Re: Booked out Melb XPTs

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

In article <7mmco8$4rd$1@nnrp1.deja.com> jumbojim@my-deja.com writes:
>From: jumbojim@my-deja.com
>Subject: Re: Booked out Melb XPTs
>Date: Fri, 16 Jul 1999 04:34:16 GMT

>Maurie

>The cost for an XP is grossly inflated because they're generally small
>runs, so they have to recover their jigging and start up costs across a
>smaller number of units (Last order for NRs was for 120, last order for
>XPs was for 4, start up cost per unit = NR x 30)

>The Valentas are also expensive to buy - 750k + (according to Captain
>Deltic sometime ago)

>And you're right, the RAC passenger access rate per GTK is higher than
>freight for what is after all a very mediocre 2nd-rate run-down
>poorly-maintained poorly-controlled freight train track.

>The taxpayers deserve to receive better value for their subsidy money

>Regards

>JJ
>(Don't you just love the smell of an ALCO in the morning)


>Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
>Share what you know. Learn what you don't.


Fair enuf about the costs per unit etc.
You would have to wonder though why one would go down this path ,after 
all Countrylink could achieve almost the same result using a pair of ELs 
push -pull  instead of the XPs, same axle load , almost the same top speed 
more HP.
Would mean putting a HEP gen set in the EL but theres plenty of room,the FDL12 
cyl engine is quite compact.
Alternatively adding a PHN to the consist would achieve the same .
Could have bought a heap of them at the same time as AN purchased theirs for 
much less than $4 m each .

Too late now I guess.

MD