With the recent upgrades and changes between South Geelong and Waurn Ponds now approaching completion and with the resumption of trains on the new line upgrades, a trip from Melbourne to Waurn Ponds was in order.
Southern Cross Railway Station
Our journey began at Southern Cross where we departed late due to coupling of 3 additional carriages at Platform 4A. Adding of the additional carriages at Southern Cross was a useful idea as the train was very full on departure with 6 cars.
Once underway we took our time to get to Footscray Station, from there we quickly arrived at Sunshine and then on to Tarneit and then onto Lara and Geelong.
Reaching Geelong
Many passengers remained on the train once reaching Geelong. We continued to the new station at South Geelong that on glances looked in good condition and nicely built. The train used platform 1 (or the UP Line) passing a Southern Cross bound train that had been parked in platform 2. (The same train was there on our return from Waurn Ponds to Melbourne just sitting idle)
The train then arrived at newly upgraded Marshall railway Station using platform 2 on this occasion. Platform 1 appeared out of service with a display stating no trains from this platform.
Onwards to Waurn Ponds we went crossing over the UP Line again and running to WP. Down line journey in parts I can report the track condition was excellent. The UP line usage out of Waurn Ponds on the Up to Geelong was a little rough and needs work.
The trip from Marshall to Waurn Ponds allowed time for me to take a close look at track configuration with 2 sets of cross over points on the UP side of Waurn Ponds allowing for movements from UP to DOWN and DOWN to UP in both directions.
Once arriving into Platform 1 the train waiting 17 minutes for the return journey to Geelong and Melbourne.
We again crossed onto the down line and stopped at Marshall platform 2. Onwards to South Geelong where we used platform 1 once again as platform 2 was occupied with the stabled V/Locity train with Southern Cross on the display.
There are 2 level crossings between Marshall and South Geelong and two between South Geelong and Geelong railway station.
Once we arrived at Geelong the trip was like any other after arriving and departing from Platform 3. If you have not noticed there are several level crossings on the Geelong line between the junction of the RRL and Geelong railway station. It is not necessary to try and remove all level crossings in country areas, that is not feasible.
Geelong Loco and Fuel Point
There were what looked like 5 x N Class locomotives in excellent condition on the turntable roads at the Geelong Fuel Point and Loco area. V/Line need to get more capacity up and running with some N Set coaches and the locomotives providing much needed capacity for surging demand.
Summary
The works from South Geelong and Waurn Ponds cost just under $1b dollars and took quite some time to deliver. On first impressions the stations are nicely laid out and clean. (at least for the moment)
The track rides well the down line better than the up. Platform 1 at Waurn Ponds seems to be the platform of choice for most of the day which does make sense.
The track work is 8kms in length as a second track and it is hard to see where the money went. A couple of bridges and some embankment work and new signalling with a design and installation being a platinum arrangement. Why do we need such high large steel structures for signalling?
4 level crossings still remain on the section between Geelong and Waurn Ponds and it is very hard to see how they could be removed which is fine.
The Vlocity sets are incredible noisy as they cruise along between Corio and Lara and onto the RRL. I would not want to do this trip twice a day in those seats. I am becoming less satisfied with these uncomfotable and noisy units for what really is an interurban connection. A better platform of train is now required and an EMU would be much more comfortable, cheaper and less noisy.
I note the very helpful and well positioned siding on the down side of South Geelong Station has been removed. This was used (I have experienced this myself) to shuttle trains quickly from the siding to South Geelong Station on Geelong Football Ground Game days where services can be quickly made available for the large crowds. it is hard to see how this will be achieved without the siding potentially reducing service frequency and convenience for football fans heading back to Melbourne. There is ample space for a new siding which could have been acommodated.
If the plan is to use the down track or the up track for holding trains for extended periods (as i saw on this trip) then the mantra about using double track for additional capacity and reliability is unlikely to be an dishonest statement.
One interesting but not important observation is the use of telephone numbers on the stations being South Geelong, Marshall and Waurn Ponds. it would appear Marshall has a different telephone prefix than the other two locations perhaps it is not connected to the PTC telephone network as most locations are?
Nice review and photos showing nice new works and much needed upgrades to the network. Is there a billion dollars on this work?
No way there is a billion dollars in this work where is the money going?
That money would electrify from Melbourne to waurn ponds with this works and decarbonise the busiest regional line in Australia. Hard to see this other than an expensive boondoggle and another missed opportunity.
I went shuffling through that area in Tuesday on the loco haul, very interesting…..some rail crossing still remain on route and it seemed noisier on that concrete track area…..
Those stations look very nice and with plenty of weather cover. Waiting rooms are important for a regional location near the water it can get quite cold in the cooler months.
Are the stations manned first to last train?
There was a time when all railway phones were on the same network and probably are in most cases. Have the PTV run out of phone numbers in the Geelong area?