I've re-uploaded this video with some changes to the commentary between 34:31 and 34:57 (Leichhardt Tunnel) and between 36:49 to 37:52. (crossing the Parramatta Road and Strathfield rail lines). All previous comments are under the original video - th-cam.com/video/y0tsSV6vCGQ/w-d-xo.html
The Pyrmont bay to Casino stop was very popular when the Opal cards first came out. When the new card system was introduced you received free travel from memory after 8 journeys. But if you could do 4 small trips it became one journey. So people would run or catch the light rail between Pyrmont Bay and the Casino on a Monday and they would get free trips on Sydney Transport for the rest of the week.
Yes I remember that well! You had to tap on at a different station to the one you tapped off at, for it to count as a new journey. So people would travel from Pyrmont Bay to The Star, then walk back to Pyrmont Bay, then catch another tram to The Star, and then keep doing that for 8 times in total! It happened at other stations too, such as Milsons Point to North Sydney. It didn't work in the CBD though, as there were special rules that meant that tapping in at different CBD stops still counted as a journey.
@@TransportVlog you could do it on the buses down George street to central before the light rail closed the road to normal traffic. You Just got off at the next stop. It worked well. 😃
This was also possible between newtown and macdonaldtown. Its a longer walk but people cottened on to riding a pushy or electric scooter between the stops to rack up the 8 trips.
Thanks for this gem Paul. You have analysed a very historic part of Sydney and particularly with this line, formerly the Darlinmg Harbour goods line. It was on this line, that many hundres of young men were transported to the ships in Darling Harbour to take them off to fight in World War I
😀Paul, Good day from Lismore, NSW. That was the Inner West Light Rail I used to catch daily. Alstom Citadis was a company that was 12 kilometres electrified in Singapore. I was the project manager and civil engineer. I worked as an engineer in Singapore from 1999 to 2005. We designed and constructed twelve-kilometre tunnels with two boring tunnel machines and five stations. I also managed 160 engineers and architects.
Back in the 1990s, I would occasionally see a steam train doing a run on that old goods line around the back of what was Glebe High school (the train would go across the bridge across Bridge road).
At that time (after the shutdown of the Darling Harbour sidings and the tunnels under Ultimo and Broadway), there was a diesel (48 class or some such, I think) that apparently used to run to a council depot near the present Fish Market station occasionally, and the line was also used during the construction of the Anzac Bridge.. The tunnel under Ultimo was a mess. They used part of it to film an episode of "Police Rescue" in the 1980's, and there was left-over staging in the tunnel for many years. I never saw a steam train using it though it would have been good to see. The line was pretty dilapidated, with usually only 1 track of the pair in use, and crosses from one side to the other in various places.
Thanks Peter, Glad you enjoyed it. I'm planning to do some more filming on the L1 now that the CAF trams are back, so if you see me, do give me a wave!
Thanks for the revision, Paul. I can't remember what was missing but never mind. So glad they have planned some longer platforms and hopefully more coming as the Dulwich Hill Light Rail seems to be overcrowded so much. Still did not notice the extensions at Dulwich Hill but pretty sure I saw them on my last visit. I will share some photos there, with you.
Hi Geoff, It was just a few minor changes to the narration. I got the bridges slightly wrong between Taverners Hill and Lewisham West, so felt it was worth reuploading for this reason.
Hi Russ, yes it was a good solution. The CAF trams are now running most of the services, but there are still Alstom trams running as well, so its an interesting mix! - Its also enabled the frequency to be increased at peak times and weekends.
The Trams In The Maintenance Facility Was Introduced Between July 2014 and June 2015 was The Caf Urbos 3. These Trams Replaced The Caf Urbos 2s that have Small Rocky Seats. And the Aging Variotrams that was introduced in 1997.
Thank you for this video, I have travelled as far as Wentworth Park but it only went as far as Lilyfield back then which rather dates me. The rest of the trip was beautiful, hard to imagine you are in Sydney & not the country or beach side. I loved travelling on the light rail & the monorail for that matter but it had its downside by only going one way.
Hi Louise, yes it wasn't that long ago that it terminated at Lilyfield. I remember that well! Yes its a wonderful light rail line, so full of contrasts! - I was never a fan of the Monorail, mainly because it only went one way and you couldn't move between carriages.
Just a historical note the L1 mostly runs along the route of the former Metropolitan Goods line which was constructed to avoid the bottleneck of goods trains going through Central Station. a small part of the L1 line uses the old goods line into Darling Harbour. When the line was closed prior construction for the light rail I did a quick exploit walk along the route . It was a fun walk until I met a 48 class at Wentworth Park! The crew and I had a discussion along the lines of what we were doing on a line that was closed before we went on our way.
Great video - I'm thinking of taking my camera for some blur photography, and this video helped me pick some spots (particularly Pyrmont Bay and The Star). Could you also make a video about the Hunter Line someday? It's a really interesting line, but trains are so infrequent on weekends. A with @BuildingBeautifully, similar to your WSA Metro one, would also be cool!
Thanks! Yes I'll add it to the list. I have already done end of the line videos for Telarah and Dungog and a freight trains video at Sandgate. Links to all of these below Telarah th-cam.com/video/W_6I1I-Gu6E/w-d-xo.htmlsi=tnUOi_QJlimHDuSi Dungog th-cam.com/video/AMwHKZbRDsc/w-d-xo.htmlsi=6t00Eept8N8sDkeb Sandgate th-cam.com/video/_vxeSZT3h8E/w-d-xo.htmlsi=mIZ3vRuHwMAyPdpO
I have travelled on this tram several times and the updated service stock is a little bit quicker then the previous train set unfortunately it is still too slow and has the diabolical Glebe and North Leichhardt stops you really do get the impression this was a goods line
Hi Robert, I agree that it's slow in places, especially with the speed restrictions on the turnouts. I reckon removing these speed limits could knock 3 to 5 mins off the journey time.
@@TransportVlog Still slow though. Better to take the train from Central to Dulwich Hill only takes minutes to get there. Have doubts about the validity of some of the stops. Scratch my head over the Glebe,Lillyfield and the Nth Leichardt stops and realy have to ask" why???" Glebe is diabolically bad, access to Glebe Point Road, frightening with a one in 3 gradient. Nth Leichardt, Leichardt is roughly quarter mile uphill from the station, Lillyfield you have to wait for a Bus, which defeats the purpose of the Tram
Hi Rob, Glad you enjoyed it! Yes the Sydney Metro link with Dulwich Hill is progressing well and I covered it in this video - th-cam.com/video/owAqO37c7OM/w-d-xo.html
That's good to hear. I guess these are probably newer than the C1 trams. You might find this video on the new Parramatta Light Rail Trams interesting - th-cam.com/video/baF6mnHVEuM/w-d-xo.html
Love your video by the way - I catch this tram whenever I need to get to the ICC at Darling Harbour or the Sydney Fish Markets but have never thought of it the way you described it. Love how you added the information about homeless people living under the Wentworth Park viaduct in the arches. and thanks for the I'll walk quickly in case there are any snakes?
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it! Yes that was an interesting (if rather sad) alternative world happening between the railway arches! and I can confirm that there are no snakes close to the Waratah Mills stop!
Thanks for the description, especially what they did to accommodate the slight difference in width between Alstrom and CAF trams. One thing I have wondered is whether some single-set Alstrom trams couldn't be used to run a Dulwich Hill to Circular Quay direct service, which would be convenient. Only the Alstrom trams could do the run to Circular Quay, as they can use the street surface power from Town Hall to Circular Quay. I guess CAFs could run as far as Town Hall, although their width might be a problem for the George St Platforms. It was also interesting to hear that they considered using the old swing bridge and Rozelle yards tracks for the tram. The present route makes mores sense. Originally trams actually DID use the old swing bridge when they ran out to Ryde etc from Sydney. Another idea was to use the Dulwich Hill to Central freight line for a HEAVY rail passenger service, or at least some people campaigned for this at various times from the 1970s onwards. It would have required electrification or diesel sets.
Interesting idea of running L1 trams direct to Circular Quay. It probably wouldn't happen simply it would reduce capacity and slow down trams on the L2 and L3. If an L1 tram came from Circular Quay, the northbound L2 and L3 trams would need to wait whilst it crossed the junction. Yes it would have been interesting if this had become a heavy rail service! And I wonder where the CBD terminus might have been (perhaps under Central Station!)
@@TransportVlog It's true that L2/3 trams would have to wait for an L1 at the George St junction, but on the other hand, they presently have to wait for L1 trams crossing it at right angles on their way to/from Central. You would have capacity issues, though they might be balanced by convenience/patronage. As for the inner west HR idea, I have wondered about that too. The line crosses under Broadway and then curves southwards. They would have to make platforms where the cutting comes from the tunnel up to the general grade, or just run it to Redfern. A new tunnel under Central would be expensive!
Once I was waiting for the tram at Kingsford and a guy tried to run a red light when a tram departed and almost hit him! The tram used a horn haha, sound similar to the one on cars.
Yes that happens quite often unfortunately. The tram driver will normally use the bell to warn other vehicles, but it necessary, the horn to provide a more stern warning. In this video, you can see me in the drivers seat ringing the bell and sounding the horn! th-cam.com/video/baF6mnHVEuM/w-d-xo.htmlsi=So5qMlQTdmsQ3xGS&t=337
Central-Wentworth Park opened on the 11th of August 1997 With the Variotrams Entering Service. Wentworth Park-Lilyfield opened on the 13th of August 2000. And Lilyfield-Dulwich Hill opened on the 14th of March 2014 When the Caf Urbos 2s Entered Service From the 14th of March to the 23rd of July 2014.
Those exact Alstom Citadis trams were almost ordered by the Victorian state government for Melbourne after they ordered five units of the older generation as a part of a trial. They instead chose to order the five section Siemens Combino trams because of them having a higher capacity and possibly being a better deal for the government at the time! :)
@@TransportVlog Yup though for now the Victorian state government has a long term contract with Bombardier with the new G class trams expected to enter service early next year! They are pretty much the newer generation of the current E class trams while they might eventually introduce a longer variation of the G class trams for some highly capacity routes! :)
Yes, for the time-being! I think they'll be phased out when all of the Urbos 100s have been delivered. Its great to see the Alstom trams still running on the L1, and it means that this video is not out of date yet!
You're lucky. Shortly after a free travel week last year (organised as part of the RTBU Industrial action), there was a massive increase in revenue protection staff and I remember my OPAL card getting checked 3 times in one day!
oh yeh that's right cracks were found in rolling stock. I don't get why there are 2 different types of trams .At least the L1 tram tracks are compatible with the L2 & L3 tram tracks !? or are they?
Yes that's right, the track and loading is the same for the L1, and L2&L3. The CAF trams can't run on the L2 or L3 between Town Hall and Circular Quay as they don't have the ground-level power supply system. And being slightly wider, they may be issues on other sections.
I remember the Alstom Citadis Tram Collided With a Fire Truck On Tuesday 5th of September 2022 which was 3 days before Queen Elizabeth Passed away on Friday 8th of September 2022. Did you have Memories of Queen Elizabeth After She Passed Away?
Yes, its pretty close. I would probably get off at the Paddy's Market stop, as that's a more pleasant walk, and includes a small part of the Old Goods Line (which has become a pedestrian path). I reckon the distance is about the same as Exhibition Centre.
The L2 opened in 2019, and the L3 followed in 2020. I remember it opening during a COVID lockdown, so it was a few weeks before I got to go for a ride on it.
Yes I continue to see them too! The off-peak frequency has been increased to every 10 minutes, so it will be interesting to see if Alstom trams are required to maintain this frequency, or whether they will just come out at peak times.
The current CAF fleet are slated to undergo major component replacement/overhaul, so you’ll see quite a few at Pyrmont completely hacked-up. I reckon Citadis’ will go once the new Urbos 100 growth trams (2125-28) come into service within the coming months if not weeks! Strangely, they differ considerably to the existing CAF fleet. Different shaped car bodies, internal LCD displays, larger external displays, different traction equipment, larger A/C units. So much for streamlining fleet maintenance.
The video is amazing as always, but these 5kmph curves are beyond ridiculous... 50 years old tram lines in Europe with points have higher speeds in curves like this... And this is a somewhat new line.
Glad you enjoyed it! - Yes it really is time to review those speed limits! - However, I think with all the issues with the CAF trams, this may not happen for a while!
@@csabasipos6525 The Urbos 3 CAF trams developed big cracks in the wheel wells and needed to be repaired. The Alstom trams were sent to run on the L1 line, but this line has a slightly different loading gauge to the L2 and L3 lines that the Alstoms run on, hence the temporary lower speeds
Hey Paul just out of curiosity why did the Rozelle Railway yards ceased operations in 2009? because I remember it being in operation when I was 8 years old. The other thing that you forgot to show in your video was that the Old Goods Line used to connect Up to the T3 Bankstown Line at Dulwich Hill and there's an Old Railway bridge going over Terrace Rd in Dulwich Hill where the goods line would connect Up with The Bankstown Line at Dulwich Hill so that's something you can share with everyone if you are going to do another video of the L1 Dulwich Hill line again.
Hi Peter, I'm not sure why goods trains stopped operating. I guess it just became uneconomic, as larger and more modern freight facilities elsewhere in Sydney took over. Yes that's right! I've seen the old bridge and trackbed when travelling on the T3 between Dulwich Hill and Hurlstone Park. I am planning to do a front of tram video for the L1 at some point, so I can mention this then.
With the redevelopments at Darling harbour, & Barangaroo, the Darling Harbour goods rail depot, lost it's reason for existence. Goods yards now exist at Chullora, Port Botany, with a new logistics hub being developed at the old Army site at Holsworthy, & no doubt also at the new International airport site at Badgerys Creek. BTW Great video Paul! Thanks!
Yes they probably are! I wasn't aware of that. A little Googling reveals that the C2-class trams are a version of the Alstom Citadis tram. I'll keep a look out for those next time I'm in Melbourne.
He He! No I don't think that will be necessary. In my 13 years of living in Australia, I've only seen 7 or 8 snakes, and several of them were diamond pythons (which are harmless). I've still never seen a redback or funnel web spider!
@@TransportVlog so that means Paul is definitely not an weird little guy in this video who can easily be scared by some crazy Australian wildlife animals, is he? th-cam.com/video/kdihHnaOQsk/w-d-xo.html
Hi Paul, did you hear about the death of an Australian-based Asian girl in Chinatown after she tried to cross the coupler between the trams? This event might not have occurred if she had not acted in such a dangerous manner.
When the Citidus was bought by the NSW government, some smarmy pundits were scoffing about the sheer incompetence of buying a tram that supposedly cannot be used on the L1 platforms. Turns out they can.
Has anybody asked by the light rail and the heavy rail routes are not shown on the same transport maps to maximise the opportunities afforded by interconnecting services?
@@TransportVlog e.g., Dulwich Hill. I put it to the Transport Department, but they could not see the benefit. Berlin Transport excels with its interconnectedness. Someone should pay a visit.
they have had light rail on the city rail map with all the stops but it was quite bad because the end of the light rail line was right next to North Strathfield
Hi Ethan, I didn't realise that Central Station was built on an old Cemetery. I did some googling and this article is pretty good - www.9news.com.au/national/central-station-family-vault-new-south-wales-grave-discovery/7c1f1c06-52ce-4363-8774-cd332db65bae
I have no idea why that tram has a loading gauge issue for. That tunnel was used for much wider freight trains and wagons. There really should be no loading gauge issues with the citadis trams.
I always assumed it was due to the different wheel profile causing a lot more hunting oscillation especially at higher speed, which could damage the track and tram and bring in the potential for derailments.
Hi Geoff, the L1 has overhead wires on the whole line. The L2&L3 use a ground level power supply between Town Hall and Circular Quay. This article explains how this works - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alstom_APS
![HIWWHEE | OHM [Official MV]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/OJJLtTLqLag/mqdefault.jpg)
I've re-uploaded this video with some changes to the commentary between 34:31 and 34:57 (Leichhardt Tunnel) and between 36:49 to 37:52. (crossing the Parramatta Road and Strathfield rail lines). All previous comments are under the original video - th-cam.com/video/y0tsSV6vCGQ/w-d-xo.html
Thanks for adding the flour mill information, there was no need to re-upload the video again, but that is your choice.
The Pyrmont bay to Casino stop was very popular when the Opal cards first came out.
When the new card system was introduced you received free travel from memory after 8 journeys.
But if you could do 4 small trips it became one journey.
So people would run or catch the light rail between Pyrmont Bay and the Casino on a Monday and they would get free trips on Sydney Transport for the rest of the week.
Yes I remember that well! You had to tap on at a different station to the one you tapped off at, for it to count as a new journey. So people would travel from Pyrmont Bay to The Star, then walk back to Pyrmont Bay, then catch another tram to The Star, and then keep doing that for 8 times in total! It happened at other stations too, such as Milsons Point to North Sydney. It didn't work in the CBD though, as there were special rules that meant that tapping in at different CBD stops still counted as a journey.
@@TransportVlog you could do it on the buses down George street to central before the light rail closed the road to normal traffic. You Just got off at the next stop. It worked well. 😃
This was also possible between newtown and macdonaldtown. Its a longer walk but people cottened on to riding a pushy or electric scooter between the stops to rack up the 8 trips.
Thanks for this gem Paul. You have analysed a very historic part of Sydney and particularly with this line, formerly the Darlinmg Harbour goods line. It was on this line, that many hundres of young men were transported to the ships in Darling Harbour to take them off to fight in World War I
You’re very welcome Luke. Thanks for sharing its purpose during World War 1 as well. This line has such an interesting history!
😀Paul, Good day from Lismore, NSW. That was the Inner West Light Rail I used to catch daily. Alstom Citadis was a company that was 12 kilometres electrified in Singapore. I was the project manager and civil engineer. I worked as an engineer in Singapore from 1999 to 2005. We designed and constructed twelve-kilometre tunnels with two boring tunnel machines and five stations. I also managed 160 engineers and architects.
Lewisham was where I lived. I lived in Denison St, 5 minutes from the Sydney Light Rail station.
Back in the 1990s, I would occasionally see a steam train doing a run on that old goods line around the back of what was Glebe High school (the train would go across the bridge across Bridge road).
That would have been interesting! The L1 has so much history!
At that time (after the shutdown of the Darling Harbour sidings and the tunnels under Ultimo and Broadway), there was a diesel (48 class or some such, I think) that apparently used to run to a council depot near the present Fish Market station occasionally, and the line was also used during the construction of the Anzac Bridge.. The tunnel under Ultimo was a mess. They used part of it to film an episode of "Police Rescue" in the 1980's, and there was left-over staging in the tunnel for many years. I never saw a steam train using it though it would have been good to see. The line was pretty dilapidated, with usually only 1 track of the pair in use, and crosses from one side to the other in various places.
I'm a fairly new driver on the L1 and thoroughly enjoyed the video!
Thanks Peter, Glad you enjoyed it. I'm planning to do some more filming on the L1 now that the CAF trams are back, so if you see me, do give me a wave!
@@TransportVlog definitely!
10:53 Fun fact from that footbridge you can still see remnants of the old Monorail Depot
Yes you can!
Thanks for the revision, Paul. I can't remember what was missing but never mind. So glad they have planned some longer platforms and hopefully more coming as the Dulwich Hill Light Rail seems to be overcrowded so much. Still did not notice the extensions at Dulwich Hill but pretty sure I saw them on my last visit. I will share some photos there, with you.
Hi Geoff, It was just a few minor changes to the narration. I got the bridges slightly wrong between Taverners Hill and Lewisham West, so felt it was worth reuploading for this reason.
I've been to Powerhouse Museum twice with school and observed the trams because I love trains haha.
Yes it's a great viewing location for the L1
This is a nice idea to bring the ALSTOM trams to the inner west tram line
Hi Russ, yes it was a good solution. The CAF trams are now running most of the services, but there are still Alstom trams running as well, so its an interesting mix! - Its also enabled the frequency to be increased at peak times and weekends.
The Trams In The Maintenance Facility Was Introduced Between July 2014 and June 2015 was The Caf Urbos 3. These Trams Replaced The Caf Urbos 2s that have Small Rocky Seats. And the Aging Variotrams that was introduced in 1997.
Thanks for that Ethan!
Thanks for your work producing this video. It was great viewing!!
Glad you enjoyed it Maurice. I had a lot of fun filming this one!
Great Video Presentation Paul! I love this Light Rail Line.
Glad you enjoyed it Rob! I hope to do more videos like these in the future for other light (and heavy) rail lines.
Thanks for your effort, Paul
My pleasure!
Thank you for this video, I have travelled as far as Wentworth Park but it only went as far as Lilyfield back then which rather dates me. The rest of the trip was beautiful, hard to imagine you are in Sydney & not the country or beach side. I loved travelling on the light rail & the monorail for that matter but it had its downside by only going one way.
Hi Louise, yes it wasn't that long ago that it terminated at Lilyfield. I remember that well! Yes its a wonderful light rail line, so full of contrasts! - I was never a fan of the Monorail, mainly because it only went one way and you couldn't move between carriages.
Just a historical note the L1 mostly runs along the route of the former Metropolitan Goods line which was constructed to avoid the bottleneck of goods trains going through Central Station. a small part of the L1 line uses the old goods line into Darling Harbour. When the line was closed prior construction for the light rail I did a quick exploit walk along the route . It was a fun walk until I met a 48 class at Wentworth Park! The crew and I had a discussion along the lines of what we were doing on a line that was closed before we went on our way.
Yes that's right. It must have been interesting walking along the old goods line back then, even if it wasn't quite closed yet!
@@TransportVlog It certainly was. i did it myself once or twice, one time getting footage for a video I made about the (then) planned tram service.
Great video - I'm thinking of taking my camera for some blur photography, and this video helped me pick some spots (particularly Pyrmont Bay and The Star).
Could you also make a video about the Hunter Line someday? It's a really interesting line, but trains are so infrequent on weekends. A with @BuildingBeautifully, similar to your WSA Metro one, would also be cool!
Thanks! Yes I'll add it to the list. I have already done end of the line videos for Telarah and Dungog and a freight trains video at Sandgate. Links to all of these below
Telarah th-cam.com/video/W_6I1I-Gu6E/w-d-xo.htmlsi=tnUOi_QJlimHDuSi
Dungog th-cam.com/video/AMwHKZbRDsc/w-d-xo.htmlsi=6t00Eept8N8sDkeb
Sandgate th-cam.com/video/_vxeSZT3h8E/w-d-xo.htmlsi=mIZ3vRuHwMAyPdpO
I have travelled on this tram several times and the updated service stock is a little bit quicker then the previous train set unfortunately it is still too slow and has the diabolical Glebe and North Leichhardt stops you really do get the impression this was a goods line
Hi Robert, I agree that it's slow in places, especially with the speed restrictions on the turnouts. I reckon removing these speed limits could knock 3 to 5 mins off the journey time.
@@TransportVlog Still slow though. Better to take the train from Central to Dulwich Hill only takes minutes to get there. Have doubts about the validity of some of the stops. Scratch my head over the Glebe,Lillyfield and the Nth Leichardt stops and realy have to ask" why???" Glebe is diabolically bad, access to Glebe Point Road, frightening with a one in 3 gradient. Nth Leichardt, Leichardt is roughly quarter mile uphill from the station, Lillyfield you have to wait for a Bus, which defeats the purpose of the Tram
Definitely is my friend and Thxs for the information on the trams
Hi Mark, you're very welcome and thanks for the "super thanks". I appreciate that!
this is a great presentation on the L1 but it would be great to see an addition to Dulwich Hill link to Sydney Metro.
Hi Rob, Glad you enjoyed it! Yes the Sydney Metro link with Dulwich Hill is progressing well and I covered it in this video - th-cam.com/video/owAqO37c7OM/w-d-xo.html
I recall the Darling harbour shunting yard ,I was a goods guard in the old N.S.W .G.R
Wow! I wish I'd been around then! Hope this video bought back some happy memories of this old goods line.
Quite a bit better than the c1 Citadis 202s in Melbourne. Well done Alstom!
That's good to hear. I guess these are probably newer than the C1 trams. You might find this video on the new Parramatta Light Rail Trams interesting - th-cam.com/video/baF6mnHVEuM/w-d-xo.html
@@TransportVlog It was certainly an interesting video.
these are 5 segment trams, aren't they closer to the C2 Bumblebees?
@@xymaryai8283 yes.
6:10 The horn😁
Beep Beep!
Love your video by the way - I catch this tram whenever I need to get to the ICC at Darling Harbour or the Sydney Fish Markets but have never thought of it the way you described it. Love how you added the information about homeless people living under the Wentworth Park viaduct in the arches. and thanks for the I'll walk quickly in case there are any snakes?
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it! Yes that was an interesting (if rather sad) alternative world happening between the railway arches! and I can confirm that there are no snakes close to the Waratah Mills stop!
Thanks for the description, especially what they did to accommodate the slight difference in width between Alstrom and CAF trams. One thing I have wondered is whether some single-set Alstrom trams couldn't be used to run a Dulwich Hill to Circular Quay direct service, which would be convenient. Only the Alstrom trams could do the run to Circular Quay, as they can use the street surface power from Town Hall to Circular Quay. I guess CAFs could run as far as Town Hall, although their width might be a problem for the George St Platforms.
It was also interesting to hear that they considered using the old swing bridge and Rozelle yards tracks for the tram. The present route makes mores sense. Originally trams actually DID use the old swing bridge when they ran out to Ryde etc from Sydney. Another idea was to use the Dulwich Hill to Central freight line for a HEAVY rail passenger service, or at least some people campaigned for this at various times from the 1970s onwards. It would have required electrification or diesel sets.
Interesting idea of running L1 trams direct to Circular Quay. It probably wouldn't happen simply it would reduce capacity and slow down trams on the L2 and L3. If an L1 tram came from Circular Quay, the northbound L2 and L3 trams would need to wait whilst it crossed the junction. Yes it would have been interesting if this had become a heavy rail service! And I wonder where the CBD terminus might have been (perhaps under Central Station!)
@@TransportVlog It's true that L2/3 trams would have to wait for an L1 at the George St junction, but on the other hand, they presently have to wait for L1 trams crossing it at right angles on their way to/from Central. You would have capacity issues, though they might be balanced by convenience/patronage.
As for the inner west HR idea, I have wondered about that too. The line crosses under Broadway and then curves southwards. They would have to make platforms where the cutting comes from the tunnel up to the general grade, or just run it to Redfern. A new tunnel under Central would be expensive!
i remember the lines that the Trams used to run before 1961. Trams used to go further than randwick. I will have to check on google
Amazing history and video
Thanks!
Interesting tram line!
Hi Ian, I appreciate the "super thanks" donation. That's very kind of you! - Yes it certainly is, with lots of interesting history!
Once I was waiting for the tram at Kingsford and a guy tried to run a red light when a tram departed and almost hit him! The tram used a horn haha, sound similar to the one on cars.
Yes that happens quite often unfortunately. The tram driver will normally use the bell to warn other vehicles, but it necessary, the horn to provide a more stern warning. In this video, you can see me in the drivers seat ringing the bell and sounding the horn! th-cam.com/video/baF6mnHVEuM/w-d-xo.htmlsi=So5qMlQTdmsQ3xGS&t=337
Great video!
Thanks!
Central-Wentworth Park opened on the 11th of August 1997 With the Variotrams Entering Service. Wentworth Park-Lilyfield opened on the 13th of August 2000. And Lilyfield-Dulwich Hill opened on the 14th of March 2014 When the Caf Urbos 2s Entered Service From the 14th of March to the 23rd of July 2014.
Thanks Ethan
Those exact Alstom Citadis trams were almost ordered by the Victorian state government for Melbourne after they ordered five units of the older generation as a part of a trial. They instead chose to order the five section Siemens Combino trams because of them having a higher capacity and possibly being a better deal for the government at the time! :)
That's interesting to know! I do like the Alstom trams, and it would be good to see more of them in Australia in the future!
@@TransportVlog
Yup though for now the Victorian state government has a long term contract with Bombardier with the new G class trams expected to enter service early next year! They are pretty much the newer generation of the current E class trams while they might eventually introduce a longer variation of the G class trams for some highly capacity routes! :)
23:27 Cheeky Fella!!!
good video mate
Thanks 👍
Just bring back the old monorail, it travelled faster then the L1 L2 and L3 combined!
yes, but it only ran in one direction!
Well Before the Caf Urbos 2 or 3 Entered Service in 2014. Convention was used to be Convention Centre.
Thanks Ethan
Trams used to Be existed in Sydney's History before 1961.
I found that Alstom built trams with bogies in the front, centre and rear. It seems to be the same pattern with the others.
Yes that's right. The modules that don't have bogies are the step-free wheelchair assessible ones. This allows more space for the low floor.
Looks like even with the new Urbos 100, the Citadis trams remain to provide capacity at shorter frequencies!
Yes, for the time-being! I think they'll be phased out when all of the Urbos 100s have been delivered. Its great to see the Alstom trams still running on the L1, and it means that this video is not out of date yet!
The Alstom Citizens Trams Were Introduced In Sydney In 2019
Central station on the L1, is the only time I've been ticket inspected 😂
You're lucky. Shortly after a free travel week last year (organised as part of the RTBU Industrial action), there was a massive increase in revenue protection staff and I remember my OPAL card getting checked 3 times in one day!
The doors for all L1 trams used to require the passengers to open themselves, but it seems that now has been converted to driver-controlled.
Yes that's right. I think they changed this as a result of COVID-19.
@@TransportVlog I remember them opening automatically before COVID, back in 2018-19
oh yeh that's right cracks were found in rolling stock. I don't get why there are 2 different types of trams .At least the L1 tram tracks are compatible with the L2 & L3 tram tracks !? or are they?
Yes that's right, the track and loading is the same for the L1, and L2&L3. The CAF trams can't run on the L2 or L3 between Town Hall and Circular Quay as they don't have the ground-level power supply system. And being slightly wider, they may be issues on other sections.
I remember the Alstom Citadis Tram Collided With a Fire Truck On Tuesday 5th of September 2022 which was 3 days before Queen Elizabeth Passed away on Friday 8th of September 2022. Did you have Memories of Queen Elizabeth After She Passed Away?
Yes, that's right. Yes of course, usually when I think about the Elizabeth Line!
2 Variotrams Crashed in October 2013?!
There is a tunnel next to the UTS building with different shapes of rocks, is that also part of the goods line?
Yes I think it is.
Does Exhibition Centre close to the Powerhouse Museum? I should probably get L1 to visit it next time haha
Yes, its pretty close. I would probably get off at the Paddy's Market stop, as that's a more pleasant walk, and includes a small part of the Old Goods Line (which has become a pedestrian path). I reckon the distance is about the same as Exhibition Centre.
The very first types of trams had colours of white and blue when the line opened in 1997. What’s the name of that tram Paul?
They were the variotram's. Here's a photo of one - commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sydney_Light_Rail_Variotram.jpg
Both L2 and L3 now have female voices announcing stops, a bit different from L1, and l2 seems to be opened in 2019.
The L2 opened in 2019, and the L3 followed in 2020. I remember it opening during a COVID lockdown, so it was a few weeks before I got to go for a ride on it.
Hi Paul, is there a high school in Waratah Mills? I just saw couple of students took the tram to go home.
Possibly! I do remember seeing some kids one that part of the line.
I have seen some alstom citadis trams still on the L1 these few days. Do you know when they will all be transferred back to the L2/L3?
Yes I continue to see them too! The off-peak frequency has been increased to every 10 minutes, so it will be interesting to see if Alstom trams are required to maintain this frequency, or whether they will just come out at peak times.
The current CAF fleet are slated to undergo major component replacement/overhaul, so you’ll see quite a few at Pyrmont completely hacked-up. I reckon Citadis’ will go once the new Urbos 100 growth trams (2125-28) come into service within the coming months if not weeks!
Strangely, they differ considerably to the existing CAF fleet. Different shaped car bodies, internal LCD displays, larger external displays, different traction equipment, larger A/C units. So much for streamlining fleet maintenance.
The video is amazing as always, but these 5kmph curves are beyond ridiculous... 50 years old tram lines in Europe with points have higher speeds in curves like this... And this is a somewhat new line.
Glad you enjoyed it! - Yes it really is time to review those speed limits! - However, I think with all the issues with the CAF trams, this may not happen for a while!
@@TransportVlog can you explain what are these issues? We also have CAFs in Hungary, not exactly the same though.
@@csabasipos6525 The Urbos 3 CAF trams developed big cracks in the wheel wells and needed to be repaired. The Alstom trams were sent to run on the L1 line, but this line has a slightly different loading gauge to the L2 and L3 lines that the Alstoms run on, hence the temporary lower speeds
Hey Paul just out of curiosity why did the Rozelle Railway yards ceased operations in 2009? because I remember it being in operation when I was 8 years old. The other thing that you forgot to show in your video was that the Old Goods Line used to connect Up to the T3 Bankstown Line at Dulwich Hill and there's an Old Railway bridge going over Terrace Rd in Dulwich Hill where the goods line would connect Up with The Bankstown Line at Dulwich Hill so that's something you can share with everyone if you are going to do another video of the L1 Dulwich Hill line again.
Hi Peter, I'm not sure why goods trains stopped operating. I guess it just became uneconomic, as larger and more modern freight facilities elsewhere in Sydney took over. Yes that's right! I've seen the old bridge and trackbed when travelling on the T3 between Dulwich Hill and Hurlstone Park. I am planning to do a front of tram video for the L1 at some point, so I can mention this then.
With the redevelopments at Darling harbour, & Barangaroo, the Darling Harbour goods rail depot, lost it's reason for existence.
Goods yards now exist at Chullora, Port Botany, with a new logistics hub being developed at the old Army site at Holsworthy, & no doubt also at the new International airport site at Badgerys Creek.
BTW Great video Paul! Thanks!
Hi Paul, do you mean that disused track used to serve a flour mill?
Yes thats right
The Crossover Junctions Between Taverners Hill And Lewisham West Is Most Likely To Terminate A Tram At Lewisham West On Either Platforms 1 or 2.
newer versions of the Melbourne C2 trams?
Yes they probably are! I wasn't aware of that. A little Googling reveals that the C2-class trams are a version of the Alstom Citadis tram. I'll keep a look out for those next time I'm in Melbourne.
Is it necessary to book for a professional snake catcher’s time prior to getting off the tram at the Warata Mills stop to ensure safety, Paul?
He He! No I don't think that will be necessary. In my 13 years of living in Australia, I've only seen 7 or 8 snakes, and several of them were diamond pythons (which are harmless). I've still never seen a redback or funnel web spider!
@@TransportVlog so that means Paul is definitely not an weird little guy in this video who can easily be scared by some crazy Australian wildlife animals, is he?
th-cam.com/video/kdihHnaOQsk/w-d-xo.html
Hi Paul, did you hear about the death of an Australian-based Asian girl in Chinatown after she tried to cross the coupler between the trams? This event might not have occurred if she had not acted in such a dangerous manner.
Yes I did. Very sad. She may have been under the influence of alcohol, as it was late at night.
5:38 Clarins? What’s that for? A brand for makeups?
Yes, its a skin care brand. I had noticed that on the side of the tram until you mentioned it!
@@TransportVlog haha
I Spot the 1500 volts dc that was used on sydney trains. but its different on the L1.
All light rail lines use 750 Volts DC.
When the Citidus was bought by the NSW government, some smarmy pundits were scoffing about the sheer incompetence of buying a tram that supposedly cannot be used on the L1 platforms.
Turns out they can.
Yes that's right! They are slightly more narrow, but they seem to be quite happy on the L1!
Has anybody asked by the light rail and the heavy rail routes are not shown on the same transport maps to maximise the opportunities afforded by interconnecting services?
Great idea Richard! Even if only some of the light rail stops were shown, that would definitely help with interchanges.
@@TransportVlog e.g., Dulwich Hill. I put it to the Transport Department, but they could not see the benefit. Berlin Transport excels with its interconnectedness. Someone should pay a visit.
they have had light rail on the city rail map with all the stops but it was quite bad because the end of the light rail line was right next to North Strathfield
@@listohan Yes Berlin is a wonderful city. I've been there a few times and hopefully I'll get there again in the future.
@@listohan I'm happy to do that, and look forward to receiving my plane ticket.
Why is Central Station builted on a Cemetery?! What cemetery was it used to be before Central Station was Builted?!!!!!!
Hi Ethan, I didn't realise that Central Station was built on an old Cemetery. I did some googling and this article is pretty good - www.9news.com.au/national/central-station-family-vault-new-south-wales-grave-discovery/7c1f1c06-52ce-4363-8774-cd332db65bae
Trams Go A Bit slow on street sections.
Yes they do, especially on the curves.
15:30
Glad you liked that bit!
I have no idea why that tram has a loading gauge issue for. That tunnel was used for much wider freight trains and wagons. There really should be no loading gauge issues with the citadis trams.
I suspect it's height rather than width that's the issue with the curved cross-section of the Glebe tunnel.
Yes it's a bit of a strange one. The speed restriction could be there for another reason, but loading gauge seemed like the obvious one to me.
I always assumed it was due to the different wheel profile causing a lot more hunting oscillation especially at higher speed, which could damage the track and tram and bring in the potential for derailments.
I remember n the 80s when they started digging up darling harbour to make it a shopping mall and now theyre going to bulldoze it all over again
Hi Chris, yes I heard about that!
Transport vlog what
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Presumably the trams use battery power in CBD as there are no overhead cables
Hi Geoff, the L1 has overhead wires on the whole line. The L2&L3 use a ground level power supply between Town Hall and Circular Quay. This article explains how this works - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alstom_APS