Re: Reopen V/line branches

[David Langley <del@ancc.com.au>]

> NSW government is considering reopen some of its closed branches, ASR already
> did that and so is West Rail and QR. I guess its time for V/line's term to
> reopen its branches. Lines like Yarram(Leogatha),Dayselford,Orbost(Lake
> Entrance),Bright, Mansfield and Elidon have both freight and tourist
> potential.
>
> While Whittlesea,Healesville,Mornington or even Warburton enjoys population
> booming , no doubts will be excellent to have V/line's sprinter to serve these
> centers. Except if rerun Warburton trains operators might need to tell cyclist
> find somewhere else to ride.
>
> James

It seems like a great idea but as is mentioned but another contributor the road
lobby is the only transport winner in Victorian politics today. Too much slush
funding for railways to make much headway. Maybe under privatisation some
politicians might think that they could benefit and receive some holiday money and
then the railways might receive a favourable go - a level playing field or at
least one that only slopes at 30 degrees instead of 89 degrees as at present.

The Victorian Govt started demolishing the railway system in a permanent way back
in the 1950's when the Bolte Govt. (another truck owner) caused a number of
branches to close. They were soon ripped up to provide some one off money for the
state's coffers (road coffer's that is). To be fair thoung these lines probably
would have gone in the early 1940's had not the war started. The policy thus
started was continued by successive Liberal Govts and we are now reduced to the
rump we see today and underutilised network of lines handling grain - sometimes.

I would be very surprised if any line that has been pulled up (except for
Whittlesea) would ever see the light of day again. What has got to happen is for
the existing system to be better utilised for not only grain but also for general
freight where the long road haul can be avoided and for passengers. Passenger
trains would now be viable (or almost) because there are now no old fashioned
safeworking systems requiring many staff to operate them. Trains can run all over
the place with practically now ground staff at all. Look at Echuca - it is
rumoured that a weekday service is being looked at now that the costs are being
kept low.

DEL.