Re: Ararat BG connections- Lets Standardise instead!

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

In article <36e665df.0@nap-ns1> "Grahame Ferguson" <grahamef@users.mcmedia.com.au> writes:
>From: "Grahame Ferguson" <grahamef@users.mcmedia.com.au>
>Subject: Re: Ararat BG connections- Lets Standardise instead!
>Date: Wed, 10 Mar 1999 23:41:30 +1100

>    If you standardise Gheringhap-Ballarat-Ararat, you provide an alternate
>route from Gheringhap to Ararat.  Leave one line Ballarat to Warrenheip
>broad gauge to go via Melton for the commuter trains.
>    In so doing you can run Adelaide trains westbound via Maroona, and
>eastbounds via Ballarat.  This also gives an alternate route if either one
>is blocked.

Guage conversion of BG to SG costs around 100K per km. (based on wooden 
sleepers which can be redrilled and dont need replacement.)
Standardization of BG tracks needs to provide an economic return if its to be 
done.
Simply providing alternative routes which could be used if the primary 
route is closed or blocked simply doesnt justify the expense .
How many times since its opening has the Melb - Adelaide SG line been closed 
or blocked?
The existing Melb - Adelaide line is running at about half its theoretical 
capacity currently ,and even with the most optimistic forecasts of rail 
winning back freight from road wont get to 100% capacity in the next 20 to 50 
years.
If anything the number of trains running over this corridor will 
actually fall as increased loads are carried.
It would be nice if all of Victoria was SG , but unless its funded by Govt, no 
private operator will ever go around standardizing all the tracks just for the 
sake of it.

MD