Thornbury hump - any services?

[mjja]

Hi all,

I was under the impression that regular passenger services over the Thornbury hump (from St Georges Rd to High St) stopped some time ago and it is now used only for empty moves. Someone has now told me there are still peak-only services running across it. Is this true?

Also, can anyone tell me what the condition of the track is? Is it of a standard that regular services could be scheduled there without excessive discomfort to passengers?

[Rob]

From what I believe; there are no passenger services.

What you may be getting confused with is that peak hour services terminate outside the workshops; then proceed over the hump to return/start from Preston Depot as appropriate.

In terms of track quality; when I went over it it wasn't bad; wasn't good. Just average. Personally; I wouldn't schedule any passenger services over it; but that's just my own personal belief

[Nexas]

Hi all,

I was under the impression that regular passenger services over the Thornbury hump (from St Georges Rd to High St) stopped some time ago and it is now used only for empty moves. Someone has now told me there are still peak-only services running across it. Is this true?

Also, can anyone tell me what the condition of the track is? Is it of a standard that regular services could be scheduled there without excessive discomfort to passengers?

My understanding is that it is in use for non-PSR trams to/from West Preston terminus, but there are no advertised services over it. Route 9 trams terminate short and run empty to the depot.

[andyb]

I believe that Route 9 services generally terminate at Thornbury and run OOS from there, however some drivers may continue with passengers to the depot. There's no reason why they couldn't if they wanted to.

Rt 112 services that run in from West Preston seem to carry passengers to the depot as well.

That I'm aware of there's no issue with the track that would mean a passenger couldn't be carried over it.

The only circumstances were drivers don't carry passengers are Rt 30 car out/car in and City Circle car out/car in. I can't think of any other routes where passengers aren't carried on run out or run in. Rt 78/79 with W's used to be this way, but it was lifted several years ago. That was imposed by the DoT at the time.

[R 707]

The only circumstances were drivers don't carry passengers are Rt 30 car out/car in and City Circle car out/car in. I can't think of any other routes where passengers aren't carried on run out or run in. Rt 78/79 with W's used to be this way, but it was lifted several years ago. That was imposed by the DoT at the time.

During the week I followed a Z1/Z2 on a car out from Glenhuntly up Hawthorn Rd before it turned at Balaclava Rd toward the route 3 terminus. This particular car was displaying 'Not in' 'Service' and skipped stops where pax were waiting. Would this be to avoid passenger confusion given the tram was operating across sections of 3 seperate routes as opposed to a single route shortworking?

[andyb]

When I was at Glenhuntly Depot the accepted procedure on a Rt 3 car-out was to operate in service. The only time you generally did them was in the morning, never later in the day. You'd normally get the odd person who lived in around South Caulfield who would want to go to Caulfield station, and knew that there was a run-out at that time.

It's possible that the one you saw could've been a changeover or running late. In the first instance, he would be OOS. In the second, if he was late he may have taken it upon himself to run OOS or was instructed to do so. Or he just CBF picking up people.

[John]

I believe that Route 9 services generally terminate at Thornbury and run OOS from there, however some drivers may continue with passengers to the depot. There's no reason why they couldn't if they wanted to.

Rt 112 services that run in from West Preston seem to carry passengers to the depot as well.

It appears to be a mixed bag when it comes to route 9 destinations - some drivers show "Thornbury" when finishing on the 112, others show "Preston Depot". I assume those showing Preston Depot would take passengers all the way (i.e. via the hump).

There is (use to be?) a 112 service that cars in around 2:30pm which I was on once. I asked the driver at Thornbury if I could stay on and he said he'd be happy to take me, but on this occasion the tram was going to the Workshops for maintenance, therefore he couldn't. He then turned into Miller St and terminated at the Workshops.

Unplanned diversions on the 86 will usually run along Brunswick St/St Georges Rd/Miller St and at a time I recall planned diversions did too although it has been a few years since I have seen a planned diversion divert. Generally, planned disruptions are just substituted by buses nowadays.

[marklar]

anyone got decent pictures of the hump? I've only driven past the thing a few times chasing 86s and could barely manage a sidewards glance.

m.

[gwiwer]

I realise times change and drivers (and their attitudes) vary but it used to be the case that a car-out from East Preston bound for the 11 / 112, whether towards West Preston or towards the City, would take passengers from the first stop at the depot if asked. Those cars then commence timetabled service at Thornbury. A few City-bound passengers would happily board the first tram along Plenty Road knowing they would get to the City and it didn't matter by which route.

Car-in moves could be a lot less predictable with many drivers preferring to run OOS though they could not do so in the case of timetabled cars in from West Preston at the close of evening service as these were, I believe, advertised as running on to Preston Depot for a time.

Take drivers are now usually transported by car meaning the fairly regular "hump shuttle" trams no longer operate except perhaps on rare occasions. These were never advertised but regulars got to know when they were expected and would often wait. It would have been normal to see 1 or 2 passengers on those trips.

With the general increase in service levels placing pressure on the operational fleet such moves have become a thing of the past as the trams are required elsewhere.

[mjja]

Thanks all, most helpful.