Melbourne December 2014

[ozbob]

Planning to have Christmas in Melbourne this year for a change.

Hopefully will be going to Bendigo on the 23rd, possibly Ballarat/Ararat on the 26th 27th (V/Line)

Heading down to Gippsland on the 24th (V/Line)

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robert Dow @Robert_Dow 10 minutes ago

. @VLine G'day. Do you know when Dec track closures will be available please > http://www.vline.com.au/timetables/timetables/servicechanges.html ... trying to plan my Christmas V/liners

================

See how long it takes ...   

[ozbob]

^

Twitter

V/Line ‏@VLine 55 minutes ago

@Robert_Dow There are some proposed works on the Bendigo line for weekend 12-14 December. More details on V/Line website in coming days.

[ozbob]

Yee haa set ...

-->http://www.vline.com.au/timetables/timetables/servicechanges.html 

Bendigo 23rd, Gippsland line 24th.  Ballarat 27th.

[ozbob]

Reserved a seat on 7.42am Swan Hill pass out of SC on the 23rd! 

It is a bit odd, use myki but certain services (longer services) need a reservation.   

Won't need reservations for 24th or 27th as not travelling on the longer distance services.

[ozbob]

Bendigo Tramways --> Santa Tram 2014

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow 3 minutes ago

Melb Dec 2014 http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11008.msg149524#msg149524 ... looking forward to my visit to the big V .. a Labor state, fancy that hey? #springst #5foot3rules

[ozbob]

Topped up my Myki - updated interfaces, fairly slick still a little slow at times ...

[ozbob]

Bendigo Tramways Timetable, Services & Route Details

--> http://www.bendigotramways.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=54:timetable-tram-services-and-route-details&catid=35&Itemid=65

[ozbob]

Have booked on Atlantic Limo again for early morning run into BNE

http://www.atlanticlimousine.com.au/

[ozbob]

SkyBus ticket purchased.  $30 for return Melbourne Airport <-> Southern Cross station

http://www.skybus.com.au/

[ozbob]

ptv.vic.gov.au   Journey planner Timetables Next 5 departures Live travel updates myki     Weekly travel update: Thursday 18 December to Sunday, 28 December 2014 Here is our weekly travel update to help you get around Melbourne and regional Victoria between Thursday 18 December and Sunday, 28 December 2014. There will be some changes to services so that we can carry out important works to improve the network. While most services are running as normal, please check if any of the following changes affect you. Before you travel, visit our Live travel updates page for the latest travel information. Forward update Public Transport for Christmas Day and Boxing Day Christmas Day Public transport will be free on Christmas Day Thursday, 25 December 2014. Metropolitan trains, trams and most buses will operate to a Sunday timetable. V/Line trains will also operate to a Sunday timetable with limited V/Line coach services. Learn More Boxing Day Metropolitan trains will operate to a Sunday timetable whilst V/Line trains and Metropolitan trams will operate to a Saturday timetable.  Extra metropolitan train and tram services will operate on selected lines/routes for the Boxing Day Test at the MCG. Learn More Forward update Metro Trains - Frankston line Due to works as part of the Bayside Rail Project, buses will replace trains between Mordialloc and Frankston stations after 7.45pm on Saturday, 20 December 2014. Learn more Forward update Metro Trains - Sandringham line Due to electrical improvement works, buses will replace the last two train services between South Yarra and Sandringham stations on Saturday, 20 December 2014. From City 12.42am from Flinders Street (bus departs South Yarra at 12.52am) 1.12am from Flinders Street (bus departs South Yarra at 1.22am) Learn more Forward update Metro Trains - Syndal Station Due to construction work as part of the Syndal Station Multi-Deck Car Park Project, part of the Syndal Station car park will be closed from Saturday, 6 December 2014 until late 2015. The western section of the car park on the corner of Blackburn Road and Coleman Parade will be fenced off and used as a construction site. The eastern section of the car park on Coleman Parade, as well as the car park on Hunter Street, will remain open throughout construction work. Learn more Forward update Yarra Trams - Summer Holiday Timetable alterations Due to Christmas and holiday traffic changes, tram services between December and January will run to a normal frequency. However, times may differ slightly from the published timetable. For real time information, customers are advised to use The PTV apps or tramTRACKER™. Forward update Metro buses - NightRider services NightRider services for Lilydale/Croydon, Belgrave/Knox, Frankston and Dandenong will be increased to run every 15 minutes between 2am and 3.30am on weekends until Christmas. Forward update Public transport changes from 1 January 2015 There will be changes to fares across Victoria's public transport network from Thursday, 1 January 2015. These changes include: An annual fare rise will be implemented in the new year to help us continue to improve the public transport network. Learn more Free Tram Zone A Free Tram Zone will be introduced to the Melbourne CBD and Docklands.  The new Free Tram Zone includes the area from Queen Victoria Market, to Victoria Harbour in Docklands, Spring Street, Flinders Street Station and Federation Square. Zone 1 and 2 fare change Travel across Zones 1 and 2 will cost the same as a Zone 1 fare. Learn more Forward update Special Services For information on extra services for upcoming events, visit our Events page on the PTV website before you travel. Forward update © Public Transport Victoria.

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[ozbob]

Have booked on Atlantic Limo again for early morning run into BNE

http://www.atlanticlimousine.com.au/

Failed to turn up - despite being pre-paid.  I called their number, some sort of answering service.  Eventually someone rang me back to say the 'system' had broken down.  I said not very convenient as I trundled along in the yellow cab.  Will follow up later.  On the bright side, first time I have been in the Airport Link tunnel.

[ozbob]

[ozbob]

Onboard the 7.42am Swan Hill PASS

[ozbob]

About to depart Bendigo, 12.30pm SC service




Bendigo Santa Tram



Tram 84 - went for a ride on this unit, built 1917 orginally for Prahran & Malvern tramways

[ozbob]

Metro locos











































Photographs R Dow 22/23 December 2014

[#Metro]

A nice shot of the ATP trip arm equipment there

[ozbob]

A nice shot of the ATP trip arm equipment there

  yes, a stroke of lucky timing ... 3 trains parallel between FSS and SC.

Interesting to compare the run to and from Bendigo.  The passenger train takes about 2 h 12 min with around 4 intermediate station stops, VLocity 1 h 58 min with 11 intermediate stops.  VLocity travel up to 160 km/h, passenger train is restricted to 110 km/h or thereabouts.

Tram in Bendigo costs $16 for unrestricted 2 days of travel.  More a tourist operation but some people do use it to get around Bendigo as well.  Bus service in Bendigo is quite adequate as well.

[ozbob]

Another view of the stop arms.

[ozbob]

Off to Gippsland ...



Six minutes late departing .. train fault rectified promptly ...

[ozbob]

Travelled around on the trams a while this morning ...

Port Melbourne



Port Melbourne St Kilda junction



Port Melbourne





Bourke St

[ozbob]

Train back from Drouin



Dusk at Caulfield



10PM Traralgon service at Caulfield last evening

[ozbob]

The branch line to Cranbourne as seen from train coming into Dandenong (east).

This was the south Gippsland line.  Moves to possibly reopen again past Cranbourne.  Plan to go to Cranbourne tomorrow.

[#Metro]

At the Cranbourne end there is this, though not next to the station. http://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/visit-cranbourne

[ozbob]

I think there is a shuttle bus between the station at Cranbourne and the Botanical Gardens.  Might get a look today.

Yesterday:

Hallam



Cardinia Road



Unfenced ROW near Clayton .. relatively common on Melb network ..

[ozbob]

Cranbourne .. end of the line for now .. last time I was here 1950s on steam pass (arhs) to Yarram




Cranbourne LX (inactive) Sth Gippsland Hwy






The South Gippsland railway - still there

[Otto]

Looking at that from above on Nearmap now and following the disused line . Thanks ozbob ! 

eta
Followed the line out to Lang Lang. That's where the Nearmap coverage ended. 

[ozbob]

Presently at Melbourne Airport.  Back to Brisbane.  Been a hectic week in Melbourne, but managed to see a bit and still catch up with family etc.

One of the odd things about Melbourne public transport is the late start on Sunday mornings.

For example the first train inbound from Murrumbeena is 7.35am.  This means you have to be careful about bookings to ensure you leave enough time to get to the Airport (or Southern Cross) or face taxi fares.

Murrumbeena around 7.20am this morning. About 12 pax waiting for the first service.



Onboard, time got to Caulfield about half seats occupied.  This was the first service.



I arrived at Melbourne airport at 8.33am.  Not bad considering, train arrived at SC at 8.01am, walked to Sky Bus and off.

[ozbob]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/tramwayjohn/14125645902/

R706 near Foster on Yarram line.

Some more pictures around Yarram --> http://www.westonlangford.com/images/photo/page/830/

[ozbob]

Arrived safely back in Brisbane.

Airtrain wait was 25 minutes, Eagle Junction 28 minutes.  The Ippy runs 2 minutes ahead of the Airtrain service.  Occasionally you can fluke the connection at Eagle Junction if the Ippy is a few minutes late, not today.  One wonders ... 

[ozbob]

myki - concession, fares are reasonable.

Date   Time   Transaction Type   Service   Zone   Description   Credit   Debit   myki money Balance
28/12/2014   08:02:45   Touch off   Train   1   Southern Cross Station   -    $1.79    $30.13
28/12/2014   07:17:48   Touch on   Train   1   Murrumbeena Station   -    -    -
27/12/2014   17:12:13   Touch off   Train   1   Murrumbeena Station   -    $1.73    $31.92
27/12/2014   17:04:37   Touch on   Train   1   Caulfield Station   -    -    -
27/12/2014   15:02:22   Touch off   Train   1   Caulfield Station   -    $3.03    $33.65
27/12/2014   14:46:16   Touch on   Train   2   Clayton Station   -    -    -
27/12/2014   14:10:15   Touch off   Train   2   Clayton Station   -    -    -
27/12/2014   13:37:03   Touch on   Train   2   Cranbourne Station   -    -    -
27/12/2014   12:18:45   Touch off   Train   2   Cranbourne Station   -    $1.24    $36.68
27/12/2014   11:56:01   Touch on   Train   2   Dandenong Station   -    -    -
27/12/2014   11:55:08   Touch off   Train   2   Dandenong Station   -    -    -
27/12/2014   11:54:56   Touch on   Train   2   Dandenong Station   -    -    -
26/12/2014   15:40:33   Touch off   Train   1   Caulfield Station   -    -    -
26/12/2014   15:37:05   Touch on   Train   1   Carnegie Station   -    -    -
26/12/2014   14:24:05   Touch off   Train   1   Murrumbeena Station   -    $1.18    $37.92
26/12/2014   13:25:05   Touch on   Train   2   Cardinia Railway Station   -    -    -
26/12/2014   11:35:38   Touch off   Train   2   Cardinia Railway Station   -    $3.03    $39.10
26/12/2014   10:00:13   Touch on   Train   1   Flinders Street Station   -    -    -
26/12/2014   09:25:48   Touch off   Train   1   Flinders Street Station   -    -    -
26/12/2014   09:24:30   Touch on   Train   1   Flinders Street Station   -    -    -
26/12/2014   09:07:38   Touch off   Train   1   Flinders Street Station   -    -    -
26/12/2014   08:39:01   Touch on   Train   1   Footscray Station   -    -    -
26/12/2014   08:33:11   Touch off   Train   1   Footscray Station   -    $1.79    $42.13
26/12/2014   07:52:36   Touch on   Train   1   Murrumbeena Station   -    -    -
24/12/2014   22:09:52   Touch off   Train   1   Murrumbeena Station   -    -    -
24/12/2014   21:51:40   Touch on   Train   1   Caulfield Station   -    -    -
24/12/2014   17:07:10   Touch off   Train   1   Caulfield Station   -    -    -
24/12/2014   17:01:16   Touch on   Train   1   Murrumbeena Station   -    -    -
24/12/2014   16:37:17   Touch off   Train   1   Murrumbeena Station   -    -    -
24/12/2014   16:31:37   Touch on   Train   1   Caulfield Station   -    -    -
24/12/2014   16:29:57   Touch off   Train   1   Caulfield Station   -    $3.39    $43.92
24/12/2014   14:56:48   Touch on   Train   6   Drouin Station   -    -    -
24/12/2014   12:00:05   Touch off   Train   6   Drouin Station   -    $5.18    $47.31
24/12/2014   10:50:51   Touch on   Train   -   -   -    -    -
24/12/2014   09:59:22   Touch on   Train   1   Southern Cross Station   -    -    -
24/12/2014   09:59:22   Touch off (Default Fare)   Train   1   Southern Cross Station   -    -    -
24/12/2014   09:00:03   Touch off (Default Fare)   Tram   1   Tram   -    -    -
24/12/2014   09:00:03   Touch on   Tram   1   Tram   -    -    -
24/12/2014   08:46:49   Touch on   Tram   1   Brunswick East,Route 96down   -    -    -
24/12/2014   08:46:49   Touch off (Default Fare)   Tram   1   Brunswick East,Route 96down   -    -    -
24/12/2014   08:33:50   Touch on   Tram   1   Tram   -    -    -
24/12/2014   08:29:11   Touch off   Tram   1   Tram   -    -    -
24/12/2014   08:21:51   Touch on   Tram   1   Tram   -    -    -
24/12/2014   08:21:51   Touch off (Default Fare)   Tram   1   Tram   -    -    -
24/12/2014   08:13:35   Touch on   Tram   1   Tram   -    -    -
24/12/2014   08:08:05   Touch off   Train   1   Southern Cross Station   -    $1.79    $52.49
24/12/2014   07:39:03   Touch on   Train   1   Murrumbeena Station   -    -    -
23/12/2014   14:49:24   Touch off   Train   1   Murrumbeena Station   -    $9.66    $54.28
23/12/2014   12:35:57   Touch on   Train   -   -   -    -    -
23/12/2014   12:10:13   Touch on   Train   13   Bendigo Station   -    -    -
23/12/2014   09:55:18   Touch off   Train   13   Bendigo Station   -    $9.66    $63.94
23/12/2014   08:13:22   Touch on   Train   -   -   -    -    -
23/12/2014   07:00:58   Touch on   Train   1   Southern Cross Station   -    -    -
23/12/2014   06:48:38   Touch off   Train   1   Southern Cross Station   -    -    -
23/12/2014   06:19:32   Touch on   Train   1   Murrumbeena Station   -    -    -
22/12/2014   22:59:37   Touch off   Train   1   Murrumbeena Station   -    -    -
22/12/2014   22:35:55   Touch on   Train   1   Carnegie Station   -    -    -
22/12/2014   21:54:42   Touch off   Train   1   Caulfield Station   -    -    -
22/12/2014   21:53:57   Touch on   Train   1   Caulfield Station   -    -    -
22/12/2014   20:40:07   Touch off   Train   1   Caulfield Station   -    -    -
22/12/2014   20:34:53   Touch on   Train   1   Carnegie Station   -    -    -
22/12/2014   17:39:09   Touch off   Train   1   Carnegie Station   -    -    -
22/12/2014   17:32:38   Touch on   Train   1   Caulfield Station   -    -    -
22/12/2014   16:22:21   Touch off   Train   1   Caulfield Station   -    $1.79    $73.60
22/12/2014   15:53:11   Touch on   Train   1   Flinders Street Station   -    -    -
22/12/2014   14:20:54   Touch off   Train   1   Flinders Street Station   -    -    -
22/12/2014   13:56:26   Touch on   Train   1   Murrumbeena Station   -    -    -
22/12/2014   12:37:24   Touch off   Train   1   Murrumbeena Station   -    $1.79    $75.39
22/12/2014   12:08:55   Top up myki money   -   -   -   $50.00    -    $77.18
22/12/2014   12:08:55   Touch on   Train   1   Southern Cross Station

[Mozz]

Arrived safely back in Brisbane.

Airtrain wait was 25 minutes, Eagle Junction 28 minutes.  The Ippy runs 2 minutes ahead of the Airtrain service.  Occasionally you can fluke the connection at Eagle Junction if the Ippy is a few minutes late, not today.  One wonders ...

True Bob - been there many times myself ... lots of waiting .....never been able to fluke an Ippy train at Eagle Junction... maybe one day....