Politician turned author Tim Fischer has spoken against the truncation of the Hunter rail line at Wickham during a book signing tour at Kurri Kurri and Singleton.
Politician turned author Tim Fischer has spoken against the truncation of the Hunter rail line at Wickham during a book signing tour at Kurri Kurri and Singleton.
“I do think they should use common sense and remove the overhead [wires] and switch to light rail so that Hunter trains can still run to Newcastle station,” the rail aficionado said. “I have studied many cities around the world and have never found one that has ripped up a rail corridor in their CBD.”
And Sale in Victoria.Sale's old station was closed and replaced by the existing station to remove the need the reverse the loco hauled Gippslander passenger train (and to divert through goods trains off the lightly built Traralgon - Heyfield line, that led to closure of that route)
“I do think they should use common sense and remove the overhead [wires] and switch to light rail so that Hunter trains can still run to Newcastle station,” the rail aficionado said. “I have studied many cities around the world and have never found one that has ripped up a rail corridor in their CBD.”
Just how does he think light rail vehicles are powered? Fairy juice???Maybe he was thinking of a modern light rail system that does not require overhead wiring, such as ground level switched contact or INNORAIL. I believe they are an advanced form of third rail system where the conductor rail is only energised during the presence of a train. However, last time I checked there were not many applications of this technology; if Newcastle does have its trains replaced with trams they probably will utilise overhead wiring (I hope not, but I guess it would be slightly better than nothing).
I'm preaching to the converted here but we know that the sensible option is to retain things as they are. The issue at hand is to persuade the politicians of this.It seems the only way to do this would be for the people of Newcastle to hit the streets and scare them out of closing the line. Alas, cannot see it happening; at least not to the extent required.
The best example is Perth to Freemantle in W.A. Ten years or so after the line was closed, it was reconstructed and re-opened.Fremantle line was only closed for about 4 years and was still in place and used by freight trains so reconstruction wasn't needed, though the stations needed sprucing up. The line was then electrified about 8 years after reopening.
I cant really see massed support happening to save the Newcastle branch line.
Over many months of campaigning, the "Save Our Rail" group only managed to acquire 10 000 or so signatures on a petition to deliver to the NSW parlaiment, so that makes it at least 250 000 or more from the area that didnt sign.
Things don't happen just because Prime Ministers are very keen on them! Neville Chamberlain was very keen on peace!
X Class (About Bunbury CBD)Not being a Bunbury local (I live at the other end of the line in Perth), I can't really comment on how the Bunbury CBD has been effected or if the locals are cursing the town planners for what I believe to be a poor planning decision. The freight yards were removed from the old station precinct some time before the passenger facilities were moved. I can understand the desire to relocate the former, freeing up land around the CBD for locals and visitors to enjoy, making the waterfront much more accessible. It also reduced waiting times for motorists at level crossings when slow freight and shunting movements apparently kept some boom gates down for substantial amounts of time. Sure the railway may have acted as a division near the CBD and a shopping centre has been erected close to the old station, encroaching slightly on the old railway reserve. However, if the railway had remained, plans surely could have been made to place new developments above the railway (as is the case in Cairns, and indeed in Perth) without causing inconvenience to the travelling public who don't have access to private transport upon reaching their destination.
X Class, what was the effect on the Bunbury CBD of terminating the trains outside their CBD?
We've disabled Quick Reply for this thread as it was last updated more than six months ago.
