Re: Overland to continue 4 another 2 years

["Les Chandra" <les_chandra@asparagus.hotmail.com>]

Maurie Daly <mauried@tpg.com.au> wrote in message
3b1da823.14533163@can-news.tpg.com.au">news:3b1da823.14533163@can-news.tpg.com.au...

<snip>

> The only realistic way to get any improvement for passengers with the
> current infrastructure is to run XPT style trains instead of the
> Overland.
> The existing line is ideally suited to this as it has many long
> straight flat sections where 160 KM/H could be sustained for long
> distances .
> On the SA side the track is of high quality and has excellent ride.
> Even in Vic where the line is 60 KG/M and this is now most of the way
> 160 km./h should be possible even now .
> All that would be needed is to re design the protected level crossing
> track ccts for the higher speeds.
> An XPT would also be quicker thru the Adelaide hills due to its much
> higher power to weight ratio, especially with the new XP power cars
> that Countrylink now have.
>
> MD

The Blue Lake of the late 80's/early 90's used to come pretty close to the
bus for timing. It would have beat it if it weren't for the hills section.
At the same time, the Overland through the Coonalpyn Downs had the fastest
point-to-point timing of any train in Australia. A decent modern train
should be able to blitz it.

Les