Re: [VIC] {RUMOUR} SGR to be sent packing?

[david <david@gwmail.nmit.vic.edu.au>]

I agree with david, SGR and FA  can coexist on the line. I have heard  FA would
run night trains, and are happy for SGR to be there and maintaing the track !

Regards,
David Head

David Bromage wrote:

> Sam Eades (seades@bigpond.net.au) wrote:
> > A strong rumour from high up in Vic rail safety told me today that there
> > will be a commercial pass service back to Leongatha in about 1 year. There
> > is a clause in SGR's contract saying that if the line is required for
> > commercial purposes that it must be vacated.
>
> The Nyora - Leongatha line was not part of VicTrack when privatised. It is
> leased from the Department of Infrastructure and is absolutely responsible
> for the maintenance and safeworking of the line. Any modifications (e.g.
> the down end main line points at Nyora) had to be made to (then) V/Line
> standards.
>
> The condition of the line has not slipped since it was abandoned by
> V/Line. It still has a nominal speed limit of 80km/h, although SGR doesn't
> operate at more than 60km/h (steam was limited to 50km/h) to reduce wear.
> Not that you can get much faster with those curves! Compare this with the
> line between Cranbourne and Nyora, down from 95km/h to 50km/h within a
> year and 15km/h at the end.
>
> While the SGR lease does contain termination clauses, it does not preclude
> SGR granting access to any other operator for commercial operations. SGR,
> as an accredited tourist railway, can't run a "public transport" service
> itself.
>
> In short, it is not necessary for SGR to vacate the line for a regular
> passenger or freight service to resume.
>
> Cheers
> David