Upfield to North Melbourne After Crossing Removals

[@letsseeif]

You probably know how much we Melbournians appreciate these wonderful driver's eye view of Melbourne train lines including their update during Victoria's Big Build. It was stunning to cross Bell St (Coburg) in particular, almost as though it wasn't there! thanks again.

[@tressteleg1]

Yes, I can always rely upon this topic for a good number of views. These Skyrail jobs certain change things, especially for the motorists, even if locals may see them as a bit of an eyesore.

[@EvilEldrin]

Love seeing videos from the Upfield line, I lived along here growing up and my folks still do. Growing up with the sparks going past every 20 minutes is what really got me into gunzelling.

[@tressteleg1]

Association with rail, like with you, seems to help create interests that may not otherwise develop.

[@YoungHarry1000]

A great video, I really enjoyed it. I don't know what it sounds like when one is strangling a duck, but this train's horn must be pretty close.

[@tressteleg1]

The horns on the Comeng trains are the last in Melbourne to have a bit of character. New trains just have a toneless honk. It’s possible that the way the driver operates the handle could vary the style of the blast.

[@jamieb8112]

Drivers view videos are always the best. 👍 I’ve always liked the Upfield line, I lived in West Brunswick 1990-1993 and it was my local line. Great video, thanks for sharing.

[@tressteleg1]

Late 1987 and early 1988 I was at Brunswick tram depot so Moreland was my local station a few times. Until 1994 I occasionally drove the 15 to Moreland. As for Driver’s View videos, I am running out of lines to cover so will experiment with redoing some runs at 8x normal speed. I will do Mernda first, but will keep Upfield in mind.

[@jamieb8112]

@@tressteleg1 Cranbourne line’s my local line now and it’s constantly changing during the last couple of years with level crossing removals, track duplication and a station rebuild. It’s not just the Cranbourne line that’s been constantly changing, it’s all lines right across the metropolitan network which is great to see. The Melbourne railway network’s getting better and better all the time, I’m looking forward to when the new Metro tunnel and stations open too.

[@tressteleg1]

I think Cranbourne is close to losing all its crossings. Unfortunately at the present I am having trouble presenting recent videos so I don’t know when I will be able to bring things up to date, including your line.

[@RichardFelstead1949]

18:28 was junction for Inner Circle Railway. Thanks for sharing.

[@tressteleg1]

Thanks. I just checked a map, and had forgotten just how short the Innercircle line was. In fact I think I walked it all once years ago with a couple of friends.

[@zoomosis]

It seems strange that there's so few houses visible from the train line until you reach Boundary Road in Fawkner, just 13 km from Flinders Street, and only a short distance further south the train line is duplicated by a tram line. Very weird town planning. Thanks for the video!

[@tressteleg1]

I suppose there are just nicer parts of the city to live in, but eventually suburban sprawl will see housing all along this line, and no doubt more outer stations.

[@AlonsoRules]

It should have been made into a tram in the 90's but wasn't and feels like a goods line for most of the length

[@tressteleg1]

@@AlonsoRules I think you changed your comment. It was always a passenger line, and any goods traffic would have been minor. The Light Rail plans were because passenger traffic was minor. It did not run nights or weekends. You had to catch the 19 tram then a bus. The other problem was heaps of level crossings, nearly all opened and closed by a gateman. That would be an enormous operating cost. You will see this in the video below. The public was not real happy about this plan which initially involved closing the Sydney Rd tram service when the rail line was converted. That was an especially silly idea. Anyway most crossing were automated, a few closed and as you can see, some avoided with Skyrail. And in the meantime rail traffic steadily grew. Trams today would now often be overwhelmed there. Upfield Line Melbourne 1994 kzbin.info/www/bejne/jmTEZnZjms-Lirc

[@geoffreymoore1510]

Hi there. This was a great trip. I have been on this line or part of it with you, maybe going the other way and I also remember before the viaduct went in. Funny towards the end you had the viaduct over the line and still a level crossing! Meant to add, I have appreciated the lessons on the light functions, thanks.

[@tressteleg1]

Well I am not the driver. I just edit what he gives me. You could well have travelled with him. I guess that the remaining crossings are because those streets were not considered busy enough to warrant the cost. Hopefully you will get to understand the weird signalling system. I have to still check up precisely what each indication means when I do these videos.

[@geoffreymoore1510]

@@tressteleg1 No worries I don't remember Upfield before but maybe I have just forgotten. I just remember quite a few of these stations from another video. As I said even before the viaducts and stuff were in further back in this video. Thanks again.

[@tressteleg1]

@@geoffreymoore1510 The Upfield line was covered in both directions a few years ago. If you want to check them out again, they should be towards the end of this link where they are listed alphabetically. Melbourne - Driver's View Trains kzbin.info/aero/PLLtOIHp49XNDtaNr2H41P2th0S56s6bIH

[@geoffreymoore1510]

@@tressteleg1 I know I have now been both ways pretty well on all this line I will check hanks for the heads up.

[@brucewilliams8714]

The viaduct you refer to is Citylink tollway, for motor traffic, not trains.

[@heathertruskinger6214]

I love how the road just goes over the top of the train line around the Macaulay area

[@tressteleg1]

Well if late 80s plans to convert the line to light rail by diverting the 19 trams out of Sydney Rd starting near Park or Brunswick Streets had’ve gone ahead, that section of train line would have been abandoned and the freeway put at ground level. Luckily that plan did not go ahead.

[@noelroberts8199]

Another great video tressteleg1, keep 'em coming, can't get enough...........

[@tressteleg1]

😊 But I am going to run out of lines to cover sooner or later!

[@noelroberts8199]

@@tressteleg1 Don't you dare, you know we love trains...........

[@tressteleg1]

When all the lines have been done once, and nothing has changed since last time, no point doing them again.

[@JJRol.]

Another great video, I haven't been on the upfield line in years and a lot has changed

[@tressteleg1]

Sounds like time for a joyride 😄

[@ozgirl45]

Great video! It’s such a long stretch from Upfield on a single track. Does this make sense economically or does Upfield have a large number of commuters? There do not seem to be many trains even when you get close to the city. And as for that elevated stretch from Coburg through Moreland: I lived in West Coburg and went to high school in Moreland and took the bus on Moreland Road every day and I can’t imagine that the traffic there has increased so much that it warranted the enormous expense of getting rid of the level crossing either there or at Bell Street. Why there and not other crossings? The old Moreland station was a classic but it’s good to see that some of the old ones have been kept (Brunswick, Jewell). I have to agree with another comment that the horn sounds like something is being strangled, lol.

[@tressteleg1]

I have never wandered around Upfield so I don’t know what is there, but there must be an enough population to warrant the train line. Eventually Melbourne will sprawl further outwards, so a new station between Gowrie and Upfield is sure to be built when that happens. An important reason for bypassing Moreland Road was that the trams to Moreland and Brunswick Depot got delayed whenever the gates were down. Even so, Moreland Road and Bell Street do carry heavy traffic. Presumably the experts decided the other streets were not busy enough. Let’s just say that the Comeng horns, and those of earlier Melbourne trains, had a certain character when blown.

[@kevinshelly6853]

Loves these Really appreciate them Thank You

[@tressteleg1]

😊👍👍

[@p4ttyo]

Fun Fact: About the crossing at Batman, it's also on the Cragieburn line at Pascoe Vale at Gaffney Street!

[@legosc5265]

Can you do the lilydale line and the new stabling sidings after

[@tressteleg1]

I will have to check what I already have from the driver. Not sure when I will get his latest year’s work from him.

[@peterausfranken]

In Bell Street Coburg was the Hospital where i was born about 58 years ago. Now i am living in Coburg/Germany in Victoria Straße - in english Victoria Street 😉

[@tressteleg1]

I’m not sure if the hospital is still there. You will have to check with Google. There is also a Victoria Street in the region, but not sure whether it is in Brunswick or Coburg. The Sydney Road and Lygon Street trams both cross it.

[@peterausfranken]

@@tressteleg1 The Hospital was closed in 1975 and was later located in Carlton as a part of the royal Womens Hospital. 3 Suburbs of Melbourne base on names of german cities. Coburg Heidelberg an Brunswick (in german know als Braunschweig).

[@tressteleg1]

@@peterausfranken That explains why I could not find a hospital there now. Perhaps they thought that after you arrived, there was no need for it any more 😄 I think other Australian cities may have suburbs which originated in Germany. I suspect that Leichardt in Sydney maybe one or it sounds at least like a German word. I think a man of that name was an early Australian explorer. There are several German names in South Australia‘s Barossa wine growing Valley, mainly because Germans pioneered wine making in that district

[@brucewilliams8714]

Ah, so you were a Panch-born baby. Preston And Northcote Community Hospital. No wonder we all said Panch.

[@mr.jamster8414]

Does certain lines go faster than the others? Whenever I see the trains here inbetween the stations - a Siemens train on this one at Bakers Rd and a VLINE Sprinter train on Craigieburn near Pascoe Vale - they're always going much faster than on the Mernda Line. Seemingly around 110kph

[@tressteleg1]

Train speeds are mostly determined by sharpness of curves with mostly higher speeds on straight track. Drivers must also consider how close the next station is. Mernda follows largely a line laid out a very long time ago so tends to go around any hills rather than through them. Watching the videos will show curvy and straight track.

[@mr.jamster8414]

@@tressteleg1 thank you.

[@tressteleg1]

😊

[@timconnors]

I once accidentally made it as far as Gowrie when I was brand new to the area and the stupid train announcements were 1 station out by Merlynston. Had no idea whether Fawkner was before or after my stop, so foolishly stayed on while fighting with my phone map. Could have walked from there, but alas, because this is North of Bell St, was about a 1 hour return by the time I eventually got home. Vowed never to take the shitty system again.

[@tressteleg1]

Let down by modern electronics. Bad luck. It’s always wise to watch the station names as they are reached when not familiar with a line.

[@jackybeck2479]

Are you an actual train driver or are you just allowed to have a ride in the cab?

[@tressteleg1]

Neither. A friend takes these when he sees fit to do so.

[@hassansayyab1194]

Awesome video Mate can you do Preston and bell station level crossing removals soon before end of 2022 that’s when two new stations open😊👍

[@tressteleg1]

I will have to see what the driver does for me. Most likely I will combine the steps, if they have been recorded, as the job progresses from time to time.

[@hassansayyab1194]

@@tressteleg1 Ok thanks for that 😊

[@regionaltrainspotter]

Question, what is the difference between the air brake and the automatic brake? Is one better for certain locations than others? For example, if you were going down a hill, would the air brake be used to help maintain speed without having to constantly apply and release the auto brake? But from what I know, the driver normally just uses the rheo brake for down hill travel.

[@tressteleg1]

This is what I got from a Google search. Hopefully a railwayman can clarify it. Personally, I suspect that the term ‘automatic’ means that if the brake pipe going the length of the train suddenly become broken, the brakes automatically come on fully. The quote “Modern locomotives employ two air brake systems. The system which controls the brake pipe is called the automatic brake and provides service and emergency braking control for the entire train. The locomotive(s) at the head of the train (the "lead consist") have a secondary system called the independent brake”. Rheo braking is a totally different system altogether and has nothing to do with the air pressure system.

[@RichardFelstead1949]

@@tressteleg1 The independent brake is used when running light engine and also when a train , previously stopped using automatic brake ,is stopped.ie when a train is stopped only the locomotive brake (independent}, is on. The remainder of the train's brakes are a off/released.

[@tressteleg1]

Thanks for adding those details. Hopefully others will see them.

[@bigman4225]

when i was driving and was held at a red i was always holding the train in minimum application on the train (red handle on a westinghouse 26l) and full application on the loco (black handle) but all drivers are different.

[@tressteleg1]

Yes I can see the logic in that. When train brakes are fully applied, it would take quite some seconds for them to release and the train be able to move. But a light application of the train brake and stop guaranteed by the loco brake would greatly assist a prompt departure when a Red signal cleared.

[@김유진-s9q]

I can see there is space that add another track between Upfield to Gowrie which are singe track at the moment It might be happen in the future, when Upfield Line extend to Wallan as Somerton Line, and V/Line train operate in Upfield Line

[@tressteleg1]

When I looked at the map, I saw that the line connected with the Somerton line. Maybe you would know whether it is intact, or just a trackbed. On the single track section, there are a few hints that the line might be duplicated one day, but that won’t happen until more people live around Upfield. Same with connecting up to the Somerton line, I would think.

[@Somalidoesthings]

Wow long train lines in Melbourne these days

[@tressteleg1]

Yes, but this is not one of them. The ride to town is just a little over 30 minutes. Dandenong is over an hour, I think, with about 30 minutes more to Pakenham. The trip to Sunbury is also a good hike, and offpeak with most trains on most lines being all stations, it is a long slog for the passengers.

[@wertpollwert]

@@tressteleg1 I'm in Werribee. You can catch a train to Frankston from there, got know idea how long that would take - especially on Sundays where they stop at every single station.

[@tressteleg1]

You can look up times the same way as I have to - open this link below. Downloading the Printable timetables may be the easiest way to work. Incidentally I count runs that continue elsewhere after passing through the city as being, in fact, 2 different rides. www.ptv.vic.gov.au/timetables

[@Somalidoesthings]

@@wertpollwert I’m from werribee

[@lauriewhite8153]

why haven't the LXRA removed Gaffney Street yet???

[@tressteleg1]

Probably run out of money. As it is not on the list to be done, don’t hold your breath waiting.

[@ceciltagg]

First time I have ever seen a road within a cemetery 😇may they rest in peace. Amen

[@tressteleg1]

@@ceciltagg In earlier times, especially at weekends passenger traffic to cemeteries was rather brisk. Sydney had a line into Rookwood cemetery and there was a special station in there. There was another in Newcastle I think to Sandgate. Whether the Upfield line originally ended at the cemetery or whether it always went further, I don’t quite know.

[@andrewwestcott9172]

@17:50 - it's Brunswick Road rather than Brunswick Street, otherwise great video again

[@tressteleg1]

😊👍 Melbourne sure uses a lot of imagination with his street names, doesn’t it?

[@neilmansfield8329]

This is a great video

[@tressteleg1]

😊👍

[@panamrailfan]

I’m going to miss those horns

[@tressteleg1]

Agreed, but with some of the newer Comeng Trains recently undergoing overhaul, they are likely to be around for about 10 more years.

[@jdcreswell440]

A very good one 😊

[@tressteleg1]

😊👍

[@scottyerkes1867]

Eliminating grade crossings speeds yrs in operation's. The LIRR is currently investing million in eliminating grade crossings snd adding a third track along its main line Thsnks for sharing😀😀

[@tressteleg1]

Well there might be exceptions, but generally crossing removals benefit motorists much more than the trains. You never hear of a train and having to stop and wait at a crossing just because there’s some cars and trucks going across.

[@scottyerkes1867]

@@tressteleg1 Of course.

[@mitchellheard8981]

Looks like they've left room for duplication.

[@tressteleg1]

Yes. There are some hints of provision here and there.

[@rajivmurkejee7498]

Looks like THEY haven't got around to changing the name of Batman Station yet . I'm sure they will

[@tressteleg1]

Why would anybody want to change the name?

[@noelroberts8199]

Don't say that, we are starting to lose OUR identity..........

[@KevinBalaam]

Perhaps when (if) the Gaffney St crossing is grade separated and the station rebuilt they will rename it to display more respect to the original inhabitants.

[@tressteleg1]

In view of the closeness of Gaffney and O’Heas Sts to the Bell St job, I would not expect those crossings to be removed for a very long time. At present the official website shows that all planned jobs have been done on this line.

[@rajivmurkejee7498]

@@tressteleg1 In recent times John Batman has become persona non grata

[@ellesmerewildwood4858]

Shamefully, in our entitled society, the graffiti vandals have left barely a wall or surface unscathed. Thanks for the cabride.

[@geoffreymoore1510]

Yeah, so sad.

[@tressteleg1]

And the real problem is, the millions spent removing this rubbish every year could be better spent on public transport improvements.

[@geoffreymoore1510]

@@tressteleg1 Not wrong. Seems the powers think it is too costly to monitor the rolling stock etc in the yards?

[@tressteleg1]

@@geoffreymoore1510 Unfortunately sometimes these paint attacks happen while the train is stopped for a few minutes at a terminus, or even just a normal station stop. Late at night there is nobody around to spot them, and by the time they may be spotted on a security camera, they are long gone before police get near the place.