Re: Far northern tilt train on schedule

[Colin Weaver <colingw@my-deja.com>]

In article <8qcrld$duk$1@nnrp1.deja.com>,
  Railway Rasputin3 <james_ccj@my-deja.com> wrote:
> Electrifrication reduce the travel time...but not sufficient to
compete
> with highway trucks, QR need to run more trains to recover from this
> cost but it does not have the potential to attract more tonnage at the
> moment. QR's further upgrade to the mainlines in the future would help
> and eventually add more trains on this line to justify the cost of
> electrifrication.

My 10 cents worth... I can't see QR decomissioning the North Coast Line
electrification - after all it is vital for passenger workings, but I
would be unsurprised to see the majority of freight workings revert to
diesel. I think it is likely that we will continue to see 3900 class
locos on the Sunlander, Queenslander, Spirit of the Outback & GSPE as I
doubt the current Brisbane - Rocky timings could be maintained with
diesel traction.

One point - if north coast freight reverts to diesel, what happens to
the Salisbury - Acacia Ridge electrification?

Longer term, I hope QR have the foresight to retain the north coast
electrification for when freight volume eventually reaches viable (for
electric) volume.  I would also like to see what modern AC traction
motors could do for a new class of electric loco - maybe such a design
would be competitive with the 4000 class diesels.

>
> Depends on the tourism potential...i have been told Greenvale line is
a
> very scenic line. As well as the avaiablility of the suitable rolling
> stock.....maybe a 2000 class railcar?

Too late.  The line has already been lifted, although there was a move
to establish a tourist service from Townsville about 3 years ago.  One
train ran, but there was never any follow up.  AFAIK the line was last
used for testing of the 2800 class locos, then lifted.  Possibly the
first 30 or so KM may still exist, but I'm not sure.]

cheers,
Colin

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