When does the Sunbury electrification open?

[colinw]

This project must be getting close to finished. Nearmap shows electrification in place to just outside Sunbury station, and the new stabling yards at Sunbury are now in place.

Anyone know when sparks are due to start running to Sunbury?

[SurfRail]

Having a brief look on the project site I can't find anything resembling a date other than "2012".  A bit nebulous for something so far advanced.

[colinw]

The first spark reached Sunbury on August the 5th. Found this photo on Flickr:

click here

No idea when it opens for service 'though. Can't be far off if they are running test trains.

[Golliwog]

The first spark reached Sunbury on August the 5th. Found this photo on Flickr:

click here

No idea when it opens for service 'though. Can't be far off if they are running test trains.

The photo after that one (http://www.flickr.com/photos/60901191@N08/7786648490/in/set-72157631029089930/) seems to suggest November in the caption:

First electrified train in Platform 2, plenty of orange vests, about a week into total occupation but still no one sees the grafitti mess. Hurry up, November is coming.

[Jonas Jade]

It will open with the next new network wide timetable change for Metro, which is expected to be November 18, aiui.

[colinw]

Ah, thanks Golliwog & Jonas.

Will Sunbury PAX still be allowed to use V/Line services, or will those become set-down only (toward Melbourne) & pick-up only (toward Bendigo)?

Next time I'm in Melbourne I'll try to do the run to Sunbury if the electrification is open by then. I imagine the newly electrified bit beyond Watergardens should be good for 115km/h running by the sparks.

[ozbob]

Twitter

2h Augustus Brown ‏@AugustusBrown

"7:39 Sunbury train has been delayed approximately six minutes". This is the first ever Metro train to Sunbury. #metrotrains

[ozbob]

Herald Sun --> Electric trains roll in to Melbourne after a $270 million Sunbury line overhaul

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Electric train a tad late, but Sunbury residents aren't complaining