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

["Chris Brownbill" <cbrnbill@enternet.com.au>]

Maurie Daly <mauried@commslab.gov.au> wrote in article
<mauried.526.35655BB5@commslab.gov.au>...
> 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.
> 

Yes, now compare the time by bus - 1hr 5min by Firefly Express Murray
Bridge to Adelaide.  So, (suggests he expecting the flames of hell) what if
GSR introduced a co-ordinated Murray-Bridge to Adelaide bus to connect with
trains.  You'd chop alomst an hour of the transit time straight away
(allowing for connection time), even without ANY other speed improvements. 
They could still run the train through to Adelaide for the gunzels and
others wanting to enjoy the scenery of the Adelaide Hills (which is an
asset to this trip), but allow those in a hurry to change to a bus.  At
least its better than no train at all.

In California, Amtrak's San Joaquin trains run Oakland (for SF) to
Bakersfield, then connect with a bus to LA which does the final section
much quicker than a train.