27 Oct 2010: Queensland: Long distance passenger rail travel is a winner!

[ozbob]

Media Release 27 October 2010

Queensland:  Long distance passenger rail travel is a winner!

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport users has congratulated the Queensland Government and Queensland Rail on their commitment to upgraded coastal long distance passenger train services, announced by the Premier in Parliament this morning.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Subsidies to Queensland Rail's long distance passenger trains are sensible and are of benefit to the whole community.  Support for the rural community by the Queensland Government in maintaining and improving these services is to be applauded.  It should also be noted that public transport in south-east Queensland is also heavily subsidised.  So is health, electricity, water, education and other transport modes.  Rarely is the true cost of road and air infrastructure, and their environmental penalties costed into those transport modes. If they were, they too would show distortions of cost and subsidies. The cost of road trauma is breaking our nation (1). Queensland is more than just the south-east! Rail subsidies are returned as broader economic benefits which is why the world and now Queensland is getting on with the rail revolution."

"Governments are there to support their communities. Governments lost the transport plot in the 1950s and until recently have lacked the long term vision of our pioneers who laid down our basic rail network.  For example, the myopia demonstrated when the Gold Coast and Tweed Heads railways were closed during the 1960s and right of way lost is now hitting home in exorbitant infrastructure costs to re-establish those lines."

"In twenty or thirty years it is highly likely that the only sustainable bulk transport mode will be rail.  Air and road will be subject to extreme fuel and environmental costs. Governments need to be thinking long term and therefore expanding and continuing support for rail networks.  Rail is the safe, sustainable and environmentally friendly transport solution for Queensland and the nation."

"The long distance passenger trains in Queensland are unique.  Providing a quality tourist travel experience they are also important transport communication links for many remote towns throughout Queensland. The Sunlander, the Spirit of the Outback, the Westlander, the Inlander and the Tilt Train services all value add to the economy of Queensland, directly and indirectly.  This was further reinforced with Queensland Rail's Traveltrain Holidays taking out the Major Tourist Attraction award at the 2008 Outback Queensland Tourism Awards (2)."

"That being said, modern tilt trains are a sensible option for reducing costs and improving the frequency, patronage and shortening the travel time. Improved marketing of these services is also needed."

"The aging Queensland Rail long distance passenger carriage fleet needs replacement. Consideration should also be given to other new diesel/hybrid multiple unit train sets besides the tilt trains for more local passenger services in Queensland (3). Regular commuter services could be introduced from places such as Gatton, Helidon, and eventually Toowoomba and similarly from Gympie North and Maryborough.  Apart from the coastal services more local rail services for major provincial cities in Queensland could also be achieved. Local commuter rail services could be established in places like Cairns and Townsville with a bit of vision (4)."

References:

1.   http://www.brisinst.org.au/here-and-now/october-2010-issue/7

2.   http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=1510.0

3.   http://www.hitachi-rail.com/products/rolling_stock/hybrid/index.html

4.   http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4683.0

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

29 May 2007: Queensland Long Distance Passenger Trains http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=113.0

27 Dec 2008: Queensland: Long distance rail travel is the future! http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=1704.0

4 July 2009: Long distance rail travel is part of the sustainable transport ... http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2470.0

[ozbob]

Downer EDI Maryborough will be constructing the new tilt unit  and extra carriages.

Sleepers are to be added to the trains as well.

[colinw]

Sleepers on the CTT?  About time - now I'll actually use the thing to visit the Cairns branch of my family.

Without a sleeping car my wife & I ignored the CTT, preferring to either fly or use the Sunlander (Queenslander class is wonderful, although the separate Queenslander train back in the '90s was even better).

[colinw]

Government release about retiring the Sunlander & 6 days a week Cairns Tilt service is out.

Link to thread:
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4726.0

[Stillwater]

And the new Tilt Trains will be operational from when?

[colinw]

The press release doesn't give an "in service" date.

[ozbob]

Joint Statement:

Premier and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Anna Bligh

Minister for Transport
The Honourable Rachel Nolan
27/10/2010

World class trains for Queensland supporting 800 jobs for Maryborough

Premier Anna Bligh has announced the State Government will invest $189 million to buy another Tilt Train and upgrade the existing two tilt trains.

Ms Bligh said the work will be carried out at Maryborough's Downer EDI facility providing support for 800 direct and indirect jobs in the Wide Bay region.

The existing Sunlander Train, which has been in service for 45 years, will be replaced by the new Tilt Train, slashing at least five hours from travel times.

"Travelling the Brisbane to Cairns rail route is one of the world's top train journeys," said Ms Bligh.

"It takes you past the magnificent Glasshouse Mountains, the cane country of North Queensland and the majestic tropics beyond Townsville.

"This $189 million investment means passengers on this world class route will be able to travel in world class luxury."

Transport Minister Rachel Nolan said the new trains will feature:

   * Deluxe sleeper cars with personal ensuites;
   * First class cars with lay flat seats, similar to airline sky beds;
   * A restaurant car with a la carte dining;
   * Smart, flatscreen TVs in all seats featuring in-seat entertainment with movies, news, sport, weather and music on demand;
   * First class café-style lounge;
   * Premium economy sitting cars and club lounges.

"Awarding the $189 million contract to Maryborough's Downer EDI facility meant 500 direct jobs at the workshops plus an additional 300 jobs in the region," said the Minister.

"This new contract will sustain those jobs right through to 2014," she said.

Premier Bligh said the $189 million investment would contribute to improved services for the next half a century.

"The Tilt trains are the fastest trains in Australia," she said.

"They travel at speeds of up to 160 km an hour and this new train will cut at least five hours off the travel time on the entire route when travelling on the old Sunlander.

"It is because this Government has embarked on our program of assets sales that we can make this promise to Queenslanders," she said.

"It is because we have created a rail company that is completely dedicated to its passengers that we can deliver these focused improvements.

"This investment in the future of regional rail travel will allow us to continue to provide six return services between Brisbane and Cairns a week.

"It allows us to provide faster and more comfortable options for tourists and regional Queenslanders, for whom inter-city train travel is essential."


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

[ozbob]

From the Sydney Morning Herald click here!

Downer to build new Sunlander for Qld

Downer to build new Sunlander for Qld
October 27, 2010 - 12:14PM

AAP

Downer EDI Ltd has been awarded a $190 million contract to upgrade Queensland Rail's fleet of high-speed passenger tilt trains.

Downer EDI said on Wednesday the contract would lead to a new generation of tilt-trains in Queensland.

The new trains will run between Brisbane and Cairns by 2014, mirroring the luxuries of premium air travel, according to Queensland Premier Anna Bligh.

"Travelling north on the Sunlander is an iconic Queensland experience," Ms Bligh told parliament on Wednesday.

"That experience is about to get a whole lot better."

Under the contract, Downer will build a "next generation" diesel tilt train consisting of two power cars and twelve carriages.

Downer also will upgrade the existing two tilt trains - which it built at its Maryborough facility in the late 1990s - to include ten new carriages.

"The new rail vehicles will be delivered progressively from April 2013," Downer chief executive Grant Fenn said in a statement on Wednesday.

The fastest in Australia, running at up to 160km/h, they will cut five hours off the travel time of the old Sunlander, which will be decommissioned after serving for 45 years, Ms Bligh said.

The Maryborough facility will build the new trains, too.

At 1146 AEDT, Downer EDI shares were 1.2 per cent higher, up by six cents at $5.08.

[ozbob]

Discussion thread --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4726.0

[ozbob]

612 ABC Brisbane Breakfast host Spencer Howson conducted a quick interview on this announcement this morning.

Thanks for the interest 612!

Click here!

Sunlander rattles off into the sunset

Thu 28 Oct 2010, 9:40am by Spencer Howson

Forget the Sunlander - it's being decommissioned after 45 years on tracks between Brisbane and Cairns. Now the government will spend $189 million dollars on a new Tilt Train, plus upgrades for the existing two tilt trains. The new trains will have deluxe sleeper cars, and there'll be six return services a week. Robert Dow is with Rail Back on Track, a public transport lobby group: Download the audio file