Passenger rail in Tasmania's Northwest?

[Myrtone]

I came across this proposal for bringing back Tasmania's passenger rail.

[1whoknows]

What a waste of time and money that would be. The existing alignment gives a very slow run with current freight trains rarely going anywhere near the 80kph posited for sections of the proposed passenger service. The old Tasman Limited took half a day to get from Western Junction to Burnie along the same track alignment as exists today. Some years back when I was lucky enough to ride the green railcars on a charter from Hobart to Devonport, that took us the whole day with few sections capable of being done at more than 50-60kph. The current coach services do Launceston to Burnie in three hours. So this proposal is and shall ever remain just someone's wet dream.

[Myrtone]

It turns out lot of the line could get up a triple digit line speed.

[MattoX]

Sure, the old rolling stock was slow, but modern DMUs or EMUs are a completely different story in terms of speed and efficiency. They can maintain much higher average speeds across most sections, which slashes transit times and makes the whole experience way better for passengers. Plus, they’re cheaper to run and much greener, making the entire project a lot more viable in the long run

[Myrtone]

I wonder if even many (potentially) secondhand multiple units meet the requirements in terms of speed and efficiency.

[rtt_rules]

There is potential for regular passenger rail Devoonport to Hobart, but west of Devonport the line although scenic is very very slow.

Agree, modern DMU would be superior to that of the old Tasman Ltd timetable.

[Myrtone]

I wonder how cheap good secondhand DMUs would be if Japanese operators would like to offload them and annual mileage requirements (judging from frequency, span, coverage and fleet size) are quite low.

[rtt_rules]

I wonder how cheap good secondhand DMUs would be if Japanese operators would like to offload them and annual mileage requirements (judging from frequency, span, coverage and fleet size) are quite low.

Potentially Auckland might have some of the old Perth ones, however the problem with these older sets from Japan and Perth / Auckland is are they suitable for a long journey ride? ie comfortable seating, can be fitted with vending machines, DAA, DAA toilets etc.

Tassie's gauage maybe narrow, but its loading gauge is I believe more friendly than Brisbane and Perth which may open other options.

I also think the older DMU will be not much faster. Ideally it would be better to get a diesel battery hybrid, cheaper in fuel, more dynamic in acceleration, braking etc so quicker in and out of the corners.

I posted a breakdown of the old timetable Devonport to Hobart, previously 6.5 h (and not that far behind the current bus timetable) somewhere in this page and a combination of
- Modern rolling stock, such as Diesel electric hybrid MU
- Elmination of all these old whistle stop stations
- Shorter stop at WJ
- Priorty running
- Less traffic to pass anyway vs back then
- factoring in the removal of the Latrobe loop in the 80's

I think it was around 4 - 4.5 h Devonport - Hobart was doable. Trains would connect with ferry in both directions.

Obviously L'ton not being on the mainline is a bummer and doesn't help the business case but I think with a proper bus connection to the city via the airport this would be ok.