Re: (Vic)Mildura passenger service plan

[Dion Williams <onamission@start.com.au>]

Sam Eades wrote:

> I think that one service per dy to Mildura would be sufficient, perhaps
> overnight one way, daylight the other? If they did this, then the train would
> have at least 2 hours layover at each destination, with only the need of one set
> to provide a daily service. The overnight leg could use sleeper cars and they
> could be used (as are the XPTs) as sitting accomodation for daylight passengers.
> Perhaps even a dining car for the daylight leg (no use during night as it would
> be after 9.45pm and before 7.00am).

I can't see the need for an overnight service at all. Even for a
sleeper, 10 hours for 450km is ridiculously slow, apart from the fact
that stopping at every station doesn't make for the best night's sleep.
Two daylight services, morning and evening, should be fine considering
the distance, and the same sets can be used. The attractiveness of the
area is definitely an opportunity to market the train to tourists,
perhaps connecting it with cruises along the Murray. Bringing back the
name "Vinelander" and adding a high-standard buffet or dining car would
be a good idea IMO.

Dion