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High Capacity Metro Trains (HCMT) Order

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      jdekorte Deputy Commissioner

    Location: Near Caulfield Station
    Further work was completed over the weekend on the HCMT upgrade project between Caulfield - Richmond. New overhead structures have been installed around the Dandenong line tracks up from Caulfield, through Caulfield station and around the Caulfield junction area.  I don't think they worked on the overheads between Caulfield - Malvern like they did a few weeks ago when the outermost track wires were redone. In addition I spotted numerous parts for overhead foundations had been stockpiled at either end of every MATHS station so this work looks like it's gathering pace. It will be interesting to see how they are going to replace overheads where the old stanchions are bolted into brick walls which abut the line in a few locations.

    Also, I spotted at Oakleigh this morning many more overhead foundations that had been drilled into the sidings on the downside of Oakleigh station. From this construction I think it would be safe to assume that these last sidings at Oakleigh are no longer going to be used.  I've also heard that the southern most track is to be removed but I'm not sure if this is a rumour or confirmed - which would leave just two tracks at Oakleigh. However, there is news of a major upgrade to happen at Oakleigh costing $10 million including lifts to the underpass, new drainage, upgraded facilities, new ramps and a much needed painting, all of which is good.

    Great to see an amount of work is taking place.
    Posted: 05 Dec 2017 14:50

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      Clyde Goodwin2 Chief Train Controller
    Posted: 07 Dec 2017 12:07
      jdekorte Deputy Commissioner

    Location: Near Caulfield Station
    Metro Trains & PTV have announced a huge shutdown of the lines from January 2nd - 9th in order to work on a large part of the HCMT project at once. It was bound to happen eventually.  The shutdown of the lines will be from Westall - Flinders St and Moorabbin - Flinders St. I can't imagine how many buses they will need for this (or trams)...

    Anyway, of interest is the rebuilding of the overheads at Caulfield which seems to be one of the main focuses of the works. I came across a notice of heritage permits outside Platform 1 at Caulfield and out of curiosity have had a good read of the relevant documents, of which I've linked below.  These are very interesting and the Appendix is a comprehensive report on the overhead structures used in the Melbourne network. Basically, 12 (life expired) gantries within the Caulfield Station complex are going to be removed and all overhead wiring upgraded with new stanchions to handle the HCMT's.

    Heritage Impact Statement: https://www.heritage.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0023/90590/caulf-HIS.pdf

    Appendix to Permit Application: https://www.heritage.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0031/90589/Appendix-to-HIS.pdf

    Removal Methodology: https://www.heritage.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0024/90591/Caulfield-Station-OHLE-Gantry-Demo-Methodology.pdf

    Scope of works (map): https://www.heritage.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0025/90592/Plan-showing-gantries-to-be-removed.pdf
    Posted: 07 Dec 2017 17:59
      jdekorte Deputy Commissioner

    Location: Near Caulfield Station
    I've just seen on my Metro notify app that all Frankston trains city-bound are going to terminate at Caulfield and originate from Caulfield from 9am - 7.45pm due to infrastructure works, with passengers urged to change trains at Platform 3.  I'm guessing this could only mean that more overhead works are taking place between Caulfield - City. I'm hearing various banging noises from my house so that must mean that works are taking place.

    In terms of preparation for the January shutdown, many more structures have been installed in the Caulfield junction & station area in recent days so a picture of how it's all going to look is becoming clearer. I'm aware that the down junction is to be removed for the tie into the elevated sections but the up junction will remain, although possibly reconfigured.
    Posted: 16 Dec 2017 09:16
      loopy Junior Train Controller

    I saw from Moorabbin Laundromat the final City Loop & first Caulfield & thought WTF. They're obviously doing a role reversal of last fortnight weekend how the Cranbourne/Pakenham lines terminated at Caulfield & you had to change to a City Loop bound train from Frankston because they were utilizing the primary Frankston tracks. This weekend they're utilizing the primary Cranbourne/Pakenham tracks which means all Oakleigh trains have to stop at the MATH stations
    Posted: 16 Dec 2017 13:49
      jdekorte Deputy Commissioner

    Location: Near Caulfield Station
    Work commenced yesterday on the major upgrade of overheads and signalling systems around the Caulfield Junction area.  The crews seem to be working 24/7, and there is a multitude of equipment being used.  Yesterday was mainly about removing wires from midway between Caulfield - Malvern through Caulfield station and a bit beyond. Also, they installed the remaining new wires on the inner tracks from Malvern to the next changeover point just before Tooronga Rd.

    Today was much more involved and you can already see the progress around Caulfield. The new stanchions are sporting new wires and although they weren't tensioned yet, I'm sure it's only a matter of time until they are.  There is also some other work taking place at the end of platforms although I can't tell what the crews are up to - could be something to do with the new platform extensions. Further back up the line this afternoon, the old stanchions were being dismantled. This involves three cranes to hold the pieces up while they are unbolted (or cut), then they are lowered to the rail level and cut up some more.  The pieces are then transported to a site near Malvern station where they are being stockpiled for eventual removal. This work is continuing overnight so I expect by the morning all the old stanchions in a certain section will have been removed leaving the new stanchions. Around Malvern there's some work taking place next to platform 3 at the city end. Again i can't tell what's being built but some concrete is about to be poured there. I also can't tell what's happening up the line for obvious reasons - unless I choose to travel to those locations. I'm sure with such a big shutdown there's other work taking place.

    Anyway, I'll be watching the works with a keen interest although I'm going interstate for the weekend so I'll miss a bit. Perhaps other posters can fill in more details.
    Posted: 03 Jan 2018 22:38
      historian Deputy Commissioner

    A quick look at Caulfield this evening.

    Most, if not all, of the new stanchions are up with new wire strung. Overhead crews were busy working over the crossings at both the Up and Down ends of the yards. My impression was that the Dandenong side of the station was more advanced than the Frankston side. There was lots of very shiny copper wire over platforms 3 & 4, while platforms 1 & 2 still had the old wire, which was also still supported by one or two of the old o/h structures. Most of the old o/h structures were still intact. It appears that they only initially removed those structures that were in the way.

    Incidentally, I was very interested to see which connections were to remain after the rewiring. After this shutdown the connections from the Dandenong line to Platforms 1 & 2 (Frankston platforms) will be out of use, as will the connections between Platform 4 and the Frankston line.
    Posted: 05 Jan 2018 21:26
      loopy Junior Train Controller

    First opportunity to go through Caulfield this morning since week long closure from city to Moorabbin and Westall, and I'm quite disappointed. I thought after a whole week shutdown that the track reconfiguration would be more advanced than what it is. All that seemed to be done was the tiny piece of track that connected P1/P2 to Dandenong bound tracks was dismantled, which means [for the time being I assume] it's still possible to go to Frankston from P3/P4. And stuff all has happened with the Malvern and Caulfield platform extensions, like the Berwick "extension" I heard of
    Posted: 10 Jan 2018 07:57
      Lockie91 Assistant Commissioner

    @loopy

    Points have been spiked and locked. In addition I believe around 30km of overhead and every piece of electrical infrastructure between FFS and CFD has been renewed.
    Posted: 10 Jan 2018 20:11
      potatoinmymouth Chief Commissioner

    HCMT full-size mockup on display at Birrarung Marr 9–17 Feb.

    https://transport.vic.gov.au/our-projects/high-capacity-metro-trains/
    Posted: 23 Jan 2018 13:49
      Carnot Minister for Railways

    HCMT full-size mockup on display at Birrarung Marr 9–17 Feb.

    https://transport.vic.gov.au/our-projects/high-capacity-metro-trains/
    potatoinmymouth
    Gee, they'll need a few PSOs on hand given the violent attacks at that location of late.
    Posted: 23 Jan 2018 14:18
      loopy Junior Train Controller

    The first piece of platform extension I've witnessed was this morning at P1 Westall on the up end, although it's not much unless it's extended more
    Posted: 23 Jan 2018 22:16
      cabidass Chief Train Controller
    Posted: 24 Jan 2018 21:51
      Dangersdan707 Chief Commissioner

    Location: On a Thing with Internet
    can't wait to ride in a freshly graffitied one on the frankston line
    Posted: 24 Jan 2018 23:03
      loopy Junior Train Controller

    I had only just noticed that the crossover that goes on the down of Caulfield P4 to Carnegie P1 had been de-electrified, whereas the P3 Caulfield to Carnegie P2 crossover had not. I'm assuming both of these crossovers will be abolished when CGE, MRB, HUG Sky Rail will be connected to the network, as well as the cleanup of the down side of Caulfield tracks
    Posted: 26 Jan 2018 09:18
      Lockie91 Assistant Commissioner

    @loopy

    All crossovers at Caulfield have been spiked and locked, I assume will all be cleaned up when area one comes online later in the year.
    Posted: 26 Jan 2018 18:41
      ARodH Chief Train Controller

    Location: East Oakleigh, Vic
    Well there goes some resiliency if there's an issue on a track pair upstream of Caulfield. Not like there's ever a problem with one of those lines that stops all services down stream of Richmond.
    Posted: 27 Jan 2018 01:18

    Last edited by ARodH on 27 Jan 2018 01:18; edited 1 time in total
      silvertrain80 Junior Train Controller

    Location: stabled at newport
    What are their road numbers going to be?
    Will they be in the thousands or hundreds?
    Posted: 27 Jan 2018 14:32

    Last edited by silvertrain80 on 27 Jan 2018 14:34; edited 1 time in total
      potatoinmymouth Chief Commissioner

    The 1.5 carriage mockup has RN 4100. Make of that what you will.
    Posted: 27 Jan 2018 15:51
      LancedDendrite Chief Commissioner

    Location: Gheringhap Loop Autonomous Zone
    Well there goes some resiliency if there's an issue on a track pair upstream of Caulfield. Not like there's ever a problem with one of those lines that stops all services down stream of Richmond.
    ARodH
    The new signalling and renewed overhead electrification infrastructure will stop any of these things from being an issue Laughing
    Posted: 27 Jan 2018 16:39
      historian Deputy Commissioner

    All crossovers at Caulfield have been spiked and locked, I assume will all be cleaned up when area one comes online later in the year.
    Lockie91

    AFAIK, the only connections at Caulfield booked out are the
    • connections between the Up and Down Dandenong lines and Platforms 1/2 (Frankston) at the Down end. This will, of course, be where the ramp will start from.
    • crossover between No 4 Rd and No 3 Rd at the Down end of Platform 4. This means that moves cannot be made to or from Platform 4 and the Centre Line, Through Siding, or Siding A.

    All the overhead over the crossovers at the Up end was renewed in the latest shutdown. I consequently think that it is unlikely that the crossovers will be removed any time soon, and quite likely indicates that there are no plans to change the Up end much if at all.

    Not all of the overhead at the Down end was renewed - in particular several of the original overhead stanchions are still supporting the the overhead in the Frankston platforms, and possibly at other points (it's hard to get a good look at the Down end). It's not clear if this is because the work ran late and they haven't finished the renewal, or because they are waiting to complete other work.
    Posted: 28 Jan 2018 21:26
      mm42 Chief Train Controller

    Air suspension on HCMT trains:

    I emailed the HCMT project email about the suspension system of the new trains. "Will the new train have air bag suspension (like the Siemens trains) or leaf spring suspension (like the Xtrapolis) ? I would hope the smoother ride of air bag suspension would pay for itself over the life of the train through reduced track maintenance, higher patronage and fewer faults."
    Their response: "We can confirm that the new trains will have two stage suspension, including secondary air bag suspension like the Siemens trains. "
    Posted: 04 Feb 2018 18:45
      reece2425 Beginner

    Hey guys

    A couple of questions that I need answered please. Will the HCMT have automatic driver operated doors? How long are the current platforms? How long will they be once extended? I have tried to find answers to my questions online but with no luck.
    Posted: 11 Feb 2018 13:46
      Lockie91 Assistant Commissioner

    @reece2425

    Current platforms are 160m (current train lengths are around 150m) extended platform will be around 240m To cater for the eventual 10 car HCMT’s. The 7 car HCMT’s have a length of 160m M-T-T-T-T-T-M.
    Posted: 12 Feb 2018 16:22
      reece2425 Beginner

    @reece2425

    Current platforms are 160m (current train lengths are around 150m) extended platform will be around 240m To cater for the eventual 10 car HCMT’s. The 7 car HCMT’s have a length of 160m M-T-T-T-T-T-M.
    Lockie91
    So the platforms to be extended on the Pakenham/Cranbourne line will be 240m????
    Posted: 12 Feb 2018 18:12

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