Old photos from Jan and Feb 2016

I’ve been falling behind on posting my ten year old photos, so here’s January and February 2016.

Scooby Doo, where are you? Eye-catching street art in Hosier Lane.

Flinders Street Station in its old more mustardy colouring, before they restored the facade to the more original sandy look. Also note the Federation Square shard thingy at left, now demolished to make way for a new entrance to Town Hall station… opening soonish.

These tram works near the Casino gave the trams better separation from motor vehicles – definitely a good thing.

The ABC Shop in Emporium its final weeks. I miss it.

Also snapped from Emporium (next to one of the restaurants I think), this view towards Swanston Street.

Early in 2016 the V/Line VLocity fleet had huge problems with wheel wear, and level crossing safety. Metro banning them from suburban lines and large numbers of trains removed from service had significant impacts on services.

“Fully loaded” is right.

Siemens trains at the time had very few hand holds inside, leading people to grab hold of the air conditioning vents and the lights.

Not what you want to see: a Myki reader in “Emergency” mode. (I think it was a false alarm)

Also not my favourite thing: Siemens trains back then were often covered in graffiti.

Brisbane Air Train was teasing us.

I’ve always wondered how this public passageway between Flinders Lane and Collins Street, part of the 333 Collins Street building, came about. One day I must research it.

Good news! Flagstaff station was finally open every day of the week.

Clayton station’s level crossing before it was removed. This area has changed hugely, and will continue to do so as the SRL station gets built here.

The government had already signalled its intention to build elevated rail between Caulfield and Dandenong. Clearly some locals were not keen. I don’t think many would still agree that “urban slum” was the result. Over in Cheltenham, some people now wish they’d got “Sky Rail”.

Also protesting: It’s the Vibe. The fine print explains the obvious, that it’s a reference from The Castle. But what precisely were they protesting? I’m not even sure now. (And the photo was taken on an old compact camera with no GPS, so I don’t even know exactly where it was.)

A bunch of photos I have from early in 2016 are from the level crossing removals in my neck of the woods. The project was known internally as NMC (North, McKinnon, Centre) after the main roads, but those of us who navigate more by rail lines than roads might know it as the Ormond, McKinnon and Bentleigh project.

Before the works, Bentleigh station’s narrow platform at the north end. It must have been quite challenging to board with a wheelchair here. (It was not quite as narrow as some highlighted in Marcus Wong’s post here.)

Here’s McKinnon station’s sign having a little rest.

Bus detours became common during the works. Here’s a route 625 bus diverting via the low clearance Dorothy Avenue underpass.

Bus alterations resulted in some homespun signage.

A warning of impending closure of Centre Road for works.

They weren’t kidding when they said they’d close the road. For many of these projects the strategy was to build bridge decks that would later be dug out underneath.

No trains running = bus replacements. Here we see peak hour crowds coming off trains at Moorabbin to board buses to Caulfield.

Finally: these projects bring benefits, but it’s not fun when you’re stuck in a bus in the traffic. Grange Road approaching Glen Huntly.