Re: High Speed lines in Australia

Krel (krel4203@netconnect.com.au)
5 Aug 97 11:09:36 GMT

David Bromage <dbromage@metz.une.edu.au> wrote in article
<5rub31$cge$5@gruvel.une.edu.au>...
> Tim Arnot (timarnot@fastlink.com.au) wrote:
> >>On the question of XPT speeds, I gather that in Victoria , between
Albury and
> >>Melb, the XPT still runs only at 130 km/h.
> >>Since the track between Melb & Albury is now 60 kg, CWR rail, ie about
as good
> >>as you can get, certainly of the same standard as Albury to Junee where
the
> >>XPT runs at 160 km /h does anyone know why the restriction
continuous.?
>
> >Maurie, I was unaware that the track had been upgraded al lthe way, my
> >latest understanding was that the "heavy" rail only got to Seymour,
> >hence the spped restrictions of recent infamy. Centainly the track
> >"top" in Victoria is attrocious north of Seymour - hence the spate of
> >derailments last Summer.

The 60kg/m rail extends from Somerton to Broadford only, and nothing at all
was done below rail level. The mud holes are still there, the lack of lift
and line is still there.

PTC has just finished lots of track work between Violet Town and Wodonga
and the track now is much better than what it was but is still way below
the standard of Albury to Junee. But, of course the brand new rail track
from Newport to North Geelong is rough as well so I guess there must be
different standards of Main Line.

The track is still very rough from Seymour to Balmattum and from Sunshine
to Somerton. I hope that Victrack realise soon that if there is no main
line there will be no track access revenue cos there will be no customers
!!! :-)

Incidentally, north of the border RSA has begun installing steel sleepers
in the main line from Albury to Junee. About 1 in 5 are being done.

-- 
Cheers Krel


The Law of Inverse Proportions - The chances of the signal clearing 
without having to get out of the cab and go to a lineside phone is inversly
proportional to the amount of rain falling at the time :-)