Audio: Quiet piano music in background
Audio [Nicole]: Hi, I'm Nicole Stoddart, CEO of Rail Projects Victoria. While the city sleeps, I'm here in the Metro Tunnel.
Visual: Nicole Stoddart speaking to camera standing in front of Metro Tunnel platform screen doors
Text: Nicole Stoddart, Chief Executive Officer, Rail Projects Victoria
Visual: Test train slowly moving through the Metro Tunnel
Audio [Nicole]: Our first test trains have just made their way into our twin 9-kilometer tunnels.
Visual: Workers in high-vis clothing takin videos on their phones of a test train running through tunnel
Audio [Nicole]: This is our most significant milestone so far. The trains were driven into the tunnels
Visual: Aerial view of train running through Metro Tunnel at South Yarra
Audio [Nicole]: at South Yarra at low speed stopping at Anzac station.
Visual: Camera on train moving inside Metro Tunnel along rail corridor
Audio [Nicole]: Over the coming months, the seven-carriage trains will travel faster back and forth
Visual: Animated footage of train moving through Metro Tunnel below the Yarra and Melbourne CBD
Audio [Nicole]: deep under the CBD and the Yarra. As this is happening, we'll be testing equipment and systems to make sure they work safely.
Visual: Nicole Stoddart and Metro Tunnel workers at platform inside tunnel watching the train arrive
Audio [Nicole]: This really is a landmark moment for Melbourne's biggest rail project since the City Loop which opened back in the 80s.
Visual: Nicole and a colleague on a train waving
Audio [Nicole]: It's been years in the making and brings us a step closer to passenger trains running through the tunnels in 2025.
Visual: Train approaching the tunnel with workers onboard
Audio [Nicole]: A year ahead of schedule. It's not just about the trains, though.
Visual: Tram moving through Anzac Station tram stop, in front of canopy
Audio [Nicole]: We're also testing the infrastructure, systems and technology.
Visual: Drone roaming inside Anzac Station escalators
Audio [Nicole]: This includes the lifts, escalators, security systems, communications, lighting, power.
Visual: Metro Tunnel workers in high vis gear standing in front of platform screen doors watching train approach and walking along platform
Audio [Nicole]: And the platform screen doors which are Victorian-first. This is a long and complex phase - we need the time to be thorough and ensure a safe.
Visual: Train travelling slowly through Metro Tunnel towards platform
Audio [Nicole]: and enjoyable traveling experience for our future passengers.
Visual: Footage of workers in office working on computers
Audio [Nicole]: The new cutting-edge signalling system is a crucial part of this work. We're making sure these systems can communicate,
Visual: Train approaching platform in Metro Tunnel
Audio [Nicole]: and work together to help us run more trains more often for the people of Victoria.
Visual: Nicole and a colleague standing in front of platform screen doors inside Metro Tunnel, with train behind, smiling at camera
Audio [Nicole]: I can't wait for you all to see everything come together - to walk through our stations.
Visual: Train approaching platform in front of screen doors with workers inside
Audio [Nicole]: step through our platform screen doors and travel on a Metro Train through our brand-new tunnels.
Visual: Nicole standing at platform looking at camera
Audio [Nicole]: Until then, I look forward to providing you with updates as we work towards Metro Tunnel opening day.
Visual: Night footage of Melbourne skyline
Visual: Transition to blue screen and the Metro Tunnel, Victoria’s Big Build and the Victoria State Government logos.
The first test trains have entered the Metro Tunnel, a landmark moment for the biggest rail project in Victoria since the City Loop.
Two next-generation High Capacity Metro Trains entered the twin 9km tunnels at the South Yarra tunnel entrance and travelled 1.7km to Anzac Station, directly under St Kilda Road.
The journey was years in the making and marks the start of the project’s next major testing phase inside the new tunnels and stations, which will stretch into 2024.
Over the coming months, crews will run trains back and forth between the 5 stations. The basics, such as lining the trains up with the platforms, will be tested first.
The team will then gradually increase the complexity, from one train at low speed using minimal power through to multiple trains at greater speeds.
Various equipment and systems will be tested to make sure the Metro Tunnel is safe and ready to open to passengers in 2025 – a year ahead of schedule.
The Metro Tunnel will transform the way Victorians travel around our suburbs, city and state by freeing up space in the City Loop, slashing travel times and allowing for more than a half a million more passengers a week during peak times across Melbourne’s train network.
Find out more about the stages of testing the new systems.
Metro Tunnel