Re: End of the Sand Train?

[steam4me@enternet.com.au (Yuri Sos/Melbourne)]

Michael Walker <walker@hotkey.net.au> wrote:

>Why is there so many track limits around and why does it take so long to
>fix them?

No funding and no will on the part of the government to pay for or
find funds for essential repairs.

The big floods in Gippsland a few years damaged powerlines, roads,
road bridges and other community infrastructure, including the *rail*
bridge over the Avon River at Stratford.  Quick now, which of the
above was not repaired within two weeks?  Now the folk in Bairnsdale
call for the water train to assist if fires reach them, and the train
has now been positioned at Sale, unable to proceed further east.

We (as a community) voted them in, we now have to take their medicine
(he said, mixing metaphors<g!>).

>On a related issue is the yellow advisory tram speed limit signs
>popping up along tram lines. In many cases, trams can only travel along
>major roads with speed limits of 60 for cars at an advised limit of
>30kph!!

This very week has seen the track in Victoria Parade, East Melbourne
(a victim of 30km/h limits for ages) closed, completely ripped up and
relaid with welded rail on *concrete* sleepers.  The were running at
one derailment every 3 days just prior to replacement.

>Surely it
>hasn't deteriorated to such poor condition yet. Or is this another state
>government plot to sell our trams to bus companies, claim the track is
>too expensive to fix and replace them with bus routes run by Jeff's
>mates in the bus industry? I normally ignore such paranoia but I
>sometimes wonder...

With Jeff wanting to sell off V/Line Freight, it seems odd that
VicTrack is closing lines, ripping out loops, sidings and generally
removing infrastructure so that even if a contractor wanted to use
rail, there will be limited or no facilities to enable pick up or
delivery of goods.

If you discount V/Line Grain, there aren't too many goods trains left
in Victoria.

Regards