Re: Studies find Melbourne-Brisbane rail freight link viable

[dbromage@fang.omni.com.au (David Bromage)]

Ben (smithb@alphalink.com.au) wrote:

> "David Bromage" <dbromage@fang.omni.com.au> wrote in message
> rdCU5.32$CH4.3086@news0.optus.net.au">news:rdCU5.32$CH4.3086@news0.optus.net.au...
> > The proposed Melbourne-to-Brisbane inland rail freight link was the most
> > significant and bankable rail investment opportunity in Australia, Deputy
> > Prime Minister John Anderson said last week.
> >
> > http://www.theage.com.au/bus/20001127/A38989-2000Nov26.html

> What is the propsed route of this link?

Phase 1

(All new track to allow for double stacking and 2000m trains)

Melbourne - Albury - Cootamundra - Parkes - Narromine - Dubbo - Binnaway -
Werris Creek - Gunnedah - Moree - North Star: upgrade existing track,
raise line speed to 115km/h throughout, some new junctions and loops.

(Option 1: Triangular junction at Gap East Jcn
 Option 2: Rebuild Gap East Jcn to Werris Creek South Jcn)

North Star - Boggabilla: rebuild track to main line standard

Boggabilla - Goondawindi: new track

Goondawindi - Inglewood: rebuild existing QR track to dual gauge

Inglewood - Millmerran: new track

Millmerran - Toowoomba: new track along existing corridor, some deviations

Toowoomba - Ipswich: new track. New route throuth the hills, then along
existing corridor on the plains to Ipswich (may be built by QR)

Ipswich - Acacia Ridge: new line south of the suburbs

Completion: 2004
Journey time: 27 hours
Cost: $1.2 billion,
      Additional $500 million to allow 160km/h running on new track.


Phase 2

Mangalore - Tocumwal: regauge existing track

Tocumwal - Narranderra: rebuild track to main line standard

Narranderra - Coolamon: raise line speed to 115km/h

Coolamon - Temora: new track

Temora - Stockinbingal: raise line speed to 115km/h, triangular junction

(Alternative option: upgrade Narranderra - Junee, new track Illabo -
Stockinbingal to bypass Bethungra spiral)

Completion: 2005


Phase 3

Dubbo - Coonamble: rebuild to main line standard.

Coonamble - Kenebri: new track, clearance for double stacking

Kenebri - Gwabegar: rebuild to main line standard

Gwabegar - Wee Waa: new track, clearance for double stacking

Wee Waa - Narrabri: rebuild to main line standard

Completion: end 2005
Journey time: reduced to 20 hours
Cost (phase 2-3): $700 billion


Phase 4:

Upgrade remaining sections to allow double stacking and 2000m trains.

Cost: $800 million


Phase 5: (not part of current study)

Upgrade Cootamundra - Sydney and Newcastle - Narrabri to allow double
stacking and 2000m trains.



Not part of the current study, but t central Queensland and eventually
join the Alice Springs - Darwin line. This would be done in partnership
with QR, who would regauge connecting inland lines.

Stage 2

Toowoomba - Miles - Moura - Gladstone by 2006

Moura  - Blackwater - Emerald - Winton - Hughenden - Townsville by 2008


Stage 3

Hughenden - Cloncurry - Mt Isa - Tennant Creek by 2010



Possible extensions beyond 2010:

Cloncurry - Kurumba

Katherine - Wyndham


Cheers
David