News & Discussion: Adelaide Metro Trains

[Norman]

As I've said before, there will be some major announcements regarding transport leading up to the next election, probably regarding the Barossa Line and trams to the port.

[Shuz]

Regarding Seaford Rail Extension; extracted from the National Infrastructure Priorities listings.

Seaford Rail Extension - The South Australian Government is planning to accommodate a sizeable
proportion of Adelaide’s forecast population growth in the outer southern areas of the city. This growth, and rising demand for commuting in these outer
areas, has resulted in the development of solutions to encourage a large number of people to use the public transport system. These are aimed at reducing the current reliance on private car travel in these outer areas. The extension of the existing Noarlunga line to Seaford caters for this forecast urban development and
encourages the shift to rail transport. The Seaford Rail Extension is a 5.5 kilometre dual track electrified railway extension with a viaduct over the Onkaparinga River, multiple rail bridges and two stations at Seaford Meadows and Seaford Terminus.

I'm intrigued they mention multiple rail bridges - there won't be any level crossings?

[Norman]

Yeah, railway crossings are a thing of the past now, especially in metro areas. Most new rail links are over or underpassed.

[fabricator]

The same is true for major roads crossing the tracks, hence the road bridge at Mawson Lakes.

[Will409]

The DTEI website has been updated with some additional information as well as an artists' impression of Blackwood station.

http://www.infrastructure.sa.gov.au/RR/ ... ion/belair

Renewal of the Belair line (between Goodwood and Belair) is one of the first stages of the State Government’s $2 billion investment in public transport to be rolled out over a ten year period.

This project is a complete reconstruction of the existing Belair line, which includes:

*upgrading the track formation (base-layer) and ballast (rock material under the sleepers)
*improving drainage
*improving the track geometry and alignment within the existing rail corridor
*installing over 20,000 new long-life, gauge convertible concrete sleepers and new rail.

Renewal of the Belair line will provide reliable and comfortable services for commuters well into the future.


Belair line station upgrades

While the Belair line track upgrade is taking place, improvements will be made at some railway stations.

Blackwood Station upgrade will include:

*a facelift which takes into consideration the heritage value of the buildings
*restoration of the heritage building, which includes painting the exterior, refurbishing the roof and re-instating the windows including a protective screen.
*re-painting the pedestrian walkway overpass
*installing a new shelter on the island platform, which will open sight lines and increase security at the station.

The Blackwood Station will also receive a number of access improvements, particularly benefiting people with a disability and families with prams. These improvements will include:

*lighting upgrade across the whole site
*improved access between the train and platform by reducing the height difference
*security upgrade through installation of improved CCTV surveillance system
*installation of tactile ground surface indicators
*improved signage
*improved access on the ramps adjacent to the platforms
*fencing and mazeway improvements
*upgraded seating and allocation of wheelchair accessible shelter spaces
*hearing loop (voice announcement) upgrade
*improvements to bus interchange area.

The Blackwood Park ‘n’ Ride will be expanded to accommodate an additional 40 cars. This includes minor road works to provide easier and safer access to the car park at Main Road, Blackwood.

Coromandel Valley station upgrade will include:

*lighting upgrade
*installation of the tactile ground surface indicators
*mazeway upgrade
*improved signage
*improved access on the ramp to enter and exit platform area
*upgraded seating in shelters.

Eden Hills Station upgrade will include:

*a new shelter
*lighting upgrade
*installation of the tactile ground surface indicators
*mazeway upgrade
*improved signage
*fencing maintenance
*improved access on the ramp to enter and exit platform area
*upgraded seating in shelters.

Preliminary works at the stations are currently being undertaken. Train passengers are advised that some upgrade works will continue at these stations after the Belair line re-opens in August 2009 - these works will not have any impact on passenger train services.

[Norman]

Thanks Will. The new shelter looks much nicer than what is there at the moment.

[muzzamo]

That picture implies that suburban trains stop both sides of the track..

[deano91]

They do at Blackwood. There are 3 tracks there, to enable 2 trains to pass, with the freight track passing on the other side of the island platform.

[Shuz]

That looks epically boring. Nothing's worse than trying to 'compliment' heritage with more heritage-like features and the such. But I'm sure it's better than what's there at the moment.

[Norman]

I'm not sure what you expected, Shuz, it's not exactly well used and is located in a low-density area.

[Will409]

Despite the at times miserable weather, I took a few photos along the Belair line today.

Spare ballast hopper at Belair between the station and the railcar depot.


Ballasted track at Belair.



Temporary pedestrian crossing and ballasted track at Glenalta.



Parallel running track machines with the ballast tamper on the broad gauge and the excavator on the standard gauge.



Trackwork at Blackwood station.



Unballasted track at Eden Hills.




Sleepers being laid at the Belair end of Lynton station.


Temporary pedestrian crossing at Lynton at the Belair end of the platform (where the previous photo was taken from).


Preparations being made prior to rebuilding the level crossing at Lynton.


Track bed cleared out and prepared at Mitcham.


All of the above photographs were taken from 'behind the fence' in case anyone is wondering.

[deano91]

Great pics there Will, they're coming along with the work at quite a good pace.

Does anyone know if they are still on target for reopening the line in August? I know the weather hasn't really been that bad, so surely there can't have been too many delays?

[Aidan]

Great pics there Will, they're coming along with the work at quite a good pace.

Does anyone know if they are still on target for reopening the line in August? I know the weather hasn't really been that bad, so surely there can't have been too many delays?

Yes, it's still on target.

[fabricator]

If anything the wet weather would have helped, as it does keep the dust on the ground where it belongs. The sleepers and track don't mind getting wet either.

[Wayno]

excuse my ignorance - can someone please explain this to me...

What's the history of railway track gauges in south australia, and what's the future have in hold? will this resleepering bring all SA rail onto a single gauge (and which one - narrow, broad, standard? and how wide is it?), and will it be the same for commercial trains and all public rail transport (suburban trains and trams). Also, are other states heading in the same direction (ahead or behind) ourselves?

thanks in advance for the education