Re: Implications of high speed trains in Victoria

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

"David Bromage" <dbromage@fang.omni.com.au> wrote in message
8gVF5.84$my.6769@news0.optus.net.au">news:8gVF5.84$my.6769@news0.optus.net.au...
> Peter Berrett (pberrett@optushome.com.au) wrote:
> > Castlemaine would be within commuting distance of Melbourne.
>
> People already commute from Castlemaine at current journey times.
>
> > One wonders
> > whether in light of the high speed line that services to Maldon and
> > Daylesford might be considered?
>
> I doubt it. Maldon and Daylesford are relatively small towns and wouldn't
> have a big commuting population. The Maldon branch isn't long enough to
> justify such high speed running, and too much of the Daylesford line has
> gone. The cost would be too high for the benefit realised.
>
> > growth in Romsey. A service to Maryborough via Castlemaine might even be
a
> > possibility.
>
> If you want to run to Maryborough, simply extend a Ballarat service. Or
> divide at Ballarat with an Ararat service.

I was looking at a map the other day which got me thinking. While not really
related to highspeed services, I was thinking about a service from Geelong,
Ballarat, Maryborough, Castlemaine, Bendigo and return, with connections to
trains to and from Melbourne at Ballarat, Castlemaine and of course at
Geelong in the case of the return journey, for people who get on/off at
intermediate stops. Of cousrse this would be replacing the current coach
from Bendigo to Geelong.

I think this could be done currently, but would take longer than the coach.
It would at least get passenger rail back to Maryborough, and between
Ballarat and Geelong. Im not sure on the satus of the line between
Maryborough and Castlemaine though. Edition 26 (1999) of the Melways says it
is still there but I would not trust it.

~Ben Smith


> Cheers
> David
>
>