Metro Trains Melbourne works trains
21 October 2020
On taking over the contract to operate and maintain the Melbourne suburban rail system in 2010, Metro Trains Melbourne have hired wagons and locomotives 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.
Mitcham level crossing removal project
7 January 2014
In 2013-2014 two level crossings at Mitcham were removed from the Lilydale / Belgrave line, when the railway line was lowered beneath Rooks Road and Mitcham Road, with the station at Mitcham also having to be rebuilt.
New X'Trapolis EMUs
11 April 2018
A second batch of X'Trapolis EMUs are being imported, number from 1M upwards (and 1301T). The first 6 car set arrived in 2009 and underwent testing before being commissioned into service.
Poor service from Metro Trains Melbourne
22 February 2021
Woeful service from Metro Trains Melbourne is a running joke - here are some examples.
PTV Night Network launch
30 October 2015
On October 30, 2015 the politicians visited Federation Square to launch PTV's new 'Night Network' - all night trains and trams, as well as a rejigged Nightrider bus service.
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.
Regional Rail Link rail replacement buses
24 April 2014
For two weeks in July 2011 the railway between Footscray and Sunshine will be closed to allow the first stage of Regional Rail Link works to proceed. Metro's Sydenham line service will be replaced by a bus service between Albion Station and Flemington Racecourse - by the looks of the bus interchanges, this will not be the only series of disruptions.
Return of the Bendigo Hitachis, August 2006
31 August 2006
After their withdrawal from suburban service in Melbourne, in February 2004 four 3-car Hitachi sets were transferred to the Bendigo North Workshops and stored unsecured in the open. In 2006 stripped of parts, and with broken windows and covered with graffiti, they were moved back to Melbourne by El Zorro using Y145 and S302 in the middle of the night of August 30th. Here they are upon arrival the next morning at Newport Workshops.
Richmond station
15 July 2019
A windblown concrete monolith from the 1950s with inadequate passenger interchange passageways and narrow platforms
Rock throwing media conference
16 October 2007
On 16 October 2007 Connex Melbourne and V/Line management held a media conference at Flinders Street Station to address the spate of rock throwing indicdents endangering their trains.
Second Merri Creek bridge at Clifton Hill
20 January 2019
Clifton Hill is the junction of the Epping and Hurstbridge lines in inner Melbourne, with a new bridge being built in 2008 across Merri Creek to duplicate the Hurstbridge line tracks.
Siemens train braking issues
15 January 2018
A number of Melbourne's Siemens trains were withdrawn from service in 2007 due to braking issues. The Werribee line between Newport and Laverton was used to test the affected sets. The test procedure involved spraying soapy water onto the rails to confirm the operation of the brakes. By 2010 it was decided the solution to the problem was to install sandboxes to the middle four bogies of each 3-car set.
Siemens train static inverter issues
17 August 2015
In December 2014 it was discovered that Melbourne's fleet of Siemens trains had been fitted with defective capacitors in the static inverter unit found beneath the train floor, resuling in a number of explosions. As an interim workaround fire blankets and tie down straps were fitted around the equipment boxes to reduce the risk.
Smashed signs at Sunshine station
17 July 2019
What happens when you put a road sign right beside a tight corner, on a footpath leading through the Sunshine station car park? Clueless motorists drive over the top of it, over and over again.
South Morang rail extension project
20 January 2019
Extension of the Epping line a few kilometres to South Morang, as well as the duplication of the existing line between Keon Park and Epping.
Special trains to Flemington Racecourse and Melbourne Showgrounds
5 November 2019
Additional train services are run for major events at Flemington Racecourse and the Melbourne Showgrounds.
Steamrail - Glen Waverley shuttles, June 2010
26 June 2010
On Sunday 27th June 2010 Steamrail operated steam shuttles between Darling and Glen Waverley to marks 80 years rail services to Glen Waverley. However due to an occupation on the line between the city and Newport, the train was stabled at South Dynon for a few days before the trip itself.
Steamrail - Good Friday Appeal suburban tour 2015
3 April 2015
On Friday 3 April 2015 K153 and Y112 led a train around the Melbourne suburbs to raise funds for the Good Friday Appeal.
Steamrail - Snow Train, July 2013
21 July 2013
R761 and R707 lead a 14 car long train from Southern Cross to Traralgon and return, having to run from Newport to Southern Cross via Sunshine and Deer Park due to Regional Rail Link works.
Steamrail - Suburban Rambler, April 2014
6 April 2014
On April 6, 2014 Steamrail took diesel Y164 and steam Y112 for a trip around the Melbourne suburbs
Stony Point line
19 January 2021
The Stony Point line is an orphan on the Melbourne suburban network, being an isolated shuttle service without electrification. A class diesel locomotives hauling MTH carriages were the usual consist for a decade, until replaced by Sprinter railcars in 2008. Trains running the service run empty cars between Frankston and Southern Cross for maintenance
Sunbury electrification project
9 May 2015
Electrification of the Bendigo line between Sydenham and Sunbury started in 2011 and was completed in 2012. Diggers Rest and Sunbury stations were upgraded, a new stabling yard built at the end of the line, overhead wires were installed above the tracks, and five new traction substations were built.
Sydney Trains
1 September 2017
Sydney Trains, formerly CityRail, operates the passenger rail service covering suburban Sydney
TPWS in suburban Melbourne
9 December 2019
Commencing in 2010 Train Protection & Warning System (TPWS) has been retrofitted to signals across suburban Melbourne.
VICERS vigilance control system
16 April 2012
In 2006 the installation of the Vigilance, Control and Event Recording System (VICERS) commenced on all suburban electric trains in Melbourne. Originally due to be completed by 2010, it took until 2012 for the system to finally be tested and commissioned.
X'Trapolis test run to Craigieburn, January 2011
21 January 2011
After the last train on 19 January 2011, set 33M-34M + 35M-36M headed slowly to Craigieburn in order to clear the route for X'Trapolis trains.
X'Trapolis transfer, December 2016
1 December 2016
On December 1, 2016 T369 and T377 with generator wagon CFSX125G transferred newly completed X'Trapolis set 225M-228M from Ballarat Workshops to Epping via Bacchus Marsh
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, October 2005
25 October 2005
The Connex X'Trapolis EMU fleet required a number of modifications that were carried out at the Ballarat Workshops. Set 925M-1663T-926M + 919M-1660T-920M was transferred from Ballarat to Bayswater (via Geelong) with T377 as the motive power, with power van ZVDY 52 attached to the rear
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