Line closures

[ozbob]

Sadly, it is probably inevitable that a number of lines will be closed. Recent events on the Central West lines are just evidence to my mind that the move is on. The failure of the rail operators to commit to maintaining services is as much of a problem as the false economic mantra of the State Government in my opinion. Export the majority of light locos overseas, scrap freight wagons, run stupid timetables (eg. Westlander). False economy we know.  Massive impacts in terms of road damage, trauma and the like. Costs of transport will increase significantly.

No doubt there will be moves to close Quilpie, Cunnamulla, Springsure, Clermont, Wandoan.  Charleville is probably on borrowed time as well.

Not sure about Wallangarra.  Seems little justification on that either as rail operator doesn't care to run trains.

Other jurisdictions are positioning themselves for a decent transport future.  Not Queensland folks.   

[ozbob]

Westlander and Inlander are on borrowed time no doubt.  Locals will kick up a fuss re Inlander, Westlander will be missed by some but hey, how many get on a train at Chinchilla at 2.37am ..

So what's left?  Not much really, a clapped out coastal line service struggling with significant infrastructure constraints and a lack of will.

Suburban - interurban service that has been left too long in a failure maintenance mode.  Inevitable that Queensland Rail will be fully gutted and hived off as some sort of 'Metro Brisbane' operation.  All under the umbrella of cost savings. Yeah sure, go and have a look down south ...

[HappyTrainGuy]

It's sort of already happening

Damn Anna Bligh. QR was one of the states best assets. Why did you have to butcher it and everything else.

[ozbob]

It's sort of already happening

Damn Anna Bligh. QR was one of the states best assets. Why did you have to butcher it and everything else.

Separating QR was its final death knell ... although there were earlier directions ..

[ozbob]

I have seen it before, different state.  VR - same deal that has befallen QR.  VR has re-risen as V/Line and now Metro Melbourne.  There has been a transformation of late the realisation that they need to ramp up rail again and that is happening down south.  Queensland is just dumb and stupid.  Give it 20 years and suddenly they will say ' Sh%t, what happened ... '

[SurfRail]

Sadly, it is probably inevitable that a number of lines will be closed. Recent events on the Central West lines are just evidence to my mind that the move is on. The failure of the rail operators to commit to maintaining services is as much of a problem as the false economic mantra of the State Government in my opinion. Export the majority of light locos overseas, scrap freight wagons, run stupid timetables (eg. Westlander). False economy we know.  Massive impacts in terms of road damage, trauma and the like. Costs of transport will increase significantly.

No doubt there will be moves to close Quilpie, Cunnamulla, Springsure, Clermont, Wandoan.  Charleville is probably on borrowed time as well.

Not sure about Wallangarra.  Seems little justification on that either as rail operator doesn't care to run trains.

Other jurisdictions are positioning themselves for a decent transport future.  Not Queensland folks.

I doubt Wandoan will close any time soon if the Surat Basin rail proposals happen (ie Southern Missing Link).

Wallangarra is mighty handy for tourists (twice a year) and apples (not since 2007ish anyway)...

[ozbob]

Hasn't been a train to Wandoan for a while (years).  Even if coal was opened up it would have to be relaid to cope with higher axle loads etc.

I travelled to Wandoan by rail in the 1990s.  Interesting branch line.

Wallangarra is partly funded by Commonwealth money I understand.  That might explain perversely why there has been significant works on that line of late, principally sleeper replacements.  Only trains on it are the odd ARHS Winelander and the steam mob at Warwick.

Remember the apple trains well.  Not any more ... all in B troubles ..

[skippy]

Hasn't been a train to Wandoan for a while (years).  Even if coal was opened up it would have to be relaid to cope with higher axle loads etc.

I travelled to Wandoan by rail in the 1990s.  Interesting branch line.

Wallangarra is partly funded by Commonwealth money I understand.  That might explain perversely why there has been significant works on that line of late, principally sleeper replacements.

Reminds me of the infamous incident years ago near Townsville when the track renewal gang bumped into the track removal gang?

[Jonno]

It's sort of already happening

Damn Anna Bligh. QR was one of the states best assets. Why did you have to butcher it and everything else.

Separating QR was its final death knell ... although there were earlier directions ..

Separating QR had nothing to do with this.  It is Govt policy that invests in roads and is letting rail die. 

[Stillwater]

The Inlander and Westlander lines are funded solely by the Queensland Government.  It is better for the Queensland Government to devise transport solutions that become attractive, not because they are good solutions (some aren't), but purely because those solutions involve considerable federal funding responsibility.  The extent to which the state can engineer a shift in congestion, wear and tear etc to a road or railway where the feds have responsibility, they offload a significant proportion of the cost of the solution to a different level of government.

See here: http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2009C00116

[Stillwater]

So is QR's transport services contract underfunded?

http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Business-industry/Transport-sectors/Rail-services-and-infrastructure/Transport-Service-Contracts/Below-rail-transport-service-contract.aspx

What is the current situation regarding QR's TravelTrain transport services contract?

http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Business-industry/Transport-sectors/Rail-services-and-infrastructure/Transport-Service-Contracts/Long-distance-passenger-transport-service-contracts.aspx

And what does this mean? 

"Under the capital program funded through the contract, rail station infrastructure has been gradually upgraded since 2002 in order to be largely compliant with the Commonwealth Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport. Completed works include the North Coast Line to Cairns (Nambour?), the Great Northern Line between Townsville and Mt Isa, and the Central West Line between Rockhampton and Longreach. Work on the South West Line to Charleville is scheduled for completion in mid 2008. Work on the Longreach and Charleville lines commenced in late 2005. This five year capital works program will cost A$15.6 million.

"Traveltrain services have been found to benefit Queensland in terms of providing transport choice, regional development and reducing the environmental impact of long-distance travel."

[ozbob]

From 9 NEWS click here!

Transport woes 'stifling Qld farmers'

Transport woes 'stifling Qld farmers'
10:08 AEST Tue Jul 10 2012

Dilapidated transport networks could derail the Queensland government's pledge to double agricultural production, a rural lobby group says.

Without major investment in road and rail networks, AgForce says the government's commitment to double production by 2040 is a pipe dream.

Last week, the rail safety regulator was forced to suspend all rail services into the state's central west amid concerns about the safety of more than 70 wooden bridges.

Services have since resumed on two of the four affected lines, but with speed and other restrictions in place.

The suspensions are a major problem for primary producers and towns in the region, which rely on rail services to get their produce to market.

AgForce president Brent Finlay says the Newman government will not realise its ambitions for the agricultural sector unless it starts pumping money into transport infrastructure.

"Our primary producers need to have a facility that is in good repair and safe while being accessible and not leaving us competing for carriages with resources companies," he said in a statement on Tuesday.

"Without a strong rail system we will be forced to transport our commodities via road which would not only create safety issues through increased traffic but also further stress a road network that is in many places nowhere near adequate either."

He said Transport Minister Scott Emerson must embark on a tour of regional areas to understand the impact of substandard rail and road networks on farmers.

[SurfRail]

^ Maybe he could have a trip on the SOTO or the Westie...

[Golliwog]

Would the rail network problems they're talking about be things that would be within the scope of the projects announced today (http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=8728)?

At least if the rail lines were in the geographic area covered by the plans...

[colinw]

Qld kept the light weight rubbish far too long and now the main trunk lines are suffering. The bullet needed to bitten 30 yrs ago. The track upgrade std to Emerald should have been repeated to L'reach and Charlieville with transfer stations at a few major towns on each trunk line handling a daily rack load 5 times a week and if traffic not there, no train.

+1 

There is absolutely no future for 10 TAL light branch lines. Upgrade if the potential traffic is there, otherwise close.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Doubt that'll ever happen.