Re: Tilt train to Gembrook

["J Richmond" <richmond@melbpc.org.au>]

>Some time ago I posted a message putting forward the idea of a commuter
>train service to Emerald so that people out on the puffing billy line
>could travel to belgrave to interchange with the electric trains service
>there.
That is a good idea, but I don't think US bus lines (who operate the
Belgrave - Gembrook bus) would like the idea!
>Thsi bit of news got me thinking. Ok so the line is quite curvy - can
>that be compensated for? At the same time I have noted quite a bit of
>discussion about the forthcoming tilt train service in Qld and the
>possibility of a tilt train service Sydney to Canberra. Tilting is, as
>far as I know not gauge - specific and would seem to be a solution to
>the problem of running a reasonable speed service Gembrook to Belgrave.
>please note that I am assuming that realignment of the line is not
>considered an option here.
Surely you joke!!
1)    Puffing Billy is trying to get back to the past as much as possible,
not move into the future. It is a preserved steam railway and we only use
diesels when we have to!
2)    On busy days, all of our crossing stations are used, where would you
cross these trains?
3)    Even if it was used only in the peak times we still have our night
trains at night and track patrol trolley in the morning
4)    The 'heritage' staff and ticket operation is not really geared for
high speed operation.
5)    I don't know much about the engineering side of the line, but I don't
know if the tracks could stand much more than the 32k/h line speed!!
6)    The heritage committee would never allow it!!
7)    Security for the commuter sets???

It is a very nice Idea, but the line was just not built for the late
twentieth century's commuter traffic! I have often thought that it might be
nice to have a Breakfast train in the morning for commuters and a train back
home.

Sam Eades
metman@earthling.net
Puffing Billy Stationmaster, Booking Clerk, Head Conductor and Shop
assistant.