G'day all.
What about a hybrid solution for Geelong punters?
Able to use the overhead to Werribee, then diesel to Waurn Ponds?
I'm sure that in this age of modern engineering that type of train would be feasible.
Just throwing it out there!
This has been discussed before, and yes, it is certainly feasible and becoming a common technology elsewhere, but I'm not quite clear on what its purpose in this application would be. The VLos have excellent acceleration as we know, so that is not a problem. The issue is with interior configuration - ie is this a country train or a metro service or something different - and service levels/configurations to different points along the line. I think the propulsion system is largely an afterthought.
Jeroen Weimar is merely stating the obvious to kill of somebody's mischievous brain fart.
@PIMM, you hit the really important point in all this nonsense.
Where is the boundary between country /metro ?
There are as you say lots of technology, motor unit, metro , tube and all sort of hybrids. Doesn't really answer.
The interior is a more human problem. How long can a passenger last on the train without a toilet break.
In my young, fit and occasional sober days, Geelong to Melbourne not a problem.
Now old and leaky, accompanying pregnant daughter it's a lot more difficult.
Any form of metro train, even the new wiz bang HCMT, is not going to work.
The current Metro limits are also near the human limit. Melton & Wyndham Vale maybe a stretch.
Until Metro run at an average speed approx 200kph, not going to change that limit.
Hence VLos have their purpose.
Via Werribee or Sunshine doesn't really matter, but a $squillion spent for RRL suggests the latter is preferred.
cheers
John