Waking up in Geelong

Photos from ten years ago: January 2013

January 31st, 2023 2 Comments

Another instalment in my photos from ten years ago series – this time it is January 2013.

Farewell to Metcard

The Metcard ticketing system in Melbourne was switched off on 29 December 2012.

Myki having taken over.

But the machines still advertised descoped features, like short term tickets.

And printed out credit card receipts that included the full name of the card holder, nine digits of their credit card and the card’s expiry date.

January 2013 saw that vulnerability fixed, but the “print a receipt even if I don’t want one” bug wasn’t addressed until June 2019.

Trams go ding ding

A decade ago passengers at the Toorak Road terminus of route 58 had to play frogger between four lanes of traffic.

It took until 2015 for VicRoads to cave in and allow Yarra Trams to build a safer tram stop, at a cost of $3.8 million.

Meanwhile at Domain Interchange intending tram passengers just had a few shelters in the middle of St Kilda Road.

It was replaced in 2013 by a four track, four platform tram stop, which was itself demolished in 2018 to make way for the new Anzac station as part of the Metro Tunnel project.

Trams heading along Queens Bridge also used to get stuck behind queued cars.

This was eventually fixed in 2015, when the shared bus and tram lane along Queensbridge Street was extended the short distance over the bridge to Flinders Street.

Route 75 trams used to travel from Flinders Street along Spencer Street to the Remand Centre.

A few months later the southbound tram stop at Spencer and Bourke Street was closed due to a “increased safety risk to passengers and pedestrians“, and in 2014 the city terminus for route 75 was moved to Docklands.

W class trams on the free City Circle service used to be painted maroon, to distinguish them from the green W class trams used on regular tram services.

A distinction no longer needed – W class trams were withdrawn from route 30 and 78 in December 2014, and the introduction of the Free Tram Zone in 2015 meant every trams in the CBD was free. The remaining W class trams are now painted green, following the W8 class tram modernisation project.

On my lunch break I often saw the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant making it’s way around the Melbourne CBD.

But they no longer run – withdrawn by Yarra Trams in 2018 due to concerns they didn’t meet modern crash safety standards.

But the one thing that hasn’t changed – trams covered with advertising for the Australian Open.

The 2023 iteration of this tradition is already on the tracks.

Old clunkers on the bus network

A decade ago high floor buses still popped up on bus routes across Melbourne.

Thankfully that is a thing of the past, but on the tram network not so much – we have squandered multiple opportunities to acquire low floor trams, with the 2032 deadline for an accessible network unlikely to be achieved.

Closed for the weekend?

Closing a railway station on the weekend sounds stupid, but we used to do that at Flagstaff station.

A situation not fixed until 2015.

Reworking Footscray for Regional Rail Link

2013 saw work on Regional Rail Link kick off at Footscray station.

Land cleared ready for the extra two platforms to be built at the station.

But they were also demolishing a footbridge only completed two year earlier.

Thanks to the bridge being too short to span the additional tracks.

Fail to plan, plan to fail.

Trucks versus low bridges

In January 2013 an over height truck took out the tramway overhead at the intersection of King and Collins Street, stranding trams throughout the Melbourne CBD.

Mechanics having to push trams by hand.

So they could get their recovery truck into position, and push the trams to a section of track still with power.

The Craigieburn line couldn’t get a break either, with a truck striking the low bridge on Racecourse Road at Newmarket station, and cooking itself on the live tramway overhead.

Some things never change.

Footnote – something a little different

January 2013 was also the tail end of my month long rail trip across Europe.

Where I travelled 8,898 kilometres six countries, ten cities, three rail gauges and 15 rail operators.

Along the way I also transited via Qatar.

And missed my connection back to Australia, giving me an unplanned 24 hour stopover in Doha.

The end result – my spin off blog Euro Gunzel – An Australian railfan in Europe.

Footnote

Here you can find the rest of my ‘photos from ten years ago‘ series.

Melbourne trains in music videos

January 24th, 2023 7 Comments

Here’s a quick one – Melbourne trains as featured in music videos.

Gerling – ‘Dust Me Selecta’ (2001)

A guy goes running down the stairs at Flagstaff station and boards a Hitachi train, where he finds a set of magical headphones that turn the train into a nightclub.

The Living End – ‘All Torn Down’ (1998)

The band rock out in front of 1990s Melbourne scenes like the wasteland that is Melbourne Dockland, and the railway yards that became Federation Square.

Phrase ft. Mystro – ‘Here Now’ (2005)

Rapping onboard Hitachi carriages 13M and 1938T at the Brooklyn tip before they got turned into scrap metal.

And a bonus one: Shannon Noll – What About Me (2004)

Another music video from the same time period, this time it features an 81 class diesel locomotive leading a grain train in country New South Wales.

Fun fact

The interior shots of Gerling’s ‘Dust Me Selecta’ music video were actually filmed onboard a Harris train at the Newport Railway Museum.

My accidental 24 hour stopover in Qatar

January 17th, 2023 4 Comments

A decade ago I headed overseas and spent a month exploring Europe by train, but the one part of the trip I didn’t count on was an unplanned 24 hour stopover in Doha, capital city of Qatar.

How I got there

I left out of a snow covered Moscow bound for Australia with Qatar Airways.

My connection at their Doha hub was tight, but with one flight a day to Melbourne, I didn’t have much choice.

After a few hours, we descended for our final approach to Doha.

The city skyline coming into view.

And then onto the ground.

Transferring at Doha’s old international airport was a pain – no jetbridges, only buses.

But I eventually made it into the terminal.

But rather stupidly I confused my gate number and flight number – so I ended up at the wrong end of the airport!

By the time I reached the correct gate, my onward flight to Melbourne has already closed – so I was sent to the transfer counter. There I was given a booking on the next day’s flight to Melbourne, a 1 day visa to enter Qatar, a hotel voucher, and directions to the shuttle bus.

An hour later, I eventually emerged from immigration with just my camera and the clothes on my back.

After a trip on the shuttle bus, I checked into my hotel, had a 2AM supper, then off to bed.

Trying to beat the desert heat

Given I was only in Qatar for 24 hours, I wanted to make the most of my time there – so I set an alarm for 9AM to see the sights before the desert heat hit.

Outside my hotel, construction work was happening everywhere.

Guest workers doing all of the dirty jobs.

My first stop – the Souq Waqif marketplace.

Then down to the Dhow Harbour.

I went for a walk along the waterfront.

Watched the boats on the water.

And looked over to the tall skyline behind.

Past the Museum of Islamic Art.

Planes on final approach to the nearby airport.

Then back via the Qatar Ministry of Finance and the Islamic Cultural Centre.

On the roads

A decade ago the Doha Metro didn’t exist yes, so buses were the only form of public transport.

Along with taxis, like this Toyota Camry.

I also saw quite a few Australian-built cars on the road, like this Holden Commodore, exported to the Middle East as a Chevrolet.

And a slightly older Holden Statesman, also branded as a Chevrolet.

Along with this beat up looking Australian-built Mitsubishi Magna.

Time to retreat

It was now getting hot and the shops were starting to close.

So I headed back to my hotel to take a nap.

Satellite dishes covered the rooftops all around.

But the workers were still stuck out in the heat.

Pouring concrete in the burning sun.

A final tour

After the sun went down, I went out for another walk.

Traders at the Souq having opened again.

Then I followed the back streets back to my hotel.

Where I found shops selling cheap clothes.

Hardware and electrical equipment.

Power tools.

Building supplies.

And light fittings.

And time to leave

This time I didn’t want to miss my connection, so I headed back to airport leaving plenty of time to spare.

I skipped the duty free store.

And found the correct gate.

Headed through security.

Then down to the gate lounge to wait for the bus out to my plane.

The tarmac was busy as ever.

But I made it onto my plane.

Ready for the 13 hour flight back to Australia. 😫

Quite the adventure, given the alternative mightn’t been to spend 24 hours trying to sleep at an airport.

Inspecting the West Gate Bridge

January 10th, 2023 2 Comments

The West Gate Bridge is a key part of Melbourne’s transport infrastructure, connecting the east and west sides of the city since it was opened to traffic in 1978. But how does VicRoads ensure the bridge stays in good condition?

Some history

The 2.5km long West Gate Bridge consists of two concrete box girder approach viaducts, 871m and 670m long, and an central 848m cable stayed steel box girder span over the Yarra River. The pier height varies, with a maximum height is 48m.

Except for the portion over the river, practically the full length of the bridge is above vacant land and can be accessed from below by means of elevated work platforms.

Ace Tower Hire photo

But for the portion of the bridge over the river, four permanent maintenance platforms were provided beneath the steel spans.

Operated from two runway beams, three of the platforms dated back to the construction of the bridge in the 1970s, with a fourth installed in 1995, these gave access for routine inspections, as well as minor works such as washing and patch painting.

Upgrade time

In 2006 the State Government announced that they would upgrade the West Gate Bridge to carry an additional lane of traffic, taking it to five in each direction.

Scaffolding was setup underneath the bridge to allow the necessary strengthening works to take place.

Including suspended platforms.

And an elevated lunch room!

The most noticeable change being the outriggers added to the steel span to support the load from the additional traffic lane.

But this presented a problem – it would block the passage of the existing maintenance platforms.

Two options were considered – a replacement system of maintenance platforms, or the acquisition of a mobile bridge inspection platform that would be deployed as needed.

The solution – an upside down crane

This weird looking thing is a MBI 200 under-bridge access unit, custom designed by Moog GmbH in Germany specifically for the Westgate Bridge.

Victorian Government photo

The State Government boasting in a September 2012 media release.

Australia’s largest Mobile Bridge Inspection Platform will improve access for maintenance inspections on Victoria’s most iconic bridge, Minister for Roads Terry Mulder said today.

Roads Minister Terry Mulder announces a mobile bridge inspection platform will replace permanent hanging inspection platforms for the West Gate Bridge, providing more efficient and cost effective maintenance.

Mr Mulder said the mobile bridge inspection platform would replace permanent ‘hanging’ inspection platforms for the West Gate Bridge, providing more efficient and cost effective maintenance.

“Mobile bridge inspection platforms are becoming more and more common on large bridges around the world as sustainable and cost effective maintenance tools,” Mr Mulder said.

“I’m very pleased to launch this innovation in Victoria, which will provide a great cost saving, as we do away with expensive and heavy permanent inspection platforms that span nearly one kilometre.

“It also improves access to all areas under the West Gate Bridge with an expanding platform that can extend for 20 metres under the bridge deck.

‘This will make it is easier for maintenance inspectors to see more of the underside of the bridge and because it is mobile, they can manoeuvre it to exactly where they want to be,” Mr Mulder said.

In what can only be described as an ‘upside down crane’, the unit includes a 17 metre boom arm that extends over the bridge barriers and lowers the inspection platform in place.

In order to stabilise such a large operation, the base truck, at 12 metre in length, has six axles when in operation and weighs 37 tonnes.

“The Mobile Bridge Inspection Platform has come to Australia all the way from Germany and is a great example of Victoria delivering innovative solutions to manage key infrastructure well into the future.”

When in operation, the unit will require two lanes to be closed on the West Gate Bridge to complete an inspection. These will be conducted during off peak periods and at night to reduce delays to traffic.

The bridge inspection unit completed initial testing completed on the yet to open Nagambie Bypass.

Moog GmbH photo

Showing off the capability of the machine.

Moog GmbH photo

And looking like a transformer in the process.

The inaugural use on the West Gate Bridge was scheduled for Saturday 22 September between 6:00am and midday.

Moog GmbH photo

Two lanes of traffic being closed, while the machine was in use.

Moog GmbH photo

But following the successful commissioning of the unit, it is usually deployed in the dark of night, to minimise the amount of disruption to traffic.

Footnote: more details

Some facts and figures

– 12 metres long
– 2.5 metres wide
– 4.4 metres tall
– 37 tonne mass
– 800 kilogram maximum payload
– 20 metre long access platform
– 17 metre long boom arm
– 6 effective axles when in operation

The under-bridge access unit is mounted atop a Scania 8×4 chassis, with two auxiliary axles able to be lowered to provide additional stability to the vehicle while in use, removing the need for outriggers. Movement of the vehicle while deployed is via 200mm diameter hydraulic driven rollers bearing on the top of the one set of tyres, providing accurate creep control.

VicRoads diagram

Along the boom modular aluminium access scaffold are provided to give access to the underside of the bridge. Additional equipment includes a 12Kva generator providing 415 and 240 volts to power tools, LED lighting, air compressor, water tank and pump, and a hydraulically operated telescopic lift.

VicRoads diagram

Footnote: and other bridges

The West Gate Tunnel project recently used an under-bridge access unit to inspect Shepherd Bridge in Footscray.

West Gate Tunnel Project photo

But they used a ABC 150/LST unit built by Barin Italy, supplied by Ace Tower Group.

Further reading

West Gate Bridge: mobile bridge inspection platform: Polymenakos, D; Silla Sanchez, J; Noonan, J; Austroads Bridge Conference; 2014
Australia’s largest ‘upside down crane’ to improve maintenance inspections on West Gate Bridge: Victorian Government media release; 2012
West Gate Bridge Strengthening Project: Australian Construction Achievement Award paper
Delivery of MBI 200 to Melbourne: Moog GmbH
West Gate Bridge: Ace Tower Hire

Road trip to New South Wales

January 3rd, 2023 3 Comments

Back in October 2022 I took two weeks off work for a road trip up to New South Wales and back, and took so many photos I needed a whole other holiday to go through them all! Here are the results.

Heading up to Albury

I followed the Hume Highway up at Albury, and stopped in at Seymour, where I found the Travellers Aid ‘Connection Assistance’ service transporting passengers through the railway station underpass.

And saw the northbound Melbourne-Sydney train speed past me.

At Violet Town I visited the Southern Aurora Memorial Garden, which commemorates the crash of the Southern Aurora passenger train in February 1969.

Closer to Albury, the near new VLocity trains were actually running a service that day.

And on the other side of town, I found V/Line’s retired fleet of carriages stored in some sidings, covered in graffiti.

Taking the back roads

Along the way I found country pubs.

Overgrown cemeteries.

Quiet railway stations.

And abandoned ones.

Repeater huts for the Sydney–Melbourne co-axial cable

The Headlie Taylor Header Museum.

The Rock Regional Observatory

And field after field of canola.

Junee, a railway town

I stopped in at the railway town of Junee.

Going for a wander around the Junee Roundhouse Railway Museum.

And took a drive out to the Bethungra Spiral.

Where northbound trains loop around the hill via a tunnel.

And then cross back over themselves, as they climb the grade towards Sydney.

Random industries along the way

At Benalla I found the largest precast concrete facility in the Southern Hemisphere.

Churning out concrete tunnel lining segments for the West Gate Tunnel project.

At Ettamogah I went past the former Norske Skog paper mill.

At the Wodonga Logistics Precinct the state government had just paid $5.5 million for a new natural gas connection.

And in the paddocks outside Uranquinty I found a gas fired power station.

Outside Wagga Wagga was industry galore – the Austrak plant was churning out concrete railway sleepers.

Enirgi Power Storage had a lead acid battery recycling facility.

And Southern Oil Refining had a lube oil recycling plant.

At Berrima I found the Boral cement works.

Maldon had the Allied Mills flour mill.

Outside Marulan I had to stop for an off-road dump truck crossing my path.

And finally, on the Hum Highway I breezed by the Marulan heavy vehicle inspection station.

Photographing freight trains

Of course I’m not going to drive all the way up to New South Wales and not photograph freight trains!

Yet I managed to find the same steel train that goes past my house every day.

Grain trains were the big thing this time of the year.

Trains run by multiple operators.

Moving the harvest in conventional hopper wagons.

As well as specialised containers.

Something different was a train transporting containerised ore to Port Kembla.

Port rail shuttles at Port Botany.

Triple headed intrastate container trains to regional terminals.

And the garbage train which transports Sydney’s waste to a giant landfill outside Canberra.

Rail in, rail out

At the Berrima cement works I found the whole supply chain moving by rail.

Lime from Marulan South.

And aggregate from the Lynwood quarry.

And finished cement despatched by rail.

Along with clinker for further processing.

Coal, coal, coal

Coal is big business up in New South Wales.

And I saw train hauling it everywhere.

Snaking through suburban railway stations.

And through the hills.

Bound for the export terminal at Port Kembla.

A weekend of heritage trains

The October long weekend in NSW was of rail heritage events – the first being Streamliners 2022 at the Goulburn Roundhouse Railway Museum.

With fireworks closing out the event.

The Lachlan Valley Railway was also running train trips from Goulburn to Tarago.

I also visited the Goulburn Crookwell Heritage Railway.

Going for a ride on their gangers trolleys.

Meanwhile Sydney had their annual Transport Heritage Expo.

Steam trains running trips throughout the weekend.

Along with Sydney’s early single-deck electric trains.

Country railcars.

And heritage double decker buses.

Trams in Sydney

I finally got to see the completed CBD and South East Light Rail.

Which uses as wire free power supply down to Circular Quay.

I also paid a visit to the Sydney Tramway Museum.

Where I ended up on a *Melbourne* tram. 😂

And ferries

I couldn’t go to Sydney without photographing a few ferries, including the new Emerald class.

And River class.

But I’m a fan of the older First Fleet class.

And the classic double ended Manly ferries.

Along the Illawarra

I headed down towards Wollongong despite some horrible weather.

Finding trains winding their way down the escarpment.

Along a curving railway.

Following the coast.

Until they finally ended up at the tiny stations of the Port Kembla branch line.

Shipping steel at Port Kembla

I couldn’t miss visiting the Bluescope Port Kembla steelworks.

Iron ore comes in by ship.

Finished steel is shunted around the complex for processing.

And then despatched by rail.

Down the South Coast

I headed down to Kiama, where electric trains terminate.

Passengers switching to a diesel railcar for the last few stops to Bomaderry.

There I found a long grain train headed in the same direction.

Bound for the Shoalhaven Starches plant at Bomaderry, which will turn the grain into wheat starch, gluten and ethanol.

And up into the hills

I took the back roads from Bomaderry back towards the Southern Highlands, driving over the heritage listed Hampden Bridge – one of the few suspension bridges in Australia.