Article: Queensland Government spends millions of dollars ....

[ozbob]

From the Couriermail click here!

Queensland Government spends millions of dollars maintaining rail line at Gayndah that hasn't been used in four years

Queensland Government spends millions of dollars maintaining rail line at Gayndah that hasn't been used in four years

    by: Rose Brennan
    From: The Courier-Mail
    May 08, 2012 12:00AM

IT'S the million-dollar train line to nowhere.

The Queensland Government continues to spend millions of dollars maintaining a rail line that hasn't been used in more than four years.

The Courier-Mail discovered the wasteful spending after receiving complaints about maintenance and signs at a defunct crossing in Gayndah, 145km west of Maryborough.

Former Gayndah mayor Bill Mellor, 73, initially complained to The Courier-Mail about locals having to pull up at a stop sign on the level crossing despite the fact that trains have not used the line since March 2008.

Despite this, taxpayers forked out $1.6 million in the past two years for maintenance.

After questions from The Courier-Mail this week, Transport Minister Scott Emerson confirmed the cost and benefits of maintaining the Monto Branch line and its 90 level crossings will be "reviewed".

"Given the level of debt left by Labor this type of spending needs to be closely scrutinised," Mr Emerson said.

A Transport and Main Roads Department spokesperson said the line was classified as a "seldom used" line and only if the line is "officially" closed will the maintenance work finish.

Under this classification, rail infrastructure - such as stop signs at level crossings - is to be left as it is.

In the past nine months, 49 maintenance inspections were carried out over the 400km of track on the Monto Branch line.

The line crosses through townships including Mungar, Monto, Thinoomba, Biggenden, Didcot, Gayndah, Mundubbera and Eidsvold.

Last financial year, $934,000 was spent on maintaining the disused line. This financial year, until the end of March, $666,000 has been spent.

Mr Mellor is also concerned about the safety aspects of the stop sign on the Elliot St level crossing in Gayndah, which he describes as a hot spot for traffic accidents.

"People decide not to obey the stop sign (because there's no trains) so they race along but a vehicle in front of them decides to stop and they run into the back of you," Mr Mellor said.

Reg Brown has depots on either side of the railway line in Gayndah and said the disruptions to traffic caused by the stop signs were "impeding" his business.

"I can't see what would be wrong with a give way sign or a 20km/h sign for safety reasons but a stop sign when there is no likelihood of a train on the line is just ridiculous," Mr Brown said.

[ozbob]

The ' Monto loop ' ( http://www.railmaps.com.au/qldsth.htm ) did provide a bypass for the NCL when it was blocked.

I think it has been used since 2008 on the odd occasion, however it is difficult to see it surviving for much longer.

[colinw]

The Mungar to Monto end of the line is unlikely to ever see use again, although there was mineral traffic out of Biggenden until some time in the mid 2000s.

Gladstone to Monto is a different proposition entirely, as there is some potential for coal & mineral traffic from Monto. The line was actually receiving an upgrade which was partially completed when the Monto coal venture went belly up.

I went around the loop from the Gladstone end on an ARHS railcar tour around 1995.  Very scenic, particularly the range climb heading toward Monto from Many Peaks. The most unusual feature of the line is three tunnels through adjacent ridges on an almost straight section of track - you can see directly through them.

Even then the northern end of the loop was definitely in better condition, and the railcar managed some spirited running up to 80 km/h between Monto & Gayndah via Eidsvold. In comparison, Gayndah to Mungar was a trundle on very poor quality track, and the 2000 class rail motor lurched very alarmingly & nearly derailed on one heat kink in the line, resulting in the driver emergency braking then hopping off to check we were still on the rails.

A very enjoyable journey, but as a diversionary route for the NCL of no earthly use.

[ozbob]

Not now, but has been used in the past to route around issues. Due to the light line etc. not really an option these days unless substantial work done and I don't think that is going to happen.

Interesting article from 2009 ..

From the NewsMail here!

Uses of railway line still in limbo

Uses of railway line still in limbo

JILLANNE Kahill is unsure what will happen with the Biggenden-Monto-Taragoola railway line, but she does know what she wants to happen.

"Don't pull up the rail link. I lived in Hervey Bay when they pulled up the line there and I could have cried," Mrs Kahill said.

The Biggenden resident's comments come ahead of a Biggenden-Monto-Taragoola Community Rail Consultative Committee public meeting on July 16 to discuss the future of the line, which has not been used for at least 12 months.

While it may still be premature to discuss what could happen with the meeting, Mrs Kahill, a member of the Biggenden Historical Society and Museum, did see the potential for a tourist attraction.

"It would be great to get all the towns together for a day trip or something and the train could stop at all the little towns," Mrs Kahill said.

But Mrs Kahill's idea may just be a pipe-dream with the final decision on what is to happen with the line still way off.

North Burnett Regional Mayor Joy Jensen said options were currently being considered.

"We are currently looking at the further use of the line," Cr Jensen said.

Cr Jensen said some of the potential uses included those of a commercial nature, but said she did see the potential for the line to be used as a tourist attraction.

"The potential is there (to be a tourist train) as it does provide a loop from Maryborough to Gladstone," Cr Jensen said.

However, Cr Jensen said it was too early to speculate as to what would happen with the railway.

"We believe it needs to be kept open, but we of course do not have a crystal ball to see what is going to happen in the future," she said.

A Queensland Rail (QR) spokesman said there are currently no rail services on the line and QR would be represented at the meeting.

"The Biggenden-Monto-Taragoola Community Rail Consultative Committee has been meeting since 1993 to discuss the future of the railway line between Biggenden and Taragoola," he said.

Lea Emery | 9th July 2009 3:00 AM

[ozbob]

In 2008 the Australian Railway Historical Society - Queensland Division operated a long distance SIX-DAY steam tour from Brisbane to Monto traveling the full length of the 'Monto Loop'. Monto is unusual in that rail access is by two separate railway lines, one to the north near Gladstone and south from Mungar. The tour ran via the North Coast Line to Gladstone before heading for Monto. We follow the train on its journey up the North Coast Line as far as Gympie, where the train spends the evening at Old Gympie Station home to the Mary Valley Heritage Railway. We pick up the train again at Many Peaks and follow it the rest of the way around the loop and back to Brisbane.

[Stillwater]

lol, the committee has been meeting since 1993 to find a solution -- that's a lot of cups of tea over time.

[Stillwater]

The comments to the CM story refers to the Wamuran line as being disused, but there are council plans to explore options for light rail over the tracks.

But how many other disused railway lines are there in Queensland where the track is still in place?  Yeppoon?  Goomeri?

[beauyboy]

It should be pointed out that the Ex mayor has a vested interest. He owns a insurace brokerage which I am sure he would do insureance for heavy vehicles!

Donald

[SurfRail]

I do agree with the Mayor, when lines drop from even weekly use to irregular to "services suspended" the stop signs at some point must go/covered up as it devalues the sign and purpose and leads devaluing the safety purpose of the sign and may lead to issues elsewhere.

regards
Shane

He does have a point.  This is exactly what happened to the Murwillumbah branch level crossings, although the line is actually closed there (albeit left in place).

[ozbob]

From the Couriermail click here!

Transport Minister Scott Emerson promises action on Monto branch line near Gayndah that cost $1.6 million in maintenance but hasn't been used in four years

Transport Minister Scott Emerson promises action on Monto branch line near Gayndah that cost $1.6 million in maintenance but hasn't been used in four years

    by: Rose Brennan
    From: The Courier-Mail
    May 10, 2012 12:00AM

A RAIL track to nowhere will be part of a government review of wasteful spending.

The Courier-Mail on Tuesday revealed $1.6 million was spent on maintenance of the Monto branch line near Gayndah despite services being suspended since March 2008.

Former Gayndah mayor Bill Mellor complained locals had to pull up at a stop sign at a level crossing for a disused line.

Yesterday Transport Minister Scott Emerson said department officials would consult with local communities and businesses about the future of the line.

A spokeswoman for Mr Emerson couldn't confirm a timeframe for this action to be taken though but said Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney was also involved in the move to review the spending.

"There's no set timeline at the moment but it will definitely be happening in the near future," she said.

Mr Emerson said "spending across the entire portfolio" would be reviewed.

He said it was "in an attempt to cut waste, get better value for taxpayers' money and minimise the debt left by Labor".

Since the state election the department has sliced millions from its portfolio including scrapping the duplication of Smart State number plates and the voluntary separation program for government workers.

Commuter advocacy groups though have urged the government to redirect railway funding rather than slashing it.

Robert Dow from railway advocacy group Back on Track said rural train lines stretching from Brisbane to Charleville and Mount Isa to Townsville would benefit from the maintenance works and millions spent on the Monto branch line.

"That money would be better spent providing freight services to communities that desperately need them," Mr Dow said.

"We have a fairly widespread rail network that's been a little bit neglected and that's not being utilised to its full potential," Mr Dow said.

Mr Dow said the line was superseded by a lack of economic activity in the surrounding towns of Gayndah, Mungar and Mundubbera.

[ozbob]

Report on Channel 10 News that the Monto loop will be 'mothballed' from July.

[ozbob]

Rest in peace, rail in Queensland ..

Letter to the editor, published Couriermail 9th May 2012 page 32

Trains can be a road saviour



Off to Victoria next week for a few days, be good to see proper country passenger rail services again. Plan to go to Ballarat one day.

Rail operators in Queensland just want to get rid of freight wagons, carriages and locomotives so that they don't have to run trains.  Of course the lines will go ...

A weekend where there could be extra holiday specials to the Sunshine Coast (this coming Queen's Birthday Weekend and Caboolture show) is a track closure.   What else would you expect in Queensland?

yep, RIP rail in Queensland ...

Photograph: Queensland locomotives enroute to the Port of Brisbane for export to South Africa a week ago or so.  At least they will be used for the  future transport needs in that country.  Queensland will just sink into a transport oblivion ..



Source unknown.

[colinw]

Feeling a bit gloomy Bob?

At least we haven't had the kick in the guts the good folks of Gawler just received.

I'd say the Gladstone to Monto end of the loop has a future if the proposed mines around Monto go around.  Mungar to Monto is of little use, and will never re-open. The only thing keeping it open was magnetite ore from Biggenden.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Yay for privatisation. FYI some of the electric locos are also being sent abroad for refurbishment/modifications for use in South Africa. 3 of them were transported to AR at the start of the month.

[ozbob]

From the Couriermail 1st June 2012 page 12

No-train rail line to close

[ozbob]

612 ABC Brisbane Breakfast with Spencer Howson followed up with a short interview this morning.  Thanks!

[ozbob]

612 ABC Brisbane click here!

Ripping up the rails

01 June 2012 , 8:18 AM by Spencer Howson

Transport Minister Scott Emerson yesterday announced the closure of the Monto rail line in Central Queensland.

Robert Dow from Rail Back on Track is not impressed, as you'd expect. But the minister says there hasn't been a train on that track since 2008:

[Fares_Fair]

612 ABC Brisbane click here!

Ripping up the rails

01 June 2012 , 8:18 AM by Spencer Howson

Transport Minister Scott Emerson yesterday announced the closure of the Monto rail line in Central Queensland.

Robert Dow from Rail Back on Track is not impressed, as you'd expect. But the minister says there hasn't been a train on that track since 2008:

The track is being closed but the rails themselves will remain, won't they?

[colinw]

Consultation on the Miles to Wandoan branch?  Are they mad?  That line joins up with the soon to be built Wandoan to Banana (and thence Gladstone) coal line, and needs to be upgraded to heavy haul standard to enable coal from west of Dalby to go to Gladstone rather than via Toowoomba.

Politicians + Railways = Disaster.

[ozbob]

612 ABC Brisbane click here!

Ripping up the rails

01 June 2012 , 8:18 AM by Spencer Howson

Transport Minister Scott Emerson yesterday announced the closure of the Monto rail line in Central Queensland.

Robert Dow from Rail Back on Track is not impressed, as you'd expect. But the minister says there hasn't been a train on that track since 2008:

Sunshine Coast line gets a mention in this interview FF ...

[#Metro]

I can't exactly see massive demand for a rail service out there. And I can think of better things to do with $1.8 million - like a contribution to a Bulimba BUZ.

Not all cuts are bad, and I think this is one of them.

[Fares_Fair]

612 ABC Brisbane click here!

Ripping up the rails

01 June 2012 , 8:18 AM by Spencer Howson

Transport Minister Scott Emerson yesterday announced the closure of the Monto rail line in Central Queensland.

Robert Dow from Rail Back on Track is not impressed, as you'd expect. But the minister says there hasn't been a train on that track since 2008:

Sunshine Coast line gets a mention in this interview FF ...

Cheers, searching for earphones now ...
great interview!

Go Beerburrum to Nambour !

[HappyTrainGuy]

I can't exactly see massive demand for a rail service out there. And I can think of better things to do with $1.8 million - like a contribution to a Bulimba BUZ.

Not all cuts are bad, and I think this is one of them.

I highly doubt that 1.8million would be funnled back into Translink.

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson
01/06/2012

Waste to end on the Monto branch line

The Newman Government today confirmed it will end the waste from continually maintaining a Central Queensland train line that has not seen a train for four years.

The Minister for Transport and Main Roads Scott Emerson said up to $1 million a year would be saved by cutting back maintenance on the Monto branch train line.

"Labor spent more than $1.8 million over two years maintaining a line without trains, money that will be better spent on delivering front line services," Mr Emerson said.

"Given the level of debt left by Labor this type of spending needs to be closely scrutinised to ensure tax payers are receiving value for money."

The corridor, which runs from Mungar to Monto to Taragoola, was previously classified as seldom used requiring 49 maintenance inspections across almost 400km in the nine months to March 2012.

"The track and corridor will remain in place allowing the line to be re-opened if there is a future demand, however maintenance will end from 1 July 2012 and stop signs will be removed.

"I've asked my department to conduct further investigations into other seldom used regional lines."

[ENDS] 1 June 2012

[SurfRail]

I can't exactly see massive demand for a rail service out there. And I can think of better things to do with $1.8 million - like a contribution to a Bulimba BUZ.

Not all cuts are bad, and I think this is one of them.

I highly doubt that 1.8million would be funnled back into Translink.

I agree, but it is $1.8m which QR can find another use for.

[#Metro]

Here's something we should acknowledge:

Not all cuts are bad

No cuts is like saying "Everything is perfect", "Change is not necessary", "No opportunity for renewal" and "We don't have changing priorities".

Make the cuts and spend the cash on something more useful.

[Jonno]

Here's something we should acknowledge:

Not all cuts are bad

No cuts is like saying "Everything is perfect", "Change is not necessary", "No opportunity for renewal" and "We don't have changing priorities".

Make the cuts and spend the cash on something more useful.

Unfortunately it will be spent on forcing more people & freight onto our roads.  Is the "assessment of demand" based on historical usageage or a % of trips that can and should go by rail? 

History shows us that stopping line maintenance ends up with the track falling into a state of disrepair and then that is used as an excuse not to introduce service. 

Welcome to the 1970's everyone!!!!

[#Metro]

Unfortunately it will be spent on forcing more people & freight onto our roads.  Is the "assessment of demand" based on historical usageage or a % of trips that can and should go by rail?

History shows us that stopping line maintenance ends up with the track falling into a state of disrepair and then that is used as an excuse not to introduce service.

Welcome to the 1970's everyone!!!!

I can find a better use for $1.8 million dollars. Spend it on a BUZ in Bulimba - you'd probably get 2 million trips on a decent BUZ 230 in Bulimba. Take many more people off the road. Or on a TransLink bus out to Toowoomba.

Not all cuts are bad. In fact, the lack of cuts can be a very damaging, bad thing - money spent on waste, while more important/urgent needs are not attended to.

CUT!!

If you are against cuts, you are also against building a decent network and decent services that cater to todays needs - instead you are prioritising nostalgia as the key planning tool/value. Just look at the BT bus network - it is like a museum of dead bus routes.

[HappyTrainGuy]

There can be many things done with that money but you might want to get that idea that the saved mtce money could/would be put back into Translink out of your head.