Z (May)

May 4: the Hurstbridge line re-opens. The rise starts after the Ellesmere bend, closer to the station than locals feared. Effortlessly smooth forward acceleration takes the elevation over Lower Plenty Road. Rosanna platform extends across the road bridge, a nice touch, though gated from ‘customers’. The station, still under construction, now provides views across the valley’s golden treescapes. The new tunnel through the Berg is considerably quicker than its 19^th century counterpart; ditto the trains. Alphington-Fairfield has become a concrete cutting, effortlessly smooth, the old Anthony of Padua jolt removed. It’s ripe for graffiti murals by X, Y, and Z.