Bambul Shakibaei
@thebambul.bsky.social
I am more active over on the bird site, though I’m trying some cross posting here
It’s based on this diagram. It shows the planned peak (off peak) frequencies are:
BMT: 4 (2) trains per hour
CCN: 10 (4) trains per hour
SCO: 6 (3) trains per hour
Currently those numbers are (from memory):
BMT: 4 (1) trains per hour
CCN: 8 (2) trains per hour
SCO: 3 (1) trains per hour
BMT: 4 (2) trains per hour
CCN: 10 (4) trains per hour
SCO: 6 (3) trains per hour
Currently those numbers are (from memory):
BMT: 4 (1) trains per hour
CCN: 8 (2) trains per hour
SCO: 3 (1) trains per hour
September 17, 2025 at 11:57 AM
It’s based on this diagram. It shows the planned peak (off peak) frequencies are:
BMT: 4 (2) trains per hour
CCN: 10 (4) trains per hour
SCO: 6 (3) trains per hour
Currently those numbers are (from memory):
BMT: 4 (1) trains per hour
CCN: 8 (2) trains per hour
SCO: 3 (1) trains per hour
BMT: 4 (2) trains per hour
CCN: 10 (4) trains per hour
SCO: 6 (3) trains per hour
Currently those numbers are (from memory):
BMT: 4 (1) trains per hour
CCN: 8 (2) trains per hour
SCO: 3 (1) trains per hour
Further details of TfNSW’s future plans for Sydney’s rail network have leaked (link in replies). These don’t have government approval yet, let alone funding. But they give a good indication of the next “cab off the rank”.
September 17, 2025 at 6:54 AM
Further details of TfNSW’s future plans for Sydney’s rail network have leaked (link in replies). These don’t have government approval yet, let alone funding. But they give a good indication of the next “cab off the rank”.
And with that, my 2 week trip from Sydney to Brisbane and back was over, so I could finally head home and get some much needed rest
January 9, 2025 at 4:17 AM
And with that, my 2 week trip from Sydney to Brisbane and back was over, so I could finally head home and get some much needed rest
By sheer luck, I arrived into Central Station to coincide with the Elvis Express to the Elvis Festival at Parkes. So please enjoy this snippet of a performance by an Elvis impersonator.
January 9, 2025 at 4:15 AM
By sheer luck, I arrived into Central Station to coincide with the Elvis Express to the Elvis Festival at Parkes. So please enjoy this snippet of a performance by an Elvis impersonator.
As is customary, my train was late. Not only was it late to Coffs, arriving 15 minutes later than scheduled, but that then blew out to a half hour delay upon reaching the outskirts of Sydney and almost a full hour delay to Central.
January 9, 2025 at 4:11 AM
As is customary, my train was late. Not only was it late to Coffs, arriving 15 minutes later than scheduled, but that then blew out to a half hour delay upon reaching the outskirts of Sydney and almost a full hour delay to Central.
Special shoutout to this graffiti mural of a Queensland Rail train that somehow got lost and ended up in Coffs Harbour
January 9, 2025 at 4:11 AM
Special shoutout to this graffiti mural of a Queensland Rail train that somehow got lost and ended up in Coffs Harbour
The laneways had a nice mix of street art in the form of murals, graffiti, and stickers. I was told that attempts to extend this to the laneway behind the City Square were opposed by the current mayor.
January 9, 2025 at 4:11 AM
The laneways had a nice mix of street art in the form of murals, graffiti, and stickers. I was told that attempts to extend this to the laneway behind the City Square were opposed by the current mayor.
The old town centre has a nice “City Square”, across which you’ll find the Christmas Tree. I’m not sure when you’re supposed to take down a Christmas Tree, but every town I visited after 1 January still had its town tree up.
January 9, 2025 at 4:10 AM
The old town centre has a nice “City Square”, across which you’ll find the Christmas Tree. I’m not sure when you’re supposed to take down a Christmas Tree, but every town I visited after 1 January still had its town tree up.
The Pacific Highway currently runs through the centre of Coffs. There is a bypass under construction that is set to open in the next 2 years or so. The locals I spoke to seemed supportive of the project and don’t think it will have negative economic impacts.
January 9, 2025 at 4:10 AM
The Pacific Highway currently runs through the centre of Coffs. There is a bypass under construction that is set to open in the next 2 years or so. The locals I spoke to seemed supportive of the project and don’t think it will have negative economic impacts.
Coffs Harbour itself has some impressive examples of urban density. There was more than a handful of 6 to 10 storey buildings to be seen, generally either in the old town centre in the South or near the newer shopping centre area in the North.
January 9, 2025 at 4:10 AM
Coffs Harbour itself has some impressive examples of urban density. There was more than a handful of 6 to 10 storey buildings to be seen, generally either in the old town centre in the South or near the newer shopping centre area in the North.
The Big Banana is not designed to be reached on foot or by public transport. The walk requires crossing the Pacific Highway with no pedestrian crossing and though there is a bus that goes past, it doesn’t actually stop at the Big Banana.
January 9, 2025 at 4:09 AM
The Big Banana is not designed to be reached on foot or by public transport. The walk requires crossing the Pacific Highway with no pedestrian crossing and though there is a bus that goes past, it doesn’t actually stop at the Big Banana.
The Big Banana complex itself was really impressive. It’s got the standard gift shop. And cafe, where I got a banana smoothie. But also a video games arcade, laser tag, ice skating, axe throwing, giant slide, escape rooms, and other activities that escape my memory.
January 9, 2025 at 4:09 AM
The Big Banana complex itself was really impressive. It’s got the standard gift shop. And cafe, where I got a banana smoothie. But also a video games arcade, laser tag, ice skating, axe throwing, giant slide, escape rooms, and other activities that escape my memory.
From the shopping centre in the North it was a 40 minute walk to the Big Banana. Though a more direct route was available on the Pacific Highway. However, Google Maps did not recommend it. I took the shorter route back and it was fine.
January 9, 2025 at 4:09 AM
From the shopping centre in the North it was a 40 minute walk to the Big Banana. Though a more direct route was available on the Pacific Highway. However, Google Maps did not recommend it. I took the shorter route back and it was fine.
I took a bus from nearby the station up to the main shopping centre in the North. The 365 does a loop of the main parts of Coffs, anchored by the town centre in the South and the shopping centre in the North.
January 9, 2025 at 4:09 AM
I took a bus from nearby the station up to the main shopping centre in the North. The 365 does a loop of the main parts of Coffs, anchored by the town centre in the South and the shopping centre in the North.
My arrival to Coffs was right before the appearance of the “Rainforest Rattler”, which appears to be a repurposed red rattler that does trips that largely commence at either Coffs or Kyogle rainforestrattler.com
January 9, 2025 at 4:08 AM
My arrival to Coffs was right before the appearance of the “Rainforest Rattler”, which appears to be a repurposed red rattler that does trips that largely commence at either Coffs or Kyogle rainforestrattler.com
Day 13 (Wednesday 8 January): Coffs Harbour
January 9, 2025 at 4:08 AM
Day 13 (Wednesday 8 January): Coffs Harbour
In typical fashion, my train to Coffs Harbour is running late, over 30 mins behind schedule. Though I should be thankful that it wasn’t cancelled like the early morning train today. My final train is scheduled for 10PM tonight and I definitely don’t want a coach back to Sydney!
January 8, 2025 at 1:58 AM
In typical fashion, my train to Coffs Harbour is running late, over 30 mins behind schedule. Though I should be thankful that it wasn’t cancelled like the early morning train today. My final train is scheduled for 10PM tonight and I definitely don’t want a coach back to Sydney!
The station has a pretty nice waiting room and I count about a dozen people here. Though I’ve seen goodbye hugs, so presumably not all of them are getting on the train.
January 8, 2025 at 1:57 AM
The station has a pretty nice waiting room and I count about a dozen people here. Though I’ve seen goodbye hugs, so presumably not all of them are getting on the train.
Grafton itself has 3 trains per day South to Sydney and 2 trains that continue North, 1 to Casino and another to Brisbane. There’s also 1 coach per day that goes East to Byron Bay and about 3 per week going West to Moree.
January 8, 2025 at 1:57 AM
Grafton itself has 3 trains per day South to Sydney and 2 trains that continue North, 1 to Casino and another to Brisbane. There’s also 1 coach per day that goes East to Byron Bay and about 3 per week going West to Moree.
Local buses seemed to run more frequently here than in other towns, with the 374 running a roughly hourly service all day. Though perhaps it was the very clear orange colours of the buses. I forgot to take a photo, so here is one from the Busways Instagram page.
January 8, 2025 at 1:56 AM
Local buses seemed to run more frequently here than in other towns, with the 374 running a roughly hourly service all day. Though perhaps it was the very clear orange colours of the buses. I forgot to take a photo, so here is one from the Busways Instagram page.
The Grafton town centre was pleasant. I’m told this clocktower is a local landmark and is a centrepiece of the town’s annual Jacaranda Festival each November. jacarandafestival.com/stories
January 8, 2025 at 1:55 AM
The Grafton town centre was pleasant. I’m told this clocktower is a local landmark and is a centrepiece of the town’s annual Jacaranda Festival each November. jacarandafestival.com/stories
A new bridge was opened in 2019 and included some modern active transport links for walking and cycling. However, the route had almost no protection from the elements, so my thirty minute walk in the January heat was hardly pleasant.
January 8, 2025 at 1:55 AM
A new bridge was opened in 2019 and included some modern active transport links for walking and cycling. However, the route had almost no protection from the elements, so my thirty minute walk in the January heat was hardly pleasant.
The Old Grafton Bridge is a dual level rail and road bridge with some nice architecture. The train was allowed to cross, but otherwise the bridge is currently closed.
January 8, 2025 at 1:54 AM
The Old Grafton Bridge is a dual level rail and road bridge with some nice architecture. The train was allowed to cross, but otherwise the bridge is currently closed.
Grafton Station is actually located in South Grafton, across the Clarence River from Grafton. It opened in 1915, prior to a bridge to cross the river in 1932. It’s a roughly 30 minute walk to the main town centre.
January 8, 2025 at 1:53 AM
Grafton Station is actually located in South Grafton, across the Clarence River from Grafton. It opened in 1915, prior to a bridge to cross the river in 1932. It’s a roughly 30 minute walk to the main town centre.
Day 12 (Tuesday 7 January): Grafton
January 8, 2025 at 1:52 AM
Day 12 (Tuesday 7 January): Grafton