Byron "Rail Corridor"

[Bjwh86]

Just wondering if anyone knows what date this company will start operation on their 3 km track between Shirley St, Byron Bay and Bayshore Drive, Byron Bay.

It is being run in support of Elements of Byron Resort and will have 2 platforms at the above locations and will run a refurbished 600 class railmotor which is undergoing work at Lithgow.

http://northbyronbeachresort.com.au/rail-shuttle/

[boronia]

It looks like operation is dependent on all sorts of regulatory approvals.

Why not email the operator and ask?

[Roderick Smith]

World's first solar-powered train railway launches in Byron Bay, Australia
34 photos:
Aerial shot of Elements of Byron.
The fire pit at Elements.
Byron Bay Railroad Company train at the North Beach platform. Photo: Supplied The Byron Bay Railroad Company train. Photo: Supplied Byron's North Beach station. Photo: Byron Bay Railroad Company The pool area. Photo: DAVID YOUNG Ballina prawns with burnt butter, truffle miso and star anise.
Deconstructed rhubarb cheesecake at Graze.
The sashimi with yuzu and sesame seeds at Graze.
The fire pit by the pool.
Cocktails at Graze.
Heritage meets renewable at Byron Bay's new North Beach Train Station with solar array on the roof. Photo:?Byron Bay Railroad Company Photo: Byron Bay Railroad Company Heritage meets renewable at Byron Bay's new North Beach Train Station with solar array on the roof. Photo shows Solar panels in the process of being installed on the Byron Bay Train. &... Read more Tim Elderton (left), managing director of Lithgow Railway Workshop with Jeremy Holmes, development director Byron Bay Railroad Company. Photo: Byron Bay Railroad Company The pool at Elements of Byron. Photo: Supplied Elements of Byron, Byron Bay.
The pool heated to 27 degrees at Elements of Byron.
Aerial shot of Elements of Byron.
The pool at Elements.
The world's first solar-powered railway will begin taking passengers, in the northern New South Wales coastal town of Byron Bay, on Saturday.
It's the realisation of an eight-year dream held by the owners of the resort Elements of Byron and their development director, Jeremy Holmes.
Run under a separate not-for-profit entity, The Byron Bay Railroad Company, the two-carriage lovingly restored 1949 NSW train will carry passengers between North Beach Station, about 300 metres up Bayshore Road from the upmarket resort, and the centre of Byron Bay township.
Byron Bay Railroad Company train at the North Beach platform. Photo: Supplied Running on existing 110-year-old rail tracks that last saw regular service in 2004, it costs $3 one-way for a three-kilometre trip that takes about seven minutes, allowing resort guests – and anyone else who wants to board, to avoid the Byron township traffic. There's room for 100 seated passengers, plus luggage, surfboards and some people standing.
The train may have been eight years in the making, but it was only last year the project went solar.
"We'd been thinking about it long before but finally the technology caught up and it actually made it feasible," says Jeremy Holmes.
The 70-tonne train has 6.5 kilowatts of solar power panels on its roof charging a big lithium battery. On top of the train shed at North Beach there is also 30-kilowatt solar system. When the train comes back every four or five trips, it's topped up.
"And then we've got a regenerative brake which means we can regather energy when we brake to use to accelerate," explains Holmes. There is a diesel engine, only for emergency back up in case of electrical fault.
Aside from Elements of Byron business, other facilities in its vicinity include a pub, shops, cafes, light industrial businesses and a Bunnings as well as residences. Also underway, is a development designed as a creative small business hub.
The train service has not been without its detractors. Some residents whose properties back onto the train line – with the tracks running between their homes and the beach – have protested against it and threatened legal action.
Talks are underway for at least one stop to be installed along the line, at Discovery Park between Elements and Byron township. The train will run on a limited timetable throughout January before starting full service.
It coincides with Elements of Byron launching 99 new villas with kitchens and an adults-only pool area with swim-up bar and Mexican food truck, as well as a new Beach Club that takes more advantage of the resort's direct beachfront with extra deck chairs and a bar in a teardrop caravan. There's also a new children's adventure playground.
See http://www.byronbaytrain.com.au, http://www.elementsofbyron.com.au See also: World's newest, largest 'air cruise' private jet bound for Australia See also: Qantas reveals second Dreamliner and new US route Dec 15 2017 http://www.traveller.com.au/worlds-firs ... lia-h05ff1

[Passenger 57]

I wonder what more frequent and cost-effective renewable energy "mass-transit" transport solution might have implemented for the $4m cost if they dropped their obsession with an old rail motor. What they have achieved is neat but I can't be enthused by any transport solution that operates at an hourly frequency over a distance of 3km. Miss the train and it will be quicker to walk. According to the ABC Online article it will need recharging every 4-5 trips on a sunny day so it seems to me the 6,5km of solar panels on the roof are of very limited use and perhaps are only there to add justification for calling it a solar powered train,

Sure an electric bus or even a Tesla would probably the job much more cheaply but I wonder how much some sort of automated group transit system would cost to run over the longer term.

Edit:
Here's a really green solution: Article and Video (requires facebook login for best viewing)

[gascoyne]

According to the local Byron Echo, a Development Application to the local council requires some land from the rail corridor. Transport for NSW is reportedly happy to sell it.
See https://www.echo.net.au/2017/12/nsw-govts-secret-sell-off-byron-bay-rail-corridor-land/
Two questions:

How can they sell without an Act of Parliament to close the railway?

According to the Echo article, excising the land will cut the corridor, permanently precluding restoration of rail services. Won't that also cut the new Byron Bay Railroad Company service?

[boronia]

The land is part of the "rail corridor" but does not appear to be that part which contains that the actual track. The article does not state that the tracks are involved, or that future rail services would be impacted. It only refers to possible other uses of the adjacent areas.
If you read the DA:

Railway land ; The railway land is undeveloped and comprises remnant littoral rainforest which Is heavily infested with exotic plants and weeds.

Selling an unwanted part of a corridor does not require an Act of Parliament.

[Tonymercury]

Did someone mention Byron Nimbys?

https://www.northernstar.com.au/news/be ... n/3304035/

[jpp42]

How can a "local environmental plan" affect a state asset that is already built and permanently installed?

Plus, any environmental impact is caused by the bridge's existence, not by the train crossing over it. Shouldn't they be suing the state as the asset owner?

[Tonymercury]

How can a "local environmental plan" affect a state asset that is already built and permanently installed?

Plus, any environmental impact is caused by the bridge's existence, not by the train crossing over it. Shouldn't they be suing the state as the asset owner?

It probably depends on what they're smoking.

[tonyp]

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/na ... 37a325cf82

https://www.facebook.com/pg/Sunrise-Pro ... e_internal

Up there with Ecotransit for Green hypocrisy. Here's a thought: perhaps they should all lead by example and demolish their millionaire houses, move away from the area and allow it all to return to its natural state. If they're saying no to more suburbia then they should act on what they preach. While they're at it, they can condemn all automotive manufacturers for only achieving partial reduction of emissions with alternative technology rather than achieving 100% in one go..... and give up owning a car because of this.

[Tonymercury]

Here's a thought: perhaps they should all lead by example and demolish their millionaire houses, move away from the area and allow it all to return to its natural state.

I heard someone on the radio the other morning pointing out the extremely short gap between moving there (and becoming part of the perceived problem) and donning their protesters outfits to complain about the incomers!

[tonyp]

I heard someone on the radio the other morning pointing out the extremely short gap between moving there (and becoming part of the perceived problem) and donning their protesters outfits to complain about the incomers!

Such is life.

I had a look at the operation on the map and it doesn't interfere with anybody; it's mostly through open country and for only 3 km. It's a pity that they obviously haven't been allowed the level crossing at the town end to access the old Byron Bay railway station, but I can understand they would have had a lot of bureaucracy piled up against them there. Good on them and a shame they have such stupid rattiness to contend with.

I have fond memories of the 600s belting along out in the country too. What great trains they were.

[lunchbox]

Byron Shire Council has called for expressions of interest from qualified and experienced parties for a study on the "Multi Use of Byron Shire's Rail Corridor". EOIs close 26 April 2018. (Ref. SMH 3.4.18)