Re: Main western line victoria action

["James C" <jamesccj@optusnet.com.au>]

Recent 4.5 Million $ on SG Port of Geelong line maybe able to solve this
problem...

Cheers
James



Yuri J Sos <steam5me@dingoblue.net.au> wrote in message
e1crjssir1kmvfedrh3fkek9oj9o37i1st@4ax.com">news:e1crjssir1kmvfedrh3fkek9oj9o37i1st@4ax.com...
> On Tue, 6 Jun 2000 23:47:41 +1000, "James C" <jamesccj@optusnet.com.au>
> wrote, and I selectively quote:
>
> >Ballarat line(Sunshine-Ballarat section)  also can't generate as much
> >freight as Ararat-(Via Cresey) Geelong-Melbourne line
>
> Neither line "generates" freight.  There's no significant rail-based
> industry on either line, no loops/sidings at Geelong.
>
> IIRC, the original investigations of the two SG lines included NR's
> condition that the line be available for double-stacking.   NR also didn't
> want passenger trains getting in the way of their freight trains.
>
> The grades at Ingliston and Warrenheip were offset by the shorter distance
> Melbourne to Ararat via Ballarat.  The only overbridge built to
accommodate
> double stacking trains was the bridge over the top of the grade between
> Ararat and Buangor.
>
> There was a vigourous campaign mounted by Ballarat at the time to lobby
the
> "powers-that-be" to route the SG through Ballarat with offers of subsidies
> for railway operators needed to locate service facilities there.
>
> In the end the cost of rebuilding Melton Weir bridge and overbridges to
> take the double stack trains over the suburban lines at Sunshine tipped
the
> scales against the Ballarat line.  This was a "paper dollar" war based on
a
> lot of "what ifs".
>
> Mind you, none of the tunnel/bridges on the South Dynon Junction /
> Tottenham / Brooklyn / Geelong line can accommodate double stack trains
> either, and none have been modified either, but let's not let facts get in
> the way of an obviously politically "stacked" decision.  (How NR intended
> to get the double-stack trains through the Adelaide Hills escapes me.)
>
>
> Regards
>
> Yuri
> --
> ==================================
> Yuri J Sos
> Melbourne VIC AUS
>
> Reply to: steam5me@dingoblue.net.au
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>
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