Re: How to save Countrylink

[David Head <david@nmit.vic.edu.au>]

Just a slightly off topic question, concerning loading gauge. could we be
building the double deck long distance train like AMTRAK etc run in the USA
?? If we are talking about a new loco hauled train.

Regards,
David Head

David Bromage wrote:

> 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