The VHST
The Federal government finally started taking the fast train proposals
seriously in 1996. The Very High Speed Train (VHST) project was launched
by the New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory and Commonwealth
governments.
In March 1997, the three governments called for expressions of interest
for the operation of the VHST at no net cost to taxpayers. Registrations
of interest closed on 17 April by which time almost 200 enquiries had been
received.
A short list of six contenders was presented in June.
- Capital Rail
A consortium of Bankers Trust, ABB Daimler-Benz Transportation,
Adtranz,
Arup, TMG International,
SwedeRail,
Countrylink,
Virgin and
Ansett.
Proposed using 300km/h Adtranz tilting trains and upgrading the existing
track. Virgin would operate the service and Ansett would provide
reservations, ticketing and catering.
- Speedrail
A consortium of Leighton Holdings
and ALSTOM.
Proposed using the French
TGV built by
ALSTOM on a new high speed line at up to 320km/h.
- Thyssen Transrapid Australia
A consortium of Thyssen Transrapid
and John Holland Construction and Engineering.
Proposed using magnetic levitation trains on a maglev line via Wollongong
at up to 550km/h.
- Talgo-Medina
Proposed using Spanish Talgo tilting
trains on the extsting track. This group withdrew its bid in October 1997.
- Inter Capital Express
A consortium of
TNT Transit Systems,
Babcock and Brown, GHD Transmark,
Baulderstone Hornibrook,
Siemens, Lend Lease
and the AIDC.
Proposed using the 220km/h German ICT tilting train and upgrading the
existing track. More informatiion on the ICT from
Siemens and
the ICE pages.
- Goninan
Proposed using Fiat tilting trains on the existing track. This group
withdrew its bid in October 1997.
The Project Control Group was set up to oversee the decision making
process, and a 100 page brief was issued in October 1997. The Project
Evaluation Committee was established, consisting of representatives of the
three governments and technical and financial experts.
The preferred tenderer was to have been announced by the end of 1997, but
this was delayed until August 1998.
Announcement of successful tenderer
On 12th August 1998, the Department of Transport set up a taskforce to examine the feasability of more
high speed rail lines.
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