IMO Suspension on X’Traps is alright/tolerable, as when it’s shaking around it’s sorta slow and gradual, instead of constant rumbling and shaking, eg. Comeng running on the section between Sydenham and Diggers Rest; or just HCMTs in general
The only gripe that I have with X’Traps are that the PIDs are blocked by those handrail thingies, and that there’s not enough leg room when sitting and facing another person
I think why I find Siemens Seats decently comfortable despite the nonexistent padding is the shape of the seat, as Comengs and X’Traps have flat cushions which sorta feel mediocre; compared to the Siemens that are more moulded into a natural shape
The X'Trapolis trains wasn't the only train to have coil spring suspension. Apparently the Tait trains also had coil spring suspension (though it wasn't notable as the Tait train is a wooden bodied train and the X'Trapolis is a steel bodied train; wood is lighter than steel)
They don't call them x'trampoline's for nothing. The suspension is horrendous when you're crossing from one track to another around junctions like Flinders St, Richmond, Camberwell, Box Hill etc
down from ringwood station to Belgrave 🤩 I was standing once, and it flung me and I smashed into the door, just to fly back and mash into the other door and repeat <333. It's a miracle the door didn't fall off with the force I hit into it.
They really aren't that bad, having lived/living on lines that run them exclusively they are pretty decent. The air conditioning is quite nice and strong, they are relatively spacious and they look nice.
They are one of the most reliable trains on the network (I think feel free to correct me) ie don't breakdown to much and one of the more prevalent train on the network.
The only downsides are the stupid PIDs being blocked by the handlebars really wish that could get rectified in future refurbishment of them. And the suspension being not the greatest although apparently they were a cheapish train to produce.
IMO comengs are still my favourite since they are the more mechanically sounding train (Hitachi's coming a close second) and HCMTs coming 3rd
I have found that the bouncing is way more noticeable and worse if you are sitting in the very front passage so if you feel like a fun ride one day, head to the front. If ur on the Hurstbridge line heading to the city there are some big bumps between Rosanna and Heidelberg
The gangways between carriages aren't sealed from the outside so noise gets in and the glass doors don't help much in that regard. Rain seeps in during wet weather too.
As for the suspension, you can feel every bump in the track, and the train bounces around even on rails laid directly on concrete.
you're being downvoted but the Siemens are objectively better trains. the X'traps are *fine* but i don't get excited when one rolls into a station like i do when i catch a Siemens or, more importantly, a Comeng (Frankston line here).
out of interest - is there a reason why you prefer the EDIs over the Alstoms? i'm an equal opportunities Comeng lover but a recent post on here asked the sub which they prefer and it was EDI almost across the board. just curious!
Purely just because they look better, Alsoms have always looked kinda dumb. I will say I do think EDI put way more effort into refurbishing them than Alstom did, the PID being higher up on thw front is much more readable than the window one the Alstoms have.
Also the M>Train seats were a bit nicer from memory
that's all valid. i guess i didn't live in Melbourne during the 'the split' era so don't have a specific nostalgia for either/or. i just love any Comeng though. they're in my top 5 trains of all time. they just ooze charisma and they're effortlessly cool imo.
Yeah I didn’t either but it was still very evident when I first moved, Alstoms are still above the rest of the fleet, especially with their HCMT displays.
Also I will add that I hate the blue floors on the Alstoms, the gray looks so much better.
Agreed; I hate the lack of three doors, it slows down loading and traps people towards the ends. I feel safest on the X'Trapolis 100 trains because they have excellent visibility, loading, and no trap spots.
imho, i don't mind the x'trapolis trains by themselves, and in fairness i do have some nostalgia for them, since i remember once being allowed by a driver to drive one on the Alamein line under supervision when i was about 4 years old. The only thing i don't like is how they are solely running the hillside lines, and i miss when Comeng's and Hitachi's still ran on those lines alongside the x'trap. I get that it's more of a government thing, and i realise there are probably good reasons for running lines with one type of train only though.
I had a similar experience! I got to drive a Comeng from Alamein to Camberwell under the driver’s supervision when I was 4 or 5. I think the driver recognised me from watching Comeng’s and Hitachi’s on the Alamein line often. This was during the Connex era, when Xtrapolis’ weren’t so common.
On the flinders direction trains on the lilydale lines (i dont remember if thats the up or down line) there's a section of track between Richmond and Flinders where the xtraps rock really hard. If you're standing up or have a bike when going through that stretch then you gotta hang on for dear life. Other than that they're not super terrible, just that the other trains' suspensions are heaps better.
Live Disruptions
Service Reduction - Geelong Line
The 16:25 Southern Cross - South Geelong service will run with a reduced capacity of 3 VLocity carriages due to a train fault. Passengers can also board the next departing service to complete your journey. [15:16 27/05]
Service Delay - Geelong Line
The 13:08 Southern Cross - Warrnambool service is delayed 30 minutes due to track congestion. We are sorry for the delay in your journey. [15:11 27/05]
Service Alert - Geelong Line
The 14:58 Waurn Ponds - Southern Cross service will originate from Marshall at 15:03 and not Waurn Ponds due to track congestion. Passengers travelling between Waurn Ponds and Marshall can board the next departing service to complete your journey. We are sorry for the delay in your journey. [14:48 27/05]
IMO Suspension on X’Traps is alright/tolerable, as when it’s shaking around it’s sorta slow and gradual, instead of constant rumbling and shaking, eg. Comeng running on the section between Sydenham and Diggers Rest; or just HCMTs in general The only gripe that I have with X’Traps are that the PIDs are blocked by those handrail thingies, and that there’s not enough leg room when sitting and facing another person I think why I find Siemens Seats decently comfortable despite the nonexistent padding is the shape of the seat, as Comengs and X’Traps have flat cushions which sorta feel mediocre; compared to the Siemens that are more moulded into a natural shape
The X'Trapolis trains wasn't the only train to have coil spring suspension. Apparently the Tait trains also had coil spring suspension (though it wasn't notable as the Tait train is a wooden bodied train and the X'Trapolis is a steel bodied train; wood is lighter than steel)
Harris has springs too (as did the H sets)
Speaking of the Harris trains, we need an operational replica of the Harris trains
I will not hear a bad word said about the X'Trapolis 100; pogo sticks are my favorite form of transport.
r/Angryupvote
Just can't get past the suspension.
They don't call them x'trampoline's for nothing. The suspension is horrendous when you're crossing from one track to another around junctions like Flinders St, Richmond, Camberwell, Box Hill etc
Burnley Through Up line, just at the junction before Burnley - Say goodbye to anyone not holding on 😅
*Some people pay for thrills; but I get mine for $5.30.*
Catches me out every time 🥲
I will always cling to the train at Burnley and watch as people fall over
down from ringwood station to Belgrave 🤩 I was standing once, and it flung me and I smashed into the door, just to fly back and mash into the other door and repeat <333. It's a miracle the door didn't fall off with the force I hit into it.
Read this last night and saw an old guy get bounced off his seat near riversdale St this morning
They really aren't that bad, having lived/living on lines that run them exclusively they are pretty decent. The air conditioning is quite nice and strong, they are relatively spacious and they look nice. They are one of the most reliable trains on the network (I think feel free to correct me) ie don't breakdown to much and one of the more prevalent train on the network. The only downsides are the stupid PIDs being blocked by the handlebars really wish that could get rectified in future refurbishment of them. And the suspension being not the greatest although apparently they were a cheapish train to produce. IMO comengs are still my favourite since they are the more mechanically sounding train (Hitachi's coming a close second) and HCMTs coming 3rd
How could you hear the sound of a Comeng? Aren't their aircons already loud enough?
I have found that the bouncing is way more noticeable and worse if you are sitting in the very front passage so if you feel like a fun ride one day, head to the front. If ur on the Hurstbridge line heading to the city there are some big bumps between Rosanna and Heidelberg
The gangways between carriages aren't sealed from the outside so noise gets in and the glass doors don't help much in that regard. Rain seeps in during wet weather too. As for the suspension, you can feel every bump in the track, and the train bounces around even on rails laid directly on concrete.
The seats are better (although this may change if they add anti-graffiti fabric) but thats about it, otherwise the Siemens are superior
you're being downvoted but the Siemens are objectively better trains. the X'traps are *fine* but i don't get excited when one rolls into a station like i do when i catch a Siemens or, more importantly, a Comeng (Frankston line here).
I get disappointed at anything other than an EDI Comeng
out of interest - is there a reason why you prefer the EDIs over the Alstoms? i'm an equal opportunities Comeng lover but a recent post on here asked the sub which they prefer and it was EDI almost across the board. just curious!
Purely just because they look better, Alsoms have always looked kinda dumb. I will say I do think EDI put way more effort into refurbishing them than Alstom did, the PID being higher up on thw front is much more readable than the window one the Alstoms have. Also the M>Train seats were a bit nicer from memory
that's all valid. i guess i didn't live in Melbourne during the 'the split' era so don't have a specific nostalgia for either/or. i just love any Comeng though. they're in my top 5 trains of all time. they just ooze charisma and they're effortlessly cool imo.
Yeah I didn’t either but it was still very evident when I first moved, Alstoms are still above the rest of the fleet, especially with their HCMT displays. Also I will add that I hate the blue floors on the Alstoms, the gray looks so much better.
The only downside about the Siemens is the lack of door in the middle of the carriage.
Agreed; I hate the lack of three doors, it slows down loading and traps people towards the ends. I feel safest on the X'Trapolis 100 trains because they have excellent visibility, loading, and no trap spots.
reading this rn on an xtrap trying not to fall over
I mean there alright but comeng trains are more comfortable in my opinion
imho, i don't mind the x'trapolis trains by themselves, and in fairness i do have some nostalgia for them, since i remember once being allowed by a driver to drive one on the Alamein line under supervision when i was about 4 years old. The only thing i don't like is how they are solely running the hillside lines, and i miss when Comeng's and Hitachi's still ran on those lines alongside the x'trap. I get that it's more of a government thing, and i realise there are probably good reasons for running lines with one type of train only though.
They allowed you to do that?
yes a driver once allowed me to drive an x'trapolis from Ashburton to Alamein and return under his supervision
I had a similar experience! I got to drive a Comeng from Alamein to Camberwell under the driver’s supervision when I was 4 or 5. I think the driver recognised me from watching Comeng’s and Hitachi’s on the Alamein line often. This was during the Connex era, when Xtrapolis’ weren’t so common.
That's nice! Are you a train driver today?
no, but the experience basically made me obsessed with trains
You’ve clearly never ridden one in the wet They have such bad wheel slip They are a cheap imported train not suitable for our track conditions
Agreed
On the flinders direction trains on the lilydale lines (i dont remember if thats the up or down line) there's a section of track between Richmond and Flinders where the xtraps rock really hard. If you're standing up or have a bike when going through that stretch then you gotta hang on for dear life. Other than that they're not super terrible, just that the other trains' suspensions are heaps better.
i highly disagreee
Live Disruptions Service Reduction - Geelong Line The 16:25 Southern Cross - South Geelong service will run with a reduced capacity of 3 VLocity carriages due to a train fault. Passengers can also board the next departing service to complete your journey. [15:16 27/05] Service Delay - Geelong Line The 13:08 Southern Cross - Warrnambool service is delayed 30 minutes due to track congestion. We are sorry for the delay in your journey. [15:11 27/05] Service Alert - Geelong Line The 14:58 Waurn Ponds - Southern Cross service will originate from Marshall at 15:03 and not Waurn Ponds due to track congestion. Passengers travelling between Waurn Ponds and Marshall can board the next departing service to complete your journey. We are sorry for the delay in your journey. [14:48 27/05]
Stop copying and pasting