Article: Analysis suggests sending Countrylink XPT trains into retirement

[ozbob]

From Loco Express (RTBU NSW) click here!

Analysis suggests sending Countrylink XPT trains into retirement

Analysis suggests sending Countrylink XPT trains into retirement

An analysis into CountryLink's XPT trains has revealed the fleet has travelled more than three million kilometres further than they were designed to.

The confidential report, prepared for the director-general of Transport for NSW, revealed the long-distance fleet is suffering from fatigue and corrosion issues and that it is becoming increasingly difficult to find replacement parts for the fleet.

The analysis suggests that the future of regional rail is bright if the NSW Government is willing to retire the ageing fleet in favour of "premium" tilt trains, which would travel faster and offer more comfort for passengers.

Other options include rebuilding the fleet or buy a new fleet of similar trains, however the author of the analysis says that while the option of purchasing a fleet of tilt trains, similar to those in use in Queensland, would be considerably more expensive initially, it has the potential to attract more full-fare paying customers, leading to a higher cost recovery than the other two options.

It's estimated that a new "premium" fleet could cut travel time between Sydney and Canberra by over an hour and increase passenger numbers by 60 per cent.

Loco Division Secretary Bob Hayden said it's critical the government explains its plans for our regional trains.

"This report suggests that we'll need either an upgrade or new fleet by 2018 – given that it can take years to receive new trains, the government needs to start moving on this very quickly.

"Most of our Countrylink XPT trains hit the tracks in in early 1980s. They've got a life-expectancy of about 27 years, so the government is already overdue in its assessment of the future of our regional service.

"The state government needs to start thinking further ahead on these issues. It's not good enough to wait until our fleets hit their used-by date and then start looking at the options.

"It's critically important that we get regional transport right. If that means spending the big bucks early on, then so be it. Regional transport is too important to be forgotten about or given a quick-fix."

[ozbob]

From the Sydney Morning Herald click here!

Tilt trains seen as way to lure users to rural rail

Tilt trains seen as way to lure users to rural rail
August 15, 2012 Jacob Saulwick

THIRTY years after they were introduced, CountryLink's XPT trains have travelled more than three million kilometres more than they were designed to, and should be retired for ''premium'' trains offering faster travel times and better seating and entertainment options.

A confidential analysis into CountryLink reveals the state's ageing long-distance train fleet is suffering ''fatigue and corrosion issues'' and replacement parts are becoming difficult to obtain.

But the analysis, prepared for the director-general of Transport for NSW and obtained through a freedom of information request, points to a potentially bright future for regional rail if the state government was prepared to buy new and faster ''premium'' trains.

These new trains could shave travel times between Sydney and Canberra by more than an hour and, according to the analysis, attract 60 per cent more patronage than the state's regional train services do now.

The report was prepared last year at the request of the head of Transport for NSW, Les Wielinga. It says planning for a new fleet is urgent because it could take up to seven years to receive a new train.

''The existing XPT fleet requires either replacement or a significant upgrade by 2018 to ensure the continuation of reliable country rail services in NSW,'' the report says.

It lays out three options for CountryLink and its XPT trains, the bulk of which entered service in 1982 with a design life of 27 years and 6.25 million kilometres. They have now travelled more than 9.5 million kilometres on average.

The first option is to rebuild the fleet. The second is to buy a new fleet of similar trains. These options could increase patronage by between 11 per cent and 19 per cent, the report says.

But it warns: ''The lack of services and limited appeal to full-fare paying passengers potentially leads to a lower cost recovery, hence a higher ongoing operational subsidy. This option has no potential to improve journey times on the existing network alignment.''

The third option would be more expensive, and requires the purchase of ''tilt trains'' similar to those purchased in Queensland, which can negotiate curves at higher speeds. These trains could include in-seat video screens, internet access, lounge cars and upgraded first-class carriages.

''Although a more expensive capital investment, the train is more attractive to full fare-paying passengers, which could lead to a potentially higher cost recovery,'' the report says.

This option could increase patronage by more than 60 per cent, it says, and cut travel between Central and Canberra from four hours and 19 minutes to three hours 15 minutes.

The costs of the options have been redacted from the report. The opposition's transport spokeswoman, Penny Sharpe, said: ''We want the government to explain what its plans for regional public transport are, given that this report says the trains are going to be unworkable by around 2018.

''People in NSW want to see an enhanced regional CountryLink service - this report points to a way forward.'' The Transport Minister, Gladys Berejiklian, said: ''The Countrylink fleet will at some stage need to be replaced to maintain and improve services for regional and rural NSW, because Labor failed to buy, or plan to invest in new rolling stock.''

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/tilt-trains-seen-as-way-to-lure-users-to-rural-rail-20120814-246pr.html

[somebody]

The way I remember it, Tilt trains require isolating the opposing direction track somewhere between Hawkesbury River and Woy Woy.  They trialled it a couple of decades ago.  I think in one direction they had to swap tracks too.

I don't see why curve easing isn't on the agenda.  Going via East Hills would be pretty awesome for Canberra trains too rather than persisting with via Regents Park (or Granville).

[achiruel]

The way I remember it, Tilt trains require isolating the opposing direction track somewhere between Hawkesbury River and Woy Woy.  They trialled it a couple of decades ago.  I think in one direction they had to swap tracks too.

Couldn't they just have the tilt turn off for that section? It's not particularly long in the overall trip for Sydney to Grafton, Casino or Brisbane.

[somebody]

Couldn't they just have the tilt turn off for that section? It's not particularly long in the overall trip for Sydney to Grafton, Casino or Brisbane.

Don't see why they couldn't.

But without curve easing, I don't see that much benefit to this.

[SurfRail]

Is there really going to be much high-speed running between Sydney and Broadmeadow at all regardless of the tech used?  The alignment is torturously close to the terrain, there isn't that much that can be done I would think without building a new line.

The advantage will come once you clear the Sydney basin.