COM: Glenelg Tramline Upgrade

[BillD]

Adelaide's Flexity 111 derailed at the south parklands siding around 2:30 this afternoon.
Stand by for photos.
Bill

[rev]

I can see Pat Conlon taking the blame for all these recent troubles and resigning pretty soon, not that it is his direct fault, I mean the government and governments past, have all inherited a pretty piss poor excuse for a public transport system.
Either that, or the unlikely event we will get a massive injection of funding for the even more unlikely event that this state will actually see some real progress for the future.

Dont be surprised if John Howard in his desperation joins the band wagon the Advertiser have started and promises to fix everything if we vote for him.

[jimmy_2486]

I cannot believe the federal government would think having a PT system of this standard is acceptable and we dont need any funding? We have the most simple System out of the major Aus cities, but we seem to suffer the most problems??

This is a joke, the public is going to start to want answers and a overhaul! No wonder why we hate rail services....anyone around the world would, if they were stuck here with the services we have available!

[BillD]

The last wheels on the rear truck of Flexity 111 are off the rails following the derailment around 2:30 this afternoon. The bulk of 111 is in the siding, with the rear end fouling the main.

It was interesting to note that there was another Flexity already in the siding.

Shuttle tram 106 was parked in King William St as I left to post this.

[sam]

Well at least I did get my SMS from the Adelaide Metro today (@ 1600) - previous tram disruptions they haven't sent anything...

[jk1237]

This is bad. Similar to the incident at the Adelaide Station railyards, how can you have the points switch while a moving tram or train is travelling over it. Its a recipe for disaster. Whoever is responsible for the computer control design for the switches needs to be put up for attempted manslaughter. It cant happen ever ever again.

[Norman]

Isn't it still manual?

[jk1237]

Oh, I thought it went automatic from last weekend. Anyone know? And if there was already 1 tram in the siding, why was a 2nd tram (desto - Glenelg) also trying to get in there.
After work, I rode by on the way home. I got there just as the tram was put back properly on the tracks, and was able to be driven further into the siding by itself, so it looks like not much damage luckily.
But still, even if the driver went through a red signal, surely in year 2007, the system should know that there is something moving over the switch, and dont dare change until it detects no movement

[Norman]

And if there was already 1 tram in the siding, why was a 2nd tram (desto - Glenelg) also trying to get in there.

It looks like a Glenelg-bound Tram went through the switch too early, and the siding-bound switch was active. Just as the tram went over, the switch changed to Glenelg-bound and the derailment occurred. That's how I think it went.

[Adamo]

had to happen on race day when trams were running through the race course station.

the advertiser is probably going to blame patty haha

anyways saw today in the city that a blue paint line has been painted along KWS and it turns off to the right away from the trameline into north tce heading east

what is this blue line for? i wouldnt think its for the xmas pageant ?

[muzzamo]

its definately for the pageant it always has been

[Xaragmata]

what is this blue line for? i wouldnt think its for the xmas pageant ?

It is the blue "honour line" for the Pageant, used instead of physical barriers.

[BillD]

Oh, I thought it went automatic from last weekend. Anyone know?

Still manual jk1237. When I was at the incident today I could see wiring awaiting completion.
Word is that City-West transponder system is finished and will be tested over next couple of days.

[SRW]

I can see Pat Conlon taking the blame for all these recent troubles and resigning pretty soon, not that it is his direct fault, I mean the government and governments past, have all inherited a pretty piss poor excuse for a public transport system.

I'm not so sure. I don't think there's anyone else in the Government that would be able to take the heat; Conlon's faced some pretty severe flak, yet he's proven resilient and managed to limit the political damage. Once they start to invest in PT, then they might bring in a new face to maximise the sense of change and, hopefully, progress. But, for now, Conlon's the best bet, IMO.

Either that, or the unlikely event we will get a massive injection of funding for the even more unlikely event that this state will actually see some real progress for the future.

This is not so unlikely. Stay tuned for next year's budget.

Dont be surprised if John Howard in his desperation joins the band wagon the Advertiser have started and promises to fix everything if we vote for him.

We've probably seen the extent of the Coalition's infrastructure commitment to South Australia.

[Norman]

The brochures also apply the new look also seen with the timetables:

http://www.adelaidemetro.com.au/routes/ ... t_2007.pdf