14 Mar 2011: Queensland: Western line rail recovery, an opportunity

[ozbob]

Media release 14 March 2011

Queensland:  Western line rail recovery, an opportunity

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters has welcomed the statement by the Premier that the Western rail line to Toowoomba is on track to open early (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The devastating flash floods wrecked havoc with the western line on the Toowoomba range.  The recovery efforts are very impressive, well done all!"

"Rail tunnels on the Little Liverpool range were opened in 1866 (2).  Is there anywhere else in Queensland where such critical transport infrastructure is still in use?  This demonstrates why investment in rail is truly for the long haul."

"The re-opening of the line also provides not only the opportunity for the resumption of freight trains and the long distance Westlander passenger service, but also the opportunity to introduce commuter rail services between Helidon and Rosewood/Ipswich using rail motors, and eventually more modern diesel/hybrid mechanical units."

"Reinstating a rail service to Helidon with a connecting bus service to Toowoomba would provide a better level of service than is possible using buses as is the case for some at present. Such a rail service would carry coordinated services passengers to and from Toowoomba and service not only the needs of residents of Helidon, Grantham, Gatton, Forest Hill, Laidley, Grandchester and Calvert and the surrounding areas travelling either towards Toowoomba or Ipswich/Brisbane but also people wishing to travel to Lawes (University) Gatton (the new super jail, both staff and visitors) providing an alternative to the journey by road (3)."

"In the longer term the rail electrification could be extended from Rosewood to Grandchester and a shuttle then operated using railcars between Grandchester and Helidon until such time as a new tunnel was built to enable the electrification to be extended to Helidon."

References:

1.  Vital Western Rail line to re-open ahead of schedule   http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=73968

2.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_Tunnel,_Queensland

3.  Western passenger services  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=5529.0

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Discussion thread Western passenger services --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=5529.0

[somebody]

Where is the link to the study recommending this?

I couldn't find it easily.  The inland route one wouldn't consider this in isolation would it?  The latest tmr study didn't go into costs/benefits.

[ozbob]

Not sure where they are hidden, meanwhile click --> here!