Dear Group Members,
I just obtained a copy of this map today which may be of interest, regarding the Murray Basin Rail Project. - (map is Murray Basin Plan)
Note the following which group members would be aware of, but is worth repeating:
- An initial $41 million will be spent on upgrades to the Mildura-Maryborough and the Hopetoun-Murtoa lines.
- The business case, due by the end of this year, would provide recommendations for the achievement of a standard gauge link between Mildura and Geelong.
- The overall cost of the project would be up to $220 million, to be completed by 2018.
However, it appears from my interpretation that at least the following is apparant from the map: 1. Standardisation of the broad gauge line between Mildura and Maryborough (and possibly two other lines north of Maryborough); 2. The creation of a standard gauge link connecting the Mildura-Maryborough line to the "Ararat line" (already running on standard gauge), which would connect Mildura to the ports of Portland, Geelong and Melbourne via standard gauge.
For the purposes of the return of passenger rail, if these developments occur it would allow a number of possible passenger rail options as follows:
1. Option of a passenger rail sprinter service from Mildura to Maryborough via standard gauge, and then, initially, a connector service from Maryborough via Ballarat to Melbourne via broad gauge (which may later be converted to standard gauge allowing one train for the whole trip);
2. Option of a passenger rail sprinter service from Mildura to Ararat via standard gauge, and then, initially, a connector service from Ararat via Ballarat to Melbourne via broad gauge (which may later be converted to standard gauge allowing one train for the whole trip);
3. Option of a passenger rail service on one train via standard gauge from Mildura to Adelaide (via Horsham), to Portland (via Ararat), to Geelong (via Ararat) and to Melbourne (via Geelong).
In short, a passenger rail service from Mildura to Melbourne would then, at least initially, have three possible routes, which are to take two trains via a connecting service at either Maryborough or Ararat, or to take one train from Mildura to Melbourne via Geelong.
Any later commitment to also standardise the broad gauge line past either Maryborough or Ararat to Melbourne would then enable a one train service via either Maryborough, Ararat or Geelong.
Creating a standard gauge link between Mildura and the transcontinental link, in the long-term, would also connect Melbourne via Mildura to Perth, Darwin, Brisbane and Sydney. This would open up the possibility of a national passenger rail service (the 'outback express' or similar chosen name) via Mildura and would also make Mildura perhaps one of the most significant freight hubs in Australia.
I hope that this is of assistance to Group Members.
Regards,
Chris Crewther
I just obtained a copy of this map today which may be of interest, regarding the Murray Basin Rail Project. - (map is Murray Basin Plan)
Note the following which group members would be aware of, but is worth repeating:
- An initial $41 million will be spent on upgrades to the Mildura-Maryborough and the Hopetoun-Murtoa lines.
- The business case, due by the end of this year, would provide recommendations for the achievement of a standard gauge link between Mildura and Geelong.
- The overall cost of the project would be up to $220 million, to be completed by 2018.
However, it appears from my interpretation that at least the following is apparant from the map: 1. Standardisation of the broad gauge line between Mildura and Maryborough (and possibly two other lines north of Maryborough); 2. The creation of a standard gauge link connecting the Mildura-Maryborough line to the "Ararat line" (already running on standard gauge), which would connect Mildura to the ports of Portland, Geelong and Melbourne via standard gauge.
For the purposes of the return of passenger rail, if these developments occur it would allow a number of possible passenger rail options as follows:
1. Option of a passenger rail sprinter service from Mildura to Maryborough via standard gauge, and then, initially, a connector service from Maryborough via Ballarat to Melbourne via broad gauge (which may later be converted to standard gauge allowing one train for the whole trip);
2. Option of a passenger rail sprinter service from Mildura to Ararat via standard gauge, and then, initially, a connector service from Ararat via Ballarat to Melbourne via broad gauge (which may later be converted to standard gauge allowing one train for the whole trip);
3. Option of a passenger rail service on one train via standard gauge from Mildura to Adelaide (via Horsham), to Portland (via Ararat), to Geelong (via Ararat) and to Melbourne (via Geelong).
In short, a passenger rail service from Mildura to Melbourne would then, at least initially, have three possible routes, which are to take two trains via a connecting service at either Maryborough or Ararat, or to take one train from Mildura to Melbourne via Geelong.
Any later commitment to also standardise the broad gauge line past either Maryborough or Ararat to Melbourne would then enable a one train service via either Maryborough, Ararat or Geelong.
Creating a standard gauge link between Mildura and the transcontinental link, in the long-term, would also connect Melbourne via Mildura to Perth, Darwin, Brisbane and Sydney. This would open up the possibility of a national passenger rail service (the 'outback express' or similar chosen name) via Mildura and would also make Mildura perhaps one of the most significant freight hubs in Australia.
I hope that this is of assistance to Group Members.
Regards,
Chris Crewther