Order an additional 4 Xplorer carriages to replace the XPT on this run ( an
extra EA,EB and EC wouldn't go astray as spares, either).
This would free up the 2 XP power cars, giving Countrylink 5 spare power
cars, which will definitely come in handy as they get older.
The carriages would also be released, for use elsewhere. Now, a little
known, and certainly never-used feature of the PHA power vans was their
ability to work in conjunction with XPT carriages. a train could be formed
of these cars, say an XBR, XF, XF, PHA to operate the Broken Hill service -
Sydney - Broken Hill Sunday nite, BHQ-OAG Tu, Th, to connect with WP28,
OAG - BHQ We,Fr after connecting with WP27 returning to Sydney overnight on
Saturday nights.
Such an arrangement would have the advantage of providing uniform, modern
standards across ALL of Countrylink's train services.
Although, for this to happen, the Carr government would have to spend money,
and. . . huh, whats that? It is a pig, flying across the sky!!!!!!!
Regards
David Proctor
daproc@bigfoot.com