Passenger rail

[Rclasstramcar]

I hope it wins. Or they can tack onto GWA's latest order. It'd be good if Tasrail got some new, not 2nd hand locos. Or they can tack onto GWA's latest order.

Thanks all for the help ,
Ben

[AEC Regal]

I hope it wins. Or they can tack onto GWA's latest order. It'd be good if Tasrail got some new, not 2nd hand locos. Or they can tack onto GWA's latest order.

Thanks all for the help ,
Ben

I hope the winning tender results in reliable, fuel efficient and safe locos, as well as being comfortable and well riding for the crew, rather than exotic el-cheapos that turn out to be maintenence intensive lemons that the crews hate. In the end, we all hope for productive units that help Tasrail win more traffic, make money and earn investment.

[Rclasstramcar]

In the end, we all hope for productive units that help Tasrail win more traffic, make money and earn investment.

The lines need fixing too. Tassie has 42kg rail which can't take much weight. And the bends need straightening. Can anyone please tell me what more work needs doing?

Ben

[trainiac]

s it possible to modify the older QR EMUs to diesel power? Ben

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_M ... nd_Rail%29. Can someone please tell me the cost of electric to diesel conversion if known?

Ben

Maybe $200kfor a suitable genset, plus mods and control gear. Maybe $400k per unit? Better than $5 to $6 million per new unit that was quoted in the Light Rail preliminary studies.
On the Light Rail studies, the preliminary studies were quite positive, showing that a light rail could be viable. That was assuming a partial level of the massive demand increase that has been seen in places like Perth and other cities around the world when a new service is introduced, and very conservative costing (that is, seemingly overstated costs - $33 million to upgrade the line?? ). But the final report did a very obvious and unexplained backflip, canning the whole idea. Knobbled by vested interests perhaps? When the minister was asked to explain, he was more concerned with his personal pique on critisism of the process, and dismissed the whole thing.

[AEC Regal]

In the end, we all hope for productive units that help Tasrail win more traffic, make money and earn investment.

The lines need fixing too. Tassie has 42kg rail which can't take much weight. And the bends need straightening. Can anyone please tell me what more work needs doing?

Ben

Rail has been progressively upgraded to 60+kg. The main line has been substantially re-sleepered with steel, although proposals are being put forward to further upgrade with concrete. No major deviations are programmed as yet. If you want to keep abreast with developments, I suggest joining the Rail Page forum, as this Bus Australia forum is not really the place to go into further detail about that.

[trainiac]

60kg!!! 130lb!! Its mostly 80lb/41kg with still some 60lb

[AEC Regal]

60kg!!! 130lb!! Its mostly 80lb/41kg with still some 60lb

Well as I said 60+ (plus) kg, thats what I meant!!

[Rclasstramcar]

Thanks AEC.

Ben

[Rclasstramcar]

Seriously, DRR, DVR & TTMS have run mainline quite successfully in the past without any major incidents

Couldn't TTMS put a generator in Car 141 and run it in the yard? It'd give you an experience of Hobart trams. Launceston does so and works quite well AFAIK. Rollingstock wise, I was thinking of this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4Ky6LlJE4Q

Ben

[trainiac]

I don't believe CNR, the builders of the DL's, put in a bid. CSR did though. Different company

[Rclasstramcar]

Thanks . China's loco makers are really up & coming.

Cheers,
Ben

[Rclasstramcar]

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hobart-No ... 0564300948 Look at the cars . I guess Tassie could always buy 3'6 gauge 'Hunter' style railcars or some 'Matangi' sets.

Cheers,
Ben

[Z1-2110]

It won't ever happen. TasRail are looking at freight, not passengers.

[Rclasstramcar]

Can anyone please tell me why the passenger trains ceased?

Cheers,
Ben

[leyland clippers]

The main reason passenger trains ceased in Tasmania was due to lack of patronage. The Tasman Limited used to take 9 hours to travel between Hobart and Wynyard. It used to take about 4 1/2 hours to travel to Launceston and with the upgrade of the Midlands Highway the same trip could be done in roundabout 2 hours. Another reason though I'm not 100% sure on this was when the TGR was taken over by ANR they only wanted to deal with freight not passengers.

[Rclasstramcar]

Thanks .

Another reason though I'm not 100% sure on this was when the TGR was taken over by ANR they only wanted to deal with freight not passengers.

That seems to have been AN's style in South Australia. It's why they've no country rail services AFAIK.

Cheers,
Ben

[crayner]

http://www.theadvocate.com.au/news/local/news/general/new-locomotive-fleets-for-tasrail/2391296.aspx

TASRAIL has announced it will be buying 17 new locomotives from U.S. manufacturer Downer Rail as part of its revitalisation of the state's freight rail service.

The first new locomotives are expected to start arriving by mid 2013 and completion within 18 months.

[stevegj52]

The main reason passenger trains ceased in Tasmania was due to lack of patronage. The Tasman Limited used to take 9 hours to travel between Hobart and Wynyard. It used to take about 4 1/2 hours to travel to Launceston and with the upgrade of the Midlands Highway the same trip could be done in roundabout 2 hours. Another reason though I'm not 100% sure on this was when the TGR was taken over by ANR they only wanted to deal with freight not passengers.

Thats about the size of it Frosty and the fact that the suburban system was badly rundown as was the rest of the rail network plus AN only intrested in freight add to that the then state government wanted rid of it.AN did spend a lot of money on upgrades. Now its done a complete circle with the Governmemt running it again and the news that the new loco's are now confirmed and due in 2013 will mean a bright future for TasRail and hopefully get freight off roads and back on rail Hopefully TasRail will have the new wagon rolling stock tender built in Tasmania.

[Z1-2110]

PR22L is the type of Locomotive. As for wagons, who here in Tasmania can build them? I can think on one place, Hayward Engineering at Western Junction.

[stevegj52]

PR22L is the type of Locomotive. As for wagons, who here in Tasmania can build them? I can think on one place, Hayward Engineering at Western Junction.

I can remember when Tassie had several engineering companies the could have done the work,but I guess over the years they have closed unless there is one down south as well but by the sounds of it the wagon stock will have to built here on the mainland. Pity TasRail cannot build their own like the used to( well the old TGR did)

[Rclasstramcar]

http://www.theadvocate.com.au/news/local/news/general/new-locomotive-fleets-for-tasrail/2391296.aspx

TASRAIL has announced it will be buying 17 new locomotives from U.S. manufacturer Downer Rail as part of its revitalisation of the state's freight rail service.

The first new locomotives are expected to start arriving by mid 2013 and completion within 18 months

Great news. Tasrail's newest locos (i.e. bought new) are the 1970's Z/ZAs, so these new ones will no doubt be very welcome.

Cheers,
Ben

[trainiac]

Most structural fabrication firms could build the bodies. Even shipyards (Incat??). The running gear is all bought-in components (bogies, wheels, brakes, draw gear). The design would have to be done either by a specialist rollingstock engineering firm or a local engineering firm willing to take on something new.

[stevegj52]

Most structural fabrication firms could build the bodies. Even shipyards (Incat??). The running gear is all bought-in components (bogies, wheels, brakes, draw gear). The design would have to be done either by a specialist rollingstock engineering firm or a local engineering firm willing to take on something new.

I was thinking along the lines of Incat as well or simular engineering companies there.Tasmania needs new industry badly and something like this would be a start rather than send work which can be done there to mainland firms. Governmemt needs to realise that there is no such word as can't as the say and it can be done, Buses used be built there over the years so why not rolling stock.

[Rclasstramcar]

Can anyone tell me if East Tamar (if the workshops are there) would be able to make rollingstock?

Cheers,
Ben

[Z1-2110]

If they have the men and women, sure can make any sort of rolling stock.