27 Feb 2014: SEQ: Bring forward Beerburrum-Nambour track duplication

[ozbob]

Media release 27th February 2014



SEQ: Bring forward Beerburrum-Nambour track duplication

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org), a web-based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers, says the Queensland Government should bring forward plans for duplicating the Sunshine Coast Line between Beerburrum and Nambour in the light of news that the state and federal governments are actively exploring a takeover of Queensland's east coast rail track corridor by the Australian Rail Track Corporation, a corporate entity owned entirely by the Commonwealth (1).

"The most pressing need for improving rail freight efficiency on the North Coast Line (NCL) serving Queensland's eastern seaboard is a requirement to duplicate the single track line north of Beerburrum to Nambour in order to untangle the mess created by freight and passenger trains sharing the corridor, while the poor alignment limits the length of freight trains and requires them to travel at an average speed of less than 70 kph."

"ARTC management of mainline track interstate, has resulted in a multi-million investment in 'below-rail' improvements, such as installing heavy duty railway track capable of supporting the heavier axle loads of more efficient freight trains. Better on-board signalling, minor deviations and GPS tracking of trains are among other efficiencies expected to flow should the ARTC deal go through. Of course, there will be spin-off benefits for passenger rail."

"Passenger rail is hopelessly compromised on the Sunshine Coast where more than 40 per cent of so-called train services are carried out by buses."

"Any works program flowing from an ARTC takeover of the line management would have to include duplication of the track through the Sunshine Coast for freight purposes, while the state could be expected to contribute to the cost of stations and car parks consistent with the Federal Government's position that it does not fund 'urban rail'."

"The fact that the Newman Government might have to contribute some of the costs associated with passenger rail operations on the Sunshine Coast should not impede it putting forward plans for track upgrades supporting faster, longer and more efficient freight trains serving Queensland's major coastal cities."

"The need is greatest on the section of track through the Sunshine Coast, that is where the money should go, and it is where planning attention must focus. Where the track duplication plans have not been completed, they should be advanced. Where land on which new track deviations has not been purchased, it should be bought up."

"Mr Emerson should bring this project to 'shovel ready' status, awaiting federal funding, and end the paralysis resulting from the Newman Government decision not to complete duplication to Nambour until 2031."

Reference:

1. http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2014/2/25/joint-statement-artc-to-investigate-incorporating-queensland-into-the-national-rail-network

Contacts:

Jeff Addison
Sunshine Coast Region Spokesperson for RAIL Back On Track

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Discussion --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=6647.msg139528#msg139528

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

17th March 2014

Bring forward Beerburrum-Nambour track duplication

Greetings,

Growing concerns with the Sunshine Coast Line.  Fast becoming a ' political football ' of sorts.  Oil prices are on the way up for the longer term. Now is the time to prepare with sustainable transport options for the future - freight and passenger.  Time is fast running out.

From the Sunshine Coast Daily 14th March 2014 page 18   Anger over assets sale ' blackmail ' 



Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

====================================


Media release 27th February 2014 re-released 17th March 2014



SEQ: Bring forward Beerburrum-Nambour track duplication

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org), a web-based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers, says the Queensland Government should bring forward plans for duplicating the Sunshine Coast Line between Beerburrum and Nambour in the light of news that the state and federal governments are actively exploring a takeover of Queensland's east coast rail track corridor by the Australian Rail Track Corporation, a corporate entity owned entirely by the Commonwealth (1).

"The most pressing need for improving rail freight efficiency on the North Coast Line (NCL) serving Queensland's eastern seaboard is a requirement to duplicate the single track line north of Beerburrum to Nambour in order to untangle the mess created by freight and passenger trains sharing the corridor, while the poor alignment limits the length of freight trains and requires them to travel at an average speed of less than 70 kph."

"ARTC management of mainline track interstate, has resulted in a multi-million investment in 'below-rail' improvements, such as installing heavy duty railway track capable of supporting the heavier axle loads of more efficient freight trains. Better on-board signalling, minor deviations and GPS tracking of trains are among other efficiencies expected to flow should the ARTC deal go through. Of course, there will be spin-off benefits for passenger rail."

"Passenger rail is hopelessly compromised on the Sunshine Coast where more than 40 per cent of so-called train services are carried out by buses."

"Any works program flowing from an ARTC takeover of the line management would have to include duplication of the track through the Sunshine Coast for freight purposes, while the state could be expected to contribute to the cost of stations and car parks consistent with the Federal Government's position that it does not fund 'urban rail'."

"The fact that the Newman Government might have to contribute some of the costs associated with passenger rail operations on the Sunshine Coast should not impede it putting forward plans for track upgrades supporting faster, longer and more efficient freight trains serving Queensland's major coastal cities."

"The need is greatest on the section of track through the Sunshine Coast, that is where the money should go, and it is where planning attention must focus. Where the track duplication plans have not been completed, they should be advanced. Where land on which new track deviations has not been purchased, it should be bought up."

"Mr Emerson should bring this project to 'shovel ready' status, awaiting federal funding, and end the paralysis resulting from the Newman Government decision not to complete duplication to Nambour until 2031."

Reference:

1. http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2014/2/25/joint-statement-artc-to-investigate-incorporating-queensland-into-the-national-rail-network

Contacts:

Jeff Addison
Sunshine Coast Region Spokesperson for RAIL Back On Track

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org