Re: Stony Point line Queries from non Mexican (was Melb 4D fails for last time)

["Exnarc" <gwrly@netspace.net.au>]

Michael Walker <walker@hotkey.net.au> wrote in message
937840190.24473@diddley.primus.com.au">news:937840190.24473@diddley.primus.com.au...
<snip>
>Ownership by
> Hillside doesn't mean much in some ways, they got the trains for free as
did
> Bayside. Surely they can 'do a deal'.
>
That is not the point, why would they want to do a deal?

Lets face facts, its outside the loading gauge for this line, it would
require major works to clear the bridge at the down end of Frankston not to
mention all the bridges between FSS and Frankston, it would have to run into
Melbourne for maintainance, (unless someone is suggesting that they build a
maintainance depot at Frankston just to service and lift one train)<g>.

Its unsuitable to be loco hauled, what are the advantages of it anyway when
NX are going to replace the current fleet with DMU's.

To run it would require the complete stripping of the current traction
equipment, replacement of the Shaffenberg Couplers with autos, provision of
some form of 240v AC supply to run A/C, lighting,etc. a costly exercise, now
before I hear what about the N classes, would NX be prepared to lock in an N
for the Stony Point when they need them in mainline service (I doubt it), at
best its probably only one or 2 trains a day that would go anywhere near
half filling it, its a white elephant, when it was built it was intended to
buy a fleet to increase line capacity on the Burnley Group, it proved
un-suitable, so get rid of it, as simple as that.

The most cost effective option is to either sell it, (doubt if you would get
a buyer)? or scrap it. (Option 3 give it to the Nth Willie Museum).

Bob.