Re: FreightCorp to Melbourne

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

In article <363D8952.97DDCF5E@fastlink.com.au> Bob <gioia@fastlink.com.au> writes:
>From: Bob <gioia@fastlink.com.au>
>Subject: Re: FreightCorp to Melbourne
>Date: Mon, 02 Nov 1998 21:28:34 +1100

>Freightcorp crews from Cootamundra are presently learning the road and will
>operate these services into Victoria. It is interesting to note that NRC is
>considering moving its southern crewing depot from Junee to Cootamundra. The
>question now remains as to how long V/Line wil continue to use Austrac as I
>understand that a V/Line inspector has learnt the road to Sydney .
>Cheers
>Bob


Cootamundra is a much better place to have your crewing point.
Not that there is anything wrong with Junee as a town , but from an operational
perspective Coota yard is on the flat and is a very long yard , ie you can 
hold a 1500 metre train without it blocking either level crossing.
The other drawback of Junee is that the station itself is at the bottom of 
rising grades in both directions, the 1:40 on the down being one of the worst.
If trains didnt have to stop at Junee , then they could get a run at this 
grade , which would save a heap of time ,fuel , and  brake shoes .
In order to get the maximum benefit , it would be necessary to re-align the 
points at the end of the platform road to the main with high speed ones,
ie 80 km/H  .
Its not quite as bad on the up, but the savings would be similar.
Would also save the taxi fares of Junee crews travelling to Coota West to run 
SP5/PS6.

cheers
MD