Re: Studies find Melbourne-Brisbane rail freight link viable

["Ben" <smithb@alphalink.com.au>]

"David Bromage" <dbromage@fang.omni.com.au> wrote in message
hjKU5.54$t37.1900@news0.optus.net.au">news:hjKU5.54$t37.1900@news0.optus.net.au...
> 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

WOW. There is a lot of work to be done.

Ben Smith