>Would Melbournians take that well to double decker trains given they are
>currently used to the single deck Comeng rolling stock?
>- The current Comeng rolling stock has more comfortable seats, carpet, high
>roofs, facing seats and panoramic windows compared to the 4D which is far
>more cramped and spartan.
>- The current Comeng rollingstock is excellent for accessibility by those
>with bikes, strollers, prams, walking frames, etc as it is single deck
>throughout as opposed to the 4D which is only accessible at the ends by
>these types of passengers.
Provided passenger facilities in the vestabule area is adequate then
the lack of access to the middle part of a car should be no problem.
Also as for the seats and carpet their is nothing stopping a company
from ordering the trains with carpet, and better seats.
>- When the 4D was introduced, it was found it was considerably slower
>loading and unloading compared to a Comeng as the 4D had only two doors per
>carriage as opposed to the Comeng which had 3. This would need to improve
>for future designs.
>- The 4D cost $20m for the four car set vs.. $6m for a Comeng three car set.
>Would the new private companies be so keen on double decker trains if the
>cost continues to be similarly high compared to the equivalent Comeng. After
>all, you can fit far more people into 3 three car Comeng sets than 1 double
>deck four car set.
Surly the $20m for the 4D was only for the prototype and production
models should lower the cost quite a lot. Also what is the seating
capacity of a 3 car Comeng, and the 4D??
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Ashley Wright, Sydney, soon to be Canberra, Australia
ajwright@ozemail.com.au
www: http://www.ozemail.com.au/~ajwright
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