Sensational-Adelaide.com

Hi All
Finally got a decent day off to have a good look at the works along the Noarlunga Line today. Things have moved along very quickly since i last had a look. The track is all laid and ballasted from Clarence Park to the Sturt River Bridge now.With the only piece missing between East Ave and Goodwood station now (The Underpass site) The Tamper's & Ballast Regulator were working in the Marion Station area today.
Electrification works have gotten as far as Woodlands Park, with a few missing poles over Marion/Daws rd embankments and on the Up line between the Sturt river Bridge and Marion Station.
A few photos from today's works.

Tamper 1 on the Marion Rd approach Embankment.

Tamper 2 @ Marion station.

Ballast Regulator @ Ascot Park

Looking Back towards Ascot Pk from Sixth ave crossing

Re-enforcing for the Overhead support poles @ Edwardstown.


Not Really part of the Noarlunga Line, But, As part of the Goodwood Grade Seperation Project. A new loop is being built between Goodwood and Millswood on the Belair Line.

New style hollow Sleeper for the point rodding to pass through.


And a Relic form the Past, The Former Millswood Station still reasonably intact.

ChillyPhilly wrote:Ahh, that's a relief to know. Cheers Norm.

Confirmation is available here: http://www.infrastructure.sa.gov.au/__d ... tsheet.pdf

It advises that the gauge can be converted.

Some interesting discussion at a Senate Estimates hearing last week about full electrification. Essentially, the Feds confirmed that they are "disappointed" the full electrification hasn't occurred, that they understand "there is a strong disposition (from the SA Government) to reinstate this project as soon as they are able to", and that they have "left South Australia in no doubt of (our) view that we would like to see this project reinstated, and reinstated very quickly". You can read the whole exchange here, starting near the bottom of page 54.

Maximus wrote:Some interesting discussion at a Senate Estimates hearing last week about full electrification. Essentially, the Feds confirmed that they are "disappointed" the full electrification hasn't occurred, that they understand "there is a strong disposition (from the SA Government) to reinstate this project as soon as they are able to", and that they have "left South Australia in no doubt of (our) view that we would like to see this project reinstated, and reinstated very quickly". You can read the whole exchange here, starting near the bottom of page 54.

Thanks for tracking that down - valuable contribution to the thread imo

muzzamo wrote:

Maximus wrote:Some interesting discussion at a Senate Estimates hearing last week about full electrification. Essentially, the Feds confirmed that they are "disappointed" the full electrification hasn't occurred, that they understand "there is a strong disposition (from the SA Government) to reinstate this project as soon as they are able to", and that they have "left South Australia in no doubt of (our) view that we would like to see this project reinstated, and reinstated very quickly". You can read the whole exchange here, starting near the bottom of page 54.

Thanks for tracking that down - valuable contribution to the thread imo

Absolutely priceless. Funny though that the state opposition have not highlighted any of this less they should be put in the position of having to commit to spending money on those evil trains if their turn comes around.

claybro wrote:

muzzamo wrote:

Maximus wrote:Some interesting discussion at a Senate Estimates hearing last week about full electrification. Essentially, the Feds confirmed that they are "disappointed" the full electrification hasn't occurred, that they understand "there is a strong disposition (from the SA Government) to reinstate this project as soon as they are able to", and that they have "left South Australia in no doubt of (our) view that we would like to see this project reinstated, and reinstated very quickly". You can read the whole exchange here, starting near the bottom of page 54.

Thanks for tracking that down - valuable contribution to the thread imo

Absolutely priceless. Funny though that the state opposition have not highlighted any of this less they should be put in the position of having to commit to spending money on those evil trains if their turn comes around.

I can't imagine them saying boo about this !

Waewick wrote:

claybro wrote:

muzzamo wrote:Thanks for tracking that down - valuable contribution to the thread imo

Absolutely priceless. Funny though that the state opposition have not highlighted any of this less they should be put in the position of having to commit to spending money on those evil trains if their turn comes around.

I can't imagine them saying boo about this !

Glad you enjoyed it, Muzzamo. Not a problem to track down, given that I was actually watching it in real time.

Whilst I certainly don't expect the mainstream media to pick up on such exchanges, what I think is interesting is that whilst InDaily considered some equally entertaining discussion about South Rd, which occurred in the same Senate hearing at almost the exact same time, to be worthy of a front page story, as I posted in the South Rd thread, this little gem about electrification was overlooked. Granted, the South Rd discussion took place first, so perhaps the journalist was so excited that he/she raced off to start typing the story immediately!

I noticed that Vicotria recently completed a study into the benefits of reconnecting their rail networks

whilst not feasible yet, it is a clear it will be eventually.

nice to see them issue their reports.

There may be some good news in todays state budget for the northern suburbs. Rumour has it that the Gawler line electrification will be revived.

A snipet from AdelaideNow

Mr Weatherill has refused to comment on speculation that rail electrification plans for the northern suburbs will be revived today or explain what cuts will deliver a promised Budget surplus in 2016.

It was also mentioned on Seven News. Fingers crossed!

It's an absolute necessity. I questioned whether the Seaford line would be able to accommodate all 22 electric EMUs, not to mention contingency planning to stable trains at Dry Creek in event of an incident on the Southern Lines.

That, and Gawler being the most well patronised line on the network.

It is unlikely Gawler rail electrification will be revived, there are just too many election road projects needing funding: South Rd - $500m, Diagonal Rd/Oaklands - $150m

2013 Budget items for rail and public transport

"Gawler rail electrification
$152.4 million over three years to electrify part of the Gawler line from Adelaide to Dry Creek. Work will start in November and be finished by December 2015. The project includes a new electrical substation at Kilburn.

Adelaide Railway Station
$3 million over two years to reconfigure the main hall, including new escalators at the southern end of concourse.

Tonsley Park public transport project
$63 million over four years, including $31.5 million from the Commonwealth, for more rail and bus services. Work includes a partial duplication of the Tonsley rail line to allow trains every 15 minutes; rebuilding the Clovelly Park Station with a Park and Ride centre; rebuilding the Tonsley Station to connect rail and bus services; a new bus interchange at the South Rd and Sturt Rd intersection; and extending Flinders Drive to Sturt Rd to connect buses to Tonsley Park.

Rail electrification
$165.7 million for electrifying the Noarlunga rail line."

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/south-aus ... 6658710602

Obviously this work is being done to connect the Depot up, but there must be merit in going slightly further to the major station of Mawson Lakes.

Also, interesting that they are putting the park and ride at clovelly park and the bus interchange at tonsley.

Perhaps its an attempt to avoid the park and ride ending up in the palms of hospital staff/patients who are trying to avoid paid parking?

Electrifying to Dry Creek is a good start I guess. It's purely to avoid the embarrassment of having to tow trains there.

Hopefully one day, we'll have a rapid transit(oh what a thought)!