The previous trimmings by the Brumby Government were marginal to the effect overall of RRL and it is arguable whether they are part of RRL or the eventual plan to duplicate and electrify Melton .
The at grade junction at the Down end of Sunshine is adequate as long as it is only the junction between V/Line trains.
Grade separations at various stations between Sunshine and Robinsons Road really only become an issue with the future quadruplication .
Rollingstock wise both parties are to blame . VLP advised Government to buy 67 additional VL cars . When Labour Government fell in November 2010 they had ordered NIL . Liberals arrived and Mulder went troppo on all the uncosted bits of RRL which in reality was not large except that Labour had not ordered any trains . So Mulder sat on his hands then for over 12 months before finally ordering 40 extra VL cars . But by that time Adelaide were in front of us with their EMU order at Bombardier . Therefore late delivery of extra VL cars, not helped by RRL being completed a year early . In dying days Mulder increased 40 to 43 cars. New Government has promised a further 20 VL cars which brings it all pretty close to VLP originally requested 67 extra VL cars .
Note the tone of the PTV release "they have been directed " . Interpretaion perhaps they felt it was ready to go for an April opening .
Yes delayed delivery of rollingstock may be an issue as 3 x 6 car extra VL sets are required to meet the new VLP timetable . Prangs with VL at Galvin and 13 Z cars still out of traffic after 2 years don't help either .