Re DMU's for Westlander/Inlander

[MNolan5784@aol.com]

West of Toowoomba, the maximum speeds allowed are 80km/h to Chincilla and 
then 70km/h to Charleville, or they were a few years ago. There are still 
numerous wooden bridges on the line , even near Ipswich. 

The best solution would be, in my opinion, to build several 4 car DMU sets, 
running them three times a week between Brisbane and Charleville and 
Townsville and Mt Isa. For the Western line, the line would probably not 
permit 160km/h running at this stage,  past Toowoomba, however, it could 
reduce running times significantly.

Another DMU could travel to Toowoomba from Roma Street several times a day 
(say 4) in about 2 &1/2 hrs ( 1 1/4 hours to Helidon running at 160km/h on 
straight sections) with little track work. 

In time the Ipswich - Toowoomba section would have the necessary realignments 
made ( with SG link?) and electrified allowing high speed running all the way 
(time: less than 2 hrs?). The track west of Toowoomba could be gradually 
upgraded, ,maybe to concrete sleepers and 60kg rail if major coal deposits 
mined.

Mark Nolan