I have given a lot of thought to the conversion of the Carlingford railway to tram (light rail) operation. Before the North-West Rail Link [now Metro] was considered, a railway connecting Epping and Parramatta was being promoted by the ALP. The Gillard government was preparing to ‘spend big’ on a heavy rail link which would have needed tunnelling beneath the north-west part of Epping then following the surface Carlingford railway line to Rosehill then tunnelling beneath Parramatta CBD to a connection with the western line near Westmead. Some street directories published at that time showed the proposed railway route on their maps.
We are now to get driverless “metro” trains on the line from Rouse Hill to Epping, then via the previously built Epping - Chatswood line to a stub interchange with the north shore line at Chatswood.
I have considered a more economical Epping – Chatswood light rail connection to take the place of the abandoned Epping – Parramatta heavy rail line. In Parramatta CBD, it could have a round-the- blocks clockwise loop via Macquarie St (westbound) then O’Connell St (past old Park Gates), then George St (eastbound). At the eastern ends of Macquarie St and George St, short tunnels could take the loop beneath James Ruse Drive to connections with the Carlingford line at Camellia.
At Carlingford, the light rail line would extend uphill from the present station and tunnel beneath Pennant Hills Rd to a station beneath the open car park at Carlingford Court. There would be an underground pedestrian connection to the shopping centre with possible surface entrances in Pennant Hills Rd and Rembrandt St. At the corner of Carlingford Rd and Rembrandt St the light rail tracks would bifurcate to kerbside alignments in Carlingford Rd, then eastwards to the anti-clockwise round-the–blocks loop at Rawson St, Bridge St and Beecroft Rd, Epping..
As I mentioned in an earlier post, the kerbside lanes along Carlingford Rd would be exclusive for trams and buses.
‘No stopping’ motor traffic could also use these lanes but parking would not be permitted.
Noel Reed.
From:TramsDownUnder@... [mailto:TramsDownUnder@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: Monday, 20 February 2017 6:26 PM
To:TramsDownUnder@...
Subject: Re: [TramsDownUnder] Parra LR,
Post Office Street gets steeper as the eastern end. From Young Road to PH Road, 150 metres, the elevation increase is 16 metres or 1:9, it would be very hard to hold on a red traffic light and then start
off on a green while turning sharply through reverse curves over PH Road into Keeler Street which drops down the other side of the ridge that PH Road is located on.
A tunnel through the ridge appears the best route.
And yes take it all the way to Epping. I agree with Noel's suggested route around a block/loop at Epping rather than a stub terminus on Beecroft Road..
Ted
Ding ding
_____
From: "Tim Boxsellmmmoop@... [TramsDownUnder]" TramsDownUnder@...>
To: Yahoogroups tramsdownunder@...>
Sent: Sunday, 19 February 2017, 8:05
Subject: [TramsDownUnder] Parra LR,
Further thoughts on the Carlo line. At the end of the line at Carlo there is what looks like an under used block of land (nearby area has new tower block apartments going in) where the trams could run a short distance to Boundary Rd, turn right into Post Office St & follow that all the way to where it could cross Pennant Hills Rd via a signalised crossing and terminate in Keeler St right next to Carlo Court. (apologies if someone has mentioned this before, I'm too lazy to go back & look.)
No expensive tunnels & people further down the line would appreciate easy access to the shops ! Of course sadly, in th e real world this would never happen but I am going to suggest it in their online forums.
My thoughts.
Regards,
Tim, in Sydney. Now waiting for a conversion of the LPT transitway to LR.
(note to self, don't hold breath.)
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