RosiesBoss Posted April 12, 2014 Share Posted April 12, 2014 Introduction On 10 Apr 2014, I had an opportunity to take time off from other activities to travel into the Sydney CBD from my home in the Hornsby district to spend time photographing the newly extended Sydney Light Rail system, including the recently imported second-hand trams from Spain. Travel I chose to go from Hornsby to the city by interurban train, changing at Central for a local to Museum station for an errand I had to complete there. This worked well. After completing the errand, I returned to Central via Museum and commenced taking photos. Once I had checked out everything photographically accessible in the station, I moved to the tram platform and began that part of the trip. Images I experimented with some shots not possible with my old film SLR, which included an interior shot in Museum Station and one of a moving train taken from an adjacent one. My Sony Cybershot proved to be up to the task. Images taken near the former Darling Harbour tourist complex include glimpses of the demolition occurring as part of its redevelopment. As the current route follows the formation of a closed goods railway, much of the scenery includes glimpses of decaying disused industrial sites with disconnected sidings. Much of this shows signs of redevelopment for housing, so I’ll be interested to see how that changes over the next little while. Trains These proved to be a mix: suburban EMUs: A-, M- and S-classes; interurban DDIUs: V- and H-classes; Long distance DMU: Xplorer railcars Trams All current classes of Sydney trams were seen: Original Variotrams Urbos 2 - from Vélez-Málaga and Seville Urbos 3 – newly purchased The trams were well patronised, especially between Star City and Central, with many people standing. I noted that these included people (employed by the tramway) with clipboards taking note of passenger loadings and patterns in response to recent complaints of overcrowding. Staff on board the trams were friendly and courteous. The original trams were in a variety of colours. I found the seats to be comfortable and in good order. The vehicles rode well. By contrast, the newer trams (all in the new red/white livery) had hard, uncomfortable seats and rode poorly, hunting from side to side. Photographic Results: Trains: Suburban M Set at Museum Station: Suburban EMU Sets A32 & A39, between Central and Goulburn Street parking station: Interurban V-Set, Central Station: Xplorer railcars 2538 etc, awaiting departure for Moree at Central Station: Suburban EMU Set S56, Central Station: Suburban EMU Set M29, between Central and Goulburn Street parking station: Trams: Variotram 2101 approaching Central Station on tram bridge built for Sydney’s original tram system (closed 1961): Variotram 2103, Arlington: Variotram 2104, Paddy’s Markets: Variotram 2105, Dulwich Hill: Variotram 2107, leaving Convention for Exhibition, about to pass the tram washing plant: Urbos 2 2108 approaching Exhibition: Urbos 2 2108 passing Variotram 2104, Exhibition: Urbos 2 2109, Arlington: Driver’s view of Jubilee Park from 2109: Urbos 2 2110 watching passing goods train, Dulwich Hill: Urbos 2 2110, Dulwich Hill: Urbos 2 2111 just after leaving running shed, approaching Exhibition: Urbos 2 2111 passing Variotram 2101, Paddy’s Markets: Urbos 3 2112, running sheds near Exhibition: Urbos 3 2115, running sheds near Exhibition: Reflections This was a very productive morning. All photos were taken between 8.23 am and noon – not bad for a period of casual photography, with nothing pre-arranged with the operators. It was great value for money: just $2.50 for a senior’s excursion ticket – valid for all trains, buses, trams and ferries! I must do it again. More Information: NSW Government website: http://www.sydneylightrail.transport.nsw.gov.au/ Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sydney_Light_Rail Sydney’s original tram system: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trams_in_Sydney Sydney’s suburban rolling stock: http://www.sydneytrains.info/about/fleet/ NSW long distance passenger rolling stock: http://www.nswtrainlink.info/your_journey/fleet/ Darling Harbour redevelopment: http://www.darlingharbourlive.com.au/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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