Some 65 years ago I lived with my parents and brother next to the Telopea shops and watched the electrification of the Clyde to Carlingford line. A steam engine pulling the carriages with the gear to install the overhead cables etc which of course ultimately replaced the steam engined services on the line. My black and white photos taken with a Kodak box brownie camera have long been lost however the memories remain. There seems to be some sort of full circle being witnessed in watching the creation of the new light rail. Thanks for your video, most enjoyable.
Hi John, Thanks for sharing your memories of this line being electrified all those years ago! I Yes it does seem like a full circle! Glad you enjoyed this video.
Hi Paul, this is a wonderful presentation and could even be your best so far. The line which continues for a short distance past the maintenance centre could be used to stable any extra "Race Day" trams. The Rydalmere station is at the traditional main entrance to the university and is quite busy at times. Fun Fact: The university site at Rydalmere was originally the home of Rydalmere psychiatric hospital which I remember ( not as a patient). The entrance to the hospital was on the Parramatta River. You will notice that most of the Psychiatric hospitals were built on the water and Gladesville hospital is another example. The law at the time prohibited the transport of the insane on "The Kings Highway." I wish you and your family and friends a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and I look forward to more of your amazing work in 2022.
Hi John, Thanks for your feedback. I did script this one a little more than usual! Now I never knew that! I cycled through the Gladesville Psychiatric hospital a few weeks ago when I was trying to find a new route along the Parramatta River. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas and New Year too. Lots more in store for 2022!
6:25 I had correspondence a while ago with the light rail PR team; the reasoning for the wider stop spacing along the Carlingford section is because it is being classed as a "suburban" sector, as opposed to your usual LR route that goes through denser inner city environments I suppose. To quote: "A suburban stop spacing of about one kilometre between stops provides a balance between access to the light rail with travel speed between centres." That said, there is some talk of adding a stop for the university campus in future. 10:29 those might be garden beds with a ramp or steps in between. I could be wrong though.
Thanks Sancheez for sharing this quote from the light rail PR team. There is always a trade-off between journey times and adding extra stops, and it can be a fine balancing act. I like the idea of garden beds! Let's see what happens!
Absolutely rivetting Paul Thanks very much. You have covered the whole area of my once childhood stamping ground. Especially Carlingford, when our house on Adderton Road backed onto the line quite near the terminus. AS you would know from your research. The Carlingford line was a privately built and owned by a consortium of orchardists and farmers/market gardeners to send their goods swiftly down to the Sydney markets. The depression of the 1890s paid finish to this and their intention of extending the line up to Dural and Kenthurst area. I look forward to seeing future "Acadamey Award" productions from you.
Thanks Luke! I appreciate your awesome feedback! Hope it bought back happy childhood memories! Yes I'll do my best to bring more award winning productions!
Excellent explanation of the work going on here as usual. I do agree, that a few extra stations along the line would be appropriate. And a link to Epping would also be quite logical, as I was surprised when I found out there was no direct link between Epping and Paramatta considering how close and major both are, and especially because Carlingford is almost right next to Epping. Work really seems progressed along this section of the PLR, and I look forward to trying it out upon completion!
I agree, Carlingford Station should of been re built underground with a tunnel extension to Epping to link up with the metro and northern line. Alot more people around the Carlingford towers would use it then.
Where would you run a light rail from Carlingford to Epping ? Carlingford Road seems the most direct rout but I have never traveled around there so don’t know if it could take the extra load.
Thanks Agent, There have been plans in the past for a rail link from Epping to Parramatta. Carlingford is further from Epping than you might think! It's a good 10 to 15 minutes on the bus! A tunnel extension to Epping would be very expensive, so I think that's probably unlikely. Judging by the number of comments about extending to Epping, there seems to be a demand!
@@francesconicoletti2547 I dont see trams running on Carlingford Road as a posibility. It has a lot of steep climbs that I think rail vehicles would struggle to climb
I wonder if they'll ever extend the line to Epping? A stop at Carlingford Court would be nice too! I've lived and went to school in Carlingford, and that would've been very useful for me!
Hi Nicholas, a few other people have posed this question too! It would be great to see the line extended to Epping, although how to do it (existing roads, tunnels and/or elevated sections) will not be easy and probably quite pricey!
I see on my 2007 street directory a “Proposed underground railway” Carlingford to Epping.....track NE & looped along the south of Ray Road & SE into Epping. Wonder if that is still a proposal! Thanks Paul for another great video.
I imagine the line will be much more useful if it can be extended to Epping. The line as it's being built now would only benefit people living along that area heading to Parra. But if it goes to Epping it'll benefit a much larger part of Sydney where people taking trains from the north heading to Parra can make a transfer over to the light rail, and it'll be a massive boost to patronage. I imagine the line will have to go underground at Epping to minimise the disruption to the street network there but I'd really like to see it done if it's possible.
@@anniemon That's interesting! I guess it would have fed into the Epping to Chatswood Line. Now that this is part of Sydney Metro, I guess that this has been quietly dropped for now. Glad you enjoyed this video.
Very very informative, with excellent commentary. I grew up in Parramatta during the 1960 and had been wondering what was going to happen to the old heavy railway line and system, after its closure.
This was the part of your report on the Parramatta Light Rail I was waiting for Paul! Hugely informative and backed up with great shots of the work, bridges and commentary. Dundas station dates back to 1896, and I remember it well in the 1970’s when I travelled to Carlingford to school. You may be interested to know that following fire damage that gutted the booking office and waiting room, the actual damaged parts were “reconstructed” to a close to original style. The later additional of the adjoining canopy took away a bit of its authenticity. But back to the 70’s, it was a rundown building, flaking paint, dim lighting but staffed from early morning to late afternoon.
The old timber station building at Carlingford burnt down too, and was replaced with a very nondescript structure. In the 70s, the woman who was often on duty at Carlingford in the early evening would ask myself and/or my mates to buy her potato scallops at the shop on Pennant Hills Rd - if there was enough time before the train arrived. Obviously she gave us money for the purchase.
Hi Andrew - glad you liked it and thanks for your lovely feedback. Interesting to hear about the history of the Dundas station building! - It's amazing how these rundown buildings can be transformed!
@@TransportVlog That was longer ago than I care to contemplate. lol But, because it's you, it was probably around 1977-78. If the shop is still there, it's probably their children running it - or maybe even grand-kids.
Great video Paul. Incredible to see how much has transformed since I was last on the line on the final day in 2020. Looking forward to when testing commences of the Urbos 100 fleet
Excellent as usual Paul. Your suggestion of an additional station at the Uni campus seems very logical (just opposite the auditorium would probably be a suitable location). There might be some security concerns, but nothing that shouldn't be easily overcome with modern technology.
Thanks, Paul, for another great video and discussion. I am deaf as I think you know so I love the subtitles. I did some video and [photos from the Grand Avenue Bridge at Camelia a few weeks ago Sadly, the shot I took of the James Ruse Bridge, had the sun in the wrong position so I hope you don't mind my taking a screenshot of the excellent rendering of the James Ruse bridge in your video, to include in my collection. I look forward to part 3.
Hi Geoffrey, Glad you enjoyed it! You can thank UA-cam for the subtitles. They are generated automatically! Yes fine to take a screenshot of the bridge. I'll probably do another update in June or July. I reckon all the track should be laid by then, and perhaps we might see more overhead wires and platform canopies by then too.
Fascinating video Paul. I just wonder how the shared path crosses over the tram at Rydalmere. Enjoyed the extension toward Sandown and maybe Olympic Park, a route that took it alongside Parramatta River and under Silverwater Bridge would be quite scenic (relatively).
Thanks! - Glad you enjoyed it! I think it will be straight across the tracks, and probably shared with passengers that are boarding and alighting from this stop. Yes, using the old Sandown line would make an interesting extension. The proposal is definitely to finish at Olympic Park, with options to go via the Sandown line or turning off closer to Rydalmere. You can see the route options here - s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/data-new.parramattalightrail.nsw.gov.au/s3fs-public/2021-07/210706%20PLR%20Stages%201%262%20flyer_July21.pdf?VersionId=srH4BYVjtYHlhsr_XACaVPj29oUZL.5I
2:52 For the yellow people signs, they're for the workers when the electrification lines are put in. One of those "be aware and survive" or "look up and live" things, they have them here in Adelaide for any electrical works fine around the place. Plus I think they have them along the Gawler electrification work sites too.
@@TransportVlog No worries! Really like these videos, helps me keep track of Sydney transit progress all the way here from Adelaide :P Keep up the great work! :D
Around 15:00, the large pits with the white and orange conduits resemble the pits that were dug on the inner west light rail stops when they replaced the canopies. If this follows a similar design, then they will have electrical cabling and drainage for the canopy integrated into the canopy support.
The yellow people are a pretty common feature on construction sites. I think they're meant to encourage workers to pay attention to overhead power lines.
Single track at the end won't make much difference, since what you'll probably end up with is two trams stopping at the end, a delay in the first turning around. So, first turns up, then the second, and as the second clears the junction, the first will head off. Gives your driver a toilet break at the end of the line.
Yes that's right Beren. If it was double track, you would need a crossover junction outside the station, so you would still have conflicting movements.
@@TransportVlog yeah one of the ways to make a cheap junction is to just cross the tracks at the end. You don't always have to have a double junction as you might find on the big light rail track in the CBD. If they ever extended the line, a short single track segment is no big deal. I don't think this line is going to have much traffic. I honestly think if I were designing this, I would have used the original track and bridges. I would have gone full cheap on it. I think adding cycle paths is just additional pork barrel to the project.
Great video & well presented after I guess allot of research. Can you tell me what's the purpose of the internal rails in the middle of the tracks please? I noticed that it was on the Sydney Harbour bridge video as. It's used had me baffled!
Hi John, These are called guard or check rails. Their purpose is to help a train stay upright if it derails, by one of the bogie's connecting with one of the check rails. So they are common on bridges and other locations where a derailment could have severe consequences. So you'll normally see them on railway bridges, and when tracks go under road bridges. Hope this makes sense for you now! Thanks for your lovely feedback on this video.
G'day Paul, such a well detailed and informative You Tube clip as always mate!! I've always been quite fond of the unique and historic Clyde to Carlingford railway line, when I'd heard that it was going to be converted to Light rail a few years back.........I went oh, NO!! Having just viewed your most recent clip about the heavy rail to light rail so far, I'm feeling somewhat releaved on the progress and construction of it so far and also of the likely outcome it will bring (to the local community) when the line is finally finished and running.
cant wait to see when they start testing light rail on those tracks. Any ideas of which light rail model that will be running? will it be the same model as the one currently running in the city?
They will be using Urbos 3, the same as those used on the L1 Inner West Light Rail, except these ones will be longer and have 7 "carriages" (45m long) instead of the L1 trams which have 5 (33m long). The trams on this line will also have battery packs, much like the Urbos 3 trams used in Newcastle. The contract was done well before the L1 was taken out of service for cracks.
I really don't like the Parramatta Light Rail and honestly I don't think I ever will. There is so much history about the line and yet only ONE station on the line was heritage listed, being Dundas (and maybe Clyde). The only station on the line that still lives to this day is Rosehill Racecourse Station. Currently quietly crumbling away.
Shirley Street Reserve exists because it was preserved from development in the "old days" because the Carlingford Line was actually intended to go through it further on to Dural. The Line itself was first built by a private company. The Depression of the 1890s saw the company fold, and the NSW government took over the line in 1896. It was still possible to travel on a train behind a 20 Class loco (a tender version of the fabled 19 Class) into the late 190s when patronage was heavy on race days at Rosehill Racecourse.
Do you know if the active transport path is going to use the abandoned rail corridor from camellia to Parramatta road at Clyde as this would complete a safe connection to the M4 cycleway.
Hi Bryan, possibly, although I know that Sydney Metro West is going to use part of the old railway alignment to access the maintenance facility in Rosehill Industrial Estate. I agree that it would make sense to extend the cycleway to Parramatta.
In my opinion they should of added an extra station near the parramatta river bridge on the northern side for WSU students. Rydalmere is kinda like a WSU upper campus and the new stop near the parramatta river would allow students to get off at the lower campus.
Hi Paul, thanks for sharing another excellent video. Years ago, my dad and I took a return train trip from Clyde to Carlingford. We didn't get out of the train at Carlingford, due to the poor weekend services there at the time and we didn't want to get stranded. Will the light rail do the complete length of Tramway Avenue? Also, will they be adding any extended low platforms at the former railway stations for the light rail? We had to do that here on the St Kilda and Port Melbourne light rail lines. All the very best. Robert.
Hi Robert, Glad you enjoyed this video. Yes as far as I can tell, it does cover all of Tramway Avenue, although towards the end it becomes elevated to cross James Ruse Drive. All the old rail stations will have tram style platforms which are lower. Is that what you mean?
Looking really good. Can't wait to see it finished. I wonder if they will continue this light rail beyond Carlingford all the way to North Rocks, even though it will be very difficult to build?? Just a crazy suggestion because the public transport in North Rocks is very average. 🙂
They won't extend it to North Rocks. Stage 2 of the Parramatta Light Rail will be a branch that comes off from Camelia and travels through Rydalmere to Olympic Park.
The contract is for 13 7-module (45m) CAF Urbos 3s with batteries to cross the wire free section. Any change now would likely cause significant delays, expense and likely legal battles
Paul, you've just committed one of the schoolboy errors which identifies you as a Pom. "Rebar" is the UK slang for the reinforcing steel used in reinforced concrete. In Australia (at least in NSW) it's called "reo"!
Thanks for that! - I got the term "rebar" from someone else that left a comment in another video, He must have been a Pom too! I'll remember "Reo"for next time!
Good work Paul. I love the cotton candy cumulus clouds at the back of you at the start of the video. These clouds are so typical of Australia on a bright sunny golden day and typical feature of the Southern Hemisphere. What a pity the Tram could not be extended beyond Carlingford to Epping somehow in a tunnel like the original design of the Heavy Gauge Rail line that was never built but mooted in 2004 and meant to be completed by 2008 but never was.
Thanks Tony! - I prefer the blue sky with no cloud days. It actually rained a couple of times and I had to duck for cover within the Western Sydney University grounds! Yes many people have commented about extending this line to Epping. The history of plans for a line from Epping to Parramatta might making an interesting future video!
Just a pronunciation note: the stress goes on the second syllable in Dundas, and it rhymes with 'gas'. At least, that's how I always heard it, growing up in the area in the 1980s.
So many missed opportunities. Carlingford and Rydalmere stations could have been placed under the main road overpasses, for extra weather protection, and to allow ramps down from both sides to allow near-instant connections from bus to tram in all directions. Instead the design isolates the modes and makes them kinda useless. Also the Coonara Village shops and the Cherrybrook metro stop aren’t very far north of Carlingford. And maybe Westleigh and Hornsby. It’s almost like the goal isn’t transporting people, and it’s more about propping up land values. Oh. Right.
Hi Peter, yes good ideas and it would have been nice to see access from both sides of these bridges. However, overall, this is a good scheme, with a direct service to Parramatta and much more frequent services.
This place has really changed since it closed in 2020. I wonder why some parts of this line (along with most of the L1 line) have ballast along the tracks. I’d think a light rail would be better off with concrete and rails, but that’s my opinion. I also think that it could be extended to Epping, just to be similar like the original plans from ECRL to Parramatta. It’s going good and in the coming 1-3 years lots of new transport developments will be completed. Regards, Given
As far as I'm aware, ballast is cheaper and easier to maintain, without any downsides. The only problem with it is that people and other vehicles can't travel over it. Given this, it's perfectly fine to use it on the L1 and here, because both are segregated from pedestrians and road traffic. The L2/3, on the other hand, isn't, so it's entirely concrete
Yes it certainly has. Epping could be a logical future extension, let's see what happens. The comments from "ra ph" below regarding ballast are correct.
Hi James, do you mean concrete trackbeds versus ballast and sleepers? If so, concrete is normally used where vehicles or pedestrians will cross the tracks, so to provide level access (without stepping over rails). Concrete can sometimes to be used as a trackbed at other times, especially on elevated sections or under bridges (lots of examples of this on Sydney Metro) and also on Parramatta Light Rail at the Adderton Road Bridge. Ballast and Sleepers are used where the line is segregated and operates more like a railway line. Let me know if that explains it for you?
Paul, have you ever approached Transport for NSW to get access to sites/official information on the Light Rail project? Geoff Marshal a UK UA-camr on transport gets invites to events. OK he does have 252k subscribers & 58 Million views but what is the worst they can do. Say No. I'm sure there is a public relations official somewhere that might be able to help. If you never ask you will never know. Good Luck. I hope to see you in a Hi Vis vest on site soon.
Hi Peter, not as yet, but it is something I'm thinking of doing. It was Geoff that inspired me to start this channel! I think he's at a stage now where people contact him (rather than the other way around!) I did get inside Waterloo Station earlier this year - you can see that video here - ua-cam.com/video/azA-A7nGPQk/v-deo.html.
550 bus takes 20 mins on a good run assuming no traffic, and is only every 15 minutes. The light rail should beat that time and will be closer to 7-9 minute frequencies. With a connection to Epping in the future, this line will be far better for many people, plus for those whom it isn't, the bus network will be less overworked and there should be few cars on the roads along the corridor.
Hi Gareth, to become part of Parramatta Light Rail. The line was doing ok, so it would have continued a train line if the light rail had not gone ahead.
Hullo, the locals pronounce it dun-DAS, with the emphasis on DAS. I wonder why they didn't run a gauntlet track over Kissing Point Road ? It would have saved (us) money.
Thanks, I'll remember that for next time! I hadn't heard of Gauntlet tracks until you mentioned it! I think this could cause similar capacity constraints to a single line, but interesting idea anyway. If anyone is wondering what a gauntlet track is, then this link will explain it - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gauntlet_track
Yes that’s right, although you can also walk, run, skateboard or use one of those pavement scooter things! - I think that’s the reason for using this term.
I think sending it to nowhere instead of diverging right at Kissing Point Road, Dundas to Eastwood and Macquarie Park using the never utilised county road reservation beyond Stewart St and joining Rutledge Street to go onto Eastwood is lazy unambitious planning using the cheapest option. Man, Carlingford Station looking more sterile then ever. The 70s are gone forever.
Some 65 years ago I lived with my parents and brother next to the Telopea shops and watched the electrification of the Clyde to Carlingford line. A steam engine pulling the carriages with the gear to install the overhead cables etc which of course ultimately replaced the steam engined services on the line. My black and white photos taken with a Kodak box brownie camera have long been lost however the memories remain. There seems to be some sort of full circle being witnessed in watching the creation of the new light rail. Thanks for your video, most enjoyable.
Hi John, Thanks for sharing your memories of this line being electrified all those years ago! I Yes it does seem like a full circle! Glad you enjoyed this video.
Hi Paul, this is a wonderful presentation and could even be your best so far. The line which continues for a short distance past the maintenance centre could be used to stable any extra "Race Day" trams. The Rydalmere station is at the traditional main entrance to the university and is quite busy at times. Fun Fact: The university site at Rydalmere was originally the home of Rydalmere psychiatric hospital which I remember ( not as a patient). The entrance to the hospital was on the Parramatta River. You will notice that most of the Psychiatric hospitals were built on the water and Gladesville hospital is another example. The law at the time prohibited the transport of the insane on "The Kings Highway." I wish you and your family and friends a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and I look forward to more of your amazing work in 2022.
Hi John, Thanks for your feedback. I did script this one a little more than usual! Now I never knew that! I cycled through the Gladesville Psychiatric hospital a few weeks ago when I was trying to find a new route along the Parramatta River. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas and New Year too. Lots more in store for 2022!
in Queensland Patients in the mid 1800's patients were transported by boat as there were few roads those days....
HI Paul Thanks very much for the informative presentation. It will be very interesting to ride this light rail line.
You’re very welcome Jim. Yes it certainly will!
Both these videos of Parramatta Light Rail are very concise & informative . Thank you for making them easy to understand .
You’re very welcome Philip.
I'm a train and I approve this video! !! Holy Moly!!!!
I like Parramatta to Carlingford Light Rail update line, because it is so new and exciting!
6:25 I had correspondence a while ago with the light rail PR team; the reasoning for the wider stop spacing along the Carlingford section is because it is being classed as a "suburban" sector, as opposed to your usual LR route that goes through denser inner city environments I suppose. To quote: "A suburban stop spacing of about one kilometre between stops provides a balance between access to the light rail with travel speed between centres."
That said, there is some talk of adding a stop for the university campus in future.
10:29 those might be garden beds with a ramp or steps in between. I could be wrong though.
Thanks Sancheez for sharing this quote from the light rail PR team. There is always a trade-off between journey times and adding extra stops, and it can be a fine balancing act. I like the idea of garden beds! Let's see what happens!
Absolutely rivetting Paul Thanks very much. You have covered the whole area of my once childhood stamping ground. Especially Carlingford, when our house on Adderton Road backed onto the line quite near the terminus. AS you would know from your research. The Carlingford line was a privately built and owned by a consortium of orchardists and farmers/market gardeners to send their goods swiftly down to the Sydney markets. The depression of the 1890s paid finish to this and their intention of extending the line up to Dural and Kenthurst area. I look forward to seeing future "Acadamey Award" productions from you.
Thanks Luke! I appreciate your awesome feedback! Hope it bought back happy childhood memories! Yes I'll do my best to bring more award winning productions!
Excellent explanation of the work going on here as usual. I do agree, that a few extra stations along the line would be appropriate. And a link to Epping would also be quite logical, as I was surprised when I found out there was no direct link between Epping and Paramatta considering how close and major both are, and especially because Carlingford is almost right next to Epping. Work really seems progressed along this section of the PLR, and I look forward to trying it out upon completion!
I agree, Carlingford Station should of been re built underground with a tunnel extension to Epping to link up with the metro and northern line. Alot more people around the Carlingford towers would use it then.
Where would you run a light rail from Carlingford to Epping ? Carlingford Road seems the most direct rout but I have never traveled around there so don’t know if it could take the extra load.
Thanks Agent, There have been plans in the past for a rail link from Epping to Parramatta. Carlingford is further from Epping than you might think! It's a good 10 to 15 minutes on the bus! A tunnel extension to Epping would be very expensive, so I think that's probably unlikely. Judging by the number of comments about extending to Epping, there seems to be a demand!
@@francesconicoletti2547 I dont see trams running on Carlingford Road as a posibility. It has a lot of steep climbs that I think rail vehicles would struggle to climb
I wonder if they'll ever extend the line to Epping? A stop at Carlingford Court would be nice too! I've lived and went to school in Carlingford, and that would've been very useful for me!
Hi Nicholas, a few other people have posed this question too! It would be great to see the line extended to Epping, although how to do it (existing roads, tunnels and/or elevated sections) will not be easy and probably quite pricey!
I see on my 2007 street directory a “Proposed underground railway”
Carlingford to Epping.....track NE & looped along the south of Ray Road & SE into Epping.
Wonder if that is still a proposal!
Thanks Paul for another great video.
I imagine the line will be much more useful if it can be extended to Epping. The line as it's being built now would only benefit people living along that area heading to Parra. But if it goes to Epping it'll benefit a much larger part of Sydney where people taking trains from the north heading to Parra can make a transfer over to the light rail, and it'll be a massive boost to patronage.
I imagine the line will have to go underground at Epping to minimise the disruption to the street network there but I'd really like to see it done if it's possible.
@@anniemon That's interesting! I guess it would have fed into the Epping to Chatswood Line. Now that this is part of Sydney Metro, I guess that this has been quietly dropped for now. Glad you enjoyed this video.
@@timtam53191 Yes absolutely! It would make a lot of sense to extend the line to Epping. I don't think it will be easy to do though.
Very very informative, with excellent commentary. I grew up in Parramatta during the 1960 and had been wondering what was going to happen to the old heavy railway line and system, after its closure.
Glad you enjoyed it Peter and thanks for your lovely feedback.
This was the part of your report on the Parramatta Light Rail I was waiting for Paul!
Hugely informative and backed up with great shots of the work, bridges and commentary.
Dundas station dates back to 1896, and I remember it well in the 1970’s when I travelled to Carlingford to school. You may be interested to know that following fire damage that gutted the booking office and waiting room, the actual damaged parts were “reconstructed” to a close to original style. The later additional of the adjoining canopy took away a bit of its authenticity. But back to the 70’s, it was a rundown building, flaking paint, dim lighting but staffed from early morning to late afternoon.
The old timber station building at Carlingford burnt down too, and was replaced with a very nondescript structure. In the 70s, the woman who was often on duty at Carlingford in the early evening would ask myself and/or my mates to buy her potato scallops at the shop on Pennant Hills Rd - if there was enough time before the train arrived. Obviously she gave us money for the purchase.
Hi Andrew - glad you liked it and thanks for your lovely feedback. Interesting to hear about the history of the Dundas station building! - It's amazing how these rundown buildings can be transformed!
That's a nice story Dave! - I wonder if she (and the shop on Pennant Hills Rd) are still around today!
@@TransportVlog That was longer ago than I care to contemplate. lol But, because it's you, it was probably around 1977-78. If the shop is still there, it's probably their children running it - or maybe even grand-kids.
Did the “stationmistress” at Carlingford (sorry to the politically correct brigade) drive a Leyland P76 by any chance? I remember her quite well.
Great video Paul.
So when can we expect the Carlingford to Epping light rail extension?
There are no plans for an extension to Epping at the moment unfortunately.
Very informative video. Looking forward to the 2022 update
Glad you enjoyed it Charline. Next update will probably be in September.
😄Paul, Good day from Lismore, NSW.
Great video Paul. Incredible to see how much has transformed since I was last on the line on the final day in 2020. Looking forward to when testing commences of the Urbos 100 fleet
Thanks Dylan, yes it has transformed a lot since then! I reckon this will be the first section for testing.
Excellent as usual Paul. Your suggestion of an additional station at the Uni campus seems very logical (just opposite the auditorium would probably be a suitable location). There might be some security concerns, but nothing that shouldn't be easily overcome with modern technology.
Thanks Tacit, Let's see what happens!
Thanks, Paul, for another great video and discussion. I am deaf as I think you know so I love the subtitles. I did some video and [photos from the Grand Avenue Bridge at Camelia a few weeks ago Sadly, the shot I took of the James Ruse Bridge, had the sun in the wrong position so I hope you don't mind my taking a screenshot of the excellent rendering of the James Ruse bridge in your video, to include in my collection. I look forward to part 3.
Hi Geoffrey, Glad you enjoyed it! You can thank UA-cam for the subtitles. They are generated automatically! Yes fine to take a screenshot of the bridge. I'll probably do another update in June or July. I reckon all the track should be laid by then, and perhaps we might see more overhead wires and platform canopies by then too.
@@TransportVlog Paul, you should see some of the crap the subtitles come up with at times hehe. And what they do to words occasionally.
Love the content man, I’ve watched every video you’ve posted and can’t stop binging them ahaha 😆
Thanks Brett! - It sure beats binging on Netflix!
Fascinating video Paul. I just wonder how the shared path crosses over the tram at Rydalmere. Enjoyed the extension toward Sandown and maybe Olympic Park, a route that took it alongside Parramatta River and under Silverwater Bridge would be quite scenic (relatively).
Thanks! - Glad you enjoyed it! I think it will be straight across the tracks, and probably shared with passengers that are boarding and alighting from this stop. Yes, using the old Sandown line would make an interesting extension. The proposal is definitely to finish at Olympic Park, with options to go via the Sandown line or turning off closer to Rydalmere. You can see the route options here - s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/data-new.parramattalightrail.nsw.gov.au/s3fs-public/2021-07/210706%20PLR%20Stages%201%262%20flyer_July21.pdf?VersionId=srH4BYVjtYHlhsr_XACaVPj29oUZL.5I
2:52 For the yellow people signs, they're for the workers when the electrification lines are put in. One of those "be aware and survive" or "look up and live" things, they have them here in Adelaide for any electrical works fine around the place. Plus I think they have them along the Gawler electrification work sites too.
Thanks for that. I knew there was a good reason for them!
@@TransportVlog No worries!
Really like these videos, helps me keep track of Sydney transit progress all the way here from Adelaide :P
Keep up the great work! :D
@@TrebleSketch Thanks! - Will do! - Hopefully at some-point, I'll get to Adelaide and cover your trains and trams!
@@TransportVlog That'll be cool! Our 2nd electrification (Gawler Line) is happening atm, due to complete in May '22. Hopefully xP
@@TrebleSketch That's exciting! - Lets hope it keeps to time.
Thanks for the updates , always enjoy your videos on our public transport
You're very welcome Hugo. Thanks for your feedback.
Excellent video and commentary,very enjoyable to watch and be informed.
Thanks! - Glad you enjoyed it.
@@TransportVlog ,Now i am completely up to date on this project ,with all previous unanswered and grey area’s now informed.
Around 15:00, the large pits with the white and orange conduits resemble the pits that were dug on the inner west light rail stops when they replaced the canopies. If this follows a similar design, then they will have electrical cabling and drainage for the canopy integrated into the canopy support.
Yes that was what I was thinking too! It will be interesting to see if the canopies follow a similar design to the ones on the inner west light rail.
The yellow people are a pretty common feature on construction sites. I think they're meant to encourage workers to pay attention to overhead power lines.
Thanks Sunny, That's good to know. I didn't even notice them until I started editing the video!
Hi Paul, great video! When will you do Campsie to Bankstown Sydney metro
Thanks Nick, I'm working on the Campsie to Bankstown video at the moment, so will be out early next week (in time for Christmas 😀)
Thanks for the two updates. Entertaining and informative. Keep the updates coming.
You're very welcome Paul. Will do!
Track competed from Carlingford to almost Rydalmere, it's been pretty brisk work on this section of the light rail.
Great Video.
Glad you enjoyed it Kevin. Yes I was impressed by the speed of the work!
Great video mate 👍
Thanks!
Single track at the end won't make much difference, since what you'll probably end up with is two trams stopping at the end, a delay in the first turning around. So, first turns up, then the second, and as the second clears the junction, the first will head off. Gives your driver a toilet break at the end of the line.
Yes that's right Beren. If it was double track, you would need a crossover junction outside the station, so you would still have conflicting movements.
@@TransportVlog yeah one of the ways to make a cheap junction is to just cross the tracks at the end. You don't always have to have a double junction as you might find on the big light rail track in the CBD.
If they ever extended the line, a short single track segment is no big deal. I don't think this line is going to have much traffic. I honestly think if I were designing this, I would have used the original track and bridges. I would have gone full cheap on it. I think adding cycle paths is just additional pork barrel to the project.
@@berenscott8999 Let's see what happens. It will be interesting to see what the usage will be like on the Carlingford line section when it opens.
Great video & well presented after I guess allot of research. Can you tell me what's the purpose of the internal rails in the middle of the tracks please? I noticed that it was on the Sydney Harbour bridge video as. It's used had me baffled!
Hi John, These are called guard or check rails. Their purpose is to help a train stay upright if it derails, by one of the bogie's connecting with one of the check rails. So they are common on bridges and other locations where a derailment could have severe consequences. So you'll normally see them on railway bridges, and when tracks go under road bridges. Hope this makes sense for you now! Thanks for your lovely feedback on this video.
Great work once again 👏🏻
Thanks!
Nice one Paul 👌
Thanks
G'day Paul, such a well detailed and informative You Tube clip as always mate!! I've always been quite fond of the unique and historic Clyde to Carlingford railway line, when I'd heard that it was going to be converted to Light rail a few years back.........I went oh, NO!! Having just viewed your most recent clip about the heavy rail to light rail so far, I'm feeling somewhat releaved on the progress and construction of it so far and also of the likely outcome it will bring (to the local community) when the line is finally finished and running.
Hi Dave, glad you enjoyed it! - Yes I feel it is a good outcome for this line, and the direct link to Parramatta will be popular!
wow, this is cool!
Good work. Very interesting
Thanks!
cant wait to see when they start testing light rail on those tracks. Any ideas of which light rail model that will be running? will it be the same model as the one currently running in the city?
They will be using Urbos 3, the same as those used on the L1 Inner West Light Rail, except these ones will be longer and have 7 "carriages" (45m long) instead of the L1 trams which have 5 (33m long). The trams on this line will also have battery packs, much like the Urbos 3 trams used in Newcastle. The contract was done well before the L1 was taken out of service for cracks.
@@raph6931 ah i see. thanks for the update!
Thanks for that @ra ph. I wasn't aware that the Parramatta Light Rail vehicles will be longer, so I've learnt something new!
I really don't like the Parramatta Light Rail and honestly I don't think I ever will. There is so much history about the line and yet only ONE station on the line was heritage listed, being Dundas (and maybe Clyde). The only station on the line that still lives to this day is Rosehill Racecourse Station. Currently quietly crumbling away.
Shirley Street Reserve exists because it was preserved from development in the "old days" because the Carlingford Line was actually intended to go through it further on to Dural. The Line itself was first built by a private company. The Depression of the 1890s saw the company fold, and the NSW government took over the line in 1896. It was still possible to travel on a train behind a 20 Class loco (a tender version of the fabled 19 Class) into the late 190s when patronage was heavy on race days at Rosehill Racecourse.
Thanks for this bit of history! Shame it didn't make it to Dural! - I reckon that section would have been quite scenic!
Do you know if the active transport path is going to use the abandoned rail corridor from camellia to Parramatta road at Clyde as this would complete a safe connection to the M4 cycleway.
Hi Bryan, possibly, although I know that Sydney Metro West is going to use part of the old railway alignment to access the maintenance facility in Rosehill Industrial Estate. I agree that it would make sense to extend the cycleway to Parramatta.
I thoroughly enjoy your videos Paul! All the best for Christmas!
You're very welcome Maddo and Merry Christmas to you!
In my opinion they should of added an extra station near the parramatta river bridge on the northern side for WSU students. Rydalmere is kinda like a WSU upper campus and the new stop near the parramatta river would allow students to get off at the lower campus.
Yes I agree Kim, and I reckon we might well see an extra stop here in the future.
This upgrade to the Carlingford line will improve the service for the people on this line.
Yes it will be a game changer for people in this area.
Hi Paul thanks for the update and information good video graet work 👍
Thanks Jason, I appreciate your feedback.
Paul do you know if they will service RoseHill Gardens Racecourse,
Something more closer and accessible than Camelia
Hi Mark, Camellia will be the closest stop, but it looks like there will be a new path to connect with the racecourse.
Hi Paul, thanks for sharing another excellent video. Years ago, my dad and I took a return train trip from Clyde to Carlingford. We didn't get out of the train at Carlingford, due to the poor weekend services there at the time and we didn't want to get stranded. Will the light rail do the complete length of Tramway Avenue? Also, will they be adding any extended low platforms at the former railway stations for the light rail? We had to do that here on the St Kilda and Port Melbourne light rail lines. All the very best. Robert.
Hi Robert, Glad you enjoyed this video. Yes as far as I can tell, it does cover all of Tramway Avenue, although towards the end it becomes elevated to cross James Ruse Drive. All the old rail stations will have tram style platforms which are lower. Is that what you mean?
Looking really good. Can't wait to see it finished. I wonder if they will continue this light rail beyond Carlingford all the way to North Rocks, even though it will be very difficult to build?? Just a crazy suggestion because the public transport in North Rocks is very average. 🙂
They won't extend it to North Rocks. Stage 2 of the Parramatta Light Rail will be a branch that comes off from Camelia and travels through Rydalmere to Olympic Park.
Hi Matthew, Maybe in a few years, who knows! But as @ra ph mentioned below, stage 2 to Olympic Park will be next.
I wonder what the new rolling stock would be now since I doubt that any more CAF Urbos 3 would be used now…
The contract is for 13 7-module (45m) CAF Urbos 3s with batteries to cross the wire free section.
Any change now would likely cause significant delays, expense and likely legal battles
They will use CAF Urbos 3s. That won't be changed.
Apparently the issues with the CAF Urbos 3 don't apply to newer models (not sure how CAF knows that!). I agree, it won't be changed now!
Paul, you've just committed one of the schoolboy errors which identifies you as a Pom. "Rebar" is the UK slang for the reinforcing steel used in reinforced concrete. In Australia (at least in NSW) it's called "reo"!
Thanks for that! - I got the term "rebar" from someone else that left a comment in another video, He must have been a Pom too! I'll remember "Reo"for next time!
Hi Paul, the "white crane" is actually a long-arm concrete pump truck😂
Thanks for that Yitao!
@@TransportVlog No worries haha
Good work Paul. I love the cotton candy cumulus clouds at the back of you at the start of the video. These clouds are so typical of Australia on a bright sunny golden day and typical feature of the Southern Hemisphere. What a pity the Tram could not be extended beyond Carlingford to Epping somehow in a tunnel like the original design of the Heavy Gauge Rail line that was never built but mooted in 2004 and meant to be completed by 2008 but never was.
Thanks Tony! - I prefer the blue sky with no cloud days. It actually rained a couple of times and I had to duck for cover within the Western Sydney University grounds! Yes many people have commented about extending this line to Epping. The history of plans for a line from Epping to Parramatta might making an interesting future video!
why can't they go over, is it too expensive.
@@petermcgreevy6386 over would be cheaper, but probably slower, especially if it ran on existing roads.
Majestic princess
Just a pronunciation note: the stress goes on the second syllable in Dundas, and it rhymes with 'gas'. At least, that's how I always heard it, growing up in the area in the 1980s.
Thanks for that Mik! - One of the disadvantages of being from the UK! I'll remember that for next time!
So many missed opportunities. Carlingford and Rydalmere stations could have been placed under the main road overpasses, for extra weather protection, and to allow ramps down from both sides to allow near-instant connections from bus to tram in all directions. Instead the design isolates the modes and makes them kinda useless.
Also the Coonara Village shops and the Cherrybrook metro stop aren’t very far north of Carlingford. And maybe Westleigh and Hornsby.
It’s almost like the goal isn’t transporting people, and it’s more about propping up land values. Oh. Right.
Hi Peter, yes good ideas and it would have been nice to see access from both sides of these bridges. However, overall, this is a good scheme, with a direct service to Parramatta and much more frequent services.
This place has really changed since it closed in 2020. I wonder why some parts of this line (along with most of the L1 line) have ballast along the tracks.
I’d think a light rail would be better off with concrete and rails, but that’s my opinion. I also think that it could be extended to Epping, just to be similar like the original plans from ECRL to Parramatta.
It’s going good and in the coming 1-3 years lots of new transport developments will be completed.
Regards,
Given
As far as I'm aware, ballast is cheaper and easier to maintain, without any downsides. The only problem with it is that people and other vehicles can't travel over it. Given this, it's perfectly fine to use it on the L1 and here, because both are segregated from pedestrians and road traffic. The L2/3, on the other hand, isn't, so it's entirely concrete
Yes it certainly has. Epping could be a logical future extension, let's see what happens. The comments from "ra ph" below regarding ballast are correct.
another great video paul
Thanks Daniel 👍
Hi, Paul. Could you please explain the difference tracks in this part. Thanks
Hi James, do you mean concrete trackbeds versus ballast and sleepers? If so, concrete is normally used where vehicles or pedestrians will cross the tracks, so to provide level access (without stepping over rails). Concrete can sometimes to be used as a trackbed at other times, especially on elevated sections or under bridges (lots of examples of this on Sydney Metro) and also on Parramatta Light Rail at the Adderton Road Bridge. Ballast and Sleepers are used where the line is segregated and operates more like a railway line. Let me know if that explains it for you?
Interesting
Paul, have you ever approached Transport for NSW to get access to sites/official information on the Light Rail project? Geoff Marshal a UK UA-camr on transport gets invites to events. OK he does have 252k subscribers & 58 Million views but what is the worst they can do. Say No. I'm sure there is a public relations official somewhere that might be able to help. If you never ask you will never know. Good Luck. I hope to see you in a Hi Vis vest on site soon.
Hi Peter, not as yet, but it is something I'm thinking of doing. It was Geoff that inspired me to start this channel! I think he's at a stage now where people contact him (rather than the other way around!) I did get inside Waterloo Station earlier this year - you can see that video here - ua-cam.com/video/azA-A7nGPQk/v-deo.html.
Nice video mate 👏👍
Thanks 👍
if I want to go from Carlingford to Parramatta I would take 550 bus and travel in a straight line between the 2 points.
550 bus takes 20 mins on a good run assuming no traffic, and is only every 15 minutes. The light rail should beat that time and will be closer to 7-9 minute frequencies. With a connection to Epping in the future, this line will be far better for many people, plus for those whom it isn't, the bus network will be less overworked and there should be few cars on the roads along the corridor.
Thanks!
Thanks Gary, I really appreciate that!
why did the railway close in the first place please tell me I don't know
Hi Gareth, to become part of Parramatta Light Rail. The line was doing ok, so it would have continued a train line if the light rail had not gone ahead.
18:50 this signs at the end of the tracks is funny. tram only. this has no road connection at all, so I doubt any car would be there usually :)))
Would it mean no walkers? Stick to your track, to the left...note the yellow sign to help the walkers.
Yes it is a strange place to have a tram only sign! - Yes it could be for walkers and cyclists as the active transport path is relatively close.
good video
Thanks Joseph
Hullo, the locals pronounce it dun-DAS, with the emphasis on DAS. I wonder why they didn't run a gauntlet track over Kissing Point Road ? It would have saved (us) money.
Thanks, I'll remember that for next time! I hadn't heard of Gauntlet tracks until you mentioned it! I think this could cause similar capacity constraints to a single line, but interesting idea anyway. If anyone is wondering what a gauntlet track is, then this link will explain it - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gauntlet_track
They are called "shared paths"
I think "Active Transport" has become the new term (well with transport planners anyway) - But yes, it is a shared path!
and yellow figures their warning indicators
Thanks Gareth.
Probably already been said in the comments the yellow people are to remind vehicles there are overhead wires present
Thanks Roy, yes that’s right. A few people have mentioned this already.
Active Transport Path = Public service speak for "Bike Path".
Yes that’s right, although you can also walk, run, skateboard or use one of those pavement scooter things! - I think that’s the reason for using this term.
PLR, original, def not coppied from DLR
I think sending it to nowhere instead of diverging right at Kissing Point Road, Dundas to Eastwood and Macquarie Park using the never utilised county road reservation beyond Stewart St and joining Rutledge Street to go onto Eastwood is lazy unambitious planning using the cheapest option.
Man, Carlingford Station looking more sterile then ever. The 70s are gone forever.
Hi James, sounds like a good idea. The line could have 2 branches, one to Carlingford and one to Eastwood / Macquarie. Perhaps one day!
it’s hard to keep optimistic when remembering the corruption involved in this project.
oomplete waste of taxpayers money