News & Discussion: Adelaide Metro Trains

[Archer]

The Noarlunga Line is now Closed, Rail has been removed from Noarlunga station through to just past Flaxmill road overpass, with Sleepers being removed through the Christie Downs station area today. There have also been workers on the line through to the Dyson Road/Lonsdale Highway Overpass, not certain what was actually happening up that far though.

I don't know if there is any track work happening further along the line or at the Brighton end of the works though, haven't been down that far yet.

[Pistol]

Will be interesting to see how they move those cannibalised cars from the Adelaide railyard.

[Norman]

You'd assume that the Elizabeth and Munno Para stations will be upgraded when the Gawler Line partially closes later this year. It did say something about the stations being upgraded in 2011, but I can't be 100% sure.

[HeapsGood]

im really, really hating the buses atm. Inefficient slow pieces of crap wiht large waiting periods in between. 6 months to wait for the Noar Line renovation...ugh.

[Will]

im really, really hating the buses atm. Inefficient slow pieces of crap wiht large waiting periods in between. 6 months to wait for the Noar Line renovation...ugh.

No pain, no gain.

[rubberman]

I am sorry, but I cannot let that pass.

The hills line, the Gawler line, and the Noarlunga lines were allowed to decay so badly that this method of renewal was inevitable.

However, allowing those lines to decay that far was NOT inevitable and was a gross failure to plan and allocate resources. There is no reason why these lines could not have been properly maintained, and with rolling rail/sleeper/subgrade replacement, a reasonable standard of service maintained at all times.

[Waewick]

but they did and they are so what is going on needs to happen

hopefully it doesn't happen again in the future.

but that doesn't take away from the people put out by the upgrades.

i'm still waiting for my tram/train to Unley.

[HeapsGood]

It also seems like the bus waits and traffic in Adelaide is worse as a result of the Noar line renovation. (people who hate the bus are now just driving into town).

Spent about 2 hours getting home from Adelaide last night.

No pain, no gain.

[rhino]

Work on Adelaide's electrified rail network to begin next year
DANIEL WILLS, POLITICAL REPORTER From: AdelaideNow February 10, 2011 2:19PM

ELECTRIFICATION of Adelaide's rail network will start next year with the State Government awarding a major construction contract.

Federal Transport Minister Anthony Albanese and state counterpart Pat Conlon said the $10.2 million project development contract for electrification had been awarded to Laing O'Rourke.

Mr Albanese said the company had over 30 years experience designing and constructing electrified rail systems nationally and overseas.

"The Adelaide rail electrification project will deliver long lasting benefits for the Adelaide transport network: modernizing the lines, benefiting the environment and enhancing lifestyle in Adelaide" he said.

"It is also delivering jobs and bringing international companies to SA."

The system will cover over more than 100 kilometres of track from Gawler to Seaford, and Adelaide to Outer Harbor.

Mr Conlon said the next phase of the project would deliver about 100 jobs.

"This work represents the nuts and bolts of electrification the poles and wires and signalling and communication systems required to run a state-of-the-art electric rail system complete with brand new trains," he said.

"In around two years electric trains will be part of a multi-billion dollar network providing faster, more efficient, greener, more frequent and safer bus, train and tram services."

The first electrified services will run on the new Seaford rail line in 2013, and on the Noarlunga and Gawler lines later that year, with electrification of the Outer Harbor line to be completed in 2015.

The electrification project includes provision of a 25,000 volt overhead wiring system to the metropolitan passenger rail network.

[Aidan]

im really, really hating the buses atm. Inefficient slow pieces of crap wiht large waiting periods in between. 6 months to wait for the Noar Line renovation...ugh.

No pain, no gain.

No comfort. The pain will outweigh the gain.
No sense. The gain could be achieved without the pain.

[AG]

The first electrified services will run on the new Seaford rail line in 2013, and on the Noarlunga and Gawler lines later that year, with electrification of the Outer Harbor line to be completed in 2015.

That seems a strange order to be commencing electric rail services. Unless a shuttle service is going to be operated between Seaford and Noarlunga until the rest of the line is completely electrified.

[Will]

im really, really hating the buses atm. Inefficient slow pieces of crap wiht large waiting periods in between. 6 months to wait for the Noar Line renovation...ugh.

No pain, no gain.

No comfort. The pain will outweigh the gain.
No sense. The gain could be achieved without the pain.

Upgrading the line without closing it would still result in delays, but it would also result in the upgrade taking longer to complete and being more expensive.

I understand that people have been inconvenienced by this, but it would be nice if people could see the bigger picture.

[fabricator]

The first electrified services will run on the new Seaford rail line in 2013, and on the Noarlunga and Gawler lines later that year, with electrification of the Outer Harbor line to be completed in 2015.

That seems a strange order to be commencing electric rail services. Unless a shuttle service is going to be operated between Seaford and Noarlunga until the rest of the line is completely electrified.

A new depot is to be built at Seaford, next to the Noarlunga Council's Work Depot, so the electric trains will be based there. No big deal to run them as shuttle trains to Noarlunga and tow the new trains back to Dry Creek for maintenance using the Jumbos.

[Aidan]

No pain, no gain.

No comfort. The pain will outweigh the gain.
No sense. The gain could be achieved without the pain.

Upgrading the line without closing it would still result in delays,

Small delays, not the enormous delays we're currently stuck with.

but it would also result in the upgrade taking longer to complete

This would not be a problem at all.

and being more expensive.

If cost is the most important thing, the do nothing option is far superior.

I understand that people have been inconvenienced by this, but it would be nice if people could see the bigger picture.

I can see the bigger picture as clearly as you can. The difference is that I haven't let it blind me to everything else.

Even if you think closure is justified, do you really think closing the line all the way to Oaklands (rather than Brighton) is justified?
Do you think slowing down the trains by making them stop more (mostly all) stations between Oaklands and Adelaide is justified?
Do you think running the replacement buses down three streets affected by roadworks is justified?

Just how bad would it have to be before you admit it's a complete cockup?

[Archer]

Even if you think closure is justified, do you really think closing the line all the way to Oaklands (rather than Brighton) is justified?

Ah yes, As Brighton station wasn't included in the stage one upgrades around the Oaklands area, hence he track through Brighton station will be being ripped up. If I recall the previous upgrade only went as far south as the Jetty Road level crossing.

Stage one works on the Noarlunga line were completed in December 2009 and included the upgrade of Goodwood Junction, Oaklands Interchange to Sturt Creek Bridge and Jetty Road to Brighton Road.

Stage two will involve the section of line between Noarlunga Centre Interchange and Jetty Road, Brighton and is expected to take approximately six months to complete.