Re: Timings for Adelaide to Melbourne (was GSR's new Brochure)

[mauried@commslab.gov.au (Maurie Daly)]

Average speed and maximum speed are usually two totally differant values.
The biggest impediment to the Overlands timetable is the Adelaide Hiils , ie 
from Murray bridge to Keswick, a distance of a mere 97 kms.
Today , the Overland with an NR class and up to 5 vehicles takes 2 hours 8 
mins to cover this distance , an average speed of just 45 km/h, with a power 
weight ratio of a mere 16 Hp/tonne.

Back in the good old days when the Overland was a real train,and ran on 
weekends with up to 19 vehicles with a pair of 930s, it took 2H 28 mins which 
included stops at Nairne,Balhannah and Bridgewater, an average speed of 39 
km/h.
If we adjust the timetable to take out the additional stops , then we get 
a running time of 2H 19 Mins or an average speed of 42 km/h.
The power / weight ratio of a 19 car Overland with 2 X 930s is 3.2 HP/tonne.
The obvious point here is that even though the current Overland has nearly 5 
times as much power as the Overland of yesterday it makes neglible 
differance to the average speed, the limiting factor is the curves, which you 
simply cant go fast around, no matter how much power you have.
The Adelaide Hills will always be the single biggest obstacle this line has, 
for both passenger and freights.

cheers
MD