I'm not from Australia, and with my present age and health, this is how I get to visit Melbourne as well as your other major cities. Putting myself in the commuter's shoes, I would think an increase in line speed/shortening of trip times would be a worthy goal.
@@pgchase4578043026 it’s nice to hear that you enjoy your visits to Melbourne and elsewhere thanks to my videos. As for train speeds, Melbourne has always been a fairly leisurely jog along railway. Sydney where I grew up the trains used to be driven essentially as fast as they could go. Since then, a lot of running time has been added and I believe this is to help ensure getting good “on time” figures. Having so much time, it’s almost impossible to run late, but they still manage to do that sometimes.. Good for the politicians, not so good for the worn out public just wanting to get home from work.
@@kcobley Yes, I think East Hills may have been one of the last single track lines. Not sure about any Richmond duplications. Most of Melbourne has fairly sedate speeds.
@@tressteleg1 Richmond line is the last remaining single track line, from Riverstone to Richmond. Cronulla line duplication completed in 2015, took a decade doing a station every five years. Trains used to stand at Caringbah whilst the other direction passed. Cronulla's platform 1 and 2 are in line not adjacent, been repeated again with the end to end interchange at the new Metro Martin place. At Cronulla you can interchange with a Ferry like Hawkesbury River and Circular Quay East Hills was always double track since 60's quadruplicate from Kingsgrove to Revesby in the early 80's. Double track extended from East Hills to Glenfield in 1987.
@@kcobley Thanks for all those updates. Not having lived in the Sydney/Wollongong region since 1987, it’s easy to lose touch with developments. I knew that duplication works had taken place on Cronulla line, but was not certain that all had been completed. Certainly the double length platform at Cronulla has always been a novelty, but in past years weekend recreational riding was a heavy feature of the line. I’m not surprised that some of the Richmond line is still single track, but presumably that is more or less adequate for the number of Trains needed. As for East Hills, I remember reading of rail motors working the outer end of the line, but obviously a long time ago. I remember when that line ended at a brick wall up above the street. Building the extension which I have ridden a number of times would have been quite easy from that high point.
Thanks for posting a great video. I am glad that they have now duplicated more of this line. I still think that they could investigate ways to protect the Eltham Copper Butterfly maybe captive breeding of the butterflies themselves. They could also investigate what the butterflies range is.
@@frankbanner8572 I did read Wikipedia about these butterflies and it makes interesting reading. While captive breeding would be desirable, I don’t think anyone involved in the field under any circumstances would condone altering that colony from where and how it is now. If the present track layout out near the end limits a needed increase in train frequency, the double track could resume a short distance further out from the butterflies. Maybe the government just saw a good way to save some money. The old single track rail bridge is also protected against change. It was only thanks to a commenter a few weeks ago that I learnt about the butterflies so added it to the video.
@@peterausfranken Basically yes, and even more so ‘bush’ in the past when overhead wires were held up with wooden poles, and at quieter times a single Tait power car ran up and down the line between Eltham and Hurstbridge. It would still probably handle the loadings at those times.
Hey tressteleg1 I have said enough I know bushfire season is coming soon and I dread that time. It has impacted me in the past especially as I travel a lot by train. There are places that I pass while I am sitting in a train carriage that are close to a lot of trees. There was one time where my train travels were affected by bushfires.
@@frankbanner8572 Well you need to approach the relevant State MP. I’m not defending the inaction by the government, just stating what their views probably are.
@@tressteleg1 I must clarify that I was travelling by train in Sydney and the short north when the bushfires that I am referring to were active. The NSW state government will only act if there is a very serious problem when it comes to bushfires. By that I mean a person suffers a serious injury or worse death. I have dealt with MPs and they are slow to react if they deem the reported problem is not important at the time of reporting.
Hey tressteleg1 I have another comment. There is a possibility that the trees which are on each side of the line in places could be blown onto the track if the area got hit with very strong winds. The strong winds blew a tree down onto the light rail(tram) line at Pyrmont recently. The tree got tangled up in the overhead wiring. This light rail line was converted from a disused freight only line a few years ago. This line went from Darling Harbour to Dulwich Hill.
@@frankbanner8572 I am quite familiar with the L1 and read several news stories about the tree and with photos. Some rail administrations are aware of potential risks, but may take the chance that nothing happens. Additionally the local greenies might be rather strong, object to any tree clearing for whatever reason, and the government just could not be bothered fighting them which could be expensive anyway. Then everybody whinges when a tree falls on a train…
Hey tressteleg1 what state are you from? I live in Sydney NSW and I am only commenting on my observations of the video that you posted. I still think that the Victorian government could look at this line and futureproof it. They could duplicate the line where possible by that I mean not removing any trees. The butterflies rely on a species of eucalyptus trees according to Wikipedia. Why don't they just grow more of these trees in a nursery and them plant them out. Thd only other thing that I noticed is the amount of trees that are close to the line bushfire hazard.
@@frankbanner8572 I grew up in Sydney when the real trams were running, was a Melbourne tram driver 1988 - 94 and now live on the Gold Coast. A train driver provides the video material. As for this line, I suspect that especially the outer areas of this line has sparse population (not many houses in what we see) so spending more money on the line is not going to win many votes. Any attempt to move or otherwise disturb the butterfly colony will be harshly resisted. Sure, start up a protected butterfly habitat, but don’t touch this colony. Knowing what NIMBYs are like, they would probably protest any attempts to move away any trees - and then complain when a bushfire destroys the railway.
24:24, where did it go? you went south. many times going north up the hume starting up the great divide, we were suddenly bathed in sunshine. melbourne is in the wrong place. it should be around kilmore. people like me wouldnt have felt the need to live in a sunnier place. many times returning on the hume to melbourne the sunshine would suddenly disappear. and the end of our journey became bathed in clouds.
@@peejay1981 I agree, but improving roads for motorists wins votes, easing curves, who would notice or care besides a small number of train passengers? And it would cost heaps.
As someone who lives on the Hurstbridge line, I approve of this video
@@TheUnlabeledXtrapolis 👍👍👍
Nice express ride. Thanks tressteleg1👌👍🥰
I remember when the catenary poles between Hurstbridge and Eltham were wooden apart from a some steel at Wattle Glen station and a few other places.
@@paulpreston3067 Yes, that is how it was. Quite a rural appearance.
I'm not from Australia, and with my present age and health, this is how I get to visit Melbourne as well as your other major cities. Putting myself in the commuter's shoes, I would think an increase in line speed/shortening of trip times would be a worthy goal.
@@pgchase4578043026 it’s nice to hear that you enjoy your visits to Melbourne and elsewhere thanks to my videos.
As for train speeds, Melbourne has always been a fairly leisurely jog along railway. Sydney where I grew up the trains used to be driven essentially as fast as they could go. Since then, a lot of running time has been added and I believe this is to help ensure getting good “on time” figures. Having so much time, it’s almost impossible to run late, but they still manage to do that sometimes.. Good for the politicians, not so good for the worn out public just wanting to get home from work.
Reminds me of Sydney track duplication in the 60's and 70's.
This is a really slow train.
@@kcobley Yes, I think East Hills may have been one of the last single track lines. Not sure about any Richmond duplications.
Most of Melbourne has fairly sedate speeds.
@@tressteleg1 Richmond line is the last remaining single track line, from Riverstone to Richmond.
Cronulla line duplication completed in 2015, took a decade doing a station every five years.
Trains used to stand at Caringbah whilst the other direction passed.
Cronulla's platform 1 and 2 are in line not adjacent, been repeated again with the end to end interchange at the new Metro Martin place.
At Cronulla you can interchange with a Ferry like Hawkesbury River and Circular Quay
East Hills was always double track since 60's quadruplicate from Kingsgrove to Revesby in the early 80's. Double track extended from East Hills to Glenfield in 1987.
@@kcobley Thanks for all those updates. Not having lived in the Sydney/Wollongong region since 1987, it’s easy to lose touch with developments. I knew that duplication works had taken place on Cronulla line, but was not certain that all had been completed. Certainly the double length platform at Cronulla has always been a novelty, but in past years weekend recreational riding was a heavy feature of the line. I’m not surprised that some of the Richmond line is still single track, but presumably that is more or less adequate for the number of Trains needed. As for East Hills, I remember reading of rail motors working the outer end of the line, but obviously a long time ago. I remember when that line ended at a brick wall up above the street. Building the extension which I have ridden a number of times would have been quite easy from that high point.
Thanks for posting a great video. I am glad that they have now duplicated more of this line. I still think that they could investigate ways to protect the Eltham Copper Butterfly maybe captive breeding of the butterflies themselves. They could also investigate what the butterflies range is.
@@frankbanner8572 I did read Wikipedia about these butterflies and it makes interesting reading. While captive breeding would be desirable, I don’t think anyone involved in the field under any circumstances would condone altering that colony from where and how it is now. If the present track layout out near the end limits a needed increase in train frequency, the double track could resume a short distance further out from the butterflies. Maybe the government just saw a good way to save some money. The old single track rail bridge is also protected against change. It was only thanks to a commenter a few weeks ago that I learnt about the butterflies so added it to the video.
The bush railway from Melbourne's Metro system😉
@@peterausfranken Basically yes, and even more so ‘bush’ in the past when overhead wires were held up with wooden poles, and at quieter times a single Tait power car ran up and down the line between Eltham and Hurstbridge. It would still probably handle the loadings at those times.
Hey tressteleg1 I have said enough I know bushfire season is coming soon and I dread that time. It has impacted me in the past especially as I travel a lot by train. There are places that I pass while I am sitting in a train carriage that are close to a lot of trees. There was one time where my train travels were affected by bushfires.
@@frankbanner8572 Well you need to approach the relevant State MP. I’m not defending the inaction by the government, just stating what their views probably are.
@@tressteleg1 I must clarify that I was travelling by train in Sydney and the short north when the bushfires that I am referring to were active.
The NSW state government will only act if there is a very serious problem when it comes to bushfires. By that I mean a person suffers a serious injury or worse death. I have dealt with MPs and they are slow to react if they deem the reported problem is not important at the time of reporting.
@@frankbanner8572 I understand your situation and can only say ‘good luck’ and hope you are never caught up in a rail-side fire.
Hey tressteleg1 I have another comment. There is a possibility that the trees which are on each side of the line in places could be blown onto the track if the area got hit with very strong winds. The strong winds blew a tree down onto the light rail(tram) line at Pyrmont recently. The tree got tangled up in the overhead wiring. This light rail line was converted from a disused freight only line a few years ago. This line went from Darling Harbour to Dulwich Hill.
@@frankbanner8572 I am quite familiar with the L1 and read several news stories about the tree and with photos. Some rail administrations are aware of potential risks, but may take the chance that nothing happens. Additionally the local greenies might be rather strong, object to any tree clearing for whatever reason, and the government just could not be bothered fighting them which could be expensive anyway. Then everybody whinges when a tree falls on a train…
Cool Video!😁
@@pierreinthavong181 👍😊
Hey tressteleg1 what state are you from? I live in Sydney NSW and I am only commenting on my observations of the video that you posted. I still think that the Victorian government could look at this line and futureproof it. They could duplicate the line where possible by that I mean not removing any trees. The butterflies rely on a species of
eucalyptus trees according to Wikipedia. Why don't they just grow more of these trees in a nursery and them plant them out. Thd only other thing that I noticed is the amount of trees that are close to the line bushfire hazard.
@@frankbanner8572 I grew up in Sydney when the real trams were running, was a Melbourne tram driver 1988 - 94 and now live on the Gold Coast. A train driver provides the video material. As for this line, I suspect that especially the outer areas of this line has sparse population (not many houses in what we see) so spending more money on the line is not going to win many votes. Any attempt to move or otherwise disturb the butterfly colony will be harshly resisted. Sure, start up a protected butterfly habitat, but don’t touch this colony. Knowing what NIMBYs are like, they would probably protest any attempts to move away any trees - and then complain when a bushfire destroys the railway.
24:24, where did it go? you went south. many times going north up the hume starting up the great divide, we were suddenly bathed in sunshine. melbourne is in the wrong place. it should be around kilmore. people like me wouldnt have felt the need to live in a sunnier place. many times returning on the hume to melbourne the sunshine would suddenly disappear. and the end of our journey became bathed in clouds.
Melbourne certainly spends a lot of time under cloud when nearby areas see sunshine. However I don’t expect they’ll be moving it any time soon!
Melbourne and clouds, Melbourne and rain, Melbourne and 4 seasons on one Day - has a tradition 😂
@@peterausfranken Yes and this video shows it. The second part includes rain, after such a perfect start.
@@tressteleg1 Melbourne weather at it's best😉
@@peterausfranken That is why I live in Qld now.
They need curve easing more than LX removal on that line - if the train went any slower it would be faster to get out and walk!!
@@peejay1981 I agree, but improving roads for motorists wins votes, easing curves, who would notice or care besides a small number of train passengers? And it would cost heaps.