Re: Fate of 85/86 class

["chris@enet21.com.au" <chris@enet21.com.au>]

YES, we have short sighted bean counters running the railways. I'm suprised how
the Parramatta to Chatswood Rail link ever got going. These guys probably never
catch the train (they get a company car) as  it is below them. Maybe you should
email the great environmentalist Bob Carr and tell him of the stupid situation
regarding the 85/86 locos.

bob.carr@www.nsw.gov.au

Chris

Barry Campbell wrote:

> Maurie Daly wrote in message ...
>
> <snip>
>
> >As to the costs of running electrics vs diesels there is something wrong
> here
> >although I dont know what.
> >When the 85/86 s were bought , and indeed the same argument would go for
> the
> >original 46s,the price of diesel would have been the cheapest it has ever
> been
> >as Govt railways didnt then pay any fuel excise.
> >Fuel excise for railways is a relatively recent thing,being originally
> levied
> >as a road usage tax by the Keating Govt.
> >If diesel is cheaper today than electricity ,then maybe we should be using
> >diesels to haul cityrails trains,and Qrail should dismantle the
> electrification
> >on the main north.
>
> And, in fact, two or three years ago I heard stories that that would have
> been the most economical thing to do. (Actually not build it rather than
> dismantle it). Modern diesels are cheaper to run than having to install
> overhead etc.
>
> Barry Campbell