Re: Casino-Murwillumbah

["David Proctor" <daproc.spambait@umpires.com>]

Matthew Nolan wrote in message <3689EE87.7440095C@uq.net.au>...

>The major problem is still that the time taken is just too long at 14
>hours (that's what I found anyway). That is why a limited stops service
>could rectify the problem.

The way I envisaged the original timetable, the overnight Brisbane services
(NT1/2) actually left Sydney at about 1800 (don't have the origianl article
with timings worked out available) - this was due to a combination of train
orders north of Casino and reduced stops. The daylight services were meant
as a local North Coast service, even though they went to Brisbane. Hence,
the extra journey time would not be that detrimental.

If you work out the timings, all stations on the North Coast could be
adequately served by NT25/26 - stations to Kempsey could be adequately
served by NT1/2, and north of Kempsey, NT3/4 would be passing through at an
almost reasonable hour.

The arrival into Coffs Harbour of NT3 at (approx.) 0600 and Grafton at 0730
meant that those destinations could be reasonably served by this train -
particularly for sleeping car passengers.

> Sure, improved track combined with a
>tilt-train would help, but this takes money and time. The proposed
>schedule allows for two trains a day to work through to Brisbane, which
>would give greater flexibilty for limited stops. Perhaps an endevour set
>could link up with the XPT at Casino to run through to Broadmeadow to
>feed the smaller stations between.

An Endeavour? A bloody long trip, particularly if going somewhere like
Wingahm - a long way to go, in those seats, with no buffet. Or do you mean
Xplorer? They don't have any of them spare.

Dave P