Re: GSR will extend the Ghan service to Darwin

["Dave Proctor" <daproc@sd5.mailbank.com>]

(X-post added)

Eric Cartman <erkemail@yahoo.com> wrote in message
9SqS3.67$yF3.4150@nsw.nnrp.telstra.net">news:9SqS3.67$yF3.4150@nsw.nnrp.telstra.net...
> They'd be mad not to......
>
> Eric
>
> < Tell > wrote in message ...
> >Heard on ABC Territory Radio this morning, a Great
> >Southern Railway spokesman who said the company is
> >negotiating with the consortium, to run the Ghan
> >service through to Darwin on completion of the line.

Which again raises the question posed here a few months ago - what are their
long-term plans rolling-stock wise?

Adelaide - Darwin would have to be a 2 night trip, so we would be faced with
2 sets required if they are to keep the current service pattern - 1 a week
from Sydney, 1 from Melbourne. The only way that they could get away with a
one set operation would be to abandon the Ghan from Sydney and Melbourne,
and have a once weekly service to Darwin and once weekly as far as Alice
Springs.

As the cars used on the Ghan (and the IP) are almost 30 years old now, they
are getting to the stage where their replacement must be considered. There
is only so much that internal refurbishment can do - they will continue to
creak and groan.

So, anyone have any thoughts? I know where there are some cheap, unused cars
available. Sleeping AND sitting cars as well. Of course, some refurbishment
would be required for Australian use, and there are more sitting cars
available than are actually required, but they could be converted into
lounge and club cars.

--
DaveProctor
thadocta AT dingoblue.net.au