All aboard THE GREAT TRAIN SHOW - ABC Radio

[ozbob]

Tuesday January 8  2008

All aboard THE GREAT TRAIN SHOW

Tailor-made for train fans, THE GREAT TRAIN SHOW is a unique new audio experience from ABC Local Radio.

THE GREAT TRAIN SHOW is a 16-episode podcast series hosted by Tim Fischer, former Deputy Prime Minister of Australia and well-known train enthusiast.

Featuring a tantalising mix of rail news and engaging stories from and about the world of rail, the series is very much built around the show?s host.  Well known for his great passion and near-encyclopaedic knowledge on the subject, it will draw on Tim?s extensive knowledge of all facets of the industry here in Australia and internationally.

Each week Tim will present a round-up of the week?s rail news and will focus on issues affecting the industry today. The series will highlight heritage rail operations around the world including some of the best steam locomotive recordings available.

Tim is also keen to hear from rail enthusiasts with their stories and ideas and will feature interviews with unique railway characters recalling their behind-the-scenes experiences.

?The 21st Century is seeing a worldwide swing back to rail as a mode of transport, both passenger and freight? says Tim Fischer, ?Join me on THE GREAT TRAIN SHOW for an express ride on the railways, past, present and future?.

THE GREAT TRAIN SHOW will be launched via a live national ABC Local Radio broadcast on Australia Day Saturday 26 January 2008 at 9am. Hosted by Tim Fischer with Jeff Richardson from the ABC Local Radio program The Coodabeen Champions, the broadcast promises to be a fascinating reveal of all things rail.

To download your free podcast or to email Tim Fischer, simply follow the links to the website:

http://www.abc.net.au/backyard/greattrainshow

Available from Saturday 26 January 2008

[mufreight]

Tim Fisher had Prof Laird on the show today worth a listen for that interview alone
found it inrertesting that the key issue of the discussion was shortening the distance point to point for rail and improving the alignments by curve reduction.
As examples the Prof raised the NSW main south and Maitland to Stroud Road on the Sydney Brisbane line.
Pointed out that QR shortened the line between Brisbane and Rockhampton when they electrified by 20km.  Great.  Gives rail a better opportunity to compete with road and get freight off road and onto rail.
Yet it would seem that Government both State and Federal of both political persuasions want to build the Inland SG rail link via Toowoomba, a route to Brisbane that will be better than 80km longer, be built over a 19th centuary alignment so it will be slower and cost at least $500.000.000 more.
So much for giving rail a competitive edge on freight,
so much for wanting to get freight off road and on to rail,
so much for conserving a finite fuel supply,
so much for reducing greenhouse emissions and reducing their effect on climate change.
and as for government interest in reducing inflation by reducing transport costs.
the big question is WHY?
This is suposedly the smart state so once again WHY?
That coal traffic from the Ashford field shoulde be exported through Gladstone makes sense but to get it there via Toowoomba, Miles and Banana, one would have to be kidding, better grades and alignment by going direct from Carrington (Goondiwindi) to Miles Oh it would also be something like 227km shorter.
Again that big question WHY.
Care to ask you local politicians, State and Federal in writing and post your replies, the responses will undoubtedly prove to be interesting, especially if you then raise all of the other points I have mentioned.
Have fun  you may be able to indulge in that new national pastime, trying to embarass politicians.

[ozbob]

http://www.abc.net.au/local/features/greattrainshow/

Live Radio shows of the Great Train Show are coming to ABC Local. There will be live shows on January 4th, 11th and 18th with a special Australia Day edition on Monday January 26th. All shows to air at 910am-1000am (AEST).

[ButFli]

Does anyone know what will happen to TGTS when Tim Fisher takes up his post as emissary to the Vatican? Perhaps the Pope has some train stories he can share?

Seriously though, Tim Fisher is great. He was probably the last real character in mainstream Federal politics. Now everything is about the 10-second sound grab. Perhaps if he was still deputy PM the railway might get a look-in.

[ozbob]

ABC Great Train Show Australia Day

The last in series goes nationwide at 0910 Australia Day with Ambassador Amanda Vanstone due on air live talking about Italian Trains

Cheers Tim Fischer