12 July 2008: South East Queensland: Rail Rail Rail ?

[ozbob]

Media Release 12 July 2008

South East Queensland:  Rail Rail Rail ?

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 consistently highlighted the need for proactive rail infrastructure development and the acquisition of rolling stock for commuter transport in south-east Queensland.  The CSIRO report ?Fuel for thought? (1) has now confirmed the need for urgent action to put in place the rail infrastructure and resources to meet the transport needs of our community.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

?As fuel prices continue to climb the pressure on public transport will be immense."

?Bulk funding must be directed from roads to rail. RAIL Back On Track suggests following rail priorities:

1.  Build the Richlands to Springfield  line with stations at Ellen Grove and Springfield Lakes as well as Springfield Central now as the Darra to Richlands construction is done.

2.  Duplication of the rail line to Cleveland.

3.  Triplication of the main western line from Darra to Ipswich.

4.  Commence the line from Petrie to Kippa-Ring.

5.  Triplication from Petrie to Caboolture.

6.  Introduce a south-west loop service Central to Yeerongpilly, Sherwood, Milton, Exhibition and back to Central in both directions which would give passengers options other than transiting through the CBD when travelling cross suburbs. Also provides a service to Tennyson and Exhibition. Re-open Normanby railway station and integrate with the Normanby bus station.

7.  All country lines to remain intact. More country passenger and freight services provided.  Consider hybrid rail-motors for rural services.

8.  Rail commuter services to be introduced from Toowoomba to Ipswich.?

9.  Construction of an extension underground Brisbane city rail loop.

10. Review all urban and interurban timetables with active community consultation to get the best services from our rail network."

?The high capacity bus routes will need to be converted to electric light rail to have any hope of coping with the huge passenger demands that will be made on the system. Buses are not coping now and will become extremely expensive in terms of operating costs.  The proposed Gold Coast Rapid Transit system should be modern light rail to be sustainable and be able to handle the passenger loading demands for the long term.?

?Rail ? light and heavy, is the sustainable bulk people mover.  By ramping up the QR urban and interurban system to a high capacity frequent service this will take the pressure off the radial bus network. More lateral bus routes and feeder services will complement the high frequency rail commuter services.?

?We must continue to ramp up rail services as this is where the bulk capacity can be developed independent of the congestion on the roads, and use buses where possible as integrated feeder services to high frequency high capacity rail services.?

?Time that we act and look to a sustainable transport future! ?

References:

1.  Fuel for thought
The future of transport fuels: challenges and opportunities Future Fuels Forum June 2008
http://www.csiro.au/files/files/plm4.pdf

Contact:
Robert Dow
Administration

[ozbob]

Some information on hybrid rail motors can be found here --> http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/press/20051102/index.html

[ozbob]

Hybrid rail motors could be used to provide regular services on longer haul lines that feed into high capacity/frequency electric urban and interurban lines. 

Two situations where they could be used to great effect are:

Gympie North to Nambour.

Toowoomba, Gatton, Helidon, Rosewood.

[albiwan]

Impressive technology Bob! For shorter hauls, such as Wamuran to Caboolture or Bethania to Waterford (6 kilometres of the Beaudesert Line backs onto urban development), some thing like the Parry Movers of England using a flywheel as a store of kinetic energy might offer a low cost solution.These type of vehicles are now approved for the Stourbridge Town Branch (south east of Birmingham).

http://www.parrypeoplemovers.com/index.htm