Improved Rail to Toowoomba

[ozbob]

The Chronicle (Toowoomba) --> Wagner looks to the future with high speed rail


One of the proposed routes put forward by ARTC.

TOOWOOMBA is in need of high-speed passenger rail between Wellcamp Airport and Brisbane to secure its future, according to John Wagner.

The board director of Wagners Group has urged the government-owned Australian Rail Track Corporation to accommodate a high-speed rail line when it came time to laying down infrastructure between Toowoomba and Brisbane for the proposed Inland Rail project.

"What I'm saying is when ARTC look at the Inland Rail corridor, they absolutely need to provision for future high-speed rail between Brisbane and Wellcamp," Mr Wagner said.

"What it means is they will be building the new line and within the corridor they need to make sure they put a high-speed rail line to link the airport to Brisbane.

"I think over time, we will be able to justify Toowoomba having a high-speed passenger rail link to Brisbane."

ARTC's Inland Rail project, which spans more than 1700km, would take freight off the road and transport it between Brisbane and Melbourne via Toowoomba, Wagga and Moree. It is still in the planning phase.

Mr Wagner said high-speed rail was necessary for the region to prosper, with the Inland Rail proposal providing the perfect time instigate it.

"Toowoomba is the second-largest inland city in Australia, it has fantastic facilities, massive projects like Grand Central, Wellcamp Airport, the Second Range Crossing, a good hub for the CSG industry and great education," he said.

"Why wouldn't we want high-speed rail?

"We need to make sure we work together and look forward to the next 100 years."

This is not the first time high-speed rail has been floated for Toowoomba, with a pre-feasibility study into a 2028 Olympic Games bid suggesting high-speed rail would increase the chances of of south-east Queensland winning the bid.

[James]

Not while BNE + OOL are more than adequate. The money spent on HSR to Toowoomba would be better spent improving rail to the Sunshine/Gold Coasts.

Nice thought though. May be an idea in 50 years when (and if) BNE/OOL reach capacity.

[verbatim9]

The Chronicle (Toowoomba) --> Wagner looks to the future with high speed rail


One of the proposed routes put forward by ARTC.

TOOWOOMBA is in need of high-speed passenger rail between Wellcamp Airport and Brisbane to secure its future, according to John Wagner.

The board director of Wagners Group has urged the government-owned Australian Rail Track Corporation to accommodate a high-speed rail line when it came time to laying down infrastructure between Toowoomba and Brisbane for the proposed Inland Rail project.

"What I'm saying is when ARTC look at the Inland Rail corridor, they absolutely need to provision for future high-speed rail between Brisbane and Wellcamp," Mr Wagner said.

"What it means is they will be building the new line and within the corridor they need to make sure they put a high-speed rail line to link the airport to Brisbane.

"I think over time, we will be able to justify Toowoomba having a high-speed passenger rail link to Brisbane."

ARTC's Inland Rail project, which spans more than 1700km, would take freight off the road and transport it between Brisbane and Melbourne via Toowoomba, Wagga and Moree. It is still in the planning phase.

Mr Wagner said high-speed rail was necessary for the region to prosper, with the Inland Rail proposal providing the perfect time instigate it.

"Toowoomba is the second-largest inland city in Australia, it has fantastic facilities, massive projects like Grand Central, Wellcamp Airport, the Second Range Crossing, a good hub for the CSG industry and great education," he said.

"Why wouldn't we want high-speed rail?

"We need to make sure we work together and look forward to the next 100 years."

This is not the first time high-speed rail has been floated for Toowoomba, with a pre-feasibility study into a 2028 Olympic Games bid suggesting high-speed rail would increase the chances of of south-east Queensland winning the bid.

That's great and from the reader poll shows overwhelming support.

[BrizCommuter]

Pie in the Sky. In QLD, even run a 30 minute peak service from Doomben is too hard!

[verbatim9]

Every 90mins from 5.00am to Midnight is doable.

[Old Northern Road]

Are we even sure they will allow passenger trains on this line?

If they do it will be 140-160km/h max. You also have the issue of getting from Ipswich to Roma St. Maybe the train would have to terminate at Ipswich

[#Metro]

Whatever is used, it needs to be better than the bus.

If diesel is going to be used, where and how will that be serviced?

You also have to look at the possibility of just paying subsidies to a bus operator to get regular and frequent services out to Toowoomba.

I don't like the proposed alignment in the article, as I think it is a bit of a dog leg.

I would much prefer services went via Ipswich - it has a lot of activity centres along the line and four tracks from Darra to the city, which is

perfect for express running.

I daresay steam is the best operation here!

[SteelPan]

don't laugh Quuuueeeennnnnssslllland was running steam for decades.......and decades after the southern capitals had embraced electric.......   

[Stillwater]

The Wagner proposal is for rail freight, with Toowoomba being an 'inland port' or freight consolidation centre, supplying product to Brisbane and the Port of Brisbane.

[Gazza]

LD see the plan, it would be dual gauge as  far as the rosewood branching point.
Freight would go via Kagaru, passenger services I imagine go via Ipswich.