Re: Ararat rail return at a crucial stage

["Paul Hambleton" <phambleton@labyrinth.net.au>]

Yes, I agree - but if each fast train project was the catalyst for
conversion of the particular line to SG........
Paul Hambleton

"Dave Proctor" <daproc@spambait.ozemail.com.au> wrote in message
x2Cu6.1317$hU1.324453@news4.aus1.giganews.com">news:x2Cu6.1317$hU1.324453@news4.aus1.giganews.com...
> "Paul Hambleton" <phambleton@labyrinth.net.au> wrote in message
> BOBu6.7$le1.8451@vic.nntp.telstra.net">news:BOBu6.7$le1.8451@vic.nntp.telstra.net...
> > If the Melbourne - Ballarat fast train upgrade was done in SG and the
> > Ballarat - Ararat section was converted to SG then the existing rolling
> > stock used for Melbourne - Ballarat could be used to Ararat, Stawell
etc.
> > while the new rolling stock serviced the Melbourne - Ballarat fast train
> > service.
> > Also, the Overland trip between Melbourne and Adelaide would be
> considerably
> > faster.
> > To plagiarise Sammy Kekovich on the fat - "You know it makes sense!"
>
> The problem with this is that the rolling stock that would need to be
> converted to SG would then be captive to that line. You would not have
> economies of scale, i.e. a train arrives from Bendigo, and then goes to
> Ararat, returns to Melbourne and then goes to Traralgon.
>
> The amount of rolling stock required for a SG operation would be far more
> than would be required for a BG operation, as there would need to be spare
> cars on SG (as well as spare cars on BG - bogie exchange is not something
> that can be done at one minutes notice). If Melbourne to Ararat was on BG,
> then the spare car requirement could be reduced, as it would cover both
> fleets.
>
> Dave
>
>