Re: Weekly Times story - 4 lines possible re-opening

["Rod" <berrlina@bigpond.com>]

fg <andrei@axs.com.au> wrote in message
AERw3.2965$hf4.25025@nsw.nnrp.telstra.net">news:AERw3.2965$hf4.25025@nsw.nnrp.telstra.net...
> Hi all.
>
> This week's Weekly Times carries a font page story, with the first
sentence
> starting, "Rail lines across the state are set to open..."
>
> b) Wasn't the line beyond Tocumwal always a SG one ?  If so, are FV
> considering running SG trains from Narrandera to Tocumwal then reloading
or
> changing bogies or are they going to convert NSW line to BG.  Or are they
> considering funding the SG rehabilitation with the hope that, NSW
operators
> destined for south of the border go to Tocumwal rather than going via
Albury
> to Melb/Geelong/Portlnd. There is always the problem that the grain could
> end up in Sydney, rather than in a VIC port.  The problem is FV's not
mine.
> Another possibility - FV might want to run SG trains north from Tocumwal
to
> Narrandera then to VIC via Albury.  Doesn't sound likely.

There was talk of installing a loop short of the Narrandera bridge [viaduct]
and using modern high speed loading techniques at both the new loop and
Tocumwal, running a captive
SG train back and forwards to transfer wheat to Bg and Victorian Ports.
The bridge at the Narrandera end is condemned and it would not be viable to
rebuild it.
The cost of transporting wheat is very accurately worked out by the various
Grain handling
Corporations in Country Australia. Wheat from Narrandera and surrounding
areas will run to Geelong, even if it is taken back to Junee . That is a
[costing] fact!
The problem for Freight Victoria, may be the logistics of having crews in
place, and trained, to run the trains that way. It may be simpler and
cheaper to go the Tocumwal way.
Rod