Silver Bullet to the Rescue

[glossyblack]

It's great to see a "closed line" performing such sterling service during the flood.
Everyone at the Mary Valley Heriatge railway should be congratulated on their efforts in maintaining some contact  and transport for the people of Gympie.
Surely thjis illustrates the need for wel built flood proof rail lines in this State.

[ozbob]

 

[ozbob]

http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/story/2011/01/10/disaster-group-holds-update-meeting/

The Mary Valley Heritage Railway is running regular services between the Monkland Station at the Monkland School to the Station at Tozer Street while Pengelley's Bridge is closed. The services will run hourly between Gympie and Monkland and half hourly between Monkland to Gympie ...

[ozbob]

http://www.mvhr.org.au/images/silver-bullet2.jpg

--> http://www.mvhr.org.au/mvhr-fleet.htm

[WTN]

An incredible and very generous effort from MVHR.

[colinw]

Superb! 

I hope the QLD Government comes forward with a donation to the MVHR to cover costs.

Surely this pushes the case for a permanent resumption of rail service right into Gympie town, rather than to the station out in the sticks.

[Stillwater]

QR operates a courtesy bus from the centre of Gympie to the Gympie North 'station in the sticks' and back again.  It normally leaves the city about 30 mins before the train leaves from Gympie North and meets at CityTrain and Tilt Train, Sunlander etc services.  Last time I caught the courtesy bus, every seat was taken and the luggage trailer was three-quarters full.

It would be interesting to do a comparison between the cost of the driver's wages and the maintenance / running costs of the courtesy bus versus the use of a rail motor operating from Gympie Station, the home of the MVHR, to and from Gympie North.  I am not sure how the operational procedures would work at the Gympie North end, particularly for those trains heading north from Gympie North.

If MVHR provided such a service using a Qld Govt subsidy equivalent to the courtesy bus costs, it could be an extra revenue-earner.  There is certainly space at the old Gympie railway station, in the centre of town, to operate a rail motor to Gympie North, without affecting the steam train runs.

Patronage might improve, as the old Gympie station is centrally located within the city and has a good carpark.  It is also able to be serviced by one or two existing Polleys Coaches suburban bus runs.