Re: Electrification of the rail north of Broadmeadows?

["Roderick Smith" <rodsmith@werple.net.au>]

On the eve of the Mitcham byelection, Transport Minister Cooper offered the
vaguest promise of all (in a government which regularly announces all major
projects several times, in the hopes of gaining greater support): certain
lines in the outer-urban area (and the minister "didn't have to spell them
out" could be electrified in the uncertain future.

More recently he has announced that an airport rail link could be built by
connecting to existing suburban lines, rather than direct to the city. 
Obviously there are three possibilities
* off the St Albans line.
* off the Albion - Broadmeadows line (now with urban development for its
whole length).
* off the Broadmeadows - Somerton line, using the noise-abatement alignment
which cannot be used for housing.

I predict that the second option will eventually be built, but believe that
the third is better.

Although Victoria has never built a high-speed exit from the city, and
doesn't run two-tier services, the Broadmeadows line could exist as a
four-track line with no level crossings, and airport and Craigieburn trains
running express to Broadmeadows.
-- 
Regards
Roderick Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor