Many rail projects underway and a few tollways under the horizon. If you wanted to see an investment from the Government on the next rail project in Melbourne what would take priority first and why? If not on the list, suggest what you think should happen**.

-Melbourne Airport Rail Link (13~ km of new double track)
-Melton rail electrification project (24 km of electrification)
-Cranbourne duplication and Clyde extension (10 km duplication + 6 km double track)
-Baxter electrification (8 km of electrification)
-Caulfeild to Dandenong Quadruplication (20 km of double track/not electrified?)
-Werribee line extended to Wyndham Vale (11 km of double track)
-Upfield duplication and rail link to Craigeburn Line (5 km duplication + 2 km of double track + flyover)

Edit; Here are some more suggestions that some future projects that have potential
-Melbourne Metro tunnel 2
-Doncaster line
-Rowville line
-Altona duplication and flyover
-Hurstbridge/Lilydale/Belgrave line duplication
-Burnley to Camberwell Quadding
-Sunshine to Deerpark Quadding

**Please take it seriously

An extension from Werribee around the corner to the RRL with metro stops at tarneit and Wyndham Vale electric of course and express regional from Geelong not stopping at Wyndham Vale or tarneit

An extension from Werribee around the corner to the RRL with metro stops at tarneit and Wyndham Vale electric of course and express regional from Geelong not stopping at Wyndham Vale or tarneit

Why wouldn't the Caulfeild to Dandenong Quadruplication be fully electrified ?

An extension from Werribee around the corner to the RRL with metro stops at tarneit and Wyndham Vale electric of course and express regional from Geelong not stopping at Wyndham Vale or tarneit

Werribee line probably wouldn't extend that far into Tarneit otherwise the line would nearly go around a loop. The point of the extension is for VLine commuters to interchange at Wyndham Vale so they can access the Werribee line. Bypassing it would be inconvenience those Geelong passengers that want to get to Werribee. (there were complaints about this when RRL opened)

Why wouldn't the Caulfeild to Dandenong Quadruplication be fully electrified ?

It's for the Vlines running express pass the Dandenong and Cranbourne services. It is so regional services are more separated from the metro services.

Why wouldn't the Caulfeild to Dandenong Quadruplication be fully electrified ?

It's for the Vlines running express pass the Dandenong and Cranbourne services. It is so regional services are more separated from the metro services.

What about express suburban services !

How would the project every get over the line If commuters from Casey and Cardinia can't get access to faster express trains (these are the people who can offer serious lobbying power for railway upgrades)

Both sides of Government has limited Interest In Gippsland line travelers.

OK - I'll have the Airport train thanks.

Why wouldn't the Caulfeild to Dandenong Quadruplication be fully electrified ?

It's for the Vlines running express pass the Dandenong and Cranbourne services. It is so regional services are more separated from the metro services.

What about express suburban services !

How would the project every get over the line If commuters from Casey and Cardinia can't get access to faster express trains (these are the people who can offer serious lobbying power for railway upgrades)

Both sides of Government has limited Interest In Gippsland line travelers.

They already have express services during peak times between Caulfeild and South Yarra If I'm not mistaken. And you forgot Metro tunnel will provide a quick route for metro service whereas regional services use the longer route. Regional areas deserve a better service as well, they're not getting any upgrades from the Dandenong rail upgrade, why neglect them further. In fact they will need it more than ever since Haselwood factory has closed down. The regions are beneficial to the economy and should provide a better service. I don't think the Government would neglect that Gippsland region due to the lose of jobs there.

OK - I'll have the Airport train thanks.

Yeah I'm curious which route you like it to take? Express tunnel approach or the Default Albion to Sunshine route.

They already have express services during peak times between Caulfeild and South Yarra If I'm not mistaken. And you forgot Metro tunnel will provide a quick route for metro service whereas regional services use the longer route. Regional areas deserve a better service as well, they're not getting any upgrades from the Dandenong rail upgrade, why neglect them further. In fact they will need it more than ever since Haselwood factory has closed down. The regions are beneficial to the economy and should provide a better service. I don't think the Government would neglect that Gippsland region due to the lose of jobs there.

"Deserve a better service"

Is not going to get a major project happening !

Express suburban trains would not Impede the passage of country trains, just better utilize new Infrastructure to deliver bigger bang for the taxpayers buck.

Pakenham trains could stop all stations to Dandenong than express at 115 km/h (or higher) to Caulfield than express to the new tunnel. Cranbourne or Dandenong services would operate the stop all stations to Caulfield.

The problem of lack of track capacity between Caulfield and the new tunnel still remains unexplained (for extra tracks to be added beyond Caulfield)  

I've ranked all seven options.
1 Melton
 As long as it includes four tracks to Deer Park and a flyover.

2 Cranbourne
 I think most of the single track up from Lyndbrook can be left alone.

3 Werribee - Wyndham Vale

4 Caulfield-Dandenong
 I'd like a third sparked track to Westall and spend the rest of the money on another rail project.
 Maybe include a fourth platform at Dandenong and/or a flyover

5 Airport
 Needed, but inner city capacity will be a problem - otherwise it would have made my top three.

6 Baxter
 The main reason for doing this is stabling.
 It probably deserves a 40 or 60 service, but that could be provided by more Sprinters.

7 Upfield
 No justification at the moment.

Something not on the list -
Limited duplication between South Geelong and Waurn Ponds, but since this is limited to Melbourne I'll suggest extra track and higher speeds on the Altona loop (especially up from Seaholme). I'll rank this just ahead of Baxter.

PS. If they raised the rail when the removed the LXs at Ginifer and St Albans I would have nominated building a third track from Sunshine to St Albans for Bendigo trains, but that's not at all practical now.

Yeah I'm curious which route you like it to take? Express tunnel approach or the Default Albion to Sunshine route.

Don't care as long as it takes me to the Airport.

They already have express services during peak times between Caulfeild and South Yarra If I'm not mistaken. And you forgot Metro tunnel will provide a quick route for metro service whereas regional services use the longer route. Regional areas deserve a better service as well, they're not getting any upgrades from the Dandenong rail upgrade, why neglect them further. In fact they will need it more than ever since Haselwood factory has closed down. The regions are beneficial to the economy and should provide a better service. I don't think the Government would neglect that Gippsland region due to the lose of jobs there.

"Deserve a better service"

Is not going to get a major project happening !

Express suburban trains would not Impede the passage of country trains, just better utilize new Infrastructure do deliver bigger bang for the taxpayers buck.

Pakenham trains could stop all stations to Dandenong than express at 115 km/h (or higher) to Caulfield than express to the new tunnel. Cranbourne or Dandenong services would operate the stop all stations to Caulfield.

The problem of lack of track capacity between Caulfield and the new tunnel still remains unexplained (for extra tracks to be added beyond Caulfield)  

Fine, the Vlines and Pakenham metro service run express through to Caufeild and express again to South Yarra during peak times. Cranbourne line must take the passenger stops were the Pakenham expresses. Also need to timetable so when it reaches Caulfeild doesn't conflict with the stopping trains. This makes total sense, makes it more clear why electrifying the other two lines. I do see the potential of electrifying it now, but needs an investigation first. By the way the original Metro tunnel would of went to Caulfield, now will remain a bottleneck for years to come.

I'll suggest extra track and higher speeds on the Altona loop (especially up from Seaholme). I'll rank this just ahead of Baxter.

PS. If they raised the rail when the removed the LXs at Ginifer and St Albans I would have nominated building a third track from Sunshine to St Albans for Bendigo trains, but that's not at all practical now.

That's a good one, I do like to see the Altona line duplicated and a flyover. It would more likely improve the frequencies and reliability issues on the line. But it is unfortunately the one that gets ignored the most due the lack of patronage. Whereas the Baxter project would see more patronage and development. They're tough to compare side by side, since each project has it pros and cons.

The airport rail line could be suited for this purpose, if extended just past Sunbury then Bendigo trains can rerouted via there.

Many more velocities...... be rid of loco hauled Suburban sets

Reduplication of the Bendigo line

Quad caulfield Dandenong
I hate with these level crossing removals that  are like for like projects

An extension from Werribee around the corner to the RRL with metro stops at tarneit and Wyndham Vale electric of course and express regional from Geelong not stopping at Wyndham Vale or tarneit

Werribee line probably wouldn't extend that far into Tarneit otherwise the line would nearly go around a loop. The point of the extension is for VLine commuters to interchange at Wyndham Vale so they can access the Werribee line. Bypassing it would be inconvenience those Geelong passengers that want to get to Werribee. (there were complaints about this when RRL opened)

Not only will it extend to Tarneit, ultimately it will be extended to Sunshine (quadruplication), with separation of V/Line from METRO services all the way to from Southern Cross to Wyndham Vale.

OOPs...my suggestion:

-Werribee line extended to Wyndham Vale (11 km of double track)

Doyle, I'll take it that you want the Quadding Dandenong idea. The others are more regional style upgrades are not in the scope of the thread. I understand the feeling when Dandenong rail quadding was more than just a provision in the level crossing works. Have a good day.

Well a transfer station only should be built near where the RRL and the future Werribee line meet

I would like some continuous improvement across the infrastructure: signals, overhead, track, stations, car parks etc to improve reliability, frequency, security and function.  
Not many votes when compared to grand projects, but often overlooked by governments seeking a short term quick fix.

Well clearly it's the liberals fault then for taking that money away from RRL only to pop it on a road well I use this particular road it's much better to upgrade for both road and rail

So why would you vote liberal

Well we better lobby the minister Immediately

Doyle

I'll rank the options:

1. Airport rail link
Should have been done back when the Tullamarine Jetport was built.

2. Caulfield to Dandenong track amplification as well as Cranbourne duplication. Consider it one big project.

3. Upfield line duplication and rail link to Craigieburn
Only if suburban services along this corridor are extended at least to Craigieburn, and the number of level crossings is greatly reduced. I know it only sees four trains per hour during the busiest times but on the whole I consider this an acceptable limit the scheduled train frequency over a level crossing. If level crossings were as scarce here as in Syndey, such a limit would be quite feasible.
I know an underground diversion of the Upfield line has been controversial, but it would improve transit links between the University and the nearest suburbs accessible by heavy rail much more effectively than any improvement to street transit, for this simple reason that it would reduce street traffic, which in this case means fewer people moved along Sydney road per hour. Remember the limited capacity of Syndey road.
And if you think the diversion isn't viable, no problem other than the price tag. Actually, it could be done in stages, the first stage would be grade separation of Moreland road and Bell street level crossings, and likely every level crossing in between.

As for the rest, either they is no justfication at the moment or I am unsure.

I'll rank the options:

1. Airport rail link
Should have been done back when the Tullamarine Jetport was built.

2. Caulfield to Dandenong track amplification as well as Cranbourne duplication. Consider it one big project.

3. Upfield line duplication and rail link to Craigieburn
Only if suburban services along this corridor are extended at least to Craigieburn, and the number of level crossings is greatly reduced. I know it only sees four trains per hour during the busiest times but on the whole I consider this an acceptable limit the scheduled train frequency over a level crossing. If level crossings were as scarce here as in Syndey, such a limit would be quite feasible.
I know an underground diversion of the Upfield line has been controversial, but it would improve transit links between the University and the nearest suburbs accessible by heavy rail much more effectively than any improvement to street transit, for this simple reason that it would reduce street traffic, which in this case means fewer people moved along Sydney road per hour. Remember the limited capacity of Syndey road.
And if you think the diversion isn't viable, no problem other than the price tag. Actually, it could be done in stages, the first stage would be grade separation of Moreland road and Bell street level crossings, and likely every level crossing in between.

As for the rest, either they is no justfication at the moment or I am unsure.

All have more justification then your Underground diversion of the Upfield line. Have you not taken into account what many posters have said. It would be a waste of money.

Michael

I have, I noted, "And if you think the diversion isn't viable, no problem other than the price tag." So no problem that isn't monetary. It might not have the benefits of the Melbourne Metro rail tunnel or Airport rail link but still plenty, in terms of freeing up land, the line now serving a busier place that it currently serves. It certainly has more justification than a lot of road projects.

As for the rest, either they is no justfication at the moment or I am unsure.

Here's some info for the rest of them that you're not sure

Melton rail electrification is to help improve rail services to the west of Melbourne.
Cranbourne duplication and Clyde extension go together well you didn't mention the extension it is needed as well to serve the growth corridor.
The Werribee extension for connections to the busy Wyndham vale area and Baxter rail electrification projects to provide extra stabling for Frankston line.