----- Forwarded Message -----
  To: Tdu Transportdownunder transportdownunder@...>
Sent: Tuesday, 12 February 2019, 12:40
Subject: Fri.1.2.19 daily digest

The overlooked Thurs.31.1 photos have gone through as a second section, misdated 1.2.
Roderick.
Link: <www.heraldsun.com.au/lifestyle/melbourne/inspired-by-childhood-memories-melbourne-photographer-eamon-donnelly-has-captured-the-last-of-our-milk-bars-for-a-new-book/news-story/8c55e0d600b6d4ed407d1d271331198f> [paywalled, but this may tempt you to buy the book].

190201F Melbourne 'Age':- letters (water, energy). with tdu.- Origin lng. with tdu.- energy, industry charter. with tdu.

190201F Melbourne 'Herald Sun':- letters (rail, energy).- energy, industry charter. with tdu.- energy, AGL gas. with tdu.- coal. with tdu.- Labor infrastructure.

Melbourne Express: Friday, February 1, 2019
8.52 Packed train due to earlier cancellation. Someone immediately got up to offer the lady on crutches a seat.  A nice note to end the blog on is an act of commuter kindness. It happens!
8.45:
- The Cranbourne and Pakenham lines are experiencing minor delays.
- Some changes are being made to VLine Geelong services. Regional commuters should check for updates.
8.00 Water works are continuing to hold things up on High Street, Armadale.
A magistrate has shown "trolley man" mercy in the hope that his bravery in Bourke Street last year will be the circuit-breaker to turn his life around..
Police have released images of two youths wanted over a robbery that left two teenagers bruised and traumatised outside a station in Melbourne's west.
6.11 so far things on the roads and public transport are running pretty well.
- All Metro Trains lines are running a good service.
- A burst water main is affecting traffic and trams in both directions in High Street, Armadale.
- Australian Traffic Network is reporting a fallen pole northbound in Elizabeth Street between Flinders and Collins streets.
<www.theage.com.au/melbourne-news/melbourne-express-friday-february-1-2019-20190201-p50uyu.html>

Fri.1.2.19 Metro Twitter
8.31 Cranbourne/Pakenham lines: Minor delays clearing after an earlier ill passenger required medical assistance at South Yarra.
I lodged a feedback on line a couple of weeks ago re the December planned work for Cranbourne/parkenham lines. I haven’t got reimbursement from you yet as it was supposed to be free travel.
- I spoke to the customer service a month ago. A lady said the reimbursement would automatically go to my myki pass account by the end of January. Now I haven’t heard anything from you yet. Can someone please advise?
- For an update on your reimbursement, contact PTV via its feedback form or by phone on 1800 800 007.
- I did both, no responses.
- you will need to contact PTV, as it manages refunds for all transport operators; the Metro social-media team cannot access any passenger-lodged requests.
10.10 Belgrave/Lilydale lines: Major delays (an equipment fault near Ringwood).
- 10.56 clearing.
- 11.05 What about the [unnanounced] fault at Mont Albert?
- it's ongoing, but is resulting in minimal delays.
13.51 Craigieburn line: Minor delays (police at Broadmeadows).
- 13.58 clearing.
15.53 Minor delays between Upwey and Belgrave (an equipment fault).
- 16.37 Nor major.  Consider alternatives, eg local route 693 bus.
- 17.22 Now minor and clearing.
17.49 Minor delays Dandenong - Pakenham while police attend to a trespasser..
- 18.04 Trains are on the move but with major delays.
- 18.12 Again? Why are trains stationary on the elevated already?
18.29 Sunbury line: Minor Delays (an earlier [unannounced] police action at St Albans.
Buses replace trains Dandenong - Pakenham from 20.45 until the last train on Sunday night (major project works).

Jan 3 2019  World's steepest train rides: Ten spectacular rack railways.
<www.traveller.com.au/traveller-10-rack-railways-h199vx>

Government considers sinking old trains for a rollingstock reef 1 February 2019.
Queensland's old trains could be sunk in Moreton Bay to create the state's newest artificial reef.
Queensland Rail's fleet of old electric multiple units (EMU) are being progressively replaced with the New Generation Rollingstock, which are being fixed to comply with disablity laws after being described as flawed "from day one".
Transport Minister Mark Bailey said the EMU trains were manufactured in Maryborough and part of Queensland's proud rail history. Credit: Department of National Parks - Moreton Bay artificial reef project
However, rather than end up on the scrap heap, a proposal is being considered by the government to turn a few of the old trains into an underwater tourist attraction in south-east Queensland.
A petition, lodged in the Queensland Parliament, is calling for a small number of the fleet of 87 EMUs to be reused as an artificial reef in Moreton Bay when they are retired.
Transport Minister Mark Bailey said he was happy to look at the idea.
"I like the idea of seeing these old trains support new life as artificial reefs in Moreton Bay or somewhere else appropriate along our coast and have previously requested Queensland Rail to examine it further," he said.
"That said, any plan to sink trains to the sea floor would need to be carefully considered from an environmental, maritime, tourism and cost perspective."
Queensland's Department of Environment and Science has advised Queensland Rail it would consider a proposal to use two or four retired EMU or inner-city express [ICE] train units for an artificial reef.
Decisions would have to be made on whether the site would be used for marine life or also as a dive site.
Depth, access, stability in storms and maintenance would also need to be considered.
It is understood the department preferred to use artificial reefs constructed from highly productive, stable, purpose-built reefs with expected life spans of more than 30 years over scrap metal.
Queensland Rail has been asked to look at whether the old EMU trains could be turned into an artificial reef. Credit: Alamy
No firm proposals have been received and no funding has been committed to the project or a feasibility study.
Greens MP Michael Berkman, who sponsored the petition, said supporting the voices of constituents was a great part of his job.
"The wrecks at Moreton Island are an amazing tourist attraction, and another artificial reef that commemorates Brisbane's well-loved trains is definitely worth considering," he said.
"The state and federal government would need to conduct a rigorous environment impact assessment, and traditional owners should get final say, but a "rollingstock reef" could be a beautiful addition to Moreton Bay."
Rail lobbyist Robert Dow said the retired EMU trains were currently being stored in stabling yards.
"As to suitability for a reef, I'm not in a position to say either way, but my gut feeling is they're too fragile and I don't think they'd last too long in the ocean," he said.
"They're not like a ship, a ship is designed to be in the sea to a certain degree."
There are several artificial reefs in Queensland, including at Moreton Bay, the Great Sandy Marine Park, ex-HMAS Brisbane, and ex-HMAS Tobruk.
Dive operators declared the sinking of the ex-HMAS Tobruk a "stuff-up" after it landed on its side, although the Queensland government said a report showed it could still be accessed by beginner divers.
<www.brisbanetimes.com.au/politics/queensland/government-considers-sinking-old-trains-for-a-rollingstock-reef-20190201-p50v5a.html>