Re: Speedrail derailed?

[David Johnson <trainman@ozemail.com.au>]

David Bromage wrote:

> David Johnson (trainman@ozemail.com.au) wrote:
> > David Bennetts wrote:
>
> > > My personal view is that a lot could be shaved off the existing timetable
> > > now using existing Xplorer sets by replacing the primitive electric staff
> > > safeworking between Canberra and Goulburn with train order working (at least
> > > 5 minutes at each of Queanbeyan, Bungendore and Tarago is wasted when the
> > > driver has to stroll over to the signal box/communications room, unlock the
> > > door, sink the peg and wrestle with the staff instrument to remove the peg
> > > for the next section, ring control to let them know where he is, record an
> > > entry in the book,  lock up again and saunter back to his cab.
>
> > The timetable allows for 4 minutes IIRC.  This can be shaved to 3 minutes if the
> > driver doesn't screw around, and 2 minutes if he calls control from the mobile
> > phone in the cab.
>
> > > In Britain using conventional trains, they beat inter-city bus schedules by
> > > significant margins.  Here it is much quicker to travel Canberra/Sydney by
> > > bus, despite rail being (normally) considerably faster in and out of Sydney
> > > metropolitan area than is possible by road.
>
> > Please define "much quicker".  The Xploder does the trip in 4 hours.  How long
> > does a bus take?
>
> 3h 40m since the Federal Highway improvements were opened.

I don't call a 20 minute difference "Much Quicker".   Especially when I travel to
Canberra Railway Museum - a 10 minute walk from the station. :)



--
David Johnson
trainman@ozemail.com.au
http://www.ozemail.com.au/~trainman/
------------------------------------
These comments are made in a private
capacity and do not represent the
official view of State Rail.
C.O.W.S. Page 11.