Another great video Paul. The fact you received an invite for a preview speaks volumes of the quality of your work, in the eyes of those who run public transport in NSW. They should do likewise for the Metro.
Thanks Graham, yes absolutely! Yes hopefully this will happen for the Metro too. I have been making some new contacts with Sydney Metro over the last few weeks, so we'll see what happens.
It's great vloggers like Paul get early access to certain things and special invitations to go somewhere that isn't usually open to the public, I wish I could do that.
Its amazing how many power systems the trams have! Pantograph, Collector Shoe, and Battery! I wonder why they didn't make it like Newscastle so then they wouldn't need the shoe 🤔. Also i would love a PLR extension to epping, like the ECRL and Carlingford lines would have done😓. Anyway great video! 👍🏻
Glad you enjoyed this video! I think tram technology has developed since the Newcastle trams were built. Yes lots of people talk about a PLR extension to Epping. Its more likely that Olympic Park will happen first.
Its good to see that the transport firms are giving you early access to the new trams etc. Its good PR for them and you have uninterrupted access to the vehicles to show them to us :)
Paul you are really special, what some others would see as mundane, you and your viewers see as really interesting, it's good to see the bike section. More power and access to you. Ps: you look like a child in a lolly store in that cab.
That's right, for most people, its just a means to get from A to B! Yes wonderful to see the bike section. That's a nice addition, Yes, the inner child definitely came out to play in the cab!
Thanks! The Parramatta Light Rail Team at Transport for NSW are very supportive of my videos, and it was lovely to get a look inside this tram. That's a good enough reward for me, and is a day I will always remember!
Hey, Paul, seems like this has been around for some time. So glad I found it. Thanks for another EXCELLENT video. Loved all the info you provided as well.
Hello Paul and thank you for your Update message, I look forward to your follow up on the Parramatta light rail. I have not been able to travel to the area for 2 years now. Thank you again. Douglas Brooks. Orange, NSW.
Best vid yet Paul. You’ve given us an early Christmas present 😀As always informative - and an invite to view! Speaks volumes for the quality and content of your previous work - but others have already said it!
Thanks Andrew! and yes the perfect video for just before Christmas! It's been a personal goal of mine to see my videos recognised by transport organisations, and it's lovely to see the fruits of that now.
Have to agree, another great video an good to see the Parramatta Light Rail team recognising your channel and extending an invite for you to review the train. Like others I hope the Metro team can also grant you access to some behind the scenes stuff too!
Thanks Brett, yes it's wonderful to get this recognition and invitation to see this new light rail vehicle. Yes hopefully, I'm making some contacts with the Metro team, and that might lead to some behind the scenes videos in the future.
How cool is that, getting an exclusive preview of the light rail vehicle. Like Graham French commented the quality of your work and the respectful and professional way that you record and make your videos has been noticed, which means more great content for us. 😀😀
Hi Andy, Yes it was certainly a memorable day for sure! I think quite a few people within the industry watch my videos, and I like to keep them as professional and factual as possible.
Thanks for the video! It was nice to get a glimpse of what's to come, it's just a shame we have to wait so long to see it ourselves! Also, it's nice to see your efforts have been recognised by the PLR team and rewarded with this invitation. Keep up the great work!
You're very welcome! Hopefully they'll be some "open day" type events prior to opening. Yes absolutely! The PLR team got in touch with me earlier this year, after seeing my update videos, and they've been helping with some of the information since then, which has allowed me to add some of the more technical details into my videos.
very welcome change with the double doors at the front and rear. the single on the other urbos are quite narrow making it difficult to get on and off from those doors.
I like this video, this is a nice look at the seats and floors. I liked how the door has a button to open the doors, very interesting. I like the floor. I like the seats also. This first Parramatta light rail is nice, I like it. Love to see the Parramatta Light Rail. I’m not sure which day the Parramatta Light Rail will finish the stations.
A fantastic video mate. You looked like a kid in a candy store on the tram. It’s great to see all the hard work you’re putting into your channel is getting noticed by the powers in charge!
@@julianlee4803 I used to work with Howard Collins on London Underground, so know him well. I've only seem him once since he's been in Sydney. These days, I'm self-employed, and I think I'd find it difficult to go back to doing a conventional job!
Hi Paul. Thanking you for your great update on the Parramatta Light Rail. When this becomes operational, this will change the Parramatta area for the better. Thanks as always for your great work you do 👍👍👍👍. Kind regards.
Those trams look great and sleeker than the trams in the Gold Coast area. The interior design is similar to the trams in the Gold Coast area too. They have started constructing the extension lines from Broadbeach to Miami on the Gold Coast.
Hi Jack, yes they certainly do! Good to hear that the Gold Coast light rail is being extended. I hear that the rail line is getting some new stations too.
What a fantastic video - super cool if you ask me! If Sydney Metro doesn't offer you something similar after the power is hooked from Chatswood to Sydenham, I say we riot! 🤣
Thanks! I’m starting to make some new connection at Sydney Metro, so hopefully it will be possible to see some of the new stations and perhaps hop on a train before it opens.
always find it interesting that the vehicle number in the drivers cab is at the bottom for sydney's trams but for canberra it is at the top :) I really like canberra's tram though, really nice design and pids
Can't wait for this to work. I used to live in Hainsworth Street very close to the stop there. It was the quietest street in that part of Westmead. I used to cut through Cumberland hospital to get to North Parramatta just like the light rail.
@@TransportVlog Well, at least I know it was a short cut! While you are there it would be fun if you can trace the old Westmead to Castle Hill line. There are some bridge in Northmead that remained as the train then went up to Windsor Road. I live near the Oakhill College now and finally worked out the old Rogan Hill station made the bus stop outside the school very spacious.
Hi Paul, another Brit in Sydney here (only Jan-June on uni exchange tho) do you know if this will be shown on the Sydney Light Rail map, or because its separate will it be left out?
Hi Tom, good to hear from a fellow Brit in Sydney! I don't think it will be on the Sydney Light Rail Map, as its not connected with the other lines. Hopefully it will appear on other maps, especially those in the Parramatta area.
Interesting video.The only thing I would say, is that you assume the viewer would know where this tramway is located! It took me a few minutes of puzzlement before I realized you were talking about Australia! It would be helpful to show a map of Australis at the beginning, so avoid confusing people like me! Thanks for uploading.
Hi Allen, yes that’s right, although my Dad and Aunt watch my videos and they are from the UK, so I do sometimes add an overview map at the beginning. Great that you found my channel and it’s always lovely to hear from international viewers. I guess my English accent also added to the confusion!
With 7 articulated modules and 45 metres long, is it known if all modules are initially delivered by road in one unit or two? Great camera angles and the inclusion of the mule and auxiliary motor generator unit.
Hi Adrian, it came by road from Port Kembla docks as two units. On the walk through, there is a towel on the left. That was where the split was. Glad you enjoyed this video and the camera angles.
Hi Paul, thanks for the great tour through the new Parramatta light rail vehicle. We have tip up seats on many of our buses here in Melbourne. The light rail trams seem to have permanent areas here for wheelchairs. Anyway, all the very best. Rob.
Hi Rob, yes that's right. There is a permanent area for wheelchairs, with tip up seats that can be used when there is no wheelchair present. Glad you enjoyed my tour!
Hi @ianpage3779, It's the same as on the earlier CAF Urbos trams, and I think they are longitudinal to allow space for the traction motors which are between the seats and windows.
Viewed this from Toronto. There's a number of aspects to be envied, not least the 'wire-free' sections. Unfortunately lithium batteries become problematic in sub-freezing temperatures. You lucky b*gg*rs in so many ways! Great video!
Hi Stephen, yes we are lucky living in a warmer country. Besides being able to use lithium batteries, we also have the Alstom ground-level power supply system on the Sydney CBD light rail, which also works better in warmer climates. Great to hear that you're watching this from Toronto!
Thanks! The tram won't be there then, it's now in storage, but you can still see the stop, and you can also walk close to the line through the uni campus to the Parramatta River.
Yes parking would be good, but I'm not sure where a car park would go, without it using some of the parkland area, which wouldn't be popular with the locals!
Ah the fine line of editorial independence now that you've been on the inside... “Whatever a patron desires to get published is advertising; whatever he wants to keep out of the paper is news” L. E. Edwardson, day city editor of the Chicago Herald and Examiner, early 1900's. Love your work Paul.
Great video. The ground charging method seems a bit easier to manage and hopefully be a bit more reliable than the Newcastle light rail was in its earlier operating days.
I think it comes down to which company could offer the best vehicles, and the CAF trams had the battery option. They're both good trams, although I do like the sound of the motors on the Alstom trams 😀
Their the same urbos trams as the one in the CBD but now have a white LED colored desto.& theres an inside desto screens to inform passengers of the next stop.
Hi Douglas, the stops are all finished, and the maintenance facility is close to completion and has trams stabled in there now. They have started removing the asphalt with the tracks, so tram testing is likely to start soon. I haven't been to North Parramatta for a while, but I'm guessing all the overhead wires are now up by now. It is my intention to do another update during the summer months. There are other people doing Parramatta Light Rail updates, so do search for these on UA-cam.
Thanks Paul. Whem you say "bogies" I asume these are the same kind of fixed wheelsets as used on other Urbos sets rather than railway style pivoting & rotating bogies like the Melbourne trams have.
Yes, the same fixed wheelsets which contribute to the problems being experienced on the Inner West line. This arrangement is not suited to lines with sharp radius curves, of which there are several on this line. Not only damage to the trams, but also rapid wear of the rails, also becoming obvious on the South East line already. Melbourne discovered this problem years ago and switched to trams with swivelling bogies, but the ostriches at TfNSW don't want to know. What do they learn from mistakes? How to make them again!
Hi Paul, yes they are fixed wheelsets, so that would have been a better term to use. I don't think its possible to have a 100% low floor tram without using fixed wheelsets. Are the ones in Melbourne with bogies low floor trams, with step-free access etc?
@@TransportVlog That's what I thought. Technically a bogie (or truck) is a set of four wheels that are able to follow track curves, which these do but in this case, the whole car segment rotates with them. AFAIK Melbourne trams are not low floor throughout.
@@brianb8516 All the trams on the inner west line have had fixed wheelsets but only the CAF ones had problens with cracking, a problem also experienced in other cities with the same series of Urbos sets. The inner west line has a mixture of heavy rail and tramway track geometry, and high speed running, which is more likely to have stressed the chassis than tight curve radii.
@@peterelvery It is hard to pinpoint the cause of the cracking, engineers and lawyers will be arguing over this for years LOL. While the rails may contribute something, suggesting the trams run at high speed is very optimistic, I think the max allowed is 70 (in the Glebe tunnel and less in other sections). The Alstom trams are younger, so it is yet to been how they perform, and the curves on the L2/L3 are not quite as severe; they had very severe limits on those curves (down to 5). The previous Varios on the L1 were reinforced during construction when their engineers realised that the curves were too severe for the standard product. The curve at Hay St off the down ramp is about 20m radius, and the accepted minimum for a fixed wheelset is around 25m. The rails at the bottom of both ramps off Hay St were recently replaced due to the high level of wear.
Hi Pete, yes tracks were still being laid back then. I captured quite a lot of that on video. You can see all my Parramatta Light Rail updates via this link ua-cam.com/play/PLC4rJ1LEjuEw5VVxjA23Xs_0Ei9iWeVr2.html
Thanks againPaul for an excellent presentation. The progress is impressive. On the subject of light rail ( so many more letters to print that T R A M !) ,I have a hope that one day the traffic planners could provide and extension of the L.R. line at Circular Quay to the Opera House main entrance under the stairs. Pie in the sky I suppose, it emanates from the experience of attending a performance there earlier this month. At 83, and having walking difficulties, it was quite a challenge. I did find out from the helpful staff after the event, that the O.H. runs a courtesy bus. the light rail carriages are very sleek and comfortable looking. Have a wonderful and Happy Christmas Paul. Looking forward to the goodies that you will present next year.
Hi Luke, glad you enjoyed it! I think extending the L2/3 to the Opera House would be tricky, unless it went underground. It's good that the opera house runs a courtesy bus. yes the new trams are very sleek and modern. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas as well.
I think they can start testing earlier then mid next year one they put the over head wires up they could start Testing between Carlingford and the Maintenance Facility
Hi Chris, I think the sticking point is the maintenance facility which is still someway off completion. I haven't been there for a while, but am planning to take a look from Grand Avenue over the Christmas break, along with seeing what is going on at the Clyde site for Sydney Metro West. But yes, I reckon testing will definitely start on the Carlingford Section first.
Hi James, now that the dispute with the RTBU is resolved, I reckon we will see the new D sets appearing early in 2023. Yes lots of stations have been getting makeovers, but with so much else happening, it's a struggle to cover all of them right now.
It's disappointing to see a 2020s tram, or any public transport vehicle, without USB power points at seats; they're old hat on so many transport systems these days. At the same time, I really appreciate PLR inviting Paul to make this video, and I loved seeing their delight in the cab. 🙂
Hi Mik, good point. I didn’t spot any USB power points, so that would have been a nice addition. Glad you enjoyed this video and yes it was lovely that PLR invited me along. Yep the cab was a highlight for sure!
No it's not to do with funding. The maintenance facility is running behind schedule, due to the need to decontaminate the land, which took much longer than planned. There are still overhead wires and signals to go in, and only one of the CAF trams so far has been delivered. And then testing can take a few months as well! So although it looks finished, there is still quite a lot to do!
Hi Peter, the answer was May 2024, and that may well have changed, as this was almost a year ago now. The exact opening date will depend on how the testing and commissioning goes.
Thanks Mark! - The last time I got on the other side of the hoardings was at Waterloo, and I have you to thank for that! Hopefully this will start to happen more often now, as the channel is getting bigger.
The Caf Urbos 3 In Sydney And Newcastle Don't Have Bicycle Spaces. Well The Bicycle Spaces On the Caf Urbos 3 In Canberra Which is Between The Gangways and The Doors.
I don’t know why Sydney refuses to use the same trams across all lines. It would increase commonality and standardisation and mean that all trams would be interoperable on all lines, reducing costs.
Yes there would be some benefits in using the same tram type on all lines, but having Alstom trams on the L2/L3, allowed the L1 to restart much earlier, when cracks were found in the CAF trams, so having different tram types helped when this happened.
Hi Smedley, I'm assuming you mean on the wire-free sections? I think overhead wires are seen as untidy, and unsightly in CBD areas, probably more by politicians and local councillors than members of the public! However, it makes sense to make use of battery technology, now that it's available.
@@TransportVlog Melbourne does not have any problem with wires and they avoid all the extra expense of battery technology. But if batteries gets tram lines built, then I am all for it.
I would think If I can contact them or visit Parramatta Light Rail to see if I can talk them to install a Steam Tramway museum Therefore the Light rail extension steam line from Clyde Rosehill section, onto the old Grand Avenue to Redbank Wharf One day So steam tram 103a will have a home in Parramatta again
Interesting idea! Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 to Olympic Park will go along part of Grand Avenue and then cross the Parramatta River. I'm not sure if there are any steam trams in the NSW rail museum. That would seem like the obvious place.
I'm not aware of any cities that have double decker trams! Boarding and alighting would be slower, and they would be less suited to people requiring step-free access.
I love that Sydney is building more light rail but I don’t really like the ‘battery powered train” thing since I think with Lithium batteries it creates an unnecessarily high fire risk and the use of rare earth minerals obtained through slave labour is kind of terrible, fuelling conflicts in the same way as blood diamonds. It just seems unnecessary when having a constant power supply is one of the best parts of electrified rail over any other transport solution.
I think it has a lot to do with the perceived ugliness of overhead wires along streets! For some reason, the key decision makers seem to prefer wire-free alternatives. Sydney Light Rail is a good non-battery solution, with the ground-level power supply system used between Circular Quay and Town Hall.
Another great video Paul. The fact you received an invite for a preview speaks volumes of the quality of your work, in the eyes of those who run public transport in NSW. They should do likewise for the Metro.
Thanks Graham, yes absolutely! Yes hopefully this will happen for the Metro too. I have been making some new contacts with Sydney Metro over the last few weeks, so we'll see what happens.
It's great vloggers like Paul get early access to certain things and special invitations to go somewhere that isn't usually open to the public, I wish I could do that.
Its a nice perk for sure! It doesn't happen very often, but its lovely when it does!
it's so cool that you got to see it early.
Yes absolutely!
Another great vid! SO AWESOME to see you in the 'cockpit' - you deserve it with your enthusiasm of our transport!
@dmr8914 I agree with your comments
And who couldn’t resist playing with all the “bells and whistles” - literally😀
Thanks! @dmr8914. It was a lovely treat!
Nice looking tram.
Its amazing how many power systems the trams have! Pantograph, Collector Shoe, and Battery! I wonder why they didn't make it like Newscastle so then they wouldn't need the shoe 🤔. Also i would love a PLR extension to epping, like the ECRL and Carlingford lines would have done😓. Anyway great video! 👍🏻
Glad you enjoyed this video! I think tram technology has developed since the Newcastle trams were built. Yes lots of people talk about a PLR extension to Epping. Its more likely that Olympic Park will happen first.
Its good to see that the transport firms are giving you early access to the new trams etc. Its good PR for them and you have uninterrupted access to the vehicles to show them to us :)
Yes absolutely! It's definitely a win win! And it was lovely to have the tram to myself!
Paul you are really special, what some others would see as mundane, you and your viewers see as really interesting, it's good to see the bike section. More power and access to you. Ps: you look like a child in a lolly store in that cab.
That's right, for most people, its just a means to get from A to B! Yes wonderful to see the bike section. That's a nice addition, Yes, the inner child definitely came out to play in the cab!
So happy to see your work recognised Paul! You deserve it!
Thanks!
TransportNSW should be sponsoring you at this point for all the positive promo you’ve been giving them 😄
Thanks! The Parramatta Light Rail Team at Transport for NSW are very supportive of my videos, and it was lovely to get a look inside this tram. That's a good enough reward for me, and is a day I will always remember!
Hey, Paul, seems like this has been around for some time. So glad I found it. Thanks for another EXCELLENT video. Loved all the info you provided as well.
Glad you enjoyed it Geoff. It was lovely to be invited by Parramatta Light Rail to view this new tram!
I love when the Parramatta light rail is similar to L1 Dulwich Hill and the Newcastle Light Rail.
Yes that's right. They all use variations of the CAF Urbos tram.
Hello Paul and thank you for your Update message, I look forward to your follow up on the Parramatta light rail. I have not been able to travel to the area for 2 years now.
Thank you again. Douglas Brooks. Orange, NSW.
You're very welcome Douglas. Good to hear that you're watching my videos from Orange!
Great video, will be great to travel on in 2024, cannot wait!!!!
Thanks Steve, 2024 is going to be big year with Sydney Metro City and South West opening them too!
Best vid yet Paul. You’ve given us an early Christmas present 😀As always informative - and an invite to view! Speaks volumes for the quality and content of your previous work - but others have already said it!
Thanks Andrew! and yes the perfect video for just before Christmas! It's been a personal goal of mine to see my videos recognised by transport organisations, and it's lovely to see the fruits of that now.
That would've been awesome to see inside the cab and get hands on
Yes it was certainly fun!
Great video Paul! Nice to get a sneak peek of new transport infrastructure coming our way soon.
Thanks!
Have to agree, another great video an good to see the Parramatta Light Rail team recognising your channel and extending an invite for you to review the train.
Like others I hope the Metro team can also grant you access to some behind the scenes stuff too!
Thanks Brett, yes it's wonderful to get this recognition and invitation to see this new light rail vehicle. Yes hopefully, I'm making some contacts with the Metro team, and that might lead to some behind the scenes videos in the future.
As my main source for all things NSW rail and light rail, I was hoping you were there for the open day. Excellent report as usual. Thank you again!
Thanks Trevor, yes luckily, I had a fairly free diary that day, so was able to make it. Glad you enjoyed this video.
How cool is that, getting an exclusive preview of the light rail vehicle. Like Graham French commented the quality of your work and the respectful and professional way that you record and make your videos has been noticed, which means more great content for us. 😀😀
Hi Andy, Yes it was certainly a memorable day for sure! I think quite a few people within the industry watch my videos, and I like to keep them as professional and factual as possible.
Very grand looking.
Thanks Pete
Love your work.. very informative.. you are doing amazing service.. 2024 too far :D very excited..
Thanks Ronak, Glad you love my videos! Yes 2024 is getting closer!
Love the double door at the cab end
Hi Michael, Yes that’s a good improvement along with the extra set of doors in the S modules.
thanks for this it was great to see cant wait for the next video. hope you had a great christmas and i wish you a better new year
Hi Gary, glad you enjoyed this. Yes I had a good Christmas. I'm up in Brisbane at the moment.
Thanks for the video! It was nice to get a glimpse of what's to come, it's just a shame we have to wait so long to see it ourselves!
Also, it's nice to see your efforts have been recognised by the PLR team and rewarded with this invitation. Keep up the great work!
You're very welcome! Hopefully they'll be some "open day" type events prior to opening. Yes absolutely! The PLR team got in touch with me earlier this year, after seeing my update videos, and they've been helping with some of the information since then, which has allowed me to add some of the more technical details into my videos.
Thanks Paul. This video was very thorough (as usual of course) but way more interestig than I expected, given the subject matter. Well done.
You're very welcome Robert, glad you enjoyed it.
Love the space for my e-bike !
Another great detailed and informative video!! Wonderful you got an invite to come and inspect the new tram, it's huge!!!
Thanks Harry, yes it was so cool to have this opportunity to check out their new tram.
Well done Paul, great explanatory video.....
Thanks Peter, glad you enjoyed it.
I'm looking forward to having a ride thankyou
You're very welcome!
very welcome change with the double doors at the front and rear. the single on the other urbos are quite narrow making it difficult to get on and off from those doors.
Yes absolutely. Interestingly, the new Urbos 100 trams for the L1 still have single doors at front and rear.
Fantastic video, awesome work.. Look forward to many more in 23!!
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. Lots of exciting videos planned for 2023.
I like this video, this is a nice look at the seats and floors. I liked how the door has a button to open the doors, very interesting. I like the floor. I like the seats also. This first Parramatta light rail is nice, I like it. Love to see the Parramatta Light Rail. I’m not sure which day the Parramatta Light Rail will finish the stations.
Hi Brendan, glad you like it! - The line is planned to open in May 2024
It is fantastic to see you invited to have a preview! Good stuff. Merry Christmas to you and family Paul
Hi Jim, yes it certainly was! Glad you enjoyed this preview! Merry Christmas to you and your family as well.
PLR... finally showing you some kudos.
Yes absolutely! Those earlier videos paid off.
A fantastic video mate. You looked like a kid in a candy store on the tram. It’s great to see all the hard work you’re putting into your channel is getting noticed by the powers in charge!
Thanks Julian, yes, the inner child came out! It's really good to be getting this recognition now.
@@TransportVlog Howard Collins will soon be offering you a job at Transport for NSW
@@julianlee4803 I used to work with Howard Collins on London Underground, so know him well. I've only seem him once since he's been in Sydney. These days, I'm self-employed, and I think I'd find it difficult to go back to doing a conventional job!
@@TransportVlog wow there you go. I was only joking around but hey, it’s a small world sometimes :)
Hi Paul. Thanking you for your great update on the Parramatta Light Rail. When this becomes operational, this will change the Parramatta area for the better. Thanks as always for your great work you do 👍👍👍👍. Kind regards.
You're very welcome John. Yes it certainly will.
‘sup?! yo! you did great . fellow!))
Those trams look great and sleeker than the trams in the Gold Coast area. The interior design is similar to the trams in the Gold Coast area too. They have started constructing the extension lines from Broadbeach to Miami on the Gold Coast.
Hi Jack, yes they certainly do! Good to hear that the Gold Coast light rail is being extended. I hear that the rail line is getting some new stations too.
What a fantastic video - super cool if you ask me!
If Sydney Metro doesn't offer you something similar after the power is hooked from Chatswood to Sydenham, I say we riot! 🤣
Thanks! I’m starting to make some new connection at Sydney Metro, so hopefully it will be possible to see some of the new stations and perhaps hop on a train before it opens.
always find it interesting that the vehicle number in the drivers cab is at the bottom for sydney's trams but for canberra it is at the top :) I really like canberra's tram though, really nice design and pids
I didn't know that! Hope to get to Canberra soon!
Can't wait for this to work. I used to live in Hainsworth Street very close to the stop there. It was the quietest street in that part of Westmead. I used to cut through Cumberland hospital to get to North Parramatta just like the light rail.
Me too! When you cut through there in the past, I guess you never imagined that a light rail line would go through there!
@@TransportVlog Well, at least I know it was a short cut! While you are there it would be fun if you can trace the old Westmead to Castle Hill line. There are some bridge in Northmead that remained as the train then went up to Windsor Road. I live near the Oakhill College now and finally worked out the old Rogan Hill station made the bus stop outside the school very spacious.
@@Woodland26 Yes I'll add that to the list. It would be fun to do some old railway lines.
Thanks
Thanks very much! I really appreciate that!
Hi Paul, another Brit in Sydney here (only Jan-June on uni exchange tho) do you know if this will be shown on the Sydney Light Rail map, or because its separate will it be left out?
Hi Tom, good to hear from a fellow Brit in Sydney! I don't think it will be on the Sydney Light Rail Map, as its not connected with the other lines. Hopefully it will appear on other maps, especially those in the Parramatta area.
Interesting video.The only thing I would say, is that you assume the viewer would know where this tramway is located! It took me a few minutes of puzzlement before I realized you were talking about Australia! It would be helpful to show a map of Australis at the beginning, so avoid confusing people like me! Thanks for uploading.
Hi Allen, yes that’s right, although my Dad and Aunt watch my videos and they are from the UK, so I do sometimes add an overview map at the beginning. Great that you found my channel and it’s always lovely to hear from international viewers. I guess my English accent also added to the confusion!
With 7 articulated modules and 45 metres long, is it known if all modules are initially delivered by road in one unit or two? Great camera angles and the inclusion of the mule and auxiliary motor generator unit.
Hi Adrian, it came by road from Port Kembla docks as two units. On the walk through, there is a towel on the left. That was where the split was. Glad you enjoyed this video and the camera angles.
thanks for this, the tram does look very smart perhaps they will invite you back for the start of the testing phase.
Hi Andrew, yes hopefully! It would be good to experience it on the move!
Hi Paul, the Parramatta Light Rail is now getting start to test!
Yes that's right. Phil at Sydney Trains Vlogs has done some good videos on the testing.
The Caf Urbos 100 has the double doors at the Cab ends like the Alstom Citadis Trams?!
Hi Paul, thanks for the great tour through the new Parramatta light rail vehicle. We have tip up seats on many of our buses here in Melbourne. The light rail trams seem to have permanent areas here for wheelchairs. Anyway, all the very best. Rob.
Hi Rob, yes that's right. There is a permanent area for wheelchairs, with tip up seats that can be used when there is no wheelchair present. Glad you enjoyed my tour!
Nice 'tootin' Paul!
Thanks David 👍
Your lucky you were able to be able to go on it. Wish i could
Phil at Sydney Trains Vlogs got an invite as well, so keep uploading interesting videos and perhaps you’ll get an opportunity in the future.
I love your Channel
Thanks Ethan!
The longitudinal seating looks good but very tight in the end modules. Did they forget people have feet?
Those seats are a nuisance in the Inner West trams, but what does TfNSW learn from mistakes? How to make them again.
Hi @ianpage3779, It's the same as on the earlier CAF Urbos trams, and I think they are longitudinal to allow space for the traction motors which are between the seats and windows.
Great Video Paul.
Thanks Fred 👍
Viewed this from Toronto. There's a number of aspects to be envied, not least the 'wire-free' sections. Unfortunately lithium batteries become problematic in sub-freezing temperatures. You lucky b*gg*rs in so many ways!
Great video!
Hi Stephen, yes we are lucky living in a warmer country. Besides being able to use lithium batteries, we also have the Alstom ground-level power supply system on the Sydney CBD light rail, which also works better in warmer climates. Great to hear that you're watching this from Toronto!
Parramatta used to have trams which go to Camellia and up to Castle Hill Via the Rogans Hill Railway which closed in 1932.
Thanks Ethan
Great video, hopefully I might go there on 24th December 2022
Thanks! The tram won't be there then, it's now in storage, but you can still see the stop, and you can also walk close to the line through the uni campus to the Parramatta River.
Parking facility is required at Carlingford. Not having one is a real disadvantage to residents not in the adjacent appartments to the station.
Yes parking would be good, but I'm not sure where a car park would go, without it using some of the parkland area, which wouldn't be popular with the locals!
Caf Urbos 100 in Sydney have the Door Chime which looks like the Class 345 on the Elizabeth Line [Formerly Transport for London Rail (TfL Rail)]
Aah yes - well spotted!
wow
Ah the fine line of editorial independence now that you've been on the inside...
“Whatever a patron desires to get published is advertising; whatever he wants to keep out of the paper is news” L. E. Edwardson, day city editor of the Chicago Herald and Examiner, early 1900's.
Love your work Paul.
Glad you love my work and thanks for the quote! - It's lovely to get opportunities like this to be on the inside!
5:59 get the hell out of my wayyyy
Great video. The ground charging method seems a bit easier to manage and hopefully be a bit more reliable than the Newcastle light rail was in its earlier operating days.
Hi Kurt, glad you enjoyed it. Yes, the ground charging method should be easier, especially with the process being automated.
Its strange why they didnt use the same Alstom Citadis trams as they look modern and are still pretty good
I think it comes down to which company could offer the best vehicles, and the CAF trams had the battery option. They're both good trams, although I do like the sound of the motors on the Alstom trams 😀
Their the same urbos trams as the one in the CBD but now have a white LED colored desto.& theres an inside desto screens to inform passengers of the next stop.
Yes thats right and double doors on the cab modules too!
Hello Paul, Can you give me an up date on the progress of the Parramatta light rail please Douglas Brooks. Thank you.
Hi Douglas, the stops are all finished, and the maintenance facility is close to completion and has trams stabled in there now. They have started removing the asphalt with the tracks, so tram testing is likely to start soon. I haven't been to North Parramatta for a while, but I'm guessing all the overhead wires are now up by now. It is my intention to do another update during the summer months. There are other people doing Parramatta Light Rail updates, so do search for these on UA-cam.
good video mate
Thanks 👍
Wow nice outfit Paul suits you very well.
Thanks Lawrence, I don't normally dress quite so smart, but I had some meetings later in the day!
Thanks Paul. Whem you say "bogies" I asume these are the same kind of fixed wheelsets as used on other Urbos sets rather than railway style pivoting & rotating bogies like the Melbourne trams have.
Yes, the same fixed wheelsets which contribute to the problems being experienced on the Inner West line. This arrangement is not suited to lines with sharp radius curves, of which there are several on this line. Not only damage to the trams, but also rapid wear of the rails, also becoming obvious on the South East line already. Melbourne discovered this problem years ago and switched to trams with swivelling bogies, but the ostriches at TfNSW don't want to know. What do they learn from mistakes? How to make them again!
Hi Paul, yes they are fixed wheelsets, so that would have been a better term to use. I don't think its possible to have a 100% low floor tram without using fixed wheelsets. Are the ones in Melbourne with bogies low floor trams, with step-free access etc?
@@TransportVlog That's what I thought. Technically a bogie (or truck) is a set of four wheels that are able to follow track curves, which these do but in this case, the whole car segment rotates with them. AFAIK Melbourne trams are not low floor throughout.
@@brianb8516 All the trams on the inner west line have had fixed wheelsets but only the CAF ones had problens with cracking, a problem also experienced in other cities with the same series of Urbos sets. The inner west line has a mixture of heavy rail and tramway track geometry, and high speed running, which is more likely to have stressed the chassis than tight curve radii.
@@peterelvery It is hard to pinpoint the cause of the cracking, engineers and lawyers will be arguing over this for years LOL. While the rails may contribute something, suggesting the trams run at high speed is very optimistic, I think the max allowed is 70 (in the Glebe tunnel and less in other sections). The Alstom trams are younger, so it is yet to been how they perform, and the curves on the L2/L3 are not quite as severe; they had very severe limits on those curves (down to 5). The previous Varios on the L1 were reinforced during construction when their engineers realised that the curves were too severe for the standard product. The curve at Hay St off the down ramp is about 20m radius, and the accepted minimum for a fixed wheelset is around 25m. The rails at the bottom of both ramps off Hay St were recently replaced due to the high level of wear.
When you did that, did you know Phil from Sydney trains Vlogs came to have a look as well
It was about a year ago now, and Phil was there at the same time as me, so we had a good chat!
When I was in Parramatta in February, 2022, I think I just saw the tracks under construction.
Hi Pete, yes tracks were still being laid back then. I captured quite a lot of that on video. You can see all my Parramatta Light Rail updates via this link ua-cam.com/play/PLC4rJ1LEjuEw5VVxjA23Xs_0Ei9iWeVr2.html
Thanks againPaul for an excellent presentation. The progress is impressive. On the subject of light rail ( so many more letters to print that T R A M !) ,I have a hope that one day the traffic planners could provide and extension of the L.R. line at Circular Quay to the Opera House main entrance under the stairs. Pie in the sky I suppose, it emanates from the experience of attending a performance there earlier this month. At 83, and having walking difficulties, it was quite a challenge. I did find out from the helpful staff after the event, that the O.H. runs a courtesy bus. the light rail carriages are very sleek and comfortable looking. Have a wonderful and Happy Christmas Paul. Looking forward to the goodies that you will present next year.
Hi Luke, glad you enjoyed it! I think extending the L2/3 to the Opera House would be tricky, unless it went underground. It's good that the opera house runs a courtesy bus. yes the new trams are very sleek and modern. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas as well.
Very nice are you allowed to take bikes on trams in Sydney?
Yes you are, although this is the first tram to have a dedicated space for them.
I think they can start testing earlier then mid next year one they put the over head wires up they could start Testing between Carlingford and the Maintenance Facility
Hi Chris, I think the sticking point is the maintenance facility which is still someway off completion. I haven't been there for a while, but am planning to take a look from Grand Avenue over the Christmas break, along with seeing what is going on at the Clyde site for Sydney Metro West. But yes, I reckon testing will definitely start on the Carlingford Section first.
All good but will it run on time ?
I'm sure it will Peter.
Any news on D sets train and you know turrela station have big market over too
Hi James, now that the dispute with the RTBU is resolved, I reckon we will see the new D sets appearing early in 2023. Yes lots of stations have been getting makeovers, but with so much else happening, it's a struggle to cover all of them right now.
@@TransportVlog cool thank you update
It's disappointing to see a 2020s tram, or any public transport vehicle, without USB power points at seats; they're old hat on so many transport systems these days. At the same time, I really appreciate PLR inviting Paul to make this video, and I loved seeing their delight in the cab. 🙂
Hi Mik, good point. I didn’t spot any USB power points, so that would have been a nice addition. Glad you enjoyed this video and yes it was lovely that PLR invited me along. Yep the cab was a highlight for sure!
Good stuff - I just don't understand why it's going to take another year or so until the services start. Is it due to funding issues?
No it's not to do with funding. The maintenance facility is running behind schedule, due to the need to decontaminate the land, which took much longer than planned. There are still overhead wires and signals to go in, and only one of the CAF trams so far has been delivered. And then testing can take a few months as well! So although it looks finished, there is still quite a lot to do!
@@TransportVlog It's just like you to leave no stone unturned in your investigations! 👏👏
hey Paul when you spoke to one of the people did you ask what date in May 2024 will start operating for Passengers?
Hi Peter, the answer was May 2024, and that may well have changed, as this was almost a year ago now. The exact opening date will depend on how the testing and commissioning goes.
Need these in Perth to link the various train lines that radiate outward from Perth.
Yes, Perth would certainly benefit from trams and more rail lines too!
did you get to take the public tour of the m4-m8 link?
No I missed out on that! Would have been cool to do though.
you megastar, you!!!
Thanks Mark! - The last time I got on the other side of the hoardings was at Waterloo, and I have you to thank for that! Hopefully this will start to happen more often now, as the channel is getting bigger.
@@TransportVlog the channel's getting all sorts of things! goodonya
Big dog!
Hi Paul. Yesterday I found this light rail vehicle in the back streets of Penrith. How can I send you the picture?
Hi Raymond, you can email it to paul@transportvlog.com
@@TransportVlog Thanks Paul
The Caf Urbos 3 In Sydney And Newcastle Don't Have Bicycle Spaces. Well The Bicycle Spaces On the Caf Urbos 3 In Canberra Which is Between The Gangways and The Doors.
Thanks, the ones on the L1 don't either.
Why change the name of the station? What was wrong with Rydalmere?
I think Rydalmere might be used for one of the stops on the extension to the Olympic Park, along with the Camellia name too.
Will Parramatta light rail still standing at this stop?
Not sure I understand the question. Can you clarify?
I don’t know why Sydney refuses to use the same trams across all lines. It would increase commonality and standardisation and mean that all trams would be interoperable on all lines, reducing costs.
Yes there would be some benefits in using the same tram type on all lines, but having Alstom trams on the L2/L3, allowed the L1 to restart much earlier, when cracks were found in the CAF trams, so having different tram types helped when this happened.
Why the aversion to overhead wires?
Hi Smedley, I'm assuming you mean on the wire-free sections? I think overhead wires are seen as untidy, and unsightly in CBD areas, probably more by politicians and local councillors than members of the public! However, it makes sense to make use of battery technology, now that it's available.
@@TransportVlog Melbourne does not have any problem with wires and they avoid all the extra expense of battery technology.
But if batteries gets tram lines built, then I am all for it.
6:01 lol
childhood dreams come true… do you get to drive the train
Not quite, but I got to press a few buttons!
Bicycle space - grouse.
I would think If I can contact them or visit Parramatta Light Rail to see if I can talk them to install a Steam Tramway museum
Therefore the Light rail extension steam line from Clyde Rosehill section, onto the old Grand Avenue to Redbank Wharf
One day
So steam tram 103a will have a home in Parramatta again
Interesting idea! Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 to Olympic Park will go along part of Grand Avenue and then cross the Parramatta River. I'm not sure if there are any steam trams in the NSW rail museum. That would seem like the obvious place.
@@TransportVlog there’s one at valley heights
Why not double decker trams ? As Proven to cost less docked into existing multi storey buildings in Asia .e.g. Hong Kong
I'm not aware of any cities that have double decker trams! Boarding and alighting would be slower, and they would be less suited to people requiring step-free access.
Not sure if I would want to sit sitting sideways?
That's quite common on trams!
Toot toot.
it suprises me how trams are made like how is it even legal for some cars to not have any Wheels
The articulated sections are quite short, especially compared to articulated trucks where the distance between wheels is much larger.
@@TransportVlog ah i see
I love that Sydney is building more light rail but I don’t really like the ‘battery powered train” thing since I think with Lithium batteries it creates an unnecessarily high fire risk and the use of rare earth minerals obtained through slave labour is kind of terrible, fuelling conflicts in the same way as blood diamonds. It just seems unnecessary when having a constant power supply is one of the best parts of electrified rail over any other transport solution.
I think it has a lot to do with the perceived ugliness of overhead wires along streets! For some reason, the key decision makers seem to prefer wire-free alternatives. Sydney Light Rail is a good non-battery solution, with the ground-level power supply system used between Circular Quay and Town Hall.
Great video unfortunately you sitting in junk, I wonder if cracks are pre installed as standard🤔