Passenger Rail, Rolling stock & Rail Vehicle Design

Daytime testing begins for Sydney light rail vehicles

VIDEO: Sydney’s new light rail vehicles have begun daytime testing for the first time this week, travelling on the newly constructed line between Randwick and Moore Park.

NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian and state transport minister Andrew Constance boarded a vehicle on Tuesday for its first daytime test run. Berejiklian said it was a significant milestone for the beleaguered project, the completion of which has been set-back by one year.

“This is an exciting day for Sydney with light rail vehicle testing now underway during the day along Anzac Parade,” the premier said.

“Not only is testing of the Light Rail Vehicles underway, but the track is nearing completion with less than a kilometre left to be laid.”

The first daytime test run took place in the first energised section of the 12-kilometre light rail route between the Royal Randwick Stop on Alison Road, and Lang Road, Moore Park.

Signal sequencing at 67 intersections along the route of the line between Circular Quay, and Randwick and Kingsford are currently being finalised. Transport for NSW secretary Rodd Staples indicated to The Sydney Morning Herald that, when the line finally opens, the trams will be given priority over motorists.

“These [trams] carry 450 people, equivalent of nine buses, so you move more people through the intersection per second than you do with the old bus system,” Staples said.

“Clearly these are going to be a high priority when you’ve got 450 people on them.”

Constance said systems testing and commissioning, which includes dynamic vehicle testing, will continue as civil construction nears completion.

“This milestone should remind Sydney that the days of getting a light rail vehicle to Moore Park, the Racecourse or the hospital are just around the corner,” Constance said.

“As civil construction nears completion, more areas along the alignment will be energised, enabling testing to expand.”

Check out the video below, or click here to view the video on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/SydneyLightRailProject/videos/339388876813413/