Re: Southern rail link to Darling Downs promoted

["Barry Campbell" <campblbm@ozemail.com.au>]

Ken Duncan wrote in message ...
>
>There was suggestion two or three years ago about a standard gauge
>link/corridor between Melbourne and Darwin via existing lines to Qld
>(perhaps by extending the line from Moree) then dual gauging to Mt Isa and
>building new track to Tennant Creek then north to Darwin (or linking with
>the new Alice Springs-Darwin line). This grand plan intended to service the
>major primary production regions in eastern Australia and provide a
>cheaper/faster route to SE Asia. Part of the plan was a new standard gauge
>link to Brisbane from the Darling Downs.
>
>The proposal was laid out in a large article in the Sunday papers in
>Brisbane at the time. Could this report be someones' idea to give this
>proposal another airing? Other than that, I can't see why a new link would
>be required. The existing line from Warwick is underutilised now!
>
My understanding of the current (long term) plans is that when the Main
Range line to Toowoomba is eventually replaced, it will be with a line that
is either dual gauge or capable of taking dual gauge. The standard gauge
would then be able to be routed along the existing Milmerran branch. From
Milmerran it would be extended through to meet the NSW lines at Boggabilla.

Barry Campbell