It is historical suburban train type spacings on a country line . Two solutions rationalize the number of stations by closing half of them and accelerating services, or go back to Sprinter shuttles Weekdays between Warragul and Dandenong, and at same time Traralgons run express Pakenham to Drouin. One aint going to happen as it is politically sensitive, two involves extra cost and extra resurces so not going to happen any time soon either .

I guess that the decision to make the evening Down 'flagship' service stop at Bunyip and Longwarry was not made in the light of political sensitivity!

I agree that the reasons for the non duplication 60 years ago are ancient history and utterly irrelevant to the situation today. But circa 1953 there was a huge loans crisis. At the time the states had to go through the Commonwealth Government to borrow money and they were on a huge post war infrastructure binge. But inflation got out of control and, as economic management techniques were not as sophisticated as they are now, the feds used the loans council to throw the brakes on the economy and the states could only borrow about half? as much as they were planning to.

As a result, lots of projects were cancelled or delayed and many half built projects were cut back. In Victoria it meant that amongst other things, the Kiewa Hydro scheme got cut back and halved in size (Vic was compensated with a 1/6 share of Snowy Hydro) and the tail end of Operation Phoenix, the post war rehabilitation of the railways was also cut back. It's likely that the Bunyip River bridge and track duplication was one of those cut backs.

duplication is pretty high needs for Gippsland line if they want trains on time

duplication is pretty high needs for Gippsland line if they want trains on time

Duplication of Bunyip - Longwarry  and also extending the duplication to the Down end of Moe as was supposed to be done with RFR with a second platform at Moe would give a lot more flexibility .  VLp also want to ultimately also want to duplicate the section between Down end of Hearnes Oak Loop and the Up end of Morwell  Loop.

However as long as there are still only two Metro tracks between Dandenong and Caulfield even if resignalled and with most lx removed in that section  VLP Eastern trains are always going to be dumbed down to the Suburban tarin average speed from Dandenong in .

I notice in the local paper (Gippsland Times) that our local pollies are promising extra Sale and Bairnsdale services (not until 2016 though as infrastructure upgrades are needed). Mention is also made of "a new loop" between Bunyip and Longwarry of 4km (which presumably is non-rail speak for duplicating the section) with second platforms at both stations and 20m canopies to protect passengers from the weather.

Part of the story here -> http://www.gippslandtimes.com.au/story/2703835/coalition-pledges-more-train-services/?cs=1450

See Napthine Ararat thread for full details.

Am I missing something?  There seems to be a lot of 'high fives' regarding the turnaround of the bridge installation and the line being open again.  I feel that the whole situation is a disgrace noting the following points:

- The fact the culverts failed initially is unacceptable.  This is inexcusable in itself only made worse by the spin (lying) to the public and blaming it all on 'flood damage'.  The failure mode is corroded Armco culverts that where allowed to 'run to fail' and highlight deficiencies in the asset management and safety systems.  It was only known after a rough ride under the train.
- For the second failure to close the track is unacceptable.   For sure they may have been managing the risk but the line closing is unacceptable given the lesson should have been learnt the first time.
- The replacement bridge addresses some of the failed culverts but the causeway consists of many culverts.   There is potentially the risk of yet another failure and another closure.

Where is the confidence that the asset and the operation is being managed appropriately?  It would appear to be an absolute circus with little to know pressure to strive for the excellence and instead yet another example where the acceptance of mediocrity is becoming mainstream.

Am I missing something? There seems to be a lot of 'high fives' regarding the turnaround of the bridge installation and the line being open again. I feel that the whole situation is a disgrace noting the following points:

- The fact the culverts failed initially is unacceptable. This is inexcusable in itself only made worse by the spin (lying) to the public and blaming it all on 'flood damage'. The failure mode is corroded Armco culverts that where allowed to 'run to fail' and highlight deficiencies in the asset management and safety systems. It was only known after a rough ride under the train.
- For the second failure to close the track is unacceptable. For sure they may have been managing the risk but the line closing is unacceptable given the lesson should have been learnt the first time.
- The replacement bridge addresses some of the failed culverts but the causeway consists of many culverts. There is potentially the risk of yet another failure and another closure.

Where is the confidence that the asset and the operation is being managed appropriately? It would appear to be an absolute circus with little to know pressure to strive for the excellence and instead yet another example where the acceptance of mediocrity is becoming mainstream.

See todays Press re  V/LINE CEO  doc under FOI saying rail maintenance funds for VLP still falling way short .

Government says more being spent now than under Labor, but obviously still way deficient in that  Mildura Line has pages of SR's between Maryborough and Mildura .  Governments of both persuasions continue to allocate insufficient funds for maintenance in both Metro area and to VLP so the maintenance debt just gets greater .  Reference emergency fish plates  7  pairs in a row at  Alphington in the Metro area .  Both Metro &  VLP need like $ 50m  more per annum just to maintain the rail assets in good condition .   Both  VLP and  Metro have to live within the maintenance $  Government allocates . Maintenance does not generate photo opportunities for pollies, but delivery of a new train does. So you let the asset run down then announce an upgrade program that in reality is just catch up maintenance .

You cannot just blame the current government, the reason there is no photo ops for maintence is most of the population either do not understand whats required or have no interest so why should a popularly elected representative show any interest. In the end people get the government they deserve.

What will almost certainly happen is there will be major accident in which the coroner will blame poor maimtence, then and only then will we see pollies running for cover

On another thread a number have spoken up at the good work pollies do particularly at there local level. Now woodford does agree with this. Sadly though the same people when they put in there politcal party hat seem to lose all sight of reality.

woodford.

All of us as Victorian taxpayers have every right to expect that the State Government will maintain OUR assets in  rail infrastructure, schools, hospitals etc in good  fit for purpose condition .  What typically happens especially with rail and schools is that maintenance is on a low cost  "as needs" basis where we save short term on maintenance, but pay much more in the longer term in catch up maintenance or worse still  , replacements claimed as upgrades that are in most cases just deferred maintenance .  e:g:  Recent  tie renewal and surfacing cycle Ballarat - Ararat  claimed as an upgrade, was just  a long overdue  cycle of basic maintenance .  The track class is still class 2, so clearly not an upgrade .   The condition of many of our schools maintenance wise is apalling .

You cannot just blame the current government, the reason there is no photo ops for maintence is most of the population either do not understand whats required or have no interest so why should a popularly elected representative show any interest. In the end people get the government they deserve.

What will almost certainly happen is there will be major accident in which the coroner will blame poor maimtence, then and only then will we see pollies running for cover

Sorry Woodford I have to disagree.

The general population cannot be expected to 'understand what's required'. There are a million aspects of government that I do not understand but have the view that that is what the politicians and public servants are there to look after on my behalf, As such they are there and are paid to take an interest in all matters affecting the community on my behalf.


Given that we are specially interested in transport 'people get the government they deserve' I would like to know what I have done to deserve the likes of Mulder and Kosky as Transport Ministers and the host of other crooks and f..wits that call themselves our State Government of both political colours and other than voting for a minor/fringe party (or not at all) what I can do to get the government that most of us deserve. Alright if we vote the opposition in at each election what will change - nothing!


I do agree, however, that when there is a Granville disaster in Victoria something might be done but only if it cannot be avoided.


Transport Ministers giving out icy poles and spraying water on passengers during an era of drastic water restrictions typify the whole sad story. Bah humbug $%^%&^)($@()_

Sorry Woodford I have to disagree.

The general population cannot be expected to 'understand what's required'. There are a million aspects of government that I do not understand but have the view that that is what the politicians and public servants are there to look after on my behalf, As such they are there and are paid to take interest in all matters affecting the community on my behalf.

If only they would actually do that...

The general population cannot be expected to 'understand what's required'. There are a million aspects of government that I do not understand but have the view that that is what the politicians and public servants are there to look after on my behalf, As such they are there and are paid to take interest in all matters affecting the community on my behalf.

It seems very clear to me that a politician's sole job is to get reelected. Anything that happens in a "good" direction is purely accidental.