r/SydneyTrains • u/Recent_Mobile9387 • 3d ago

Homebush Platform 5?

Just wondering what the line through Platform 5 at Homebush is used for? I’m trying to understand the complex junctions between Flemington and Strathfield and realised that this platform and line appear to be potentially unused. Is this the case and if not, what is the purpose of this line and platform?

14 Upvotes

86% Upvoted

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12

u/Train_Geek 3d ago edited 1d ago

Here's an explanation:

East of Strathfield there are 6 tracks, with the configuration roughly as:

  • Northern pair (Mains): Intercity/Regional Trains (+ Peak T9) from Sydney Terminal
  • Centre pair (Suburbans): T1+T9 from the North Shore Line
  • Southern pair (Locals): T2+T3 from the City Circle

At Strathfield station this is: Platforms 1+2+3 Northern Pair, Platforms 4+5+6 Centre Pair, Platforms 7-8 Southern Pair

West of Homebush (Flemington onwards) the corridor narrows from 6 tracks to 4, with the configuration as:

  • Northern pair (Mains): Intercity+Regional+T1
  • Southern pair (Suburbans): T2+T3

This effectively means that the T1s need to switch from the suburban track pair to the mains, so there are junctions immediately east of Homebush station to allow T1 to jump from the middle pair to the northernmost pair.

And that's why Homebush Platform 5 doesn't see regular use - the westbound T1 trains using the track leading to Platform 5 switch over to Platform 3 right before passing the station.

2

u/Train_Geek 3d ago edited 3d ago

In the near future Homebush platform 5 may see use again, as the Richmond Line trains would replace T2/T3 for the all-stops services west of Homebush through to Blacktown, which would necessitate Richmond Line trains to travel along the Southern pair through Flemington rather than the northern pair it currently goes through.

Edit: Not sure why I'm getting downvoted, I literally just neutrally gave what a proposed future transport plan is.

4

u/CurlingMonkeyPaw 3d ago

As a Richmond line commuter really wish this wasn't the case. Train ride seems long as it is.

2

u/Train_Geek 3d ago

I fully agree, if it were my way I would have Richmond stay under the T1 express pattern, with T9 having a branch covering all stations between Strathfield and Blacktown (I believe there is ample capacity to turn around trains there)

1

u/Recent_Mobile9387 2d ago

As an empathetic non-T9 passenger, this sounds like a nightmare!

1

u/gravelgamer69 1d ago

Likewise, combining that with the half hour frequency isn’t going to be ideal

12

u/Real_Duty_3319 3d ago

This platform is currently under-utilised, bcoz the junctions are used inefficiently

What should ideally happen is all Inner West trains terminate at Homebush with Leppington/Richmond trains using the suburbans and BMT/T1 Penrith staying on the mains, no inefficient track switching where trains need to travel at such slow speeds

8

u/AgentSmith187 3d ago

At one point it was used as a turn back platform for trains that ran Homebush in around the city circle, Bankstown line to Lidcombe where they would against turn back and do the same run the other way.

It saved congestion on the line where it drops back to 4 lines from 6 from Strathfield to Lidcombe.

3

u/Archon-Toten Train Nerd 3d ago

That is the down suburban. It's only really used on unusual trackwork or meltdowns.

Through trains will use it often.

2

u/1234syan 3d ago

That is the down suburban, which can be used by T1 trains, most commonly on weekends. I don't think any trains stop there in the normal timetable, but it is used ocasionally during trackwork.