12 car Comeng train
2 September 2021
After a Comeng train 578M-1139T-577M and 598M-1149T-597M failed at Flinders Street on 2 September 2021, 6-car consist 329M-1015T-366M and 371M-1036T-372M coupled up to it to form a 12-car Comeng train to transfer the failed set to the Calder Park sidings. You can find a video of the movement here.
2015 Melbourne rail and tram industrial action
10 September 2015
In 2015 the Rail, Tram and Bus Union has launched industrial action against both Metro Trains and Yarra Trams, following the breakdown in negotiations around their new Enterprise Bargaining Agreement.
Arbory Bar at Flinders Street Station
7 December 2021
Arbory Bar operated in 2015 on the site of Flinders Street Station platform 11 after Metro Trains leased out the land, and has been taking over the adjacent platform 10 ever since.
Calder Park Sidings
17 September 2022
The train stabling yard at Calder Park is located north of Watergardens station. The first stage opened in December 2014 was a three road yard large enough to stable six 6-car trains, with a second stage adding another three sidings in 2015. As part of the High Capacity Metro Train project, a light maintenance facility is also being constructed at the site.
Caulfield - Dandenong driver training
12 January 2019
Driver training trains on the Caulfield - Dandenong rail corridor before the official commencement of passenger services over the new rail viaducts
Comeng Life Extension project
8 April 2021
The Comeng Life Extension project commenced in 2017 to update the interior and exterior of Melbourne's fleet of Comeng trains in order to keep them in service until 2022-27.
Comeng retirement transfer, 4 September 2021
4 September 2021
On 4 September 2021 retired Comeng sets 491M-1096T-492M and 339M-1020T-340M were transferred by P16 and P18 from Newport Workshops to North Shore in Geelong for long term storage.
Comeng retirement transfer, 9 October 2021
9 October 2021
On 9 October 2021 retired Comeng sets 307M-1004T-308M and 309M-1005T-310M were transferred by T386, T381 and T363 from Newport Workshops to Tottenham Yard via Melbourne Yard for long term storage.
Comeng retirement transfer, 11 September 2021
11 September 2021
On 11 September 2021 retired Comeng sets 325M-1013T-326M and 479M-1090T-480M were transferred by P16 and P18 from Newport Workshops to North Shore in Geelong for long term storage.
Comeng retirement transfer, 21 August 2021
21 August 2021
On the evening of 18 August 2021 retired Comeng sets 320M-1107T-321M and 363M-1032T-364M were transferred push-pull by T386 and T385 from Newport Workshops, stabling at Tottenham Yard until they were transferred on 21 August to North Shore in Geelong for long term storage.
Comeng retirement transfer, 25 September 2021
25 September 2021
On 25 September 2021 retired Comeng sets 408M-1054T-407M and 475M-1088T-476M were transferred by T395 and T364 push-pull from Newport Workshops to Tottenham Yard for long term storage.
Comeng retirement transfer, 28 August 2021
28 August 2021
On 28 August 2021 retired Comeng sets 301M-1001T-302M and 303M-1002T-304M were transferred by P16 and P18 from Newport Workshops to North Shore in Geelong for long term storage.
Evacuating Metrol, June 2015
18 June 2015
On 18 June 2015 the Metrol train control centre was evacuated due to a false fire alarm, which resulted in every train in Melbourne having to stop for 15 minutes until train controllers could return.
Flooded platform at Ascot Vale
11 March 2014
First it leaked, and then it burst - that's what happened to a water main beneath the platform at Ascot Vale station.
Galvin train crash, August 2014
18 November 2014
On August 22 2014 an empty VLocity train (VL05-12-39, 7 cars) ran into the rear of a Metro Trains service between Galvin and Paisley on the Werribee line.
HCMT CCTV testing at Cheltenham
19 May 2018
On 19 May 2018 a Comeng train was sent to Cheltenham platform 1 and had multiple CCTV cameras taped to the outside, apparently testing something new as part of the High Capacity Metro Train project.
HCMT High Capacity Signalling testing at Epping
25 October 2021
In 2019 work started on the installation of trial High Capacity Signalling equipment between Epping and South Morang stations. A pair of X'Trapolis trains completed the initial testing from September 2020, with High Capacity Metro Trains entering the test program from August 2021.
HCMT set 5 delivery transfer, September 2019
20 September 2019
On the morning of 20 September 2019 the fifth High Capacity Metro Train set was transferred from the Downer facility at Newport Workshops to the future HCMT depot at Pakenham East. Southern Shorthaul Railroad ran the transfer, with B75 and T385 in the lead, followed by a mix of SSR flat wagons loaded with empty spoil containers, then by P18, P17, generator van BVDY51, and finally the HCMT set. The emergency brake was operational onboard the new train, but the ECP service brake was not, hence additional braking wagons were required to accompany the movement.
HCMT set 6 delivery transfer, September 2019
30 September 2019
On the morning of 30 September 2019 the sixth High Capacity Metro Train set was transferred from the Downer facility at Newport Workshops to the future HCMT depot at Pakenham East. Southern Shorthaul Railroad ran the transfer, with S312 and T385 in the lead, followed by a mix of SSR flat wagons loaded with empty spoil containers, then by P18, P17, generator van BVDY51, and finally the HCMT set. The emergency brake was operational onboard the new train, but the ECP service brake was not, hence additional braking wagons were required to accompany the movement.
HCMT set 7 delivery transfer, October 2019
24 October 2019
On the morning of 24 October 2019 the seventh High Capacity Metro Train set was transferred from the Downer facility at Newport Workshops to the future HCMT depot at Pakenham East. Southern Shorthaul Railroad ran the transfer, with P16 and T386, generator van BVDY51, and finally the HCMT set. The braking system has now been certified for mainline use following tests of earlier trains at Pakenham East, so no braking wagons needed to accompany the movement.
High Capacity Metro Trains at Newport Workshops
3 September 2022
The new High Capacity Metro Train (HCMT) fleet is being assembled by Downer at the Newport Workshops in Melbourne's west, with the body shells assembled by CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles in China.
High Capacity Metro Trains enter service
27 December 2020
On 27 December 2020 the first High Capacity Metro Train carried passengers, HCMT set 11 did the honours running a single service from Pakenham to Flinders Street Station and return. The day was low key, with no special ceremonies to mark the occasion and little media attention, the train full of the families of those who built the train, and a gaggle of railfans who found out that the train was running.
Infrastructure Evaluation Vehicle IEV102
31 October 2021
Converted from carriage MTH102 by SSR Bendigo in 2010, as of March 2011 this inspection carriage has been used to check up of the status of the overhead wiring along Melbourne's suburban railway network.
Infrastructure Evaluation Vehicle IEV102 transfer, January 2017
5 January 2017
Metro Trains Melbourne's Infrastructure Evaluation Vehicle IEV102 developed a brake issue in December 2016, with the T-IEV-T consist having having to be transferred back to Melbourne behind B76 and B80. In January IEV102 was transferred to Bendigo behind B76 and B80, with six freight wagons (BODX 2301C, BQCX 2202B, BQIX 2461D, IEV 102, BQCX 2201P, BQIX 2459V and BODX 2460V) along for the ride to counteract the unbraked carriage.
Macaulay Light Repair Centre
16 May 2022
The Macaulay Light Repair Centre is located off at Upfield line at North Melbourne, and is used for the stabling of trains as well as light repairs.
Melbourne suburban Digital Train Radio System
29 November 2022
The GSM-R based Digital Train Radio System (DTRS) replaced the analogue Urban Train Radio System (UTRS) used for communication on the Melbourne suburban rail network. Approximately 100 base stations make up the system with more than 70 new towers added to cover the network. Work stated in September 2009 and was completed in 2011, with trials of the on train equipment starting in 2012.
Melbourne tram and train passenger counting
14 September 2022
Various technologies have been used to count passengers on trains and trams - old fashioned counting, and hi-tech Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and CCTV based system.
Melbourne Underground Rail Loop Upgrade Project
29 November 2022
The Melbourne Underground Rail Loop Upgrade Project includes the installation of new platform smoke extraction systems, upgraded station sprinklers and alarm system at Parliament, Melbourne Central and Flagstaff stations.
Metro Trains Melbourne - Burnley group
29 November 2022
Metro Trains Melbourne services on the Belgrave, Lilydale, Alamein and Glen Waverley lines that make up the Burnley group.
Metro Trains Melbourne - Caulfield group
22 November 2022
Metro Trains Melbourne services on the Pakenham, Cranbourne, Frankston and Sandringham lines that make up the Caulfield group.
Metro Trains Melbourne - Clifton Hill group
29 November 2022
Metro Trains Melbourne services on the South Morang and Hurstbridge lines that make up the Clifton Hill group.
Metro Trains Melbourne - inner suburban
29 November 2022
Metro Trains Melbourne services in the inner suburban area, covering Flinders Street Station, Southern Cross Station, the City Loop, North Melbourne and Richmond.
Metro Trains Melbourne - Northern group
2 December 2022
Metro Trains Melbourne services on the Werribee, Altona, Williamstown, Sunbury, Craigieburn and Upfield lines that make up the Northern group.
Metro Trains Melbourne first aiders
27 May 2019
In June 2010 Metro Trains Melbourne commenced placing 3rd party first aid staff at major stations during morning peak, to assist ill passengers while keeping trains moving.
Metro Trains Melbourne launch
30 November 2009
X'Trapolis 863M-1632T-864M-897M-1649T-898M was stickered into the new 'Metro' livery for the first day. Held on platform 1 at Flinders Street Station, Premier John Brumby and Transport Minister Lynne Kosky were in attendance, along with MTM management. The train left late because the media were interviewing the politicians, but they ended up being left behind.
Metro Trains Melbourne road fleet
19 January 2021
Metro Trains Melbourne has a number of corporate liveried cars for the use of Authorised Officers
Metro Trains Melbourne stuffups, April 2013
26 April 2013
Over five days over the Anzac Day break there was a shutdown for Regional Rail Link related works at Viaduct Junction. April 26 was a normal workday but with limited platforms available at Southern Cross Station, resulting in all kinds of delays.
Metro Trains Melbourne trackwork
29 November 2022
Trackwork and maintenance on the Metro Trains Melbourne network
Metro Trains Melbourne works trains
27 June 2019
On taking over the contract to operate and maintain the Melbourne suburban rail system in 2010, Metro Trains Melbourne have hired wagons and diesel locomotives B76, B80, T369, T373, T376 and T377 from CFCLA to operate works trains. Three types of train operate: open top containers mounted to miscellaneous flat wagons for the carriage of spoil, CHOY hoppers to carry ballast, and flat wagons fitted with stanchions to carry rail or concrete sleepers. The arrangement ended in 2017, with works trains instead being operated by Qube Logistics and Southern Shorthaul Railroad.
Night Network Melbourne
23 November 2021
'Night Network' is the brand name for all night trains and trams across Melbourne on Friday and Saturday nights, as well as a revamped Nightrider bus service.
Poor service from Metro Trains Melbourne
25 April 2022
Woeful service from Metro Trains Melbourne is a running joke - here are some examples.
Rebranding Connex to Metro Trains Melbourne
24 May 2018
Metro Trains Melbourne took over operation of the Melbourne suburban rail network from Connex on 30 November 2009, with rebranding of trains and stations commencing right away.
Repainting the Flinders Street Viaduct
15 November 2021
During 2020 -2021 the four tracks of the original Flinders Street Viaducts were progressively closed so that the steel plate girders could be repainted.
Siemens train door failure, July 2012
17 July 2012
On 17 July 2012 the doors of Siemens train 794M failed while running a down Craigieburn service at Newmarket station. As a result the entire train load passengers had to be turfed off the train.
Siemens train recovery, 2019
14 May 2019
On May 13, 2019 Siemens train 743M-2522T-744M + 766M-2533T-765M on a down Werribee service encountered damaged overhead wiring outside Laverton, resulting in the train being disabled. The next day N470 and N466 were sent to assist with the recovery of the train to the Newport Workshops, with chains and transition couplers used to join them together. Siemens trains lack a continuous brake pipe through each 3-car set, so a locomotive was needed at each end of the train to allow the consist to move.
Stuck brakes on a Comeng train, November 2019
17 November 2019
On 17 November 2019 Comeng carriage 641M was in the middle of a down Sunbury service when the brakes got stuck on, leaving a trail of smoke from North Melbourne to Middle Footscray, before the train finally came to a halt, shutting down rail services on the line for an hour.
Sunbury line train stuck at South Kensington, December 2019
30 December 2019
On 30 December 2019 trains on the Werribee line were disrupted due to a power failure, so Metro sent a citybound Sunbury line train across to the platforms at South Kensington station to pick up stranded passengers. Unfortunately the power was also off at there, so the train came to a halt halfway into the platform, blocking both pairs of tracks!
X'Trapolis transfer, July 2017
20 July 2017
On 20 July 2017 brand new X'Trapolis train 234M-1417T-233M+236M-1418T-235M was transferred from the Alstom factory at Ballarat North to Epping Workshops, behind T373 and T376 with generator wagon CFSX125G
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X'Trapolis transfer, September 2019
19 September 2019
On 19 September 2019 SSR locomotives P14 and T363 with the usual power van BVDY52 and transition wagon BQJX 2481W led X'Trapolis train 94M-1347T-93M and 129M-1365T-130M from Newport Workshops to Alstom Ballarat via Bacchus Marsh for upgrade works.
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