The CountryLink Sydney-Griffith Explorer crosses the Melbourne-Sydney and the Sydney-Melbounre XPT services at Junee Station in New South Wales' Riverina, 5 May 2012
Very late to the party. But firstly thanks for this footage great memories of the train operations in Junee. Infact I was living in Junee at the time. This was a unique occurance on a Saturday when the addition of the Griffith explorer meant that if one service was running late these complex manoeuvres were required. As some others have mentioned the second platform is still out of use and would curtail this time consuming operation. However service rationalisation has seen the second platform abandoned and very decaying since the days of the Griffith express. Also regularly at the time the daylight XPT ex Melbourne to Sydney had some substantial padding added to it's timetable consequently it would often arrive at Junee early. It would require this service to head up the line (towards Sydney as pictured) and wait for the often delayed train to Melbourne. Junee is an interesting locality for any XPT fans around lunchtime. I am curious if these moves still occur or whether NSWtrainlink has refined the daylight service timings at Junee.
One or more of those trains are off schedule. The two XPTs in different directions are normally about half an hour apart at Junee. South of Junee the double track to/from Sydney becomes single track so there is no alternative to this complex maneuver in these circumstances as the (probably late running) Sydney bound XPT would be blocking the path of the Melbourne bound XPT. Re-establishing the second platform sounds logical, but the single platform system used at most country stations means elderly and infirm passengers (and there a lots of them) can access the train from the 'town' side without having to cross tracks, install lifts, use stairs or provide facilities and services on two platforms for only a twice a day service each way.
why did the Sydney bound go all the way up track when it could have stayed at the other platform.Melbourne bound was late they usually cross about 15mintesWest of Junee
It looks like it's not planned to go that way. If they're all on time, they each come and go well before the next one, so there's no real need for the second platform.
as well as what Sylvia mentioned, i am not sure the second platform is still even accessible to the public, at least it wasnt in the case in teh late 90s
Very late to the party. But firstly thanks for this footage great memories of the train operations in Junee. Infact I was living in Junee at the time. This was a unique occurance on a Saturday when the addition of the Griffith explorer meant that if one service was running late these complex manoeuvres were required.
As some others have mentioned the second platform is still out of use and would curtail this time consuming operation. However service rationalisation has seen the second platform abandoned and very decaying since the days of the Griffith express.
Also regularly at the time the daylight XPT ex Melbourne to Sydney had some substantial padding added to it's timetable consequently it would often arrive at Junee early. It would require this service to head up the line (towards Sydney as pictured) and wait for the often delayed train to Melbourne. Junee is an interesting locality for any XPT fans around lunchtime. I am curious if these moves still occur or whether NSWtrainlink has refined the daylight service timings at Junee.
I love the sound of the engines
One or more of those trains are off schedule. The two XPTs in different directions are normally about half an hour apart at Junee. South of Junee the double track to/from Sydney becomes single track so there is no alternative to this complex maneuver in these circumstances as the (probably late running) Sydney bound XPT would be blocking the path of the Melbourne bound XPT. Re-establishing the second platform sounds logical, but the single platform system used at most country stations means elderly and infirm passengers (and there a lots of them) can access the train from the 'town' side without having to cross tracks, install lifts, use stairs or provide facilities and services on two platforms for only a twice a day service each way.
Rather convoluted operation there! I’m pretty sure things haven’t changed much since 2012.
i was on the melb to sydney train on that day
Judging by the current timetables, the Xplorer and XPT from Sydney were running quite late.
Great video of the trains!
5:29 "Backs" into the platform? Haven't you noticed these XPTs are *Double-ended?* Either direction is *forward* for these trains.
ones pulling and ones pushing.
There or thereabouts depending upon on-time running. I think both XPTs are meant to go through before the Xplorer.
Very unusual! For Junee that is!
Do both daytime XPTs cross at Junee?
not usually at the same time, - there is if i recall an hour or so separation
why did the Sydney bound go all the way up track when it could have stayed at the other platform.Melbourne bound was late they usually cross about 15mintesWest of Junee
What a waste of time!!! Why not re-use the second platform?
It looks like it's not planned to go that way. If they're all on time, they each come and go well before the next one, so there's no real need for the second platform.
as well as what Sylvia mentioned, i am not sure the second platform is still even accessible to the public, at least it wasnt in the case in teh late 90s