Re: Suggestions for a better Melbourne

[brownst@alphalink.com.au (Chris Brown)]

My Comments:

On Sun, 27 Jun 1999 18:16:32 +1000, "FRISCÉ Theatre Co. (Bryan
Cullis)" <rabonzo@primus.com.au> wrote:



>EASTERN LINES:
>
>*  Electrification and reopening of line to Healesville, with stations at
>Coldstream, Yering, Yarra Glen, Tarrawarra and Healesville.
>
I doubt that there's much point reopening Yering and Tarrawarra - both
are in the middle of nowhere are would not generate any/much patronage


>*  Extending the Glen Waverley line to Rowville, with stations at Mountview
>(between Swindon Av. and Eastleigh Dr., Glen Waverley), Redcourt (between
>Dobell and Lindsay Cts., Scoresby), Scoresby (as close to Scoresby Village
>as possible), Caribbean Gardens (adjacent to Stud Rd. Entrance, Scoresby)
>and Rowville (as close to Stud Park as possible).

I agree with you on this one, but it would be cheaper and easier to
run down/near the scoresby freeway reservation, then go to Stud Park
from there.

>*  All Healesville and Belgrave trains run express Richmond -
>Glenferrie-Swinburne - Camberwell - Box Hill all day until after 8.30 p.m.,
>in which they would stop all stations except East Richmond.

expresses from Richmond-Box Hill - Ringwood would also be nice, but
would require a 3rd track at least some of the way from Box Hill to
Ringwood, in peak hour at least.

>*  Reopening and electrification of Epping line to South Morang, with
>stations at Mill Park (between Pindari Av. and Civic Dr.) and South Morang
>(intersection of McDonalds, Gorge and Plenty Rds.).  This would follow the
>original Whittlesea reservation to just past the Yan Yean pipe track, then
>veer right towards South Morang proper.

It might be a better idea to stay on the whittlesea alignment, because
it makes it easier to extend the line in the future.  In the short
term, however, going in to South Morang proper would be better.
>
>*  Opening of a Y-Link between Rushall and Westgarth, running trains from
>Reservoir and Heidelberg, and calling it the Merrilands line.

I think it would be quite difficult to build a triangle there, because
of the space limitations.  Also, a bus between Reservoir and
Heidelberg would probably be quicker than a train via Clifton Hill.
>
>*  Running services from the City to Greensborough rather than Eltham.
>
>*  Extending all current Eltham bound trains to Hurstbridge, and having them
>run express from Jolimont to Victoria Park all day until 8.30 p.m.

Don't they do that already (except that they are expree
Jolimont-Clifton Hill, not vic. park

>
>*  Run extend both Broadmeadows and Upfield trains to run from the City to
>Craigieburn via Fawkner or Broadmeadows.

What is the point of extending both BMD and UFD to Cragieburn?  There
is not much between Upfield and Somerton to warrant an electric train
service.  Admittedly though, if/when the Broadmeadows-Airport line is
built, it might be easier to run cragieburn trains via upfield, if you
wanted them to run express. (so you wouldn't have to build a 3rd track
to Broadmeadows

>*  Extend the Flemington Racecourse line to connect with western lines just
>before South Kensington, allowing trains to run City - North Melbourne -
>Showgrounds - Racecourse - North Melbourne.  The Showgrounds bypass track
>would be removed and an additional platform would be constructed to allow
>passengers to alight the train from either side.  The same would be done at
>Flemington Racecourse, with the allowance for two trains to sit at the
>station at the one time.  This line would be renamed the Flemington Circle.

What is the point of extending the Flemington Racecourse line to
Footscray?  Your ideas about Showgrounds/Racecourse stations are good,
though

>*  Addition of Werribee Racecourse to system maps.

I don't think Werribee Racecourse platform is still in use - IIRC both
platforms are still there, but the pedestrian access has been removed,
and the platforms are in quite poor condidion (no shelter, etc)
>
>SOUTHERN AND SOUTH-EASTERN LINES:
>
>*  Opening of a new station named "Southland" at Bay Rd., Pennydale.

Yes, this is long overdue.  The new station would be rather close to
Cheltenham, though.


>*  Run services from City to Frankston stopping all stations at all times.
>
>*  Reopen and electrify the line to Mornington with stations at all original
>sites except for Mornington (former site of R.M.S.P. 16, on the western side
>of Nepean Hwy.).  Services would run Richmond - South Yarra - Caulfield -
>Bentleigh - Moorabbin - Cheltenham - Mordialloc - Chelsea - Carrum then all
>to Mornington.  Services would run every weekday to Mornington, and to
>Baxter on weekends.  

No service beyond Baxter on weekends?  no, I don't like that idea

>*  Resuming of electric services to Warragul with all Pakenham services
>extended to Warragul.  

I don't think there'd be enough patronage from the stations
Warragul-Pakenham to warrant every PKM train being extended there.
Like someone said in another thread, it would be better to refurbish a
few existing trains for interurban work.  You could then run them
'super express' (Pakenham - Berwick, Hallam -
Dandenong-Clayton-Caulfield-Richmond-FSS

>GEELONG & SURROUNDING SUBURBS:
>
>*  Introduction of a suburban rail system for Geelong and suburbs, named
>"Geelong City Railways (GCR)".  Trains would run on existing tracks, with
>replacement tracks required along line to Drysdale and construction of new
>track for a Y-link and an additional rail line.  Trains would also serve
>existing stations, plus the addition of new stations in Hovell Park,
>Norlane, North Geelong, Drumcondra, Bell Post Hill, Bell Park, Hamlyn
>Heights (x2), Herne Hill, Waurn Ponds, Highton, Deakin University and
>Drysdale.  Stations would also be reopened in Marshall, Grovedale, Thomson,
>Newcomb, Moolap, Leopold and Curlewis.

I seriously doubt that this service could possibly be viable - but
there would be a lot of sense in extending existing Melbourne-Geelong
services to Grovedale, and maybe some to Leopold/Drysdale as well

Regards,
Chris Brown