News & Discussion: Adelaide Metro Trains

[Will409]

Let's just say that even when Mitsubishi was still operating, you could count the number of people using the train with one hand.

[monotonehell]

Let's just say that even when Mitsubishi was still operating, you could count the number of people using the train with one hand.

I guess that they were all shift workers and trains (or buses for that matter) don't run for most shifts. Morning shift starts before PT, evening shift ends after they stop running. PT is useless for shift workers.

[AtD]

There are several office blocks on the other side of Sturt Road, which generate a bit of patronage for the Tonsley line, including yours truly. However, there's a lot staff in said office blocks who are totally unaware of the line's existence.

[Wayno]

realise i'm going off topic here (feel free to point me to the appropriate thread) but the tonsley rail line is sooo enticingly close to the Flinders Uni and Hospital, and with little in the way as well! - surely it could be extended. A modest cost for maximum benefit. Maybe one stop at the Research Park (near the police station), and tunnel under South Rd to a hospital/university terminus

tonsley-extension.JPG (90.96 KiB) Viewed 2192 times

[AtD]

We've been thinking the same thing for years, Wayno.

[Norman]

Why is the blue line on the Sturt Creek?

[monotonehell]

Isn't it too steep for trains up to Flinders?

[Norman]

Wayno mentioned a tunnel, but, yes, Flinders Hill is too steep for a ground level train/light rail.

[Wayno]

Why is the blue line on the Sturt Creek?

Google Earth option: Primary Database / Places of Interest / Geographic Features / Water Bodies

[skyliner]

realise i'm going off topic here (feel free to point me to the appropriate thread) but the tonsley rail line is sooo enticingly close to the Flinders Uni and Hospital, and with little in the way as well! - surely it could be extended. A modest cost for maximum benefit. Maybe one stop at the Research Park (near the police station), and tunnel under South Rd to a hospital/university terminus

tonsley-extension.JPG

A fantastic and I'd say lucrative idea Wayno. Love it!!

Correct me if I'm Wrong, but I understand there is a fault line through the open area bounded buy Marion, Sturt and South roads - the suggested direction of the extended Tonley line. Till approx. 1990's only used for orchards, with building banned. I have seen geologist's reports on the whole area down to Stanvac - maybe 20 or so parallel faults. The fault of concern was considered a risk area due to potential activity. Tunnel here.....interesting? But then they built Flinders Hos. and the uni on the faults next door didn't they?

ADELAIDE - CITY ON THE MOVE

[nevillness]

The tonsley line has a lot of potential though.. They could get 5x as much patronage if they extended it 100m south into an interchange, there are a tremendous amount of buses that pass through there.

I recently attended a meeting with the Vice Chancellor of Flinders University and several other students. One student at this meeting questioned the Vice Chancellor on the growing transport problems at the university (both parking and public transport).

During the discussion the Vice Chancellor informed us that with the closure of the Mitsubishi plant the State Government is again looking at options to extend the Tonsley Line. One option they are considering is to redirect the Tonsley Line through the Mitsubishi site and up to the university.

He was very optimistic about something eventually happening because of the State Government’s strengthening finances. However he said the plans were in the very early stages, and nothing will probably happen for a few years.

[SRW]

Ideas of a Tonsley line extension/interchange have been circulating for years, and had actually begun to be seriously investigated around the time the Liberals lost power in 2002. Shame it wasn't looked into further. It'd be a tremendously worthwhile piece of infrastructure, IMO.

I know that we treading slightly away from the purpose of this thread, but it has occurred to me recently that if the line were to be extended through Science Park, it would need to be elevated across Sturt Road (presuming that an extension would bring increased frequencies, and that the proposed Sturt/South grade separation occurs). If so, then there's not really much point in bringing it back down, and it could then easily continue elevated (like, off the top of my head, Airtrain at Brissy Airport) across South Road and terminate somewhere near the FMC interchange. Doing so would not preclude also constructing a much larger interchange back over South Road in Science Park (with substantial park'n'ride facilities).

[Wayno]

Ideas of a Tonsley line extension/interchange have been circulating for years, and had actually begun to be seriously investigated around the time the Liberals lost power in 2002. Shame it wasn't looked into further. It'd be a tremendously worthwhile piece of infrastructure, IMO.

I know that we treading slightly away from the purpose of this thread, but it has occurred to me recently that if the line were to be extended through Science Park, it would need to be elevated across Sturt Road (presuming that an extension would bring increased frequencies, and that the proposed Sturt/South grade separation occurs). If so, then there's not really much point in bringing it back down, and it could then easily continue elevated (like, off the top of my head, Airtrain at Brissy Airport) across South Road and terminate somewhere near the FMC interchange. Doing so would not preclude also constructing a much larger interchange back over South Road in Science Park (with substantial park'n'ride facilities).

or alternatively tunnel under sturt rd & south rd? would certainly look better.

[muzzamo]

but tunnelling would have to be dearer... Airtrain at brissy airport was what i was thinking of too

[urban]

While I generally hate transport infrastructure being elevated above ground, it may be the best option here as it might reduce the gradient of the track enough to enable the train to reach Flinders Uni and Medical Centre. This would ensure high levels of commuters in both directions during peak hour.