Re: Countrylink Griffith - Broken Hill

[RNS <steam3801@hotmail.com>]

Rumour has it that the way Countrylink will provide an Xplorer service
to Griffith is to cancel the Moree Xplorer two days per week and
operate that two car set to Griffith.
As there are no spare Xplorer cars this rumour would seem to have some
legs.
Bet the Moree line people have something to say to Sculley when they
find out.
Latest analogy for Countrylink: SS Titanic. i.e. Sinking Ship!





On Thu, 13 Apr 2000 22:25:17 +1000, Craig Haber
<albatross@harnessnet.com.au> wrote:

>Hi,
>
>KaMaK wrote:
>
>> As of 6:15pm Wednesday 12th the Countrylink web site timetables still showed
>> a Saturday train from Junee to Griffith and a Wednesday train through
>> Condobolin to Ivanhoe.
>
>Countrylink's memo to Sales Outlets says:
>
>Countrylink's "Outback" train has been retired and will be replaced with new
>rail services for Griffith and Broken Hill.
>
>Following a detailed assesment of the Outback's 50 year old carriages, it is
>clear they require a major upgrade to meet the comfort requirements of staff and
>passengers.
>
>A decision has been made that the money and time required for significant
>improvements to the carriages would be better spent on implementing new rail
>services as a matter of priority.
>
>A number of short and mid term alternatives are now in place to ensure
>Countrylink continues to provide passenger services to Griffith and Broken Hill.
>
>The long term solution is the delivery of new XPT rolling stock which is
>expected to be available to Countrylink in 18 months time.  The new rolling
>stock is intended for the Broken Hill service.
>
>_Griffith Services_
>Griffith rail services have been replaced by coach services for the next few
>weeks.
>
>A date will be set shortly for the commencement of Countrylink XPLORER services
>to Griffith.
>
>The use of XPLORER carriages on the Griffith services will be a significant
>improvement, offering modern and comfortable facilities.
>
>_Broken Hill Services_
>From today (Wed April 12), Countrylink's BH rail servce will be replaced with
>XPT services to Dubbo with connecting coach services to BH.  Other arrangements
>have been made based on passenger needs.
>
>In the near future, Countrylink customers will be booked on either Indian
>Pacific or Ghan services of which there are three direct services per week.
>
>The IP and Ghan offer superior comfort to Countrylink's old Outback carriages.
>These trains have been refurbished and offer additional passenger facilities
>including showers and video screens.
>
>Countrylink looks forward to providing better services to Griffith and BH and I
>appreciate your continued support.
>
>Sincerely,
>(signed)
>Countrylink General Manager.
>
>_end memo_.
>
>What a pity, one of my most memorable gunzel experiences, kicking back on the
>Griffith, sucking tinnies and telling stories (lies mostly) with those little
>windows down and the 422 powering away......
>
>Cheers,
>Craig.