Melbourne June 2016

[ozbob]

Heading down to Melbourne for a week at the end of June.

Looking at Albury and Maryborough for a couple of Vline excursions.

Be a good opportunity to photograph the Caulfield - Oakleigh rail corridor too before it is consigned to history so to speak.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8c/Victorian-rail-map-2007.png

[ozbob]

Tue 28 June

Southern Cross 1115 Castlemaine 1246

Coach depart Castlemaine 1300 arrive at Maryborough Station 1350

--------------------

Coach depart Maryborough station 1525 arrive at Castlemaine 1632

Castlemaine 16.42 arrive at Southern Cross 18.22

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

Maryborough railway station, Victoria

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maryborough_railway_station,_Victoria



The current station building was erected in 1890 with 25 rooms and a clock tower, of red brick with stucco trimming. In 1895, Mark Twain visited Maryborough, which he dryly observed as being: "A railway station with a town attached". The station closed on 12 September 1993 when the Vinelander was withdrawn and replaced by road coaches.

In 2006/07 Maryborough station was restored, with repairs to the towers, clock, facade, portico, roof and guttering. Stage 2 included slating, rendering, glazing and moulding repairs to match the works conducted during the first stage of works.

In December 2008 as part of the Victorian Transport Plan, the State Government announced passenger rail services to Maryborough would resume. Services between Maryborough and Ballarat commenced in July 2010

Maryborough railway station is the terminal station of the Mildura line in Victoria, Australia. It serves the town of Maryborough opening in 1874.

Maryborough is a major junction with cross country routes to Moolort and Ararat. The Avoca line from Ararat is standard gauge and dual gauge track that runs through Maryborough to the north as far as Dunolly. There are the remains of dock platforms at both ends of the main platform.

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

Myths & Rumours: Maryborough Railway Station

>> http://www.cv.vic.gov.au/stories/a-diverse-state/goldfields-stories-a-station-with-a-town-attached/myths-rumours-maryborough-railway-station/

[ozbob]

Thu 30 Jun

Southern Cross depart 0705

Albury 1055

-----------------

Albury depart 1245

Southern Cross 1635

[ozbob]

Albury railway station

> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albury_railway_station

Albury railway station is located on the New South Wales/Victorian border city of Albury. Designed and constructed under the supervision of John Whitton, it opened on 26 February 1882, replacing a temporary structure, which opened on 3 February 1881, when the Main South line was extended from Gerogery. The premiers of both New South Wales and Victoria attended the official opening of the 1881 station, marking the first time in Australian history that two colonial premiers had appeared together publicly.

By 1873, the Victorian line was complete as far as Wodonga, and so a rail trip between Sydney and Melbourne required the use of a short stagecoach connection to cross the Murray River. The Victorian Railways' broad gauge line from Wodonga opened on 14 June 1883.

The New South Wales Government Railways were built to the standard gauge, which meant travellers in both directions had to change trains at Albury. This resulted in a 455 metres (1,493 ft) long platform being built to accommodate that move, then the longest in Australia.

In April 1962, a new standard gauge line to Melbourne's Spencer Street station opened, and thus the Intercapital Daylight, Southern Aurora and Spirit of Progress began to operate without the need to change trains. However, the Riverina Express continued to terminate at Albury until November 1993, with passengers transferring to V/Line services to continue into Victoria.

Albury had extensive transshipment facilities, with all freight also required to be transferred. Later, a bogie change facility was opened. It also featured locomotive and carriage depots. Much of the yard was demolished to make way for the Hume Highway bypass in 2005. Albury also had a refreshment room, which closed in August 1975.

[ozbob]

PTV: Regional town centre bus network maps

>> http://ptv.vic.gov.au/getting-around/maps/regional-town-centres/

Albury: http://ptv.vic.gov.au/assets/PDFs/Maps/Maps-for-January-2014/Albury-Wodonga-Bus-Network-27-January.pdf

Marborough: http://ptv.vic.gov.au/assets/PDFs/Maps/Regional-centres/Maryborough-Bus-Network.pdf

[ozbob]

Booked tickets for the Maryborough trip on the 28th and Albury trip on the 30th June.  All seamless online.

Paper tickets are still required for the longer services viz.

Bairnsdale, Albury, Shepparton, Echuca, Swan Hill, Ararat, Maryborough and Warrnambool.

Also with Vline

Included extra travel

Metropolitian Melbourne

Customers who have a valid myki or V/Line paper ticket can travel free on Melbourne's metropolitan trains, trams and buses.

If you've travelled on a V/Line long distance train or coach with a paper ticket, your one way single ticket includes one hour of free travel either side of your V/Line journey.  All other ticket types, including Day Return, include free travel all day.

https://www.vline.com.au/Fares-general-info/Ticketing-myki

[ozbob]

My tickets from Vline arrived yesterday by mail. Excellent quick service, 2 days by normal snail mail (although express options are available - no need)

Booked tickets for the Maryborough trip on the 28th and Albury trip on the 30th June.  All seamless online.

Paper tickets are still required for the longer services viz.

Bairnsdale, Albury, Shepparton, Echuca, Swan Hill, Ararat, Maryborough and Warrnambool.

Also with Vline

Included extra travel

Metropolitian Melbourne

Customers who have a valid myki or V/Line paper ticket can travel free on Melbourne's metropolitan trains, trams and buses.

If you've travelled on a V/Line long distance train or coach with a paper ticket, your one way single ticket includes one hour of free travel either side of your V/Line journey.  All other ticket types, including Day Return, include free travel all day.

https://www.vline.com.au/Fares-general-info/Ticketing-myki

[ozbob]

Topped up my myki ... 

Dear Mr Dow ,

Thank you for topping up your myki card number xxxx.

Please allow up to 24 hours for your top up to be processed. Once processed, your top up will be added to your myki the next time you touch on at a myki reader or use a myki machine.

What you need to do:
Touch on or present your myki within 90 days:
If you are travelling within 90 days, present your myki at a myki reader or myki gate.
If you are not travelling within 90 days, you need to present your myki at a myki machine.

Your debit/credit card has been charged for the top up amount detailed below:
   
Amount
Top up - myki money
   $50.00
------------------------------------------------------------------
Order Total
   $50.00

[ozbob]

SkyBus > https://www.skybus.com.au/

Now  $19 each way ....  BNE Airtrain is starting to seem like a bargain!

Thank you for purchasing tickets with SkyBus.

Your ticket is valid for six months from the date of purchase. Tickets must be presented at the time of travel. You can print your ticket or present it on your smartphone.

Invoice reference: xxxx

Select the link below to view your ticket (and invoice).

https://skybus.umd.com.au/skybus/order/xxxx

We look forward to seeing you on the SkyBus soon.

SkyBus. City. Airport. Express.

[verbatim9]

Wonder how much their train fare will be once built?  25.00 each way?

[ozbob]

Monday 27 June I think I will go to Altona

[SurfRail]

I had a trip out to Tarneit today (a friend of mine works at the station).  Got up to a nice clip on the way out.

[ozbob]

  is the DD bus still around?

[SurfRail]

On the 190 (Wyndham Vale to Werribee), so we didn't see it.

[ozbob]

Topped up my myki ... 

Dear Mr Dow ,

Thank you for topping up your myki card number xxxx.

Please allow up to 24 hours for your top up to be processed. Once processed, your top up will be added to your myki the next time you touch on at a myki reader or use a myki machine.

What you need to do:
Touch on or present your myki within 90 days:
If you are travelling within 90 days, present your myki at a myki reader or myki gate.
If you are not travelling within 90 days, you need to present your myki at a myki machine.

Your debit/credit card has been charged for the top up amount detailed below:
   
Amount
Top up - myki money
   $50.00
------------------------------------------------------------------
Order Total
   $50.00

A reminder ...

Dear Robert,

Our records indicate that your myki card xxxxx has not yet been touched on or presented at a myki machine following your request to top up myki money on May 24 2016 12:40PM.

This is a reminder that your top up needs to be collected by touching on at a myki reader or presenting your myki to a myki machine, within 90 days of your request.

Should you require further information, please visit ptv.vic.gov.au or call 1800 800 007 between 6am and 12 midnight, 7 days a week.

Kind Regards
PTV Customer Care

[ozbob]

My plan for the Wyndham Habour to Docklands ferry [  http://www.portphillipferries.com.au/ ]

Sat 2nd July - hope still running!   


DEP    

Sat 6:55am
Murrumbeena Railway Station (Murrumbeena) Platform platform 1
Take the train towards Flinders Street
ARR    
Sat 7:16am
Get off at Parliament Railway Station (Melbourne City) Platform platform 2

    Time: 21min
    Zone(s): 1
    Operator: Metro

DEP    
Stop Map
Sat 7:22am
Parliament Railway Station (Melbourne City) Platform platform 3
Take the train towards Werribee
ARR    
Stop Map
Sat 8:18am
Get off at Werribee Railway Station (Werribee) Platform platform 1

    Time: 56min
    Zone(s): 1, 2
    Operator: Metro

Werribee Railway Station (Werribee)

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

Schedule
Wyndham Harbour to Docklands
   Depart      Arrive
Monday to Friday    7:10 am      8:18 am
4:00 pm      5:08 pm
Saturday & Sunday    10:00 am      11:08 am
4:00 pm      5:08 pm
Docklands to Wyndham Harbour
   Depart      Arrive
Monday & Thursday    10:00 am      11:08 am
5:50 pm      6:58 pm
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday    9:00 am      10:08 am
5:50 pm      6:58 pm
Saturday & Sunday    11:30 am      12:38 pm
5:35 pm      6:43 pm

Fares > http://www.portphillipferries.com.au/schedule-pricing/

From Tuesday 14 June, ticket prices have changed to meet train fares during the trial period.
   2 Sectors (return)    1 Sector (one way)
All Tickets    $7.80    $3.90
10 Sector    $39.00

[ozbob]

Buses replacing trains between Caulfield and Moorabbin Jun 24 - Jul 31.

Might check it out!     Not sure if there is enough buses in Melbourne to service this ..

I have heard a lot of regular FKN line locals have alternate travel plans for the closure

http://www.metrotrains.com.au/planned-works/

Level Crossing Removal Works: Frankston Line >> http://www.metrotrains.com.au/winter-level-crossing-removal-works/

[ozbob]

Snowing at random locations in Vic this morning.  Hey might get lucky, Puffing Billy in the snow! 

Bring. it. on. !

[ozbob]

Melbourne 4 - 12^oC tomorrow!  Yay!

[ozbob]

Bye BNE ..

[ozbob]

First thing today I travelled to Altona as previously planned.

No hiccups on the Southern Cross - Altona leg.





Newport







Altona





Around Altona







Mural





Photographs R Dow 27th June 2016

[ozbob]

Frankston line is closed between Caulfield <> Moorabbin for level crossing works at multiple sites.

I travelled to Bentleigh to see how the bus replacement services were working.  All done well!

Caulfield - all stations bus



Bentleigh



Frankston side of Centre Road on rail alignment





Lots of trucks moving the earth from trench excavation



City side of Centre Road on rail alignment





Back at Caulfield



Photographs R Dow 27th June 2016

[ozbob]

Interesting day Tuesday.

First up tram from SC to St Kilda then Port Melbourne











Port Melbourne





VR days









Photographs R Dow 28th June 2016

[ozbob]

Then travelled to Maryborough as planned.

Rail to Castlemaine then Coach to Marborough. 

Return journey our VLocity for the return journey had failed earlier at Sunbury so was offered the option of an Express coach from Castlemaine to SC, with only one stop at Malmsbury.  Arrival at SC was much the same as the train would have been.





Castlemaine









Maryborough







Back at Castlemaine - Echuca service





Express coach







Photographs R Dow 28th June 2016

[ozbob]

Didn't do a great deal PT wise yesterday, family matters.  But I did get out to Cardinia Road station.

This has the best pedestrian subway ever I reckon ..







Inbound VLine moving through at speed





Photographs R Dow 29th June 2016

[ozbob]

On board the 7.05am VLine Albury Service. This is standard gauge, 4 x 2nd class, 1 x 1st class, 1 aux power / luggage van.
City of Benalla up front ..















Photographs R Dow 30th June 2016

[ozbob]

Departed SC on time, first scheduled stop Seymour 8.26am.

[ozbob]

Buffet Cafe service available





I am in the 1st Class carriage



Photographs R Dow 30th June 2016

[ozbob]

Broadmeadows 7.36am pax on

[ozbob]

Seymour 8.32am





^  There is a J class steam loco in the heritage collection over there!

Photographs R Dow 30th June2016

[ozbob]

Avenel 8.42am

[ozbob]

Euroa 9.02am





Benalla 9.35am



Now arriving at Wangaratta  10.00am

Photographs R Dow 30th June 2016

[ozbob]

Arrival at Albury 11am sharp.









LE in the Albury Yard





All Change!







Short section of 5 foot 3 track possibly the last remaining remnant of broad gauge at Albury



Photographs R Dow 30th June 2016

[ozbob]

XPT arrival at Albury

[ozbob]

XPT departure for Sydney at Albury

[ozbob]

XPT at Albury



Departing for Melbourne 12.45pm







Car A now at the front







Photographs R Dow 30th June 2016

[ozbob]

Just departed Seymour ( 3.20pm) ..

earlier Murray River





North of Seymour - Goulburn Valley line joins NE mainline corridor



Photographs R Dow 30th June 2016

[ozbob]

Went for some bus and tram rides yesterday.  Today, heading off to Wyndham Harbour for 10am ferry service to Docklands.

Chadstone









Photographs R Dow 1st July 2016

No problems with myki on bus, tram or rail.  Seems to be more responsive these days.  Fares are as cheap as chips in reality too!

[ozbob]

Now at Wyndham Harbour waiting to board 10am Docklands ferry service ..

Few pics on the way to Werribee and the harbour

Parliament Station







Flinders Street Station





Westona



Werribee









Wyndham Harbour













Photographs R Dow 2nd July 2016

[ozbob]

Now on board the Capricornian Dancer, today's 10am service to Docklands







Photographs R Dow 2nd July 2016