NSW XPT slowing

[Roderick Smith <rodsmith@werple.net.au>]

RNS predicted on  Thurs.24.2.00
There have been rumours for some time now about a new Countrylink
timetable.  A copy of the proposals show that major changes can only be
designed for operations and certainly not customers requirements.  Most
trains are to be slowed significantly, varying from about 14 minutes for
the Canberra XPL's to an hour in the case of the up Grafton XPT (already
slowed by 15" in 1999).  Some of the departure and arrival times are
decidedly customer unfriendly and can only result in loss of patronage.
One would have to question the motives behind the proposed changes.
Below is a summary of the proposed changes (station current time new
time extra time).

It is now spread widely that trains will be slowed, but will RNS's times
be the ones, or have there been further modifications?
Below: RNS's predictions compared with existing.

Sydney 07.05 07.15
Murwillumbah 20.30 21.19 39 min
Murwillumbah 21.15 22.15
Sydney 10.30 12.23 53 min

Sydney 16.24 16.24
Brisbane 06.00 06.35 35 min
Brisbane 07.30 08.00
Sydney 21.35 22.49 44 min

Sydney 11.35 11.06
Grafton 21.40 22.29 18 min*
Grafton 06.30 05.30
Sydney 16.34 16.34 60 min*

Sydney 11.05 09.35
Armidale 19.10 18.01 21 min*
Armidale 09.00 08.27
Sydney 17.00 17.00 33 min*

Sydney 11.05 09.35
Moree 19.55 19.15 45 min*

Sydney 08.10 07.43
Melbourne 18.35 18.35 27 min
Melbourne 20.05 19.40
Sydney 06.45 06.25 5 min faster!

Sydney 20.43 20.43
Melbourne 07.05 07.32 27 min
Melbourne 08.30 08.32
Sydney 19.13 19.24 9 min

Sydney 07.43 07.05
Canberra 11.50 11.26 14 min
Canberra 12.20 12.07
Sydney 16.26 16.24 15 min

Sydney 11.43 11.42
Canberra 15.50 16.03 14 min
Canberra 17.20 16.50
Sydney 21.26 21.13 17 min

Sydney 18.14 18.14
Canberra 22.20 22.34 14 min
Canberra 06.50 06.39
Sydney 10.56 10.56 11 min

* These trains were already slowed by 10 to 20 minutes during 1999.
The introduction date is said to be 07/05/00.

--
Regards
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor