Re: new XPT cars order

[dbromage@fang.omni.com.au (David Bromage)]

RNS (steam3801@hotmail.com) wrote:

> Information indicates they may be ordering TWO (!) additional XPT
> power units and running proposed BHQ train as TWO XPT units with three
> trailers. What a waste of resources and bound to make the operation
> uneconomic on fuel use alone.
> How about purchasing some new trains for the Melbourne & Brisbane
> routes (Tilt maybe?) and cascading existing XPT's - including sleepers
> for a sensible BHQ - Adelaide XPT service.

Sydney - Adelaide may not work as an XPT joutney, it's way too long. If
Broken Hill is the objective, ~$21 million (the cost of 2 XPs and 3
trailers) would be more than enough to buy Xplorers of equal capacity. A
little over that and you've got enough Xplorers to take over Dubbo and
Broken Hill, releasing XPTs for a second service to Brisbane (which could
be done with current stock anyway).

Cheers
David