Illawarra Junction facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Illawarra Junction |
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The interior of the Illawarra Junction Signal Box, located at Sydney Central
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| Overview | |
| Status | Operating |
| Owner | Transport Asset Holding Entity |
| Locale | Eveleigh Railway Workshops, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Coordinates | 33°53′43″S 151°11′26″E / 33.8954°S 151.1906°E |
| Connecting lines |
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| Service | |
| Type | Commuter rail |
| System | Sydney Trains |
| Operator(s) | Sydney Trains |
| Technical | |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge |
The Illawarra Junction is a very important railway hub in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It's located near the Eveleigh Railway Workshops. Think of it as a giant railway intersection where many train lines meet and connect. This busy junction helps trains from different directions get to where they need to go, especially towards Sydney Central.
Trains from the Illawarra railway line come from the south. Trains from the Main Suburban railway line arrive from the west. The junction allows these trains to switch tracks and continue their journeys smoothly.
Contents
How the Junction Works
The Illawarra Junction is a complex area with many tracks. It helps trains move between different railway lines. This setup makes sure trains can travel efficiently without getting in each other's way.
Illawarra Line Connections
Trains coming from the Illawarra line first reach a set of connections near Erskineville. Here, some trains can go into the Eastern Suburbs line through special tunnels.
Further north, there's a special tunnel called the Illawarra Dive. This tunnel allows trains from the Illawarra line to cross over to other main tracks. It does this without blocking other trains. Trains from the South Coast Line and Southern Highlands Line often use this dive. It helps them reach Sydney Terminal.
Main Suburban Line Connections
In the north-west part of the junction, near Macdonaldtown, there are many ways for trains to switch tracks. These connections help trains move between the different lines of the Main Suburban railway.
Near the Macdonaldtown Carriage Sheds, there are more connections. These allow trains from the Illawarra Local tracks to reach Sydney Terminal. There is also a tunnel from the Eveleigh Railway Workshops. This tunnel connects to the main tracks just past Redfern.
East of Redfern, the Main Suburban line ends. Here, many tracks come together. This allows trains from all three pairs of tracks to enter Sydney Terminal. Some local and suburban tracks also continue on to the City Circle and North Shore line.
Eveleigh Maintenance Centre Access
The Eveleigh Maintenance Centre is a place where trains are looked after. It is located south of the main tracks. It also sits above the Eastern Suburbs line tunnels.
There are several ways for trains to get into this centre. One connection allows trains from the Illawarra Main tracks to enter the yard. Another connection helps trains access a special bi-directional track. This track can be used for trains going in both directions. Trains from the Sydney Yard can also enter or leave through the Engine Dive. This dive goes under Redfern station to the yard.
Macdonaldtown Carriage Sheds Access
The Macdonaldtown Carriage Sheds are located between the Main Suburban and Illawarra lines. This is where train carriages are stored and maintained.
The sheds have a single entry and exit track. Trains can enter the yard from the Local lines. They can also exit the yard onto the Local or Illawarra Local lines. This setup helps manage the movement of carriages efficiently.
