How to save Countrylink

[David Bromage <dbromage@fang.omni.com.au>]

The XPT hasn't changed all that much since the early 1980s. It was great
then compared to what it replaced, and before the advent of cheap
airlines. Certainly the trains have got longer and they added sleepers,
but it's simply not going to work.

I'm wondering if the XPT has outlived its usefulness on its current
routes. That doesn't mean it's totally useless. It should be used on the
sort of route it was designed for, that is a semi-intensive service of
fast sprints of a couple of hours. For example, 6 express services per
day to Canberra (this was envisaged back in 1980).

But where does this leave Melbourne and Brisbane? I've been thinking
about this for some time, and something radical. There was another
proposal to complement the XPT on longer journeys such as this - the
HPT. It was to be a 140km/h train with a 3000hp loco on each end.
Initially it would use existing 50t stainless steel cars, but they would
eventually be replaced with new cars of about 42t each. The project was
abandoned after a change of government, but the loco lived on as the EL.

I'm rapidly coming to the conclusion that Countrylink needs to transform
itself into something different, but not too different. It doesn't have
to be a GSR or a QR. If you can't compete on journey time or
"experience", you have to compete on service.

The best parallel I can find is EuroCity and EuroNight. Passengers
regularly cover similar distances and journey times to the XPT in these
trains, and at premium fares. But you need a new fleet of cars to
emulate this, and probably new locos (i.e. "real" diesel locomotives
suitable for 160km/h running).

One of the shortcomings of the XPT is the fixed set. The advantage of
loco hauled trains is that you can divide and join trains wherever you
need to, eg. through cars for Murwillumbah detached at Casino.

It would need proper sleeping cars, couchettes (doubling as 6 seat
comparments during the day), dining cars, sitting cars with decent
seats, and sufficient luggage space. You can still offer el cheapo coach
class for the backpackers, since the cheap airlines don't service Coffs
Harbour and Byron Bay.

An option which I don't think has been tried on rail yet is the sleeper
beds used in first class on many airlines. You should be able to fit
about 9 rows of 1+2 into a 24m car, which is about 35% more than for a
full sleeper.

I know much of this is wishful thinking and Scully isn't going to fork
out for new trains. But any thoughts on the principle?

Cheers
David