Re: End of the Sand Train?

[Frank Jones <fjones@webaxs.net>]

Craig Haber wrote:
> 
> G'day,
> 
> Victrack scheduling notice W.98/102 shows the following services
> cancelled
> 0543 light loco Syth Dynon - Spotswood (Tu, Th, Sa) CANCELLED
> 9599 block sand Spotswood-Newport (Tu, Th, Sa) CANCELLED
> 9409 block sand Newport-Lang Lang AGS (Tu, Th, Sa) CANCELLED
> 9597 block sand West Tower-Spotswood (MoO) CANCELLED

When does this take effect from? I had heard it was from 17/1/98 but
another rumour says it has been given 1 month's reprieve.

For the record, P23 was noted leaving Newport at about 5pm with the sand
train ex Spotswood as the RTA Tait special arrived. Was this the last
one? There were still wagons in the siding at Spotswood however.

I wonder what the excuse is for the loss of this contract. Could the
underlying reason be that we couldn't be bothered maintaining the line
past Cranbourne, which I believe is now in poor condition (30km/h speed
limit, from one report)? Sounds a familiar story... a bit like the
Melton Viaduct story in the TV news the previous week...