Re: XPT's Reduced

["Chris Downs" <cvdowns@ozemail.com.au>]

Considering electric traction predominantly replaced steam traction across the
Mountains I doubt any rational analysis would find that electrification was
foolhardy.  The improvements in load per train, train speed, operational cost
and passenger comfort were all quantum leap.

As for the intervening years I can't imagine that any DMU would have been
anywhere near as quick, quiet or comfortable as EMUs between Emu Plains and
Katoomba.  The thought of diesel traction home each work day gives me the
shivers!

Bring on 25kV AC though for the Intercity runs.

Chris

Rjaygee <dartmouthmotel@bigpond.com> wrote in message
hVUA6.954$482.4740@newsfeeds.bigpond.com">news:hVUA6.954$482.4740@newsfeeds.bigpond.com...
> Facing the reality of the situation I believe it would be more efficient if
> the State Government pulled the XPT's off interstate and long distance intra
> state services and paid a subsidy to the airlines to cart pensioners and
> other welfare recipients around. The XPT's could be put to use between
> Sydney and Newcastle running a frequent rapid service. They should have done
> this in the first place instead of wasting money stringing antiquated 1500V
> DC between Gosford and Newcastle.  With the reduction diesel excise it must
> be much cheaper to run diesel trains now. The railways were burnt severely
> stringing overhead to Lithgow in the 1950's by traffic that failed to
> eventuate, they repeated it by stringing more between Gosford and
> Newcastle/Sutherland Wollongong and now they seem to be wasting more money
> on pork barrelling by running it to Kiama or where ever.
> Cheers
> Rod Gayford