3 Trains passing At Westfield

Northbound DC 4663 passes southbound DC 4536 and 4536 then passes an ADL heading north. The Reason for there being so many northbound trains was that there was 'a technical fault' somewhere near Papakura at about 7:30 am this morning - 22/12/08

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Train
• trains
• DC
• SD
• SA
• ADL
• ADC
• crossing
• Westfield
• railway
• yard
• kiwi
• rail
• NZR
• toll
• tranzrail
• Auckland
• New
• Zealand

[alnic1975]

NZRAIL your guess is correct! Sometimes if we're running late, or just quiet the guard will give the driver two bells for what we call a run-thru, meaning nobody wants to get off and if there's nobody at the platform then it's fine for the driver to carry on. From the gap between the first SA and the ADL I'd say the ADL was running a Otahuhu to Britomart shuttle.

[NZRAIL]

Thanks for the info, I had noticed once that the guards ask around people if their are getting off. And you are correct, the ADL came through Westfield southbound a few minutes before this was videoed. Are you a driver?

[alnic1975]

I am a driver, yes. I don't drive the locos though, only the DMU's. I think they're trying to kickstart the SA school again, and now that Veolia have the contract extended to 2014, we have a real chance of getting some more drivers onto the SA's. Personally I'm holding out for the electrics!

[NZRAIL]

Im looking forward to the electrics coming too, when are they expected to arrive?

[alnic1975]

Well the ARC was just about ready to purchase the trains (believed to be new Trans-Perth B-Series built by EDi Bombardier), but now that National has gotten into parliament, and every cent accounted for, it has been put out for tender. EOI's are expected to last about a year, so no electrics in time for the world cup! The SA's will be very busy on those days!

[NZRAIL]

Ha after all that lead up about having an electrified rail system by then... But I also heard that something like six more SA's will be arriving, pulled by DFT's I think?

[HotForgeChaos]

@alnic1975 - Do you prefer to pilot the ADLs or the older ADKs? And am I right when I say that the reliability of the ADLs are questionable?

[undergroundsplee]

Aha - interesting! I was curious about the SA and SD vehicles, which were, of course, rebuilt from British Rail Mk 2 coaches. The rebuild looks so extensive that the cars are barely recognisable! Can anyone point me to an interior shot?

[NZRAIL]

My guess is that the train conductors had asked the passengers if they were getting off and that nobody was, also the driver would have seen if any body was waiting to get on.

[jamespole]

Interesting that the ADL did not stop. Was it an express or an empty?