I heard a rumour that Wisconsin Central was itching for the Eyre Peninisula (yes
it is still there) however all they wanted was the gypsum traffic from Kevin to
Thevenard.Another rumour was it was all or nothing; And yet again SACBH wanted
to run the show, given that they are/were AN's biggest customer it makes sense.
State and local Govt are wishing to retain AN's EP division as they see the
fucked roads as a major problem (I think they may have learnt from the Rocky
River experience when the Glads-Wilmgtn line got yanked up). There are many
unsealed roads on the 'Coast and these won't last long if road ploughs are
allowed/given reasonable access.
Interesting to note that AN ran the crap out of EP mid eighties, nearly shut it
down, and then when they started to realise they were anything but "National"
the funds came back!
I still feel that their biggest problem is the aging power, the NJ's and 830's,
and a not so new rolling stock fleet.
By the way, a recent book listed the NT's as "in store". They were cut up in
1990 (August) see Rail Australia 18 (Sept 1990).
Nic