Re: Lets Standardise instead!

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

In article <36E8A3AD.787AA2BD@ozemail.com.au> Gavin Potter <gavpot@ozemail.com.au> writes:
>From: Gavin Potter <gavpot@ozemail.com.au>
>Subject: Re: Lets Standardise instead!
>Date: Fri, 12 Mar 1999 16:18:37 +1100



>Maurie Daly wrote:

>>
>> Having said all this though , there are a couple of areas where guage
>> conversion would make some sense .
>> If FV sees a market in SW NSW for grain products, then guage conversion of
>> Mangalore to Tocumwal,and the re-opening of Naranderra to Tocumwal would make
>> a lot of sense.
>> Such a conversion , would see the BG line north of Seymour closed ,and VLP run
>> its pass trains on SG,and VLF run its freights on SG.
>>

>You could also close the Double line BG between Broady and Seymour, or alternatively convert
>the double track to SG and close the existing SG.

Unfortunately , neither of these options make any economic sense.
The existing SG line is a relatively new line , having been recently relaid 
with 60 kg/m rail and re-ballasted.

It would make no sense whatsover to close it.
Its also now an ARTC line , unlikely that they would want to close it.

Closing completely the BG track is possible , but not practical for a number 
of reasons.
1/ Too many BG platforms where there arnt SG platforms.

2/ The main user of the BG between Broadmedows and Seymour will be VLP,but it 
would have to be VF who would close the line , since VLP will have 
to pay VF for the use of the BG track its not a problem for VF to 
keep it running.
3/ Too may stopping all stations pass trains which would have to be intermixed 
with the SG freights , difficult to path with the existing crossing loop 
spacing.

In the case of the BG ,there may have to be some rationalization of the 
numerous staffed signal-boxes. 



>The other option for reopening and re-guaging is the the Heywood Mt Gambier line. There is
>alot of traffic potential available to FV from that area. The Glenelg River bridge was only
>just replace a couple of years before they closed the line down and I think the line was also
>upgraded.

Yes , this line is worth looking at , the problem here is the old state issue, 
who would pay for the conversion of the line in SA.
Not reasonable to expect FV to pay for the SA bit , and I cant see anyone else 
wanting to.
If FV could get a very cheap lease from SA Dot , ie no access fees for 15 
years, then it would be worth looking at closely.

 Converting all the lines in Vic to SG is one of those, it would be nice 
things , but totally uneconomic to expect that FV should do it , after all 
they only have a 15 year lease, which means that they will have to recover 
their total costs and make a profit in that time .Converting a BG line to SG 
only makes sense if it allows you to pick up a substantial market , that 
previously was unavailable.Apart from Southern NSW and possibly south SA, 
there isnt anywhere else.

MD



mic would be to convert 
everything to SG.

>--

>--------------------------------------------------------
>Gavin Potter.

>e.mail: (home) gavpot@ozemail.com.au
> (work) gavin.potter@agric.nsw.gov.au

> http://www.ozemail.com.au/~gavpot
>--------------------------------------------------------
>"Planning without action is futile. Action without planning
>is fatal."  -Alan Speigel.