Melb July/August 2021 now Jan 2022 now April 2022 now July/Aug 2022 now Oct 2022

[ozbob]

Tuesday 10 May Maryborough

09:16 Southern Cross
10:41 Ballarat
10:47 Ballarat
11.43 Maryborough

14:57 Maryborough
15:52 Ballarat
16:04 Ballarat
17:22 Southern Cross

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1477393283537989632

[ozbob]

V/Line Train and Coach timetables

https://www.vline.com.au/Timetables/Train-coach-timetables

====

Saturday April 30th.  Bendigo and Goornong.
Goornong reopened as a new station December 12th.
The original station was closed in 1979 (opened 1864).

Southern Cross 9.05am (Echuca service) Goornong 11.27am.

Luncheon at the local https://droversarmshotel.com.au

Taxi back to Bendigo ( https://www.bendigotaxis.com.au/ )
trains out of Bendigo 1.26, 2.26, 3.26, 4.01, 4.26, 5.26pm.

====

Tuesday 3rd May Bairnsdale

07:16 Melbourne Southern Cross (Caulfield 07:38)
Bairnsdale Arrival time 11:15

Luncheon: The Main Hotel Bistraunt & Bar https://www.facebook.com/mainhotelbairnsdale/

12:54 Bairnsdale Station
Arrival time 16:44 Melbourne Southern Cross (Caulfield 16:24)

or 15:15 Coach Bairnsdale
Traralgon 17:05
17:20 Traralgon Arrival Caulfield 19.26

====

Thursday 5 May Wangaratta

07:07 Southern Cross
09:53 Wangaratta

Luncheon: North Eastern Hotel
https://north-eastern-hotel-wangaratta.business.site

13.39 Wangaratta
16.40 Southern Cross

====

Saturday 7th May 2022 Ararat

Southern Cross 08:14
Ararat 10:42

Ararat 11:14 ( alt C13:48 T16:14)
Ballarat 12:20 (alt C15.05)

Ballarat 16:20
Southern Cross 17:48 (alt T18:48)

====

Tuesday 10 May Maryborough

09:16 Southern Cross
10:41 Ballarat
10:47 Ballarat
11.43 Maryborough

14:57 Maryborough
15:52 Ballarat
16:04 Ballarat
17:22 Southern Cross

[ozbob]

Victoria's Big Build - disruptions calendar

> https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/disruptions/calendar

PTV

https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/disruptions/major-disruptions/major-disruptions-on-regional-trains/


https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/disruptions/major-disruptions/major-disruptions-on-metropolitan-trains/

[ozbob]

Looking good. 

May disruptions > https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/disruptions/major-disruptions/major-disruptions-on-regional-trains/


Major disruptions in May

Line/s   Works start   Works finish   Disruption

Geelong and Warrnambool lines   Saturday 30 April - Friday 20 May   
Coaches will replace all Warrnambool Line trains between Geelong station and Warrnambool station.
A shuttle bus will run between Geelong station and Waurn Ponds station.

Ballarat Line   Friday 20 May - Sunday 29 May   
Coaches replacing some train services while bridge widening works take place at Dynon Road

Swan Hill Line   Friday 20 May - Sunday 29 May   
Coaches replacing some train services while bridge widening works take place at Dynon Road

All these planned trips below are goers at this stage 

V/Line Train and Coach timetables

https://www.vline.com.au/Timetables/Train-coach-timetables

====

Saturday April 30th.  Bendigo and Goornong.
Goornong reopened as a new station December 12th.
The original station was closed in 1979 (opened 1864).

Southern Cross 9.05am (Echuca service) Goornong 11.27am.

Luncheon at the local https://droversarmshotel.com.au

Taxi back to Bendigo ( https://www.bendigotaxis.com.au/ )
trains out of Bendigo 1.26, 2.26, 3.26, 4.01, 4.26, 5.26pm.

====

Tuesday 3rd May Bairnsdale

07:16 Melbourne Southern Cross (Caulfield 07:38)
Bairnsdale Arrival time 11:15

Luncheon: The Main Hotel Bistraunt & Bar https://www.facebook.com/mainhotelbairnsdale/

12:54 Bairnsdale Station
Arrival time 16:44 Melbourne Southern Cross (Caulfield 16:24)

or 15:15 Coach Bairnsdale
Traralgon 17:05
17:20 Traralgon Arrival Caulfield 19.26

====

Thursday 5 May Wangaratta

07:07 Southern Cross
09:53 Wangaratta

Luncheon: North Eastern Hotel
https://north-eastern-hotel-wangaratta.business.site

13.39 Wangaratta
16.40 Southern Cross

====

Saturday 7th May 2022 Ararat

Southern Cross 08:14
Ararat 10:42

Ararat 11:14 ( alt C13:48 T16:14)
Ballarat 12:20 (alt C15.05)

Ballarat 16:20
Southern Cross 17:48 (alt T18:48)

====

Tuesday 10 May Maryborough

09:16 Southern Cross
10:41 Ballarat
10:47 Ballarat
11.43 Maryborough

14:57 Maryborough
15:52 Ballarat
16:04 Ballarat
17:22 Southern Cross

[ozbob]

I have to delay my planned to trip to Melbourne (again), that's the breaks.

Now late July/August ...

[ozbob]

I have to delay my planned trip to Melbourne (yet again) ...

Hope to travel November 2022 now. 

[ozbob]

Having another go to visit Melbourne October 2022.

====

Thursday 13 Oct Wangaratta

07:07 Southern Cross
09:47 Wangaratta

Luncheon: North Eastern Hotel
https://north-eastern-hotel-wangaratta.business.site

13.44 Wangaratta
16.43 Southern Cross

====

Saturday 15 Oct Bendigo and Goornong.
Goornong reopened as a new station December 12th, 2021
The original station was closed in 1979 (opened 1864).

Southern Cross 9.05am (Echuca service) Goornong 11.27am.

Luncheon at the local https://droversarmshotel.com.au

Taxi back to Bendigo ( https://www.bendigotaxis.com.au/ )
trains out of Bendigo 1.26, 2.26, 3.26, 4.01, 4.26, 5.26pm.

====

Monday 17 Oct Seymour

09:26 Melbourne Southern Cross

Seymour Arrival time 11:02

Luncheon Railway Club Hotel Seymour
https://www.railwayclubseymour.com.au

14:04 or 15:08 Seymour

Southern Cross Arrival time 15:39 or 16:33

====

Tuesday 18 Oct Bairnsdale

07:17 Melbourne Southern Cross (Caulfield 07:38)
Bairnsdale Arrival time 11:15

Luncheon: The Main Hotel Bistraunt & Bar https://www.facebook.com/mainhotelbairnsdale/

12:54 Bairnsdale Station
Arrival time 16:44 Melbourne Southern Cross (Caulfield 16:24)

or 15:15 Coach Bairnsdale
Traralgon 17:05
17:20 Traralgon Arrival Caulfield 19.26

[ozbob]

https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/485103/RRR-BELU-Bendigo_and_Echuca_Line_Upgrade_Stations_Fact_Sheet.pdf

' The Victorian Government is delivering new stations at Goornong,
Huntly and Raywood to give people in these growing communities
access to public transport close to where they live .. '

Saturday 15 Oct Bendigo and Goornong.
Goornong reopened as a new station December 12th, 2021
The original station was closed in 1979 (opened 1864).

Southern Cross 9.05am (Echuca service) Goornong 11.27am.

Luncheon at the local https://droversarmshotel.com.au if open.

Taxi back to Bendigo or Raywood ( https://www.bendigotaxis.com.au/ ) call into Huntly on the way.
trains out of Bendigo 1.26, 2.26, 3.26, 4.01, 4.26, 5.26pm.

There is a train from Swan Hill that gets to Raywood at 15:29, which is the 16.01 from Bendigo.

[ozbob]

[ozbob]

Major disruptions on regional trains

> https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/disruptions/major-works-this-spring/major-disruptions-on-regional-trains/

====

Major disruptions on metropolitan trains

> https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/disruptions/major-works-this-spring/major-disruptions-on-metropolitan-trains/

 

[ozbob]

Booked VLine tickets for Wangaratta 13th October 2022, and Bairnsdale 18th October 2022.

SC > Goornong and Return from Raywood is on Myki.

Bendigo Taxis https://www.bendigotaxis.com.au/fares

[ozbob]

Saturday 15 October
Coaches replace all trains between Southern Cross and Gisborne. Trains will run between Gisborne and Bendigo.

https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/disruptions/disruptions-information/article/bendigo-line-coaches-replace-trains-at-select-times-from-sunday-9-to-wednesday-19-october-2022

Will have to reassess my plans for travel that day to Bendigo.

[ozbob]

Saturday 15 October
From Southern Cross Station:
From 10pm to last service - coaches replace trains to Ballarat/Wendouree for the entire journey.

https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/disruptions/disruptions-information/article/ballarat-line-coaches-replace-evening-trains-from-friday-14-october-to-tuesday-18-october-2022/?nnnnnnn

Ballarat it is.

15th October 2022

08:14 Melbourne Southern Cross
09:43 Ballarat Station

14:20 Ballarat Station
15:48 Melbourne Southern Cross

[ozbob]

Ballarat Tram Museum

https://www.btm.org.au

Trams will be operating every weekend during October between 11am and 4pm.

[ozbob]

https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/projects/level-crossing-removal-project

Level crossings removed:

Abbotts Road, Dandenong South
Argyle Avenue, Chelsea
Aviation Road, Laverton
Balcombe Road, Mentone
Bell Street, Coburg
Bell Street, Preston
Blackburn Road, Blackburn
Bondi Road, Bonbeach
Buckley Street, Essendon
Burke Road, Glen Iris
Camp Road, Campbellfield
Cardinia Road, Pakenham
Centre Road, Bentleigh
Centre Road, Clayton
Chandler Road, Noble Park
Charman Road, Cheltenham
Chelsea Road, Chelsea
Cherry Street, Werribee
Clayton Road, Clayton
Clyde Road, Berwick
Corrigan Road, Noble Park
Cramer Street, Preston
Edithvale Road, Edithvale
Eel Race Road, Carrum
Evans Road, Lyndhurst
Ferguson Street, Williamstown
Fitzgerald Road, Ardeer
Furlong Road, St Albans
Glenroy Road, Glenroy
Grange Road, Alphington
Grange Road, Carnegie
Greens Road, Dandenong South
Hallam Road, Hallam
Heatherdale Road, Mitcham
Heatherton Road, Noble Park
High Street, Reservoir
Koornang Road, Carnegie
Kororoit Creek Road, Williamstown North
Lochiel Avenue, Edithvale
Lower Plenty Road, Rosanna
Main Road, St Albans
Manchester Road, Mooroolbark
Maroondah Highway, Lilydale
Mascot Avenue, Bonbeach
McKinnon Road, McKinnon
Melton Highway, Sydenham
Moreland Road, Brunswick
Mountain Highway, Bayswater
Munro Street, Coburg
Murray Road, Preston
Murrumbeena Road, Murrumbeena
North Road, Ormond
Oakover Road, Preston
Old Geelong Road, Hoppers Crossing
Park Road, Cheltenham
Poath Road, Hughesdale
Reynard Street, Coburg
Robinsons Road, Deer Park
Scoresby Road, Bayswater
Seaford Road, Seaford
Skye/Overton Road, Frankston

In progress:

Bedford Road, Ringwood
Brunt Road, Beaconsfield
Calder Park Drive, Calder Park
Camms Road, Cranbourne
Cave Hill Road, Lilydale
Coolstore Road, Croydon
Dublin Road, Ringwood East
Gap Road, Sunbury
Glen Huntly Road, Glen Huntly
Holden Road, Calder Park
Keon Parade, Reservoir
Main Street, Pakenham
McGregor Road, Pakenham
Mont Albert Road, Mont Albert
Mt Derrimut Road, Deer Park
Neerim Road, Glen Huntly
Parkers Road, Parkdale
Progress Street, Dandenong South
Racecourse Road, Pakenham
Station Street, Beaconsfield
Station Street, Officer
Union Road, Surrey Hills
Warrigal Road, Mentone
Webb Street, Narre Warren
Webster Street, Dandenong

Lots to check out! 

[ozbob]

V/Line trips:

Thursday 13 Oct Wangaratta

07:07 Southern Cross
09:47 Wangaratta

Luncheon: North Eastern Hotel
https://north-eastern-hotel-wangaratta.business.site

13.44 Wangaratta
16.43 Southern Cross

====

Saturday 15th October 2022 Ballarat

08:14 Melbourne Southern Cross
09:43 Ballarat Station

Ballarat Tram Museum https://www.btm.org.au/

14:20 Ballarat Station
15:48 Melbourne Southern Cross

====

Monday 17th October 2022  Seymour

Southern Cross 10:36
Seymour 11:59

Luncheon Railway Club Hotel https://www.railwayclubseymour.com.au

Seymour 15:08
Southern Cross 16:33

====

Tuesday 18th October 2022 Bairnsdale

07:17 Melbourne Southern Cross (Caulfield 07:38)
Bairnsdale Arrival time 11:15

Luncheon: The Main Hotel Bistraunt & Bar https://www.facebook.com/mainhotelbairnsdale/

12:54 Bairnsdale Station
Arrival time 16:44 Melbourne Southern Cross (Caulfield 16:24)

or 15:15 Coach Bairnsdale
Traralgon 17:05
17:20 Traralgon Arrival Caulfield 19.26

[Fares_Fair]

Can you send us pictures of level crossings removed please?
I've forgotten what they look like.
Last one removed in Queensland was in 2014.

[ozbob]

^ will do FF.  It is just a vacuum of non-activity here in SEQ, I do understand .... 

In the meantime > https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/projects/level-crossing-removal-project 

[ozbob]

Escape from LX hell tour 2022 !!

Countdown

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1579688120513368066



https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1579691307093884929

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1579695416240930816

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1579914729165684736

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1579922688390594560

[ozbob]

Been significant flooding in country Victoria, and most Vline services are disrupted, particularly the trips I had planned.

So I have decided to cut short this trip, and have another go when things are stabilised.

Will return to Brisbane over the weekend.

[ozbob]

At least I was able to checkout a significant number of level crossing removals on the Frankston line (Caulfield > Carrum) and (Caulfield > Oakleigh) on the Pakenham line.  All done well, whether elevated or rail under road (trench). Some situations suit sky rail, others different approaches.  The important thing is they are doing them in greater Melbourne.  Complete contrast to the lack of progress in greater Brisbane.

Greater Melbourne 67 LXs removed since 2015, target of 85 by 2025, 93 by 2027, 97 by 2028!

I traveled to MEL this morning from Murrumbeena and SkyBus.  Quiet noticeable the lack of V/Line trains at Southern Cross this morning.  Sydney XPT is a coach service.

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1580994936492929024

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1581033768722526208

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1581113657089757185

[ozbob]

11th October 2022







































Photographs R Dow 11th October 2022

[ozbob]

12th October 2022

Oakleigh > Murrumbeena on foot.

Some other photographs around Caulfield and Carnegie

[ozbob]

12th October continued ...







































Site of the Springvale Cemetery station.

The branch line alignment followed the road.

[ozbob]

12th October continued ...

[ozbob]

13th October 2022

Murrumbeena > Caulfield on foot.

Some other photographs around Caulfield and Carnegie













































Photographs R Dow 13th October 2022

[ozbob]

14th October 2022

Carrum > Caulfield on the train.  Stopped at a number of recent LX removal project stations

Carrum - elevated with some nice views of Port Phillip Bay.







































Photographs R Dow 14th October 2022

[ozbob]

14th October 2022

Carrum > Caulfield on the train.  Stopped at a number of recent LX removal project stations

Chelsea - rail under road LX removal































Photographs R Dow 14th October 2022

[#Metro]

^^^ SkyRail looks clean and attractive. I imagine something like this could work for inserting rail into the Brisbane Northern suburbs where areas are already built up and tunnelling would be expensive.

Does anyone know how high are the support structures off the ground? 10 m perhaps?

[ozbob]

14th October 2022

Carrum > Caulfield on the train.  Stopped at a number of recent LX removal project stations

Mentone - rail under road LX removal. Old station buildings preserved.





























Photographs R Dow 14th October 2022

[ozbob]

14th October 2022

Carrum > Caulfield on the train.  Stopped at a number of recent LX removal project stations

Cheltenham - rail under road LX removal.































Photographs R Dow 14th October 2022

[ozbob]

^^^ SkyRail looks clean and attractive. I imagine something like this could work for inserting rail into the Brisbane Northern suburbs where areas are already built up and tunnelling would be expensive.

Does anyone know how high are the support structures off the ground? 10 m perhaps?

The elevated rail (' Sky rail ') is great where it can be done.  Which is pretty much everywhere to be honest, it is NIMBYs that seem opposed to it.  They end up with far worse solutions and outcomes.  The Sky rail is quiet and opens up the rail corridor in a way that is transforming, no longer a protected corridor.  See the basket ball courts, gym activity centres, active transport paths in a safe environment along the Sky rail corridor.

The one big mistake they did with Caulfield <> Oakleigh is that it should have been triple track!

Otherwise a marvellous outcome.

The inner Cleveland line could be elevated, would be a marvellous outcome and take out a number of LXs.
But hey this banana-land ... 

[#Metro]

Otherwise a marvellous outcome.

The inner Cleveland line could be elevated, would be a marvellous outcome and take out a number of LXs.
But hey this banana-land ... 

I had not thought of that for the Cleveland Line, but it would fix up many sins - hard rock to tunnel through, twisty, windy curves, constant painting over graffiti, hilliness, and trespass.

[verbatim9]

Great pics there Bob

I wonder if some lines of Melbourne Metro will become fully automated within a decade, due to eliminating the level crossings. 

[verbatim9]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1579688120513368066



https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1579691307093884929

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1579695416240930816

Those dynamic PIDs look great and I like how they are flush on walls of the train cabins. Additionally, it is good how it shows the progress of train enroute like other metro systems around the world.

[ozbob]

Glen Huntly





https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/projects/level-crossing-removal-project/projects/glen-huntly-road-glen-huntly#:~:text=The%20level%20crossings%20at%20Neerim,trains%20run%20through%20the%20crossings.

"The level crossings at Neerim Road and Glen Huntly Road in Glen Huntly will be 2 of 20 crossings removed by the Level Crossing Removal Project along the Frankston Line by 2025.

Boom gates at these locations can be down for up to 58% of the morning peak, when up to 40 trains run through the crossings.

These level crossings will be removed by lowering the rail line into a trench, and will include the construction of a new Glenhuntly Station.

The new station – with its lowered platforms – will improve safety and accessibility for locals as well as provide better connections between public transport, shops and community spaces.

These 2 dangerous and congested level crossings have been fast-tracked for removal, with early construction works underway, targeting boom gate removal in 2023 and job done in 2024 – one year ahead of schedule. .. "

14th October 2022

Carrum > Caulfield on the train.  Stopped at a number of recent LX removal project stations

Glen Huntly - rail under road LX removal x2. Tram square, tram staying at ground level.













































Photographs R Dow 14th October 2022