Re: [TAS] Penguin

["Steve Zvillis" <szvillis@netspace.net.au>]

<ben_scaro@my-deja.com> wrote in message 94dg4p$hhr$1@nnrp1.deja.com">news:94dg4p$hhr$1@nnrp1.deja.com...
> If the focus is to be on Ross, which as you've said, is a better
> tourist destination, why spend money on a triangle at Parattah ?
>
> Wouldn't it be better to have a triangle off the loop at Ross and
> invest in a station there- how many minutes further up the line is Ross
> from Parattah ?
>

There was originally a triangle (wye) at Parattah, which is simply being
reinstated as a 'Work For The Dole' funded project.

There was never such a thing at Ross (or even a turntable). Ross is 1 hour
10 minutes further on up the line, which makes for an excessively long
journey for families from Hobart, compared to Parattah, which obviously
reduces the ability to stop for any real length of time. To turn a steam
locomotive, you would need to continue even further (considerably) along the
line to Conara Junction, pushing the bounds of an acceptable day trip for
most people.

On of the main appealing aspects of trips north out of Hobart, is the rugged
scenery, remote from the main roads, that can be experienced on the way to
Parattah. This ceases beyond Parattah as well as the fact that the main line
parallels the Midland Highway from Antill Ponds to Ross and offers no unique
viewpoint.

Ross is best accessed by excursions originating from Launceston, courtesy of
the Don River Railway (who headed the effort to rebuild the loop at Ross).

Regards,


--
Stephen Zvillis,
H.R. Manager,
Derwent Valley Railway P.S.