Re: Implications of high speed trains in Victoria

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

Peter Berrett (pberrett@optushome.com.au) wrote:

> David Bromage <dbromage@fang.omni.com.au> wrote in message
> Z1yG5.88$QR.4732@news0.optus.net.au">news:Z1yG5.88$QR.4732@news0.optus.net.au...
> > Peter Berrett (pberrett@optushome.com.au) wrote:
> > > > Even with only 100km/h beyond Ballarat, a day train to Mildura would
> be a
> > > > better use of the equipment. The journey time would be roughly 7
> hours.
> >
> > > This raises some interesting questions regarding the line beyond
> Ballarat.
> >
> > > 1. What is the maximum permissable speed Mildura to Ballarat currently?
> >
> > Last I heard, it was 80km/h Ballaray to Ouyen and 65km/h to Merbein. The
> > V/Line proposal is to raise this to at elast 100km/h all the way.

> A 6 hour service seems possible on the Maryborough line if the upgrade
> occurs. Ballarat is about 120 kms from Melbourne so that would leave about
> 437 kms to traverse in 5 hours = average of about 87 kmh. Ideally upgrading
> to 115kmh would give a little bit of margin.

Yes, that does seem possible. You may be able to get 5 hours at 160km/h
beyond Ballarat, provided the stops are tight. Having said that, anything
under 7 hours would probably be viable. Compare with Sydney to Armidale.

> > > 2. Could a specially designed train eg tilt train go faster on existing
> > > track between Mildura and Ballarat?
> >
> > The line is fairly straight as is. You're not going to save much time by
> > tilting.

> XPT perhaps?

Expensive to build new, and imcompatable with other stock. Might as well
use the new high speed railcars, which I think are based on the Xplorer
anyway. Build some intermediate cars if longer sets are required.

> > > 4. Would it be better to create a link from Ouyen to Swan Hill so that
> > > trains could go via Bendigo?
> >
> > That has been discussed.

> Would it be faster? Is the line Swan Hill to Bendigo in good nick and fast?

You could probably do Swan Hill in under 3 hours, so Mildura in 5 hours is
possible.

> > > 5. Why can't existing tracks take trains at 90 mph? They seem flat and
> > > straight enough.
> >
> > Staight and flat isn't the only factor. If the track is rough, that keeps
> > the speed down. You may also need more ballast, you will definately need
> > improvements to signalling.

> I would have thought that signalling would not be such a great cost in the
> larger scheme of things.

You might be surprised.

> > The question which hasn't been raised is whether the high speed lines are
> > going to get some form of cab signalling. During the Violet Town inquest,
> > VR got around the question of why there wasn't any cab signalling because
> > they presented the US evidence that was only required for 80mph and above.

> Can't they just make the signals bigger and brighter so they can be seen
> from further away?

What about in fog? Not entirely unknown on the Bendigo line. :)
Also think of the numerous blind corners. For 180km/h, I'd feel a lot
safer with cab signalling.

Cheers
David