no significant obstacle to wire right out to OH. However the part of the Grange line across the Royal Adelaide Golf Club could be more problematic to electrify.

The diesel trains won’t last forever and will eventually need replacement. Bi-mode trains could always be an option to make use of the electrical infrastructure where possible.

[ChillyPhilly]

Rail corridor from Seaford to Sellicks as shown in the draft Greater Adelaide Regional Plan. Click for bigger.

[PeFe]

That map doesn't look quite right.

I am sure the corridor heads due south from Seaford and does not curve towards South Rd as this map indicates.

[ChillyPhilly]

That map doesn't look quite right.

I am sure the corridor heads due south from Seaford and does not curve towards South Rd as this map indicates.

It does curve towards Main South Road. Due south of Seaford is suburban development. There is this reservation for the corridor already.

[Waewick]

If they extend it that far , does the frequency of the Trains to day Noarlunga get impacted negatively?

Or would they do express past Noarlunga ?