>Then you'd have problems with the schedule. On full goods load, the train
>would take a lot longer. Remember the train isn't (officially) allowed to
>run at 115km/h to get a better run at the hills. Even in the days of 70mph
>running, an R on full goods load would take 3 hours to Bendigo on an
>express passenger train.
Oh come on, David, one extra W car would weigh about 35t, taking the
train weight to 340t, still well below the full goods load, and would
give SRV about an extra $2500 - $3000 (?) in revenue.
And as for "runs at hills", there are speed restrictions at the bottom
of Sunbury bank, at Taradale viaduct and at the bottom of the Big Hill
grade which would negate the advantage of a 110km/h run at the grade.
I just went back and checked the "S" circular for the St Catherine's
School tour Anzac Day 1996. Double Rs plus *17* cars and a
magnificent, spirited performance by this train. (Refer to the
footage we shot in "1996 The Victorian Year in Steam" to see how well
this train performed). Timings about the same as this weekend's
trains.
According to SRV, the refurbishment of both R761 & R766 with
improvements to insulation, better maintenance (a/c less work by the
locos) means that both locos perform at least as well as if not better
than when in regular service.
Regards
Yuri