Mate! Please keep up your amazing work...So cool. You are the only person that shows a true insight to the wonderful expansion of Sydney's transport system. I grew up in Sydney...6th generation. I know....bloody convicts:)
Very well researched Paul. I am working as one of the engineers for the Central Station upgrade and your documentation is pretty much spot on! At least the first half of Central Walk and the Northsouth Concourse should be opened for public access within the end of the year - fingers crossed.
Thanks Alson, Glad that my video is pretty much spot on! It's taken me a while to get my head around all the changes! Looking forward to covering these areas when they open, hopefully in time for Christmas 😀
Lots of new escalators - will make access so much easier for those who find steps a challenge. FYI going from 10 to 52 escalators - the maths is 420% increase (addition increase) or 520% (mulitplicative increase) depends which way you want to look at it.
Many thanks for this celebration of our public transport system. No bleating, just solid information. We rely on people like you to keep us up to date, the main stream media being fully engaged in navel-gazing.
Thanks Leven, glad you enjoyed this video. Yes, I like to keep my videos factual, positive and upbeat, as there are a lot of good things happening with public transport, especially right now!
Thanks Kerry! I appreciate your feedback. Yes I hope they do! - I reckon my videos will get some renewed interest when this part of Sydney Metro opens in 2024.
Thanks. I like the comparison with older footage, so that those who witnessed Central before the reconstruction can relate to the changes. Keep up the good work.
I used to think i knew central so well but oh my… i think i’ve for sure forgotten what it used to look like. I’m excited for central walk to be completed (hopefully sometime this year) so i can see it for myself, but until then your videos are fantastic! Greatly appreciated :)
Yes me too, and it's changed so much! Glad you appreciate my videos, and I'm looking forward to filming Central Walk when it opens (and future updates until it does).
Wow, Paul, that was fantastic. I can’t believe all the work you have put into this video. Definitely be coming up to Sydney for a look in 2023. Hope you do a similar video on Chatswood portal. 👍
Thanks Glen! Yes this video was a lot of work, and I've learnt so much about Central station from doing it! Future updates will be much easier now, as I'll know exactly what to look for! Yes I'm doing weekly trips to Chatswood Dive Site. Things are progressing, but fairly slowly, so I'll probably do another update in 2 to 4 weeks time.
I was at Central on the 10th August and spent some time looking at the work. You just solved a few questions about things I saw, especially the building with the brick based artwork on them. Don’t stop I’m learning new things…..
Hi David, Glad this video answered your questions. It is quite complicated, and in previous updates, I've got some bits wrong, so I really went to town on my research this time! Yes will keep going - Redfern and Parramatta Light Rail updates coming soon!
THis was fascinating, thank you for your effort. As a 5-days a week commuter pre-covid who is now working from home, it was wonderful to see the progress Central's refurb that I haven't witnessed for so long. Subscribed 😀
What an amazing project! So complex made even more challenging by working while the busiest station in Sydney remains operational! Hey thanks More Locations! More Locations has a great collection of walks around a lot of different neighborhoods in Sydney. It will form the basis of an irreplaceable archive of life as it was in Sydney in the 2000’s! Check him out! And thanks Paul for another detailed progress report. Can’t wait to get back to Sydney to experience it all in person.
RU-vid recommended this to me. I really appreciate this extensive update! I moved out of Sydney in 2018 and I haven't been able to visit Sydney CBD since before the pandemic, so this has been an absolutely wonderful watch to see how the upgrades are coming along! 😁✨
Love this Paul. I live in Melbourne now so to be able to visualise all of this was amazing - can’t wait to see it unfold when I’m next in Sydney. Great work, thank you.
Great work!! The map really helps understand whats going on. Its hard to keep up with all the temporary walls. I’m glad to see they didn’t half ass this project and there is a lot of visual harmony, I love the new northern concourse and how it integrates with the old structure. I am a fan of the design language, the rounded elevators, the glass floors to let natural light through, the rounded canopees like at light rail stations. All I want for christmas now is an extension of central walk under tracks 1-10 with maybe 4 tracks for an underground HSR station with a tunnel going north on the eastern side of the harbour bridge all the way to Brisbane, and a tunnel south with a portal near Redfern so it can link to the intercity tracks for Melbourne services. Oh a man can dream!
Thankyou so much Paul for this in depth video the amount of work and editing you have accomplished has not gone unnoticed. I look for to the next update of Central Station.
Thanks Leigh, glad you appreciate this in depth video. There is so much happening, so it was good to cover it all in one video. I'll definitely do more frequent updates for Central Station. It's an easy station to film, as I'm often passing through it on my way to other locations.
I used to live in Sydney, commuting via Central Station each day. I remember it being a huge, widespread, confusing mess. Looking forward to how it'll be post-upgrade. Your video is very well documented, clear, easy to digest and engaging at the same time. Well done, mate. Keep up the great work and well done on your 5k subscribers. I've now added 1 more subscriber to your count. ;)
An excellent video and very easy to follow. The developments are very exciting and the canopies look lovely with that rounded end detail. I haven't been to Central for years and will definitely make the effort next time I am in Sydney. 😊✔
Thanks for your feedback Pauline. Glad you enjoyed this video. Yes, these are once in a generation changes, so very exciting! Hopefully, by the time you visit, Central Walk will have opened. It’s planned to open late this year.
Thanks Paul for this amazing instalment. Deserving of an Oscar! Looks like you have had access to areas out of bounds to others. Good work. Your work has provided an important historical record for generations to come. When all is complete, all the episodes you have made would maoe a rivetting long production . By the way. Of all the railway stations in the State, Sydney is the only city not named. ( today's trivia)
Thanks Luke! It was all viewed from public places, with occasional footage above the hoardings. Yes I hope that people will watch my update videos in years to come. I might do a summary update after it's all finished and opened. Thanks for the bit of trivia too!
I know you are probably spending most of your time working on these update videos, but considering you are one of the best channels on RU-vid for explaining the layout of infrastructure it would be cool if you could go around the underground stations in Sydney and essentially document their layouts. There are maps about but your attention to detail is second to none, and I know (since I don't live in Sydney) it can be a bit difficult to understand the layout of many of these stations. You would do a good job of identifying all of the passageways and entrances from the street, where the elevators and escalators are as well as all of the different tunnels that you might not know exist unless you go looking for them. I know from looking on google street view, one of the exits from museum station that goes through a tunnel under the road, has (or had) a gated off passageway, I am not sure whether this is a permanently closed exit or whether it ever was an exit, but I think going over this stuff would be quite helpful to anyone who wants to use these stations that has never been before.
Yes I might do that when things calm down with the Sydney Metro work. Definitely keen to cover Wynyard, as that had a major upgrade a few years ago, and Museum is one of my favourite stations, so that would be fun to do as well. It is still possible to access Museum Station from Park Street via various passageways. (I did this last week) They might be closed at weekends though.
Amazing transformation, thanks for covering and sharing this. Was only just looking at one of my photos from 1982 of a Northern Tablelands Express DEB Set on platform 13 and a V Set on 14. The difference is astounding to what is happening now.
Wow....an absolutely brilliant and informative Vlog Paul...I always look forward to your updates...can’t wait for the the upgrade to finish so that I can experience it in person..well done!
Thanks Terence! I appreciate your wonderful feedback! Yes me too! I'm looking forward to covering some completed facilities. Hopefully the Sydenham Station Aerial Concourse will be soon (still not opened when I checked this week).
Thanks! Pleased to hear that you found it easy to follow along. It can be quite challenging sometimes to work out a logical order. Glad you appreciate the work and effort involved.
Central train station looks amazing it's look like the Central train station got major upgrades & major overhaul it looked different what it was before & Central train station got extra escalators & Lifts & I liked Central train station better than what it was before.
Thank you again Paul for all your amazing and in-depth hard work. It's fascinating, and I totally got lost this time, even when I used to use Central everyday. Love the Hitchhiker's reference. Arthur Dent would be proud. 😂
Thanks Danielle, I couldn't resist the Hitchhikers reference! Yes it is fascinating seeing all the changes and exploring all the different passageways that make up Central Station.
That's a massive upgrade for Central train station I hope Sydney Metro Rail Line from Chatswood Train Station open this is gotta be good. If it is I be able to travel from Chatswood Train Station to Sydenham Train Station.
Great video, very comprehensive. I'm looking forward to having a wander through the underground when it's all opened up - then going back to the old daily mope along the Devonshire St tunnel, I really wish they'd found a way to bore a hole through from the southwest end of the new works to Railway Square. Not that it's any great hardship as it is, but they've been excavating like mad sandworms down there, and naturally my route is the one that's unchanged :)
Yes - I use the Devonshire Street tunnel regularly, and also keep wishing there was better connection than having to walk almost to Chalmers Street and the half way back to get to platform 16 or almost the whole way back to get to Platform 4!
Hey Paul.Nice update on central station.Great work.Unfortunately I don’t think the Suburban tunnel will ever reopen even if it was a alternative link to the northern concourse because recently there has been a barrier added so no one can even see the door but Central walk could be the Suburban rail tunnel’s replacement cause if you look at the map he made you will realise that the Suburban tunnel is north east ish of Central walk.Lovely work.All the best.Zeb
You're very welcome Zeb. I think you're probably right. Central Walk and the metro concourse will pretty much duplicate what the suburban tunnel did (and on a much larger scale), so as you say, it will be the replacement.
I'm interested to see just how long it will take before they look to extend Central Walk to the west, under platforms 1-11, to then exit at the new Central Square proposed by the City of Sydney Council.
Paul, thanks so much for another detailed update. I thought I had been through this before however, I believe this new update incorporates a lot of the previous or earlier ones for clarity of the changes. I particularly like what they are finally doing to the old heritage building with the tiles in the front. It will look lovely when it is finished. I am catching up on Carlingford tomorrow IO missed the other day due to running out of time. Thanks heaps, again.
You're very welcome Geoff. Yes, I did recap on some of what has happened earlier, in this video. Look forward to seeing the Carlingford photos. I am planning to do an update for Parramatta Light Rail during August.
Looking forward to all these escalators! We come through central when we fly to Sydney, it’s always been annoying to have to lug bags down the stairs from one platform and then up again!
Could you cover what is happening at the other end near the bus stations? Do you know? You have the big tunnel running through the station - Are they going to update this? Then when you come out you used to have Hungry Jacks, shops, Chemist and all these have now closed. There is a proposal for a new building outside next to the station but what are the plans with the update here? There are supposed to be above ground large garden areas as well somewhere?
Hi Liam, everything that I covered in the video is related to the upgrade work for Sydney Metro. I'm not aware of any upgrades to the bus stations or the Devonshire tunnel. However, the fact that Hungry Jacks and shops have closed, must mean that something is happening around there. I'll do some research and include in a future update. In the meantime, I found this article that might help - www.transport.nsw.gov.au/projects/current-projects/central-precinct-renewal-program
At 16.50 Is that crane in the background lowering a full escalator into place. If it is, that's a unique view of this event. Fabulous video thanks. Looking forward to your updates.
Great update haven't been to Central for nearly a month, a lot of progress has happened. I always do a thorough walk through all these areas when I visit Central. Am very disappointed, replacement of the Country Trains hall roof with a new clear polycarbonate roof has been cancelled to save money. I would have built a polycarbonate roof over all suburban and country trains platforms and removed the existing canopies/metal pillars in addition. No more getting wet boarding trains.
Thanks Kevin, glad you enjoyed it! Yes lots is happening at Central Station. The overhead wire gantries and moving escalators were a late addition to the video! Yes the Country Platforms canopies really do need replacing!
This had to be one of my favourite videos on this channel. Incredibly in depth and descriptive of every detail of this complex and magnificent project. Sydney's transport system is going to be hugely benefited when the Central Station upgrade and Sydney metro projects are complete. I certainly can't wait for this to open. Quick question, do you plan on covering the remainder of stations on the Western Sydney Airport line other than St Mary's anytime soon?
Glad you enjoyed this video so much. I feel that it's the best one that I've done so far! Definitely Orchard Road. I've now been there twice to film the buildings being demolished. Luddenham is tricky as its on a hill and I can't see anything from the construction site entrance. The maintenance facility site is challenging too, as the access roads are private and dirt roads. The Airport Terminal and Business Park stations are impossible to get too, being inside the Airport construction site. And the Aerotropolis site entrance is a long way from the actual site as well. So it's tricky! I wanted to film the hangers being demolished at Kennett's Airfield, but I can't get to that either! I would have gone last year before the construction sites were established, but with lockdown and then playing catch-up on the other metro projects, it just didn't happen! So definitely Orchard Hill in the next couple of months, and I might have to rely on Sydney Metro, Google Maps and other footage to cover the other stations.
Thanks! - Glad you enjoyed it! I'm starting to make some contacts with TfNSW as a result of these videos, and that might lead to some interesting opportunities in the future.
Yes that's right! - There is nothing within the grand concourse at the moment, which is sad! Hopefully the cafe and shop that sold sandwiches etc will reopen soon! There are places close to the Central Electric Building entrance (where I filmed the outro) that sell food and drinks.
Awesome video Paul, the wait was worth it. In the section that you mentioned about slopes and raises on the platforms has something to do with those staircases that lead to the Olympic tunnel (or the other stairs at the north of plt. 16) being elevated lower.
That's interesting Craig. When doing my research, I found out that the platform 20&21 and 22&23 stairs were only added in 2018, as a temporary measure during the Central Walk construction. I could probably do a whole video on the Olympic / Suburban Tunnel as it has quite a bit of history!
Wow - another totally comprehensive update Paul! Sorry, i think the new brick buildings with the 'artwork' on the sides are simply eyesores and look like they were designed 80 years ago. Id love to know what is happening to the Eliz St to Railway Sq tunnel in the future. Will it be upgraded or gone? Also, will all the other platforms be upgraded to the new canopies? They look impressive.
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. Yes, the ventilation and services buildings are not that appealing to look at, even with the artwork. I'm not yet up to speed on any changes to Central Station beyond the Sydney Metro project. I know that there are further development plans for Central Station, and I agree that it would be wonderful to see new canopies on the other platforms!
I've been Australia for Working Holiday few years ago . Sydney is my favorite city . And I'm a metro fan as well , especially of the train and metro maps . 😁😁😁😁😁
Thumbs up 👍 for all the "homework" you've done to make this video. The artwork.... I think it's very basic aboriginal "dreamtime" art.. 🧐🤔 Though I could be wrong. Cheers Mate from a fellow Sydneysider 😉
Hi Rhett, I think that might well happen, as it would free up paths to increase frequencies on the T4 line. In the off-peak, some services already start and finish in the terminating platforms (often platform 11).
This sort of info has really been helping me (a person on the spectrum) deal with changes to my routine, so a big thank you to you. I struggle a lot with stairs so i change at Central instead of Redfern, and now they've gone and closed the lift near the stairs at 11.20. So annoying! Any news on the lifts at Redfern?
So glad this video is helping you. You're very welcome. I think that lift was only closed temporarily. It was open in late July. Yes the Redfern lifts and entrances are progressing well. Planning to do an update video on this, hopefully within the next month.
Hi Paul, thanks for sharing another most interesting video. I remember riding the long escalators at Central heading down to the Eastern Suburbs Railway, just after it opened back in 1979. How will the single escalator operate in only one direction? Will it change direction at different times of day? Will there be a new Platform 15 or has this been cut out completely? Incidentally, many years ago, they tried playing assorted music mixed with platform announcements on some of the railway stations in Sydney. From memory, Sydenham played popular music, Redfern played classical music and Central was playing Easy Listening music. The whole idea was very short lived, though quite entertaining while it lasted. Anyway, take care and all the very best. Rob.
Hi Rob, you're very welcome! Yes the single escalator will probably operate i in the peak direction - probably down in the morning peak and up in the evening peak. No, platform 15 is gone forever! - Apparently, it was only used to stable trains in the past. Interesting about trialling music at stations. It probably sounded terrible in the PA systems that were in use back then!
Great video Paul, Central station is finding it's inner beauty to match the stunning exterior. Question for you or the community - is there any commentary on the impact on the utilisation of the City Circle / Platforms 17-25 given the Bankstown line will move to the Metro tracks / platform. Curious if this will result in changes to the other lines which use the City Circle (track routing changes or increase in services)
Yes, morning peak services on the T2 and T8 lines will increase by about 80% as a result of the "More Trains, More Services Program" with trains running every 3-4 mins on the airport section of the T8 line. Frequencies will also be increased at other times as well. This is all possible by freeing up paths used by the T3 and reducing conflicting movements south of Central Station. I will cover this in a separate video, probably next year, as more information is likely to be available then.
Yes that's right @Rocketdog. It will be interesting to see how these are routed between Lidcombe and Central, especially whether they use the local or suburban lines.
The link from metro concourse to the southern tunnel you suggest is not going to happen, only the short stair link to the existing tunnel for 4-11. Also the hoarded area to the north of the platform 24-25 lift will be for some new toilets. The Chalmers St entrance is a little south of central walk.
Thanks for that. Yes the plans seem to indicate a stair link to the southern tunnel for platforms 4 to 11 only. Also great to hear that there will be toilets behind the hooded area in the eastern suburbs passageway. It did seem slightly too far north to connect with Central Walk and the Chalmers Street entrance,
won't know whether i'm arthur or martha for some time walking around all these new areas. still reserving judgement on a lot of the design, but i'm finding it less of putting than i did initially. the platform numbering is going to get confusing, but if they renumber the existing ones i think i'll cry.
Hi Karl, I don't think the platforms will be renumbered. See other comments for the reasons why! Personally I much prefer the northern concourse now, with the much higher roof, and more space.
@@TransportVlog because currently when people exit the station they have to cross paths with people going up to the platforms. Creates congestion. So more efficient to swap them.
Hi Adrian, it’s not part of the current upgrade, but it’s definitely being talked about! The space for Central Walk to be extended to cover platforms 1 to 11 has been safeguarded.
I'm very surprised that the new Metro platforms are planned to be numbered 26 and 27. It seems like it would be quite confusing to have higher numbered-platforms on the side of the lower-numbered platforms. I thought that the new Platform 14 you mentioned could be called Platform 13A, and then the Metro platforms would be 14 and 15. But that would also be confusing having a 13A that's not directly connected to Platform 13... The fact that there's a net gain of 1 platform in the middle of the station certainly complicates things.
I don't think there is an easy solution to the platform numbering, and I think people will get used to the metro platforms being 26 & 27. I originally thought they were going to be platforms A and B, but that could be more confusing!
I would like to know what is the masonry cladding over the concrete and steel arch holding up the Central Electric building? I wonder if it is the same stone as the original building, just paler due to being more recently quarried. I noticed some pale patches of restored stonework on your exterior shot of this building.
Hello paul! Just to let you know, on Saturday this week, there will be a 4 car s set tour from strathfield at 9:30am to port kembla. Will you be able to get some footage?
Hi Yandere, thanks for the info on the S Set tour. Not sure what my plans are for Saturday at the moment, but I'm sure someone will capture it on film and post it on RU-vid if I don't!
Hi Josh, yes there are more services planned, especially on the NSW Trainlink lines to Newcastle, Lithgow and Wollongong when the new Mariyung Trains start running. Platforms 12 to 14 will become very popular with quick access to the metro below!
As part of the More Trains More Services program, the Govt is planning to increase SCO services to 4 trains an hour in the peak, so these additional trains will likely use these platforms. I think we will also see the T9 gradually moved to always terminating at Central as more services are added to the T1
When I saw you said that it was still stuck in the 70s, I baulked for a moment because to me it’s still feels new. 🤣 It opened up a few months after I first started work, and compare to Wynyard and Townhall stations, the eastern suburbs railway felt very futuristic. I can’t believe that it’s 43 years old!
I reckon it will alternate, perhaps down in the morning peak, and up in the evening peak. I'm not sure, but it will certainly be capable of going in either direction.
I’m confused, if the suburban tunnel between the north and south concourse follows approximately the line of the steps up to the platforms, which have been replaced by escalators and the escalators are in the middle of the Central Walk, doesn’t that mean that The Central Walk would have taken the space that the suburban tunnel used to be ?
Hi Francesco, the stairs from platforms 16&17 and 18&19 to the Suburban Tunnel were on the SOUTH side of the tunnel. You are right that these are being replaced with the north escalators, but these will be on the NORTH side of Central Walk. So the Central Walk Tunnel itself is a further south, than the Suburban Tunnel. It's just the escalators that are taking up the space of the stairs. Hope that makes more sense now! It took me a while to get my head around this, and the other work!
Do you know if they are upgrading the tunnel as part of the central station upgrade? I couldn't find anything on it but it really needs an upgrade. So long, hot and humid... could really do with a travelator
I assume you're referring to the Devonshire Street Tunnel? It's not part of the current upgrade which is all part of the Sydney Metro Project. However, it may get an upgrade as part of the Atlassian Development that is happening nearby. I covered this briefly in this video - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-rYMUExzGO0w.html
Very detailed video, thank you so much! Do the changes to the platforms mean that platform 15 will be skipped and the order will go from 14 to 16 at Central? That would be quite funny if that's the case and potentially be a mystery for future generations if they don't watch this fantastic video!
Hi Harry, yes that's right. What happened to platform 15 will be a trivia question for future generations! Glad you enjoyed this video, and thanks for your lovely feedback.
if you looked ,more closely to lift on left of orignal escalators from nrothern comcourse - its seems might been moved to new locatopn or rebuilt in same location? might been same shaft but rebuilt? this could ciovered in next video?
Hi Andrew, yes I also noticed the lifts in the more locations footage. I think like the escalators, they were replaced with new ones in a different location. Information on what happened is a little sketchy, but if I can find out, then I'll cover it in a future update.
It's Chalmers St and Randle St not Lane. I checked on Google Maps unless there is a Randle Lane. Very good video. Not been there for a while. I see light rail is opposite Chelmers St entrance too which I had not seen before as left a few years ago.
Hi Dwight, Thanks! Glad you enjoyed this video. Yes that's right, the new Chalmers Street entrance is very close to the light rail stop. Randle Lane is between Chalmers Street and Randle Street. Here is a link to it - www.google.com/maps/place/Randle+Ln,+Surry+Hills+NSW+2010/@-33.8849007,151.2069796,19z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x6b12ae21991028a7:0x830bfb039238faf4!8m2!3d-33.8849007!4d151.2075268.
What about the Country Lines 1 to ? are there any changes plus can do show what it's like in the main concourse and bus terminal haven't been to Syd for 13 years it would great to see all the changes
No.. I'm pretty sure there's nothing happening over there on 1 & 2 country lines (I think 3 & 4, 5 & 6 are also country lines/platforms). They're not even intercity lines/platforms. So there really is only a couple of trains a day on them. And they're of course not suburban commuter platforms as well. Considering they're not commuter trains & platforms like the rest who passenger's need fast access to get from a-b.. So for those I think it's like you're basically expected to be at those platforms ready to depart. Considering there's only a couple of trains a day you would've had Alot of time to arrive at the station.. because your trip would've been planned.
Hi Robyn, I don't think much has changed for platforms 1 to 11 or the bus terminal over the last decade or so. I do plan to do further videos at Central Station, including one on the Indian Pacific, as that's quite interesting to watch, as they have to split the train across 2 platforms.
Hi Nick, I went to Barangaroo last week and the main change is the moving of Hickson Road. I’ve got some footage of how it looks right now, but I think I’ll do an update next month and perhaps combine it with Martin Place and Pitt Street.
Yes that's right. No more platform 15! Apparently it was only used to stable trains in recent years, so Sydney Trains should be able to manage without it!
Do you know what they are doing at Mascot station? I understood they were putting in an unground walkway to the other side of the road but I must be wrong on the scope of the work as they have been working on it for ages and there's a permanent crane, surely they must be doing a lot more than just an under road walkway
Hi Michael, yes I've noticed work happening there and as @ra ph says, there will be a new entrance. You can find more details here - www.transport.nsw.gov.au/news-and-events/media-releases/major-mascot-station-upgrade-underway.
@@michaelclement1337 Yes quite a lot happening there! Normally I would probably cover a scheme such as Mascot, but there is just too much else happening at the moment, but I'll definitely cover it when it opens (or possibly before)
