Preparing Comeng Train for the Road & Ride to North Melbourne

[@higherperspectivephotography]

Great video. Love that there's no talking so you can hear every little detail of the systems doing their thing.

[@tressteleg1]

I especially avoid talking on video these days. Partly because others often chatter when I want to hear the train doing its thing, and also because viewers overseas may be much better at written English rather than spoken. I also avoid adding music as while its style might please some viewers, it will annoy others.

[@rubes3927]

As a helicopter pilot who likes trains, this was awesome to watch 🤗 not enough like this on KZbin!

[@tressteleg1]

Interest overlap of transport vehicles! The driver took risks taking the video clips, but maybe one day he will cover another train type.

[@reiko05]

@@tressteleg1 yeh no shit, theyll lose their job when caught

[@robmcfarlane3602]

I used to be qualified in all the signal boxes including Kensington along the racecourse line and was the last signaller to work Flemington. Used to love the morning shifts bringing the docks out for the peak and then putting away the return shunts. Sat listening to the trains being prepped and knew when you were nearly ready to TR.

[@tressteleg1]

Sounds like happy memories 🤗. The last I heard was that in the whole of NSW there is only 1 or 2 local signal boxes still in use. The rest of the state is run by a couple of giant signal boxes. I know that Melbourne has a way to go to equal that, but I dare say the number of local signal boxes is forever declining. Less work for the signalmen of old.

[@tressteleg1]

To “John Citizen”, I tried replying to your comment/question but it was not accessible. As for raising pantographs, one set of button are related to just this power car, the other set related to the other power cars. I guess it’s necessary to get the front car fully operational before other cars have functions brought on line.

[@krisjustin3884]

Very impressive footage! Enjoyed it!

[@tressteleg1]

Yes, for a video which does not actually involve a train running anywhere, it has been especially successful, much more than I expected. Maybe one day we will see preparation of some other train type.

[@rlvedhzl3743]

This is the most wonderful 15 min journey back to memory lane in KZbin. Had been on the footplate for several years before changing career path for better income. We used to have Westinghouse brake equipped trains powered by GEC motors in Hong Kong and cab controls were quite similar to yours. You handle your train with ulmost care even some switches are located a bit away from the driving desk but in HK most drivers kick-opened the cock for charging the brake pipe (although it was prohibited) . Ive visited melbourne once in 2019, miss trains and trams there so much.

[@tressteleg1]

Interesting report thanks. I don’t know which is the cock for for charging the brake pipe which your workmates used to kick unless it was the valve in the Comeng Trains which has to be turned to cut the cab into service.

[@rlvedhzl3743]

@@tressteleg1Thanks for your reply! It seems to me that both of them act in the same way as It activates the brake controller and charges BP as shown in your video.

[@tressteleg1]

@@rlvedhzl3743 Glad I got that right, as I have never officially been a train driver but in the past did it discreetly from time to time. By the looks of this Melbourne one, there is a steel bracket around it more likely to stop it accidentally being kicked rather than being kicked to open or close.

[@rlvedhzl3743]

@@tressteleg1 Really broaden my horizon. Thanks a lot!

[@tressteleg1]

@@rlvedhzl3743 👍👍

[@pierreinthavong181]

Very nice train cab video!😁

[@tressteleg1]

👍😊

[@catintensifies]

Love the video! Superb work as always! Would love to see other trains as well!

[@tressteleg1]

Well the driver knows this one has been quite successful. Maybe he will do some other train types but not HCMT. They have cameras inside the cab watching the driver.

[@DrTsushima]

@@tressteleg1 Haha. Clearly you don't want any supervisors at Metro to see these videos.

[@tressteleg1]

@@DrTsushima I’m sure that Metro and all other government entities, and probably big companies, are forever checking social looking for any public praise or criticism. See my other response.

[@yingli3120]

How did you get access to the cab

[@tressteleg1]

@@yingli3120 I was never in the cab.

[@thomasrobinson8336]

Excellent video that shows what has to be to get going

[@tressteleg1]

Well, most of the tasks. Some were not possible to record.

[@elmin2323]

Been looking for this for ages!

[@tressteleg1]

Well it did not exist until yesterday afternoon!

[@geoffreymoore1510]

Thanks for the ride. I was just getting settled and you finished. Learning how the signals work.

[@tressteleg1]

😊.. if you have not seen this one before, it explains pretty well all the signal combinations. Melbourne Train Signals Explained I Hope! kzbin.info/www/bejne/i2q5fmacoK9peMk

[@BaileyChap]

In response to Geoffrey's comment regarding learning signals; another signalling by Taitset exists, which while with less historically pleasing video footage and sounds than Tressteleg's video, goes a bit further into the theory side, as well as discussing some (but not all) regional variations. kzbin.info/www/bejne/b2e2pn-Orc1pgtE Tressteleg's video is also good as it shows a lot of examples of the same aspect but in different scenarios, and from views the public don't normally get to see!

[@geoffreymoore1510]

@@tressteleg1 Thanks for he additional link. I have saved it.

[@tressteleg1]

@geoffreymoore1510 Good idea. I can never remember what every code means.

[@tressteleg1]

@@BaileyChap I thought that Taitset’s video was about train prep but it seems you were referring to my Melbourne Train Signals Explained video. Anyway I do recall seeing his video in the past. Maybe people would gain most by watching both versions.

[@stevevisscher1350]

Brings back some memories. The dock might’ve changed over the years, but that functionality test looks the same as it ever was.

[@tressteleg1]

Sounds like the voice of experience from the past. 😊

[@OPterro9002nintendofan]

15:07 hcmt train can be seen on the right

[@tressteleg1]

👍😊

[@andrewl3655]

Thanks for a great video! How do the Comeng trains with tread-type brakes differ from the disc brakes, in terms of stopping ability and reliability? Given that I think the disc brake Comeng trains might be getting the life extensions, I assumed that meant they were preferred?

[@tressteleg1]

My driver has never commented about one or the other being better. I expect that disc brakes need less adjusting, and may in fact do that themselves. I expect the main reason for keeping them rather than trains with tread brakes is simply because they are newer so should be in better condition.

[@hillbilly8621]

Disc brake (Knorr) Comengs have had a more recent/more comprehensive refit/upgrade, whilst tread (Westcode) did not. It was a financial decision. Allegedly Westcode is a bit more predictable in it's behaviour but being 40+ years old no two sets are alike in their characteristics, regardless of brake system.

[@lachlansrailwayproductions]

thanks for doing this! wanted to see this for a while

[@tressteleg1]

👍😊

[@MRHenHen]

Awesome footage. Not too many 1st series tread break comeng left

[@tressteleg1]

True. I believe our driver is concentrating on them as they pop up.

[@johntasevski8046]

Love the sound of the air brakes when they are applied as it means business. Is it driver preference to use only the air brakes over the rheo brake? And how does the rheo brakes work?

[@tressteleg1]

@@johntasevski8046 I believe that drivers are expected to remain familiar with using the “Westinghouse“ airbrakes which operate the same as airbrakes on freight and most other trains. Consequently occasionally these familiarisations will be heard on the videos I publish. Regarding the rheostatic brakes, when the wiring of a moving traction motor is reversed, it then becomes a generator. By varying the amount of resistance in this generator’s circuit, the speed of the train can readily be reduced step-by-step until at a low speed regeneration stops and the air brakes complete the final stopping.

[@johntasevski8046]

Thank you for that explanation as I always wondered how the rheo brakes worked. In this video the driver flicked the ep switch on and left it on but if he wanted to drive using air brakes only, is that something allowed and up to the driver which suites them? Thanks again for the great videos mate

[@tressteleg1]

@@johntasevski8046 EP normally stands for Electro-Pneumatic which means that every carriage on the train will react immediately to an electrical command from the driver and apply, release or lap the brakes at the same time. With that turned off, when brakes are applied all the released air has to escape via the brake valve in the first carriage and is much slower to respond that EP. Whether that switch also turns off the Rheo brake I don’t know. I said previously that I suspect that drivers are expected to be familiar with the pure Westinghouse brakes in case of failure of of Rheo and EP. If the 1500 volts goes off for any reason, I expect that only the Westinghouse brake would work.

[@petertrevena804]

Nice to see how how it goes👍😊😁

[@tressteleg1]

😊👍

[@gregfoster3620]

thanks for the memories ,just like preparing an S set for service on the Sydney metro in the 1990,s

[@tressteleg1]

Glad you liked it. I imagine that Melbourne Comeng and Sydney S set equipment would be fairly similar as both train types are roughly the same age and I think both were Comeng products.

[@wence25games89]

Are you a train driver? How do you upload such detailed video? Normally, I can't find such videos showing as much information!

[@tressteleg1]

No, but I have unofficially driven trains in the past and a few times walked with drivers as they did prep on various types of trains so I had a fair idea of what this driver was doing nearly all the time. The video came with no explanations. It was checked and a couple of corrections made. It is not a complete prep.

[@AshTheGreenOnion]

For some reason I found this this video satisfying 😅

[@tressteleg1]

@@AshTheGreenOnion Maybe it has good content 😆

[@MatteoFragapane-kp8kd]

I really liked how you showed how to do checks on brakes and you also answered my question of how to put up the pantographs. I know I am a bit late to ask this, but what is your opinion on the new Comeng Horn?

[@tressteleg1]

I think that it is most unfortunate that the last remaining examples of what had essentially been unique Melbourne whistles have been removed and replaced by rather mundane ordinary sounding whistles.

[@thomasclayton169]

Love old trains and cars. Best thing is Comeng (Commonwealth Engineering) was made here locally in Dandenong Victoria. Nowadays we barely make anything ofr ourselves 😢

[@tressteleg1]

Well the E class trams, electric trains for Adelaide and possibly VLine Vlocity were built at Dandenong even if the factory is owned by French Alstom.

[@CPOK1980]

@@tressteleg1 Maryborough shed (QLD) is building all the new trains for QLD City rail after the debacle that the last lot had.

[@tressteleg1]

@@CPOK1980 I knew that this was the intention, but did not know that train construction was already under way. Is Alstom (who I think own the old Walkers) the contractor?

[@andrewkemp15ii57]

In order for the train to go the driver needs to unisolate the controls in one cab, with the cab active the train can now go, if switching ends the controls need to be isolated and then unisolated on the other end for the train to go the other direction, the trip leaver stops the train running a red signal by automatically engaging the brake, the dead man’s handle stops the train if the driver lets go or passes out?

[@tressteleg1]

In essence, yes. The driver has to set the reverser to Off, and lock the controller and take his unlocking key to the other end. Things like head and tail lights must also be changed as well as the destinations.

[@johntasevski8046]

Nothing beats prepping a comeng on a chilly morning. How long does a full check/prep take usually on a comeng before taking off, 30min, 45min?

[@tressteleg1]

@@johntasevski8046 I will have to check with the driver. This could take a couple of days.

[@tressteleg1]

Fast reply from the driver. More complicated than expected 😊 37 minutes for a normal start of the day prep. 60 minutes if it’s just come out of maintenance. 20 minutes if it shunts out and reenters service again the same day.

[@johntasevski8046]

Thank you for that :) Would be interesting too see what the check list looks like as i can't find anything online

[@tressteleg1]

@@johntasevski8046 I will pass on your thanks. Just as a guess, lots of things these days I kept on an internal railways computer network which staff can access, but not the public. If I get any reply, I will let you know.

[@JTAustralia]

THIS IS WHAT IVE BEEN WAITING FOR! THIS IS THE BEST THANK YOU SO MUCH! But no cab view while driving 😢

[@tressteleg1]

@@JTAustralia 👍👍. I will send this on to the driver!

[@JTAustralia]

@@tressteleg1 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊tysm

[@DrTsushima]

Does the STOP arm have to be down in order for the train to move, because sometimes I've seen a train in motion with the stop arm raised in the front cab?

[@tressteleg1]

@@DrTsushima I’m not a driver but I believe that if the pressure is too low, the train will not move but the stop arm operates at higher pressures, so it’s advance warning if pressure starts to drop.

[@DrTsushima]

@@tressteleg1 Ah, makes sense now. Thanks!

[@tressteleg1]

@@DrTsushima 👍😊

[@CryticalAce]

My dream job, hoping to be successful one day, cheers for a peak at comeng operation, I hope to drive one at least once in my life

[@tressteleg1]

Well the overhauled ones should be around for a number of years yet. It may have been somebody else, but I also suggest you have a chat with a few existing train drivers and ask them what they like about the job, and if they find any things not so good.

[@CryticalAce]

@@tressteleg1 I appreciate that mate. I've spoken to a few drivers I've been fortunate enough to be put in contact with, it sounds pretty similar to what my work as an interstate driver was except less hours haha

[@tressteleg1]

@@CryticalAce Well it sounds like you’ve done a reasonable amount of research. Nothing worse than jumping into a job and it being quite different from what you expect.

[@CryticalAce]

@tressteleg1 100% mate, been there, done that, not doing it again that's for sure ahah

[@tressteleg1]

@@CryticalAce 😊👍

[@ozdazz]

Thank you for sharing this!

[@tressteleg1]

👍😊

[@thomasmatthewharris1980]

Good work

[@tressteleg1]

@@thomasmatthewharris1980 👍😊

[@mikelastname]

I was surprised by all the pneumatics, but I guess that makes sense to prevent high voltage entering the cab. Also, I was a bit shocked how poor the headlights were around the bends.

[@tressteleg1]

Yes there is no need for high voltage to be anywhere near the cab. Well in Sydney drivers are not allowed to use headlights in the suburban area. You get used to it. So Melbourne drivers have it easy regardless of the light quality.

[@johntasevski8046]

Thank you for this detailed video as I was always interested how a comeng was set up. Is the driver still required to insert a key anywhere? Like next to the throttle control theres a round silver object and I've seen a key in there?

[@tressteleg1]

Yes a key is required to stop unauthorised people from just stealing a train. Not sure what it looks like.

[@vlinenclasstrains]

What time was.?

[@j_y_]

Please make more of this content, such as a Head POV cam (if metro allows it). I'm sure some would also like to see just a really long, unedited version of this!

[@tressteleg1]

Metro cannot approve what you wish.

[@christopher-2000]

awesome video

[@tressteleg1]

👍😊

[@bluckfox]

the tressteleg1 the king of the Comeng Train great video keep up the great work i just ordered micro soft train simulator igot the ptv edi comeng train im new here

[@tressteleg1]

👍😊

[@DrTsushima]

Thanks for the awesome video. And thank the driver who recorded it, taking a bit of a risk.

[@tressteleg1]

@@DrTsushima I’m glad you appreciate the risk. I thought something could have come from Management but in the 8 years of doing Melbourne train videos, I have never heard from Officialdom. I know that some tram Driver Trainers use my videos to help their students. Maybe the trains are the same so they don’t want mine to stop.

[@DrTsushima]

@@tressteleg1This is just my opinion, but if I were a tram or train trainer or trainee, I think these videos would help a lot with the training, and I think they put less work on the trainers, if people watched these videos before applying for the job. 😂 Also, hoping to see something about this with the Siemens or X’Trapolis, but I know they can’t do HCMT’s or the X’Trapolis 2 trains, if it ever gets built, because of the camera, which is a bit of a shame, but most of us are still grateful for the trains the driver can do 😊.

[@tressteleg1]

@@DrTsushima Yes I quite agree with you. Just whether my videos are used by trainees, officially or otherwise, is something I don’t know. Nobody has said anything in Comments to me.

[@DrTsushima]

@@tressteleg1I’m sure you’ll get some soon, especially if you post these types of videos, and if I ever become a train driver in Melbourne, I already know these videos will help a ton.

[@tressteleg1]

@@DrTsushima 👍😊

[@koutsoumbos]

Love comerng ❤ Thank for the video

[@tressteleg1]

👍😊

[@leeroberts1192]

Is the unit a really old one? It seems like most units built in the last 20 years or so (at least the ones used here in the UK) have a TMS computer to monitor various things. The Desiros used on my local line, when two couple together the cabs automatically shutdown and the external lights turn off automatically

[@comengsh]

the train is a Comeng EMU built in the 1980's, so yeah, pretty old. they're expected to be all gone by 2030 unfortunately.

[@tressteleg1]

Somehow I missed the Comment from our UK friend, but you summed it up quite well. Maybe the only thing to add is that some of the newer Comeng trains with disc brakes are being refurbished for extra life, but how long that will be will depend on money for new trains to replace them, and the current state of Victorian State finances is not strong. The cost of the level crossing removal projects must be considerable and gobbling up a lot of State money.

[@leeroberts1192]

@@tressteleg1 The new trains here in the UK often seem to take ages to enter service, I believe the most common issue is with software. Do they have many level crossings to replace?

[@leeroberts1192]

We can beat that here in the UK. Up until 2021 the oldest trains on the national network were the class 483s, which were 83 years old when withdrawn. They were replaced with class 484s, which are ex LU D78 stock (District Line)

[@tressteleg1]

@@leeroberts1192 It seems to me that modern trains and trams have much too much complicated electronic equipment, which makes more chance for failure. I don’t know how many level crossings remain in Melbourne but there would be dozens. I expect that some will remain indefinitely due to low road traffic volumes and maybe some resident opposition in areas where intrusive bridges would be considered an eyesore. The Sandringham line seems to have no crossings removed recently, or any planned. Maybe you will find this of interest. bigbuild.vic.gov.au/projects/level-crossing-removal-project/projects

[@pizzagogo6151]

Interesting thanks, I particularly like watching city trains videos done at night ( or early morning hours) & just the relatively quiet of train (& city still asleep) so found this very enjoyable.

[@tressteleg1]

I may have a few more night views waiting to be processed and published. I will check it out in due course.

[@peregrinemccauley5010]

Fair dinks. The start up and underway procedures.Who'd have thought?

[@tressteleg1]

😆

[@LeonCornelll]

In Adelaide there is old 3000 train

[@tressteleg1]

And with some Adelaide lines not likely to be electrified, they will be around for a while yet. Apparently some are being fitted with batteries to make them a bit more efficient.

[@thomasmatthewharris1980]

I imagine every class of suburban train the start-up routine is different

[@tressteleg1]

@@thomasmatthewharris1980 The overall principles would be the same, but details of how to achieve these would differ.

[@vlinenclasstrains]

The Metro Comeng Trains were built since 1981

[@tressteleg1]

@@vlinenclasstrains Yes. A number have been scrapped and I suppose they were the oldest ones. However several are being overhauled for something like 10 more years of service 🤗

[@AndrewCastlemaine]

This was great! Really appreciate the "behind the scenes" look the start up 👍

[@tressteleg1]

👍👍

[@robertlypka3442]

What a fascinating video! I've been watching your channel for some time, taking trips around the streets of Melbourne, usually after a long shift at work. Its wonderful to see how your day begins.

[@tressteleg1]

Thanks, but I am not the driver. He kindly supplies these videos for me to process and publish.

[@planetX15]

​@tressteleg1 Not to sound rude, I understand he might be extremely busy, instead sending his video to you to publish, couldn't he just do it if he has any free time to spare?

[@tressteleg1]

@@planetX15 Once a year I borrow his disc drive and copy whatever he has recorded over the last year. Preparing even a simple video from the raw clip usually takes a couple of hours, and with working and maybe family commitments he just doesn’t have the time. It’s also best if the source is not readily traced back to him. Additionally these weekly videos give me something to do in my retirement days. He lets me decide which videos I think would be best published next. We have been doing it this way for probably over 10 years now.

[@peterelvery]

So few curves and mostly straight platforns! Bit of a shock compared to Sydney.

[@tressteleg1]

Well if you go out to Belgrave and Lilydale you will see plenty of curves. I think the big difference between Sydney and Melbourne is that a somewhat greater percentage of Melbourne is comparatively flat so there is no need for rail lines going around the sides of hills to avoid them. This has also meant that at least since the Second World War there has not been more than a handful of level crossings on the whole of Sydney. It’s much easier to put one or the other on a bridge in hilly territory

[@peterelvery]

@@tressteleg1 Yes. The topography difference is stark. Sydney has very few straight sections of main road, let alone railway lines. One of the issues converting the Bankstown line to Metro with platform screen doors was that only 1 of the 10 stations has straight platform edges. From memory, there are about 6 level crossings on the far south coast (well outside greater Sydney), 1 at Fairfield and 1 out west near Ricmond.

[@tressteleg1]

@@peterelvery 3 suburban crossing I know of which closed were near the present Como station, National Park (now tram) and Parramatta Rd on the former Carlingford line. Besides Fairfield, there used to be one behind Liverpool hospital, maybe there is another out that way while the Richmond line has added a few to the total, and that is about it. I see changing Bankstown to metro as being a massive waste. If they wanted to build more metro, send it into an area without trains rather than downgrade a perfectly OK existing line.

[@peterelvery]

@@tressteleg1Converting the Bankstown line would not have been my choice BUT the benefit that is frequently missed is that as well as at least quadrupling capacity, it will simultaneously completely avoid having to merge 16 trains an hour into and out of the city circle at peak times, thereby allowing increased frequency on all the other lines that currently share those tracks.

[@tressteleg1]

@peterelvery 16 trains an hour is barely a challenge. Years ago they did tests and close to 30 trains an hour on the city underground was close to achievable.

[@AshleyReynolds-vc6ly]

A lot of the train prep was left out, otherwise the vid would go for an hour!

[@tressteleg1]

They were parts left out of the prep that were too difficult to do and also video at the same time. Nevertheless this video gives some idea of some of the steps.

[@AshleyReynolds-vc6ly]

@@tressteleg1 Oh yeah, don't get me wrong, i wasn't complaining, i was just saying. In any case, a video of a full prep would be boring, lots of repetitive tasks, and it would need a second person to film it unless a body cam was rigged up, a driver needs both hands to do a prep.

[@tressteleg1]

@@AshleyReynolds-vc6ly Sounds like you have some familiarity with the tasks. Nevertheless the viewers seem happy with what they saw, a lot of steps they could never see otherwise.

[@rydershadowstorm4135]

I love the sound of Melbournes and adelaides comengs

[@tressteleg1]

I like any train which has gear sounds which you can hear instead of electronic warbling. Melbourne and Adelaide, as you say, now have just the Comeng trains while Sydney has only the V set interurbans and Brisbane has the first generation of Electric trains, the EMUs. All will be phased out sooner or later.

[@nickgodfrey1973]

Interesting how the Melbourne Trains are stabled with their pans down and are left "Cold and Dark" as such. Railcars in Perth are stabled with their pans up and everything running. Just the cabs are isolated.

[@tressteleg1]

Gold Coast trams are also left with pantographs up, but otherwise put to sleep I believe. My only thought is that if there is an unexpected thunderstorm, you could have a lot of ‘fried’ trains if lightning hits. Also if compressors are left running, that is a lot of unnecessary wear and tear.

[@DoofusStudios]

Sad that the good ol RVB3chime are gone

[@tressteleg1]

Are they removing the traditional chimes from existing Comeng trains? What a disgrace. Modern horns are so bland. For many decades they were the ‘traditional’ Melbourne whistle.

[@levonandonian7613]

The comeng horns were replaced due to not meeting the rules, they were replaced with zollner makrofon 370s, no RVB 3s remain on comeng, but there is RVBs on the restored Taitset 317M 230D and so on

[@tressteleg1]

@@levonandonian7613 I lose patience with bureaucratic nonsense such as this. How could horns which were perfectly good for maybe 80 years suddenly be non-compliant? On top of that, there’s no way you could confuse those horns with a truck or anything else as could so easily happen with the modern “compliant” horns.

[@levonandonian7613]

@@tressteleg1 I have the exact same thoughts, It made the Comeng distinguishable and characteristic, these new bland horns make them very generic.

[@tressteleg1]

@@levonandonian7613 😊👍

[@11k_99PGN]

Do you see hcmt ?

[@tressteleg1]

@@11k_99PGN ???

[@11k_99PGN]

I saw high capacity metro train at north Melbourne station going to Calder park siding 15:08

[@tressteleg1]

@@11k_99PGN Thanks for that . I sent it on to our driver, and if he has anything to add, I will post it here.

[@Systemrat2008]

Brilliant, very interesting to what's involved.

[@tressteleg1]

👍😊

[@user-fed-yum]

How does the driver know which track the train is going to take? Is it planned in advance? Gets a bit complicated there at the Upfield/Werribee/Craigeburn junction

[@tressteleg1]

As train drivers have to “learn the road“ they would be familiar with what signal aspects relate to which direction the train will go at each junction. At most junctions, one track is fairly straight and the other curves away so the straight track would often have a signal which allows a faster speed than the branch. That is it, in general terms although sometimes a large letter of the alphabet will give the distinguishing information.

[@pauloconnor2980]

I can't help noticing that the MA (Motor-Alternator) is now the dynamotor. Is nothing sacred!!!!

[@tressteleg1]

My mistake, but my driver never noticed the mistake I believe. We can’t all be perfect.

[@scottyerkes1867]

Very interesting preparation for the road. Thanks tressteleg1

[@justanaturalcarguy4031]

I wanna become a train driver when i grow up

[@tressteleg1]

Let’s hope that your dream comes true!!

[@davidstevens4388]

what time was this will that be early moring or late at night

[@tressteleg1]

Well, when do you think a train is most likely needed to enter service? Early in the morning or late at night? The normal thing for trains to be doing after dark is going to bed ☺️

[@mikelastname]

​@@tressteleg1 Do they have to do a similar amount of work to tuck the trains in at night, or is it a simpler process?

[@tressteleg1]

@@mikelastname I can show you 😄 Stabling Procedure, Comeng Train kzbin.info/www/bejne/laiuZIx4p9aopck

[@lachlanlau]

Are there any big requirements to becoming a train driver?

[@tressteleg1]

I don’t know what the latest requirements are but it would be a good idea to have a chat to a few existing train drivers. The younger ones may know, and you could also ask them what the job is like. There may be some things you don’t know about which you would not like.

[@linds4518]

Great setup and first run video. Thanks 😀

[@tressteleg1]

👍😊

[@williamhuang8309]

RIP the original RVB comeng horns

[@tressteleg1]

Yes, apparently thanks to so unwanted bureaucratic decision.

[@justanaturalcarguy4031]

They made the new horns way too loud

[@tressteleg1]

@@justanaturalcarguy4031 Funny you should say that. Apparently somebody complained that the old horns were too loud, but tests showed they were too soft! I wonder how the complainer likes the new horns? 😆

[@derekcamilleri8]

still the best on the fleet may be old but still reliable

[@tressteleg1]

👍😊

[@trevorjohnston9504]

My brother dose the maintenance on theses trains at the Newport work shop the stories he tells me would curl your hair

[@tressteleg1]

@@trevorjohnston9504 I would love to hear some of these tales. Takes a lot to curl my hair. 😆

[@trevorjohnston9504]

@@tressteleg1 there is no toilet on those train you would be surprised where people relieve them selfs not to mention the clean up after they run some one over

[@tressteleg1]

@@trevorjohnston9504 I was having a cab ride with a driver friend years ago and when I looked through the window into the saloon, a man was taking a wee on the carpet floor of the Comeng. Getting body parts off the front of a train would be horrible, hopefully not very often.

[@trevorjohnston9504]

@@tressteleg1 it’s the ones under neath that are the problem maintenance are not allowed to touch the the ambo’s have to be called in to remove and dispose off them some times they don’t find them for a while(a couple of days) but every time some one is hit the train has to go in for a full inspection but some times they don’t find all of them there was one case on the Broadmeadows line where a woman was hit and virtually exploded she was on the phone to her ex she wanted him to hear it

[@tressteleg1]

@@trevorjohnston9504 That surely must be the worst part of the job which would be almost as ghastly for ambulance workers. There must be some locations under a train that can only be cleaned by a strong stream of water. Odours would soon indicate the job was not quite completed. Thanks for the details. Let’s hope these incidents can be avoided in the future.

[@transportnswcb6067]

Not Gonna lie This is pretty Basic and Simple to Set up the Comeng and Start your Morning shift As I'm Looking forward to working for Melbourne Metro Train Driver When I'm 18 by 2026 as I'm hoping to Drive the Comeng Before There gone by 2031

[@tressteleg1]

Even now, certain train types run on some lines and not others so you would need to choose your depot carefully to get some Comeng trains. Also it would be wise to chat to a few trains drivers, tell them your plans, and ask what the job is like. Some aspects may not suit you.

[@transportnswcb6067]

That's what I'm aware of So I gathered the List of what comeng are running on the Line by now 2024 Frankston - Werrbilee (Green line) {Even tho it might change the destination to Sandringham and the Colour line would change to Pink Which will increase more trains and New Timetable to Increase more Capacity} -Siemens -X'trapolis -Comeng Flinder street to Sandringham (Pink line) {The same line with Sandringham as it's going to change to Werribee line} -Siemens -Comeng Sunbury, Craigieburn and Upfield (Yellow Line) {For Sunbury line it will change because of The new Metro tunnel to extend the line to Cranbourne and Pakenham line} -Siemens -Comeng For Comeng used to run before now in 2024, they don't anymore so here is the List Mernda and Hurstbridge (Red line) and Lilydale, Belgrave and Glen Waverly (Dark Blue line) -X'trapolis Only Cranbourne and Pakenham (Blue line) {Might change because of Metro tunnel for the Sunbury line -HCMT Only (High Capacity Metro train)

[@tressteleg1]

@@transportnswcb6067 Thanks for that list. Obviously when enough HCMT trains are delivered, they will run Dandenong region to Sunbury so the Comeng trains may increase in numbers on the lines they already serve, or may leave us for good 😢. We will just have to wait and see what eventuates. While you nicely set out the list, my email notification took away all the spacing and it was a clutter of words! I have taken a screen shot of your nice chart.

[@vlinenclasstrains]

You probably love your job being a metro train driver

[@tressteleg1]

@@vlinenclasstrains Actually the closest I came to that was tram driver 1988 to 1994. A friend records just about all the Melbourne train videos.

[@vincentkohlumcfan22]

Wow 335M

[@tressteleg1]

Long gone??

[@Terraboat]

OI IVE BEEN ON 335M NO WAY

[@tressteleg1]

No Way what?

[@WelcomeTo2025-y7y]

How?!!!

[@Terraboat]

seen it twice on the sandringham line so maybe you can find it there

[@tressteleg1]

@@Terraboat Quite possible, but when? These older ones with the brake shoes are gradually being phased out at present. Another guy earlier listed where Comeng trains now run. From memory, Sandringham, Frankston and Sunbury, but that will end when eventually the HCMT work that line.

[@Terraboat]

@@tressteleg1 saw it on the 10th of december 2023

[@robertaquilina3848]

I did this with guards in the 1980'/1990s until I retired several years ago very different then enclosed cabs equalizing test from the driver after guard "pulls the tap" also prep different to what's shown here the comengs are slowly disappearing what's left is soulless/no skill to drive Surburban trains theirs no way I could do it again and with a disrespectful shouldn't be there Metro

[@tressteleg1]

Yes, the guards were involved. I remember in Sydney the guard had to ‘pull the tail’ to check brake continuity. Don’t know how that is done in Melbourne now. Perhaps the driver does it then checks the result when he returns to the front.

[@BaileyChap]

Love this! I especially like night-time runs, they feel soothing, especially on a Comeng! I can only imagine what a Werribee express run on a Comeng is like, racing through the darkness, alas I don't live in Melbourne, maybe one day!

[@tressteleg1]

From a list prepared by another Commenter this morning, they don’t go to Werribee any more ☹️

[@BaileyChap]

@@tressteleg1 :(

[@tressteleg1]

@@BaileyChap We just need to be grateful that some are being overhauled for a potential extra life of 10 years. If money is short for new trains, it possibly could be longer..

[@BaileyChap]

@tressteleg1 :)

[@tressteleg1]

@@BaileyChap I just read his list again and Frankston trains continue to both Sandringham or Werribee, so some Comeng trains do still go to Werribee 😄

[@hassansayyab1194]

Awesome video Mate I love Comeng trains for years and I love the sound of the train departing and leaving station now I will miss it and sadly it’s getting old. Soon will be retiring and replaced to new X’trapolis 2.0 by 2025 or 2026😊

[@tressteleg1]

Not according to my driver. While the wheel tread brakes cars, numbered below 499M and some scattered through the 500s, quite a few of the later disc brake trains numbered 600M and up are undergoing 10 year extra life overhauls. You will recognise them, I think, with PID screens inside the cars and other improvements. So they should be around for a number of years to come. You are not the only one who will enjoy riding trains whose gears and motors you can readily hear rather than weird electronic noises.

[@hassansayyab1194]

@@tressteleg1 You know that I’m still doing the video of Keon park level crossing removal works and I’m not finished yet I will upload my video when I’m done😊

[@tressteleg1]

@@hassansayyab1194 All good. Send me the link when it is ready. 😊 I realise it could be a while yet before the project is finished.

[@hassansayyab1194]

@@tressteleg1True and the new Keon park station is open by late June for opening can’t wait 😊

[@tressteleg1]

@hassansayyab1194 Obviously they get the trains running and stations open ASAP, but often landscaping outside is not complete until months later. To do your video properly, wait until the last workmen are gone.

[@Babyalex28522rYT]

Thank you I could steal a train * I’m just joking *

[@tressteleg1]

Well you would not get too far without the special controller unlocking key 😆😆

[@1mfp]

gaurdy sim

[@1mfp]

ever had someone get in the back while u drive

[@Techno-Universal]

Also reminds me of some COMENG three car sets that have the problem of shutting down on their own every few minutes and possibly lowering their pantographs at the same time which is probably whenever they have an electrical fault. Sometimes those sets are running in service behind a fully functional three car set.

[@tressteleg1]

Interesting. I have never heard of that happening but don’t doubt your word.

[@Techno-Universal]

@@tressteleg1 I pretty much experienced it around a year ago on the Frankston line heading inbound to the city and I was sitting in the faulty rear set. The train even did an emergency stop when going around the sharp bend into Caulfield in response to all of the doors releasing while the set was shut down but moving with a really long fading beep like when the doors are released without any external power. The train couldn’t move again until the set restarted and locked the doors though it was very strange of how the doors on both sides released on their own in that set. Might have been something like the brake line pressure getting too low in that set or something else. I also believe those trains may now also have a brake valve linked to the door safety circuit so the brakes/parking brake will automatically engage whenever the circuit is broken by the doors being released. That seemingly would be a system that was added later after the 2003 runaway train incident.

[@tressteleg1]

@Techno-Universal I will try to see if my driver has had any experience with this.

[@Techno-Universal]

@@tressteleg1 It’s very likely also something the maintenance staff would be familiar with! :)

[@tressteleg1]

@@Techno-Universal Well no doubt any driver becoming aware of it (and who would not notice dragging 3 dead carriages presuming it still went) would sign the train off with that fault, but whether the fault was present when checked in the workshop is another matter.

[@reiko05]

pretty sure youve just violated the company confidentiality and security clauses

[@tressteleg1]

These companies keep a watch on social media and after a week I have heard nothing from them. As it says in the video, this process does not include all steps. One way or the other, Metro has never contacted me over anything I have posted. It’s quite possible that driver trainers could be using some of my videos with students. A few tram driver trainers have told me that they use mine.

[@reiko05]

@@tressteleg1 time will tell wont it

[@tressteleg1]

For 10 years there have been no problems. We trust it will remain that way.

[@noelroberts8199]

Unfortunately you can't just put the key in the ignition and take off......🚋🚋🚋🚋🚋🚋

[@tressteleg1]

Not exactly!!!