Melbourne’s Railways Have Just Changed

Hello and welcome to my channel. I am a train enthusiast located in Victoria, Australia and just want to share some of my journeys with KZbin. Please feel free to Comment your opinions and Subscribe to my channel :)
In this video, we discover a harsh reality of Melbourne's newest train timetable change which became active in June of 2024. No doubt unexpected changes. Note that transposals can occur but these new changes are nearly always the case based on observation. Hope you enjoy the video!

[@newylover]

Thanks for posting this. Clearly this is a preview of what's coming next once the tunnel opens, the new Cross City line begins and the Frankston line begins running independently. These are my predictions going forward for when the tunnel opens: - The next round of Comeng retirements will begin as soon as the tunnel opens (I'd imagine all EDIs) - Sandringham to Willimastown/Werribee will be served by the entire Siemens fleet - Northern group served by Comeng until X'Trap 2.0 arrives - Frankston group X'Traps and Comeng until X'Trap 2.0 arrives.

[@StrayaTrains]

Good chance this will be a rough outline of what to expect. Thanks!

[@thunderturbine8860]

That's a pretty good guess

[@xtrapolis954m]

Yes.

[@aidanthomas2510]

I've heard that the next Comeng retirements won't begin until the x'Trap 2.0's are in service, but who knows. Probably makes sense to keep some if the entire Northern Group will be 100% Comeng until then. Also, the 'Frankston Group' will technically still be known as the Caulfield Group given that's the City Loop tunnel it'll use, even though it won't technically be a group just a line but anyway. Other than that I agree with the rest.

[@torinsuriarachi700]

@@StrayaTrainsQuestion, if there is an X’trapolis 2.0 joining the northern lines, why aren’t they using the current X’trapolis.

[@samdaly799]

So, this is the current situation, Comeng trains are currently going through a door modification project at Westall, once a 6 car set has been modified, it can be used on the Sandringham and Cross City groups at all times. Sets that are yet to be modified must be operated on the Northern Group of lines. If unmodified Comengs run on the Cross City Lines due to distruptions, they are to be transposed from these lines as soon as possible. You will still see the odd Siemens on the Northern Group, and as the Comeng Door mods occur you will see more Comengs back on the Cross City and Sandy lines. This has nothing to do with the eventual removal of Comengs or the like, it is 100% related to the Door Modifocations. It was investigated to see if there were enough Siemens to use them on the Sandy, Werribee and Williamstown lines exclusivly but it was determined that there were not enough sets to achieve this. X-Traps have now been approved to run the Williamstown Shuttles and are the timetabled train type now to do these runs although you may still see the odd Siemens doing them still. Due to the level crossings on the Willy line, 3 car X-Traps were not allowed to do the shuttles.

[@newylover]

Thanks for your post. That's all very interesting. Are you suggesting that once the Comeng door modification works are complete, the status quo of train rostering will resume for the time being? I had done some calculations myself and allowing for about five 6 car Siemens sets being out for maintenance at any one time, you would be pushing to have exclusive Siemens use on these lines once the new Cross City line begins operating. It will be interesting to see what they come up with to support the Siemens on this group, my guess a small number of X'Traps that only run on the western portion only?

[@StrayaTrains]

Thanks for this information. Good to see the Comeng will be back on the Caulfield Lines more commonly in the near future once the DER/door modification upgrades get done! Very interesting about the Siemens numbers on the Cross-City Lines

[@levonandonian7613]

@@StrayaTrains I believe this is accurate as the only comeng I have ridden in the past week have received all door modifications

[@rustynailgaming4094]

Are you sure what you’re saying is true? Cause I went on the internet and there’s no news regarding the door modification project for the Comeng.

[@eetswaadlay2288]

Source?

[@Thetiersofmadness]

Tnx for including the RVB footage at the end, I’m excited to ride as many comeng as possible before their retirement, and for me this helps, although variety in the train you catch definitely adds to the enjoyment of being a rail-fan.

[@StrayaTrains]

Thanks!

[@dylanshadowstar9779]

I like having only one train on a line. Makes it easier to know what train is coming. Where the optimal seat and door is, etc.

[@StrayaTrains]

True!

[@closeben]

dangit, I’m on the Upfield line and Comeng are literally the worst. They have the awkward handle doors and every second carriage has an awful high pitch noise coming from the electric converter thingy on the top of the carriages. It was always a sweet relief when a Siemens showed up.

[@ComengProductions]

I like the Comeng.

[@Lettuce_King]

Comengs are awesome

[@danielbetelie966]

Yea comengs are the goat

[@clawscrab3497]

I agree, the old grab handles were better

[@electro_sykes]

Don’t worry new xtrapolis 2.0 coming soon!!

[@RichyTransport]

No wonder I couldn't catch a Siemens on the northern group. I was wondering... At least my fav train is going to be more common?

[@xymaryai8283]

100% Comeng on the Sunbury line was really unexpected to me for some reason. i expected Craigieburn and Upfield to get the old stock (which i love and hate, i love the Comeng but hate the lack of upgrades) but for Sunbury, its kinda like giving everyone the feeling of the old stuff before they get the full on new hotness to make it seem sweeter (though for me, its the opposite, like giving us gold before taking it away for silver)

[@xtrapolis954m]

Speaking of timetable changes, another lesser known and publicised detail is that the TDN of trains running along the Dandenong line now start with a C.

[@tonnyyyyyyyyy2]

I hate this. Bring the old days back when Comeng used to run on Burnley and Clifton Hill

[@aidanthomas2510]

Not gonna happen. There's too many x-trapolis and they won't be approved for any other line

[@gerrym75]

Nah, scrap the squishy Comengs. The XTraps are far more spacious

[@rustynailgaming4094]

Yes I agree. We need the Comeng trains back on those group lines.

[@aviationanimations5000]

I NEED COMENG AT MERNDA STATION!!!!

[@theeverythingman1060]

@@aviationanimations5000they are never bringing them back on those lines

[@shaunclarke94]

For us gunzels, this will either be great or terrible news depending on which line you're on, and your personal preferences. Personally, I use Sunbury a bit and love my Comengs so it works for me.

[@StrayaTrains]

Lol yes

[@brentonpoole4741]

Wow, a Comeng train at Hughesdale station (my local station). I’ve only seen the new HCMT now, except for transfers to Westall depot. Fairly new video too, as the construction crane next to the station has been up less than a month.

[@BOKU4649]

FYI - just spotted two Siemens in a row at Sunbury ... as you state - sometimes things get mixed up a little.

[@StrayaTrains]

There U go!

[@therealsammyvee888]

I didn't even know this was happening. I must say I liked it better when more types of trains could run across many different lines (especially the Comeng). Now I won't get to ride another Siemens on the Northern group, or a Comeng on the Sandringham line like I was hoping to do :( I wonder what will happen though when the Sandy line becomes part of the Cross City group after the Metro Tunnel opens and the Frankston line goes back in the Loop. Thanks as always for keeping us all updated.

[@markspublictransportvideos8429]

When Sandringham becomes part of cross-city group Sandringham and Werribee and Williamstown will be 100% Siemens only. Frankston line will be mostly x'trapolis and x'trapolis 2.0 and probably a Siemens or 2 is the most likely scenario but could be wrong

[@StrayaTrains]

Cheers :) a surprise to us all

[@therealsammyvee888]

@@markspublictransportvideos8429 Ok, thanks.

[@markspublictransportvideos8429]

I have told by a few driver's that new drivers won't learn to operate comengs on the cross-city and Sandringham lines

[@icascone]

Not surprised that the northern line got the older trains lol... "We" are usually forgotten part of the network... However thankfully I do like the Comeng trains...

[@mathewferstl7042]

To be fair, the comengs have a really good ride. And the northern lines are getting the xtrap 2.0's

[@icascone]

@@mathewferstl7042 I do like the Comeng... Is Craigiburn getting Xtrap 2.0?

[@mathewferstl7042]

@@icascone yeah to replace their comengs

[@galliman123]

Always nice to be able to close the doors on these cold winter days 😅

[@icascone]

@@galliman123 Or help someone get in when they are late lol

[@williamhuang8309]

This certainly makes it much easier to ride Comengs before they are retired but it does reduce variation. When it comes to rolling stock assignments on other rail services, this type of categorisation is actually quite common. The London Underground more or less has separate fleets for each line or group of lines which definitely makes spotting a specific type of train easier though with less variety (although you could see different types of train just by changing lines) The NYC subway also assigns specific types of rolling stock to specific services to some extent to make maintenance of trains easier.

[@Nevergonnagiveyouup504]

I saw a Comeng on the Sandrigham Line today. Unfortunately I forgot to film it cause it was too crowded with people as it was during the peak hour

[@TheTrainspotterFromTauranga]

Well this was certainly interesting, especially since it's less than a week before I go over there. I like the Comeng units, but have mixed thoughts over them essentially taking over the Northern Group. As for the Siemens Nexas running all Sandringham services, that won't affect me too much because a) I won't be visiting that line and b) I don't care for the Siemens units, to be honest.

[@BusPro12345]

Everything is more organized now in my opinion

[@griffonboi]

I remember reading this just as a rumour on facebook but it wasn't supposed to happen until the munnel opens, so it seems that was mostly correct

[@TiasVsEverything]

Maaan, I’m dreading that new metro tunnel opening and needing to change trains to get from Dandenong to Southern Cross (because suburban passengers aren’t allowed on the VLine trains).

[@StrayaTrains]

Will be a pain

[@nickhiscock8948]

Depending on what vline train your getting at southern cross it may be better to stay on the city bound Dandenong train and change to vline at Footscray after the tunnel opens. I worked it out that going from Moorabbin with a change at Caulfield and Footscray could be 15 minutes faster to Ballarat than going around the loop Or change at FlindersStreet. More reliable too as less delay prone junctions in the inner city to deal with when using the tunnel

[@kirbstagoontheaxolotl]

I'm a cross city group served member, dissapointed to hear that due to the merge with Sandringham we're losing the commeng fleet over here (If I'm near Southern Cross or Newport I do the occasional bit of train spotting, I've seen some cool af things in the areas) but it will be cool to see more Siemens trains, usually they're outnumbered by Commeng and X'trap trains

[@kenodbogoda9546]

2024 version of the split lol Jokes aside i think the reason why they did this divide is so the HCMTs can have it easier to take over the Sunbury line with the Siemens trains more or less gone off the Sunbury line the HCMTs will be able to take over the Sunbury line. Also from what I can tell EDI Comeng mostly run on the Sunbury line and Alstom Comeng mostly on the Craigieburn and Upfield line although this may not always be true.

[@YoussefPlayzz]

I’m on the Craigieburn Line, so are my trains Comeng & Siemens?

[@darylcheshire1618]

in the early ‘70s only doggies and Taits ran on the St Kilda, Port Melbourne and Sandringham lines. Maybe the Frankston line could be made standard gauge which would suit the Long Island steel train and double deckers from Goninans.

[@Memality]

As soon as they updated the Siemens pids too🤦. Now I have to go south to spot one.

[@knight.Skye.04]

I’m happy with the HCMT trains there’s more space inside

[@kevinnhian4986]

Instead of the 3 car Comeng on the Williamstown shuttles, it can be 3 car X'Trapolis to run the Williamstown line shuttle starting from June 2024.

[@thunderturbine8860]

God damn it. Clifton Hill and Burnley are still stuck with trashy X'traps 😐

[@thunderturbine8860]

Would've liked the Siemens and Comeng trains to operate the Clifton Hill group (obviously there would need to be changes to the Mernda and Hurstbridge lines to have a smooth operation

[@zksnxtrap]

Xtraps are the bestest train keep them here

[@thunderturbine8860]

@@zksnxtrap They would be good if they weren't so bouncy and noisy. imo they are one of the worst ones on the network (my opinion as I've ridden on these trains thousands of times already)

[@thunderturbine8860]

@@zksnxtrap In my opinion, X'traps should be the first trains to get scrapped and replaced, probably by Xtrap 2.0

[@werwtty-in1qg]

@@thunderturbine8860 why dont replace the sespention

[@xymaryai8283]

overall, i think this a dramatic decrease in operational flexibility, but also a decrease in complexity. i think Comengs should operate everywhere for flexibility and favouritism, but my home lines are Craigieburn and Upfield anyway so i'm happy for them to be prioritised on those lines.

[@xymaryai8283]

mostly Comeng on Northern (HCMT) 100% Xtrap on Burnley, Clifton Hill 100% HCMT on Dandenong 100% Siemens on Sandringham Siemens, Xtrap, Comeng on Cross City siemens newport xtrap epping bayswater hcmt pakenham east comeng craigieburn

[@ShaunSteenkamp]

Not a fan of this. The Comengs are the worst at crush capacity on the Cragieburn line. It was always such a relief to see a Siemens arrive in the peak!

[@Nevergonnagiveyouup504]

wow

[@SydenyTrainsVideos]

nice upload! just a question, how do you find the rostering?

[@StrayaTrains]

Go out and see for yourself!

[@magnalucian8]

feels like yet another kick to the long suffering west :(

[@kingey71]

Well, technically they are not HCMT METRO trains. They are HCMT Downer trains. And the ultimate goal removing crossover lines at Caulfield is to sell off the East Pakenham and Cranbourne line to Downer

[@StrayaTrains]

I reckon the Metro part is short for Metropolitan maybe. But yes, you are correct

[@shaunclarke94]

Huh? VicTrack won't sell an active Metro line?

[@mvfc7637]

So once again the passengers on the Northern group of lines have to put up with outdated rail stock. Comeng trains are well past their use by date and the Siemens trains have handles which hang from the roof down the entire carriage which you can hold to if you have to stand in the aisle.

[@therealsammyvee888]

Did you know that there were V/Line testing between Berwick and Warragul just after the new section of track in Pakenham opened? I've seen a few other people have filmed it and put videos up. Was hoping you might have as well.

[@StrayaTrains]

I didn't get footage of that unfortunately :(

[@therealsammyvee888]

@@StrayaTrains Ah well, that's a shame. But all good.

[@markspublictransportvideos8429]

I saw 3 comengs heading towards Frankston in a space of 30 minutes

[@dominicBuckley]

Come g are my favourite train on the network, I’m happy as a chappy

[@pingpongtrainsmelbourne]

GREAT FOR TRAINSPOTING AT FLINDERS STREET SO YOU KNOW WHICH PLATFORM TO PHOTO WHAT TRAIN

[@rohanwest2381]

i saw coming running on the Sandringham line service on my way into the city today and then a siemens running an upfield service on my way out today. Wonder why that happened.

[@Nevergonnagiveyouup504]

probs its the peak hour

[@dylanshadowstar9779]

As someone who uses Sandringham I was wondering where all the comeng went.

[@vainewichman3415]

My dad is in Melbourne and he is using a metro trains,I have been one that trains❤😊

[@StrayaTrains]

Cool!

[@australiannewsarchive2]

So will the Xtrap's be removed from the cross-city should it change from Frankston to Sandringham when the metro tunnel opens?

[@StrayaTrains]

Most likely

[@gregbowen617]

Here's a question for someone - I heard that the Comeng trains are being retrofitted with Single Tone horns - I heard one at my local station (Mordialloc) the other day and it was very similar to an X'Trapolis sounding horn - anyone know what the reason would be to remove the Three Chime?

[@StrayaTrains]

Decibel levels aren't in the required range

[@PilgrimIsHere]

Another weird thing is that the EDI comeng PIDs (And EDI comengs specifically) on the cross city group now says where the service will go after flinders street if it’s an UP service. Edit: the reason I posted this is to ask: why bothering updating something if it’s going to go out of use soonish?

[@shaunclarke94]

What do you mean? It's an automated system from the timetable. Setting it up now doesn't make it useless later.

[@PilgrimIsHere]

The thing is the comengs aren’t gonna last too much longer and very few services are rostered as comengs (on the cross city group) and that number will decrease. It’s still a nice change though

[@StrayaTrains]

Very cool

[@transportnswcb6067]

Something I'm aware of is that my Werrbilee line might be going to the Sandringham line instead of going to Frankston and Our colour might Change from green to Pink Since the New Melbourne tunnel is catching up fast Already and Our timetable will change as well

[@mjcats2011]

It will change to Salmon Pink as Werribee will be cross city with the Sandringham, currently colored Salmon Pink.

[@msg5507]

Did you see Daniel Bowen has written a blog post based on this video of yours?

[@StrayaTrains]

Indeed. Very cool!

[@electro_sykes]

Is the new timetable for the metro tunnel being integrated into the network

[@StrayaTrains]

Maybe

[@justanaverageguy1351]

This video would've made more sense to those less familiar with trains if you'd written which trains are which.

[@StrayaTrains]

Thanks for your feedback

[@justinwright4833]

How are comengs running on sunbury when the caulfield group will through run with Sunbury with hcmts?

[@StrayaTrains]

Those services are run by HCMTs and are the exception to the all Comeng running

[@hilarybadger1231]

Will the Siemens be permanently out of the city loop before the X’trapolis 2.0 enters service?

[@eetswaadlay2288]

Frankston line will go thru the city loop once metro tunnel opens, and I doubt siemens will be fully taken off that line so probably not. Not certain though

[@vancedburner6547]

Burnley group always gets ignored with these rail projects / changes it seems. It'd be nice to see the Burnley group get some or attention.

[@RumperTumskin]

No change proposed in any long-term plan I've ever seen. Only changes on the horizon I'm aware of are potentially making the loop running one direction all day (might already be happening in the tunnel opening timetable change) and maaaaybe some reconfiguration of Burnley (someone clever would do that at the same time as the level crossing removal but I wouldn't be holding my breath for that combo)

[@Hazz22]

I saw a comeng pass through Elsternwick on the Sandringham line today. Why is this?

[@StrayaTrains]

Comeng can still run on the Sandringham Line

[@dragonyt6357]

so does the frankston line still have all 3 trains siemens, comeng, xtrapolis?

[@StrayaTrains]

Yes

[@dragonyt6357]

@@StrayaTrains thanks straya good to know the frankston line still has variety also the change is a pretty good one all coneng on nprthen groups in my opinion is very cool

[@dragonyt6357]

northern*

[@TerminusCollective]

What does this mean for disability access. As I understand it, the Siemens sets have a higher DSAPT compliance. Which means the Sunbury line will have reduced compliance? Could this be an issue?

[@StrayaTrains]

Not sure. Don't forget the Sunbury Line will soon be all HCMTs which are much more DDA compliant

[@YoussefPlayzz]

Will the Werribee Line still have Comeng?

[@eetswaadlay2288]

For now

[@StrayaTrains]

Yes

[@dylanshadowstar9779]

I'm on a siemans on the Sunbury line now though?!

[@StrayaTrains]

Nice!

[@ye-cj3on]

Honestly I dont mind the full commeng on the northen groups..

[@michaelstevenson9276]

they couldve switched the comeng back to the burnley and clifton hill groups, and have the xtraps more system wide. yes while it makes sense about the craigieburn workshops i would like xtraps (idk why) and siemens

[@michaelstevenson9276]

i defo like the comengs (more alstom than edi) but it doesnt make sense to me to take the siemens off the craigieburn line completely

[@YoussefPlayzz]

@@michaelstevenson9276Alstom is crap af

[@oliverscanlon4290]

When will this change be introduced?

[@StrayaTrains]

Which change?

[@MetroStudios]

The whole train roster change he meant

[@StrayaTrains]

After the Metro Tunnel opens

[@MetroStudios]

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh

[@Littledrummerdude123_]

Which train line do you live on?

[@Nevergonnagiveyouup504]

he said it is a secret

[@StrayaTrains]

A secret indeed!

[@babyboomertwerkteam5662]

plot twist: he's actually on the regional network

[@Nevergonnagiveyouup504]

@@babyboomertwerkteam5662 maybe but who knows

[@SirRamone]

Why not build something universal over every line and just purpose built to Interurban or Inter City, NSW was close , QLD was too.but intercity just turned into extended suburban for them.

[@StrayaTrains]

The Comeng can technically run on all lines still. They were ahead of their time!

[@BOKU4649]

...and another siemens FSS > SUY on the way home!

[@StrayaTrains]

Nice!

[@morantaylor]

Lol when is the northern group scheduled to return to steam service..... Coneng trains have been around since the early 80s

[@StrayaTrains]

Haha

[@LCMTrain]

Isn't this a roster change not a timetable change?

[@StrayaTrains]

Timetable change. Mainly due to the introduction of East Pakenham. But also some services, predominantly during the peak have been extended or have altered originating times. The rostering change is just the primary aspect of the timetable change I guess

[@transportfanaussie]

This is actually horrible.. Melbourne has completely gone bonkers. So that’s why the day to Sandringham had a lot of Siemens..

[@PaulNoake]

Im so happy I live in Ballarat and don't have to put up with all this Metro trains crapola🤣🤣🤣

[@mjcats2011]

Just V/Line crapola.

[@comeng540M]

Well this suck, and this would mean Siemens will be temporarily removed from the City Loop.

[@StrayaTrains]

True. Didn't think of that

[@RyanZ225_PC]

get rid of xtraps

[@YoussefPlayzz]

nooo

[@rosxe6969]

absolutely

[@DanielDiaz-um1xd]

Bring back the Hitachi!