Parramatta Light Rail Update Part 3 - Prince Alfred Square to Westmead via North Parramatta.
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- Опубліковано 9 лип 2024
- This is the third and final part of my current Parramatta Light Rail Update series. It covers the overhead wire section through North Parramatta, the Green Track section within the Cumberland Hospital Grounds, and then the remaining part serving the Children Hospital and the Westmead Hospital and then the terminus at Westmead.
if you missed parts 1 and 2, then links to these are below
Part 1 - Carlingford to Tramway Avenue - • Parramatta Light Rail ...
Part 2 - Tramway Avenue to Prince Alfred Square - • Parramatta Light Rail ...
This video was filmed during on 28 August, 18 September and 1 October, with some flashbacks to my earlier update video from February 2022.
After a quick back-track to the Church Street stop (to see the new signage), its onwards and upwards into North Parramatta to view the stops at Fennell Street and Benaud Oval. I cover several intersections as we go along, and explain how limiting certain traffic movements will reduce waiting times at these junctions. And you'll see the many new traffic signals that are now in place with the tram filters.
As this section of Parramatta Light Rail has overhead catenary, I'll show you how this is progressing as well.
You'll then see the Ngara stop with its heritage looking tiles, and then the Green Track section through the Cumberland Hospital Grounds.
I cover the new bridge over the Parramatta River, which you can now walk over, thanks for the opening of a new Active Transport shared path.
Then continuing to the Childrens Hospital stop, with its island platform, and then via the hospital district to the Westmead Terminating stop, which now has canopies. You'll see the double crossover junction as too.
Finally, you'll discover how the trams will recharge their batteries at the Westmead Terminating stop, and it doesn't involve a pantograph! - This is very cool and was something I wasn't aware of until very recently!
Timestamps
0:00 Introduction
0:44 Church Street stop - New signs!
0:57 Prince Alfred Square stop - overhead wire structures
2:03 Victoria Road Intersection
2:43 Church Street (between Victoria Road and Fennell Street)
6:34 Fennell Street stop
7:06 Church Street (between Fennell Street and Benaud Oval stops)
9:27 Benaud Oval stop, substation and Factory Street intersection
11:18 Factory Street
13:23 Ngara stop
14:57 Cumberland Hospital Green Track Section
19:13 New Parramatta River Bridge
20:20 Bridge Road and Hainsworth Street Intersection
22:16 Childrens Hospital Stop
23:20 - Hawkesbury Road (between Hainsworth Street and Westmead Hospital)
24:38 Westmead Hospital Stop
24:57 Hawkesbury Road (including Caroline Street and Darcy Road intersections)
26:04 Westmead Terminus (including crossover and substation)
Related Videos
Part 1 - Carlingford to Tramway Avenue - • Parramatta Light Rail ...
Part 2 - Tramway Avenue to Prince Alfred Square - • Parramatta Light Rail ...
The 6 New Bridges - • Parramatta Light Rail ...
Parramatta Light Rail Playlist (includes all update videos) - • Parramatta Light Rail
** Attribution to Links to Source Material **
Open Streetmap - Map Data © OpenStreetMap contributors: www.openstreetmap.org/copyright
Parramatta Light Rail Map with Substations
www.parramattalightrail.nsw.g...
Parramatta Light Rail Artist Impression Images for Childrens Hospital and Westmead stops
www.parramattalightrail.nsw.g...
Google Streetview Images - Google Streetview Images - © 2022 Google Australia -about.google/brand-resource-c...
Westmead Canopy Supports Image - NSW Trains Vlogs UA-cam Channel - / @nswtrainsvlogs
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** Disclaimers. **
Accuracy
I do my best to make the commentary in these videos as accurate as possible by checking facts on the internet and other sources. However, sometimes the information isn't available, so I'll use my railway knowledge and insight to explain something to the best of my ability. If accuracy is important, do check the comments, as other viewers will often pick up on things I've missed or any mistakes made.
Construction Sites, Maintenance Facilities and other Private Property
All footage of construction sites, maintenance facilities and other private property is taken from a public vantage point. The iPhone's small lens and zoom function makes it easier to film through small gaps in hoardings or fencing, so it may look like I'm on site when I'm not! If you would like to know the exact filming location, then ask me in the comments.
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I always enjoy the updates of PLR since we dont hear much about it in media, whats interesting is the massive changes to the streetscapes which I think has been one of the coolest side benefits of the PLR. No one can deny that the streets look so much better now and no doubt will provide value to property.
Hi Hugo, thanks! glad you enjoy them. They are probably a little too niche for mainstream media to cover. Yes I do like the changes to the streetscapes and the use of vegetation.
Hi Paul, I would suggest that the "bus" sign and the road markings with white lines may have this section of Church Street shared with buses. Church Street has been a major bus route and having buses using the tram stops seems a possibility. Thanks again Paul for another amazing presentation and I hope you will be one of the first to cover the opening of this project.
Hi John, yes that would make sense! There are no buses running along this part of Church Street at the moment, which was a good thing, as I might have got run over by a bus on the tram tracks otherwise! - I reckon the buses are currently being diverted via other roads, so it will be interesting to see what happens. Glad you enjoyed this video. Yes hopefully, I'll be there on opening day, and I'm sure I'll film some tram testing before then too.
that would make sense, i'd say it would be similar to haymarket, where there's a bus stop attached to the light rail stop that allows easy transfers between services
Busses won’t be going along church street anymore. They now turn right onto O’Connell Street a bit further down than the Benaud Oval stop. Then they turn left onto Victoria Road in front of the Stadium, travel a bit east a long Vic Road and then turn right onto Wilde Avenue which will take them up to the bus interchange.
@@hazzman08 If you are correct then I would suggest that the bus sign and road markings are for tram replacement buses.
Another great explanation of what’s happening for those of us who cannot get out to see it (live in NE Victoria) - it’s just like being there. Well done.
Thanks Chris, Yes I know that these videos help people like you that live far away. Hopefully I'll get to Victoria next year, as I've always planned to cover other cities and states.
I'm old enough to remember when traffic lights in Victoria showed red and amber at the same time, before turning green, like traffic lights in Argentina, central Europe, the UK, Ireland, etc. I kinda wish Sydney tram signals did that, instead of the white uphat aspect-it'd fit world standards better. And in most countries, a white number on a blue background is a minimum speed, not a maximum speed-it does my head in, when I ride my bike in inner Sydney, and the speed limits painted on the cycleways look like speed minima to me. Hopefully they'll train that out of the tram drivers. 🙂
Well done Paul 👏. A news network should pick you up as special correspondence. Your updates are far more useful than the ridiculous constant reporting of feul and realestate updates they do every night.
Thanks Saddy! Yes that would be cool! I agree it would be far more interesting than the on-going updates on property prices!
Interesting to watch the growth of apartment buildings along the tram line even before it is opened in your video.
Yes! and it shows the importance of living close to good public transport
Most interesting and informative. Thank you.
Hi Leven, Glad you enjoyed it!
What a fantastic video and series Paul! So well done!
Thanks Jim! - I appreciate your lovely feedback.
@@TransportVlog cheers. I hope your week of north shore line shutdown went ok
I don't live there so can't confirm but I suspect the pronunciation of "Benaud" is possibly "Ben-O", as in "reno", short for "renovation".
At least that is how Richie Benaud was pronounced.
More than happy to be corrected though
Yes. The oval is actually named Richie Benaud Oval, as Richie spent a lot of his school years in the area.
@@daveg2104 And he played most of his club cricket for the Parramatta area Cumberland team
Thanks for that Rod! I'll remember that for next time.
I do think Richie would appreciate Paul's careful pronunciation of the t's when he says twenty-twenty-two... :)
I have fond memories of the Royal Oak Hotel. It was a great pub across the road from the 24 hour McDonald’s and it was a early opener. I used to work nightshift at that McDonald’s when I was a student and sometimes I would go for a beer at 7 am in the morning after work.
I also used to visit “The Oak” before and after big footie games. The eels players would often enjoy a beer after the game. Once I saw the Roosters even have a drink there also.
It will be really interesting once light rail opens. It will make it easier for people from the Baulkham Hills and Northmead to get to Westmead hospital.
Aaah yes I know that McDonalds pretty well (In that I know where the toilets are :-) Beer at 7am. I don't think I've ever had a beer that early!
I used to play cricket against the Royal Oak Hotel cricket team in the Parramatta District Cricket league back in the early 1980's. They were a useful team ...
Great work bud I grew up in area in 80s and 90s moved to coffs harbour in 2000 played league for the royal oak and went to parra north public on Albert street and as a kid played for parra junior at Richie which u have been told the how to pronounce last place I lived was in Westmead and would walk through cumbo hosp to work ( mental centre b4 pc lol) brought back so many memories thanks heaps please do one when finally finished. It was about 6 years ago I took my kids down and the light rail had already started I had taken ages to do. Btw I also lived in telopea for a time and between that and going to Macquarie boys high spent many trips down that line.
Hi Mark, thanks for sharing your memories of this area. I'll probably do another update when tram testing starts and another one when it opens. Hope you can make it down to Sydney (with the kids) when it opens! It would be a fun day out!
Awesome update Paul! Very in-depth and packed with info and facts. It's great to see the stations nearing completion. It seems the line should open on time next year. I also find it interesting how some of the tracks have the road lines painted on them. I'd assume maybe buses will share with trams on the track on some sections.
Thanks! I appreciate your feedback. Yes a few people have suggested that the tram lines might be shared with buses. However, I'm not sure where the bus stops would go. I reckon if buses will use the tram tracks, we'll see that happen quite soon. I'm guessing they have been diverted away from Church Street due to the construction work.
Great post and very informative. All the Cumberland Hospital land was sold to NSW Development for the grand total of $1.00 many years ago. There are plans for 2700 apartments. The introduction of the light rail will mean instant transport for all the owners.
Thanks Paul, I didn't realise that. It still seems to be a hospital at the moment, and I reckon some of the buildings would be heritage listed.
A very well-documented and easy to understand and comprehend look at the Light Rail project - im sure they've ramped up the building of this to get it done before the next state election but either way it's coming along rather quickly now. Thanks for the time you take going out to do these videos.
Hi Kurt, yes, it's coming along well, but work has slowed down. I think the weakest link is the maintenance facility. There is still a fair bit to do on that. Thanks for your feedback on this video.
Hey Paul. Another great video. Great detail
Thanks Tony, glad you enjoyed it
Another great video you’ve made,well done.
Thanks!
Loved the video!
Thanks Nic
Thanks Paul good information and good video
You're very welcome Jason. Glad you enjoyed it
Great video Paul! I watched the construction myself during 2021 and early 2022 while working in North Parramatta. Great to see your insights and further research as I am no longer working in the area. Now that construction is complete shouldn’t be long until we see the trams in Parramatta for testing. Keep up your great work. Your video quality and presentation is superb
Thanks for your feedback Michael, Yes it was very interesting back in 2021. I remember it being quite a maze, especially in the North Parramatta area! It shouldn't be long now. We just need some overhead wires and signals for the Carlingford line section and for the crossover junctions, and then it should be good for testing.
Thanks, again, Paul, for an excellent update of the Parra Light Rail doings. Due to a fall I had in Metro, the other day, my out-and-about has been canned for now. Much appreciate the detailed information and video and looking back etc.
Hi Geoff, glad you enjoyed it! Sorry to hear about your fall. Hope you get better soon.
Thanks for the update Paul, as always another excellent one. I am just sorry I commented so late.
You're very welcome Andrew! Thanks for your lovely feedback.
Great video!
Thanks Peter
Great video 👍
Thanks Nick 👍
I refuse to allow you to end this series now......
You must end it on the opening day of service.....
You teased us with mention of Tram & Track testing.....I was looking forward to that footage....
Please PLEASE Dont End It Now.......!
Hi Patrick, it's only the end of this current 3 part series. There will be further Parramatta Light Rail videos in the future!
One small video at Talllawong before the fall will share later. Edited to say, I found another video of Tallawong Station as well.
I think that those black strips shown at 19:20 are just plain old ordinary black plastic drains for water. Looking at the top you can see the holes in the black strips for the water to drain into them. I don't believe that they are there to act as check rails (although they would likely help in that regard as in the event of a derailment the tram's wheels will fall into the drainage channel).
Yes that's what I thought originally, and then some viewers suggested that they were some kind of guard or check rail, especially as they seem to appear on curves and bridges. As you say, perhaps they are for drainage, but with a little protection in the case of a derailment too.
Hey Paul another amazing insight on the parramatta light rail I really enjoyed your video, also will you be doing a review on the st marys Sydney metro soon
Hi Sheriff, Glad you enjoyed it. I did a St Mary's Station video a few months back, before the demolition work started. Here is a link to it ua-cam.com/video/FfsViXbCCr4/v-deo.html. I'll probably do another one next year, as I want to cover some of the other stations sites such as Orchard Hills first.
Transports of train, metro and light rail ❤ Parramatta will welcome the people to visit it easier 😊
Yes they certainly will!
That was very interesting , alot of changes have occurred from Fennel Street to factory Street then across to Bridge St & Hawkesbury Rd & children's hospital & Westmead Hospital .I can see how it will link up to The New Metro at Westmead ( under construction )
Hi Stuart, yes, lots of changes indeed! Westmead will become quite a transport hub in the future!
Hi Paul, just watched your latest update, love that your doing these blogs to keep us informed. Was curious why you didn't go to the other side of westmead train station to comment on the new construction of the Westmead Metro station site which has begun on the corner of Hawkesbury Rd & Alexandria Ave.
Hi Shayne, I covered the Westmead Metro Station in an earlier video. Here is the link - ua-cam.com/video/vc-dottp14Q/v-deo.html. Obviously things have changed since this update, including the location of the station entrance. Once I've covered the remaining Sydney Metro West stations, I'll do another one for Westmead and Parramatta as well.
good video
Thanks Joseph
Thoroughly interesting update series, much enjoyed.
Do you know if intersections with traffic light control will be sequenced with tram priority?
Hi Fenline, Thanks! Glad you enjoyed them. Yes I think they will. I believe the white arrow that I mention at 17:45 is a way for the tram to trigger a traffic light change as it approaches. Also the RTS signs might also be a way of triggering traffic light changes when a tram is ready to depart from a stop. I'll do some research into this and cover it in a future update.
The "black grooves"
are probably drainage channels, at least that's what they are for here in Nottingham.
Hi William, thanks for that. Yes that's what I thought originally. Hope life is good in Nottingham. I went to Uni in Loughborough, but that was back in the 1990's. I always enjoyed the quaint Nottingham pubs!
Obviously Paul you've never heard of Parramatta's favourite son Richie Benaud ... not "Benault" as you have called the station named after him. He used to play cricket for Central Cumberland Cricket Club back in the 1950's before becoming captain of the Australian Team. Great video BTW !! Fully enjoyed it !
Hi John, yes a few people picked this up, so I'm sure I'll get it right in the next update. Glad you enjoyed this video.
Awesome video once again Paul.
The Royal Oak hotel was a great pub before after the football at Parramatta Stadium.
It was quite convenient because the buses used to go up and down Church Street, but with the light rail being built now into Parramatta from the Hills District go past the jail and the stadium and then turn left into Victoria Road.
There is now a new Royal Oak hotel diagonally across the road from the where the old pub was located.
You also mentioned the vacant land where the BP service station used to be. This area was used as a maintenance and supply depot during construction.
Thanks - Glad you enjoyed it. I didn't realise there was a new Royal Oak hotel. I'll check that out next time I'm in Parramatta! It will be interesting to see what will appear within the old BP service station site. I'm guessing apartments!
The old pub is across the road on the corner now. Also many of the nth parra stops have part of the platform awning up. I drive past on a regular basis. Ps can you create a page on Nextdoor.
Hi Allan, that's good to know. Maybe, I'll drop in for a drink next time I'm out filming! Yes I'm aware that the awnings have now gone up at many of the stops. I'm not familiar with Nextdoor, so I'll check it out.
Wonderful production again Paul. thanks for the great in depth update. what a change to Parramatta, with tramways mark II. Do you know if the points are manually operated or is there an electronic remote control.? Interesting to see the old psychiatric hospital opened up. I did my 1st year psychiatric nursing oral exams there in 1962. All walled up in those days. Keep the good work coming
Hi Luke, you're very welcome. I think the points will be remotely controlled, via the control centre in Camellia. I didn't realise that Cumberland Hospital is a psychiatric hospital! It all seemed pretty normal when I was there, except for some strange guy walking along the tram tracks filming and talking to himself:-)
@@TransportVlog haha! I wonder who that strange guy was, huh, Paul?
Hi Paul, thanks for sharing another interesting video. They are certainly progressing well with the Parramatta Light Rail. Incidentally, would you know where the distant crossing bus is heading in 11:27? Wishing you all the very best. Rob.
Hi Rob, glad you enjoyed it! That bus would have been heading towards Parramatta.
Great videos, sorry mate where will these trams be stored / Tram depot .
Hi Jason, the maintenance facility and control centre will be in Camellia. I've covered this in this video. ua-cam.com/video/q6mT-PnpJys/v-deo.html
Hi Paul, tram 2172 is at Yallamundi Light Rail stop today 7th December 2022. Proper copper overhead along there on the Up line only. May be worth an update.
Hi Albert, Yes, I've heard about that. Going to check it out tomorrow, and will include it in an update.
Awesome update. It would have been nice if the Westmead terminus was in between Westmead station and the metro terminal. It seems a bit of a walk to the metro station at Westmead. Also seems to be a concern on the amount of no right turn across the tracks. I suppose traffic should be using other parallel streets to turn right rather than Church Street.
Hi Henry, there is still some discussion about the location of entrances for the Westmead Metro station, so it may well change for what was originally planned. Yes I'm sure they will be other ways to access these streets without the Church Street right turns.
Double white lines are only in certain sections - do they correspond to where it is likely to flood? In that it case it can be so repair crews cleaning silt out from the tracks can work without being hit by a tram coming in the opposite direction.
Hi Brett, Since recording this video, I've noticed the double white lines on the L2 & L3 as well. I reckon they are for road vehicles, and in most cases, this would be police, emergency vehicles, deliveries and access to private properties. I saw a couple of police cars going down the tram tracks on George Street and they were keeping on the correct side of the double white lines!
Wow building a light rail track through a flood zone must have been an unavoidable madness?
I'm not sure if it could have been avoided, without making the route longer, and more circuitous. With all these things, it's a case of weighing up the risks, with the benefits.
So how close is the end of the tram line at Westmead to the western railway line? A very good series as a person who was very familiar with Parramatta in my early years it is incredible to see the changes happening to this suburb turning it into a city!! Not sure that I like it though...
Hi Louise, It will be about a 200 metre walk to the station entrance on Railway Parade. As part of Sydney Metro West, Westmead will get a new entrance for the railway station and metro station on Hawkesbury Road, and that should improve the interchange. Yes this area is changing a lot, especially Parramatta CBD.
@@TransportVlog I ended up being in total shock as I never realised that this government was actually doing something after all the years of empty promises from the Labour government. I only wish I was young enough to go on the new services myself so I truly appreciate your indepth commentaries & videos. By the way, if you visited me I could show you a redback or two in my garden as they like to hide under the pots even though I spray them regularly.😀
I believe that along Church street and at the Fennel Street stop with also share with buses so they still have the seperation from cars aswell as that the bus platform height may be the same as the trams. Since the Parramatta light rail is a light rail in the greater Sydney area. Once its open will it be known as the L4?
It is very likely that this line is known as L4, and the stage 2 extension to Olympic Park is known as L5.
Hi Alex, yes that could be the case. At the moment, there are no buses using it, which is a good thing, as I might have got run over otherwise! Yes I reckon it will become the L4.
@@TransportVlog We wouldn’t want that! Otherwise this video wouldn’t exist. These informational videos you make are really great and even though i live in Melbourne I am a big fan of Sydneys light rail. And watching it constantly expand.
@@Waterfront32 Glad you enjoy my videos and always good to hear from people that live in other cities and states. Hopefully I'll make it to Melbourne soon, as I've not been for a few years now
Several times you have made reference to asphalt finish on the tram tracks. Looks to me to be concrete with an exposed aggregate finish with maybe a darker concrete mix.
Also would suggest where there are double whites on Church street would suggest buses will also be allowed to use the tram reservation.
Hi Ashley, yes it could well be! I'm definitely not an expert in this area. I'm wondering whether it will stay as is, or be covered over with the rather nice tiles like the Ngara stop. I guess we'll have to wait and see! A number of people have suggested buses. The only issue that I can see is the lack of bus stops (well I don't remember seeing any), but then I wasn't really looking out for them.
Could the double white lines be for buses when the6 have to be used as rail replacement?
Hi David, I've seen similar white lines on the L2 and L3 on George Street with Police cars running up and down them, so I think they are for police, and other emergency vehicles and perhaps for overnight construction trucks as well.
How easy is it to get from the Westmead light rail stop to Westmead station ? Is it a decent interchange ?
The light rail stop is across the road from the station, changing from train to light rail is very similar to changing from train to bus
Hi Francesco, yes as @ra ph says, it is just across Railway Parade, so probably about a 2 to 3 minute walk. It might become shorter in the future, as a new station entrance is planned on the Hawkesbury Road bridge as part of Sydney Metro West project.
What is the point of the double lines between the tram tracks? Are the trams going to accidentally go into the wrong lane or something?
Hi Matt, the double lines are for police cars, emergency vehicles, in some cases to allow other vehicles access for deliveries etc.
Will the trams use bells or horns when they have to warn people
Probably both, just in the same way as on the L1,L2 and L3.
How is the connection between the light rail and heavy rail at Westmead?
Hi Shaun, It's just across Railway Parade. It's about a 2 to 3 minute walk and there is one (or possibly 2) pedestrian crossings.
I think it will be for Buses to replace trams if they are not working for some reason
Hi Peter, yes quite a few people seem to think that too.
Hi Paul. Do you know how the cross-overs work? Are they manipulated within the tram or does the driver have to get out and change them?
Hi Paul, I think it will all be done remotely from the control centre at the maintenance facility in Camellia. I think it will be similar to railway signalling, where the signalman sets the route and the points and signals respond accordingly. There will be signals to indicate the route at these crossovers, but these have not appeared as yet.
@@TransportVlog Thanks mate for your, was always, prompt reply.
The double white lines make sense to me as, amongst other things, they make U-turns illegal
Hi Richard, yes that's right.
Those tram lanes look like they might share with buses.
Hi Craig, yes a few other people have said that too. There are no bus routes along here at the moment, so let's see what happens.
@@TransportVlog Not at the moment but there was in the past and this lane marking would suggest they are looking at having the trams and buses share in those sections.
OESS - Onboard Energy Storage System
Hi Evan! - perfect! - thanks for that!
Went pass today
Childrens Hospital - Canopy Supports been put up
Thanks Chris, Good to know that the canopy supports have gone up at the Childrens Hospital stop. It seem like they are doing a stop every couple of weeks.
Not trying to be picky but having known the family I just had to say it. Benaud is pronounced Ben O. After Richie Benaud former Australian Cricket Captain. His parents lived just across Penant Hills Road from the oval. Don't mean to offend.
Hi Chris, totally fine to point this out and I'll remember that for next time. As you can see, Australian Cricket is not really my strong point!
Benaud Oval, pronounced "Benno", named after Richie Benaud, the cricketer and commentator!
Thanks! I'll remember that for next time.
I think you will find that its pronounced Benoh, (As in Richie Benaud) not benord.
Thanks Ray, I'll remember that for next time
The no right turn for cyclists is because it’s dangerous for bicycles to cross the tracks at less than 90 degrees as the bike wheels can get caught in the gap inbetween them. It’s a shame that @Parramatta Light Rail haven’t provided proper alternatives for cyclists that wish make the turn though.
Hi Thomas, yes that's what I thought too. I guess cyclists could cross using the pedestrian crossings or perhaps turn right using the left lane instead. I've never noticed these signs before on other lines such as the L1/L2, but then I haven't really looked out for them.
So the two main crossings (Pennant & Victoria) get short changed to allow for something buses could have done. Kinda STUPID.
It's ben-o like Richie Benaud from cricket.
@11:30 .. nice view of my old unit. Was a VERY nice area to live in during the Olympics.
Want to make a bet they have done NOTHING to counter the parking they removed.
Hi Glen, thanks for the Benaud pronunciation, I'll remember that for next time. Good that your old unit was in the video. I'm not sure whether any alternative parking was added or not.
The Benaud Oval stop should be pronounced Beno
Thanks David, I'll remember that for next time.
Still disgusted that they allow the tunnel diggers to continue the tunnel from Epping to Carlingford. Disgusted and disappointed they didn’t continue the line through to Epping as promised for 50years and as started (as heavy rail) for the PRL.